The National Science Foundation, frequently known as the NSF. Is a government agency of the United States that’s greatly accountable for supporting fundamental research and education in all of the non-medical fields of science and engineering.
The programs and initiatives of the NSF are all aimed towards the attainment of its overall agency mission which is “to promote the development of science. To advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense.”
In keeping with this mission, the National Science Foundation has announced the constitution of the Scalable Nanomanufacturing Grants Program. Wherein it proposes to deepen and encourage research and education in the area of scalable nanomanufacturing. Including the long-term societal implications of the largescale implementation of nanomanufacturing innovations.
Initially, the program was created in response to and is a part of the National Nanotechnology Initiative Signature Initiative: Sustainable Nanomanufacturing. Creating the Industries of the Future.
In the past, there have already been several nanofabrication systems. That have demonstrated the ability to produce small amounts of nanomaterials and devices. But the main goal of this initiative is to focus on research studies that can support and facilitate the identification. And demonstration of nanomanufacturing processes with high potential to scale to economically and industrially relevant production levels.
The National Science Foundation requires the proposals that will be submitted under this programme to address at least one. And preferably more than one, of the following inter-connected themes:
a) Novel processes and techniques for constant and scalable nanomanufacturing;
b) Directed (physical, chemical, biological) self-assembly processes leading to heterogeneous nanostructures with the capability for high-rate production;
c) Basic systematic research in well-defined areas that are compellingly justified as vital roadblocks to scale-up;
d) Guidelines and design strategies to produce machines and processes to produce nanoscale structures, devices and systems; and ultimately
e) Long-term societal and educational implications of the large-scale production and usage of nanomaterials, devices and systems. Including the life-cycle research of such nanomaterials, devices and systems.
The NSF is willing to administer approximately 4 to 6 grants awards with a total funding amount of $5,300,000.
The institutions and associations who will be considered eligible. To submit an application under the Scalable Nanomanufacturing Grants Program are the following:
a) Licensed Colleges and Universities
b) Two and Four-Year Colleges
c) Community Colleges and Universities
d) Private and Public Institutions of Higher Education
e) State and Local Governments
f) Nonprofit Organizations.