NSF-DFG Lead Agency Activity in Electrosynthesis and Electrocatalysis | 20 578

Opportunity Information: Apply for 20 578

The NSF-DFG Lead Agency Activity in Electrosynthesis and Electrocatalysis is a joint U.S.-Germany funding opportunity designed to make it easier for research teams in both countries to work together on fundamental advances in electrochemical science and engineering. It builds on a formal Memorandum of Understanding between the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) that sets the rules and expectations for cooperative research support. Within NSF, the participating units are the Division of Chemistry (CHE) and the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems (CBET). On the German side, DFG participation comes through the Divisions of Physics and Chemistry (PC) and Engineering Sciences (ING 1). The overall intent is to strengthen cross-border collaboration by aligning review and funding processes while still allowing each agency to pay for the researchers it normally supports.

The scientific focus is electrosynthesis and electrocatalysis, with an emphasis on novel, fundamental electrochemical reactions and the kinds of mechanistic understanding that can unlock new capabilities. Priority topic areas include electrochemical transformations relevant to organic and polymer synthesis, electrochemical water splitting (hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution), and nitrogen reduction aimed at ammonia production. The solicitation is broadly receptive to both chemistry-driven and engineering-driven research, as long as the core contribution is fundamental knowledge rather than incremental development. Examples of relevant activities explicitly called out include mechanistic studies; catalyst design, synthesis, and characterization; computational modeling, theory, and simulation; and the development of new experimental tools that enable better measurement, control, or understanding of electrochemical systems.

For projects grounded in fundamental engineering science, the opportunity highlights research that connects reaction phenomena to scalable systems. This includes reaction engineering, reactor and reactor-system design, and component- or device-scale studies when they are used as platforms to generate fundamental insights that support eventual scale-up. The call also welcomes work exploring alternative activation routes beyond conventional thermal approaches, specifically citing microwave-assisted catalysis and low-temperature plasma-assisted catalysis as examples, provided the work remains within a fundamental engineering science scope.

A central feature of this opportunity is the "lead agency" model. Instead of forcing teams to prepare separate proposals for NSF and DFG with duplicated reviews, the collaboration submits a single joint proposal that goes through one review process. Either NSF or DFG serves as the Lead Agency, chosen based on where the largest share of the proposed research effort resides. After the review, outcomes are shared across the relevant NSF and DFG divisions before final funding recommendations are made. Even though the review is unified, each agency retains budgetary control over its own awards, meaning U.S. researchers are funded by NSF and German researchers are funded by DFG under their respective rules.

Proposals must make a clear case for why the work requires a U.S.-German collaboration, not just that it is convenient to have one. Reviewers will expect a rationale explaining the unique expertise on each side, how the collaboration creates real scientific synergy, and why the combined team is positioned to accomplish results that would be difficult for either group alone. Applicants are also directed to ensure their projects fit within the participating program scopes at NSF (CHE and/or CBET) and at DFG (PC and/or ING 1), and to follow the typical budget levels and project durations used in those programs rather than assuming special or expanded limits under this joint mechanism.

In the source listing, the opportunity is identified as a discretionary grant program run by NSF under Funding Opportunity Number 20-578, categorized under science and technology research and development, with CFDA numbers 47.041 and 47.049. The posting date is May 17, 2020, with an original closing date of September 30, 2020, and an anticipated number of awards around 10. The award ceiling is listed as 0, which typically signals that a fixed maximum is not specified in the notice and that budgets should align with normal program expectations. Eligibility is described broadly in the listing as "others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement, and German applicants are pointed to DFG guidance for proposal submission and requirements.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NSF-DFG Lead Agency Activity in Electrosynthesis and Electrocatalysis" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041, 47.049.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 17, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 30, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for 20 578

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