MPS Physics Research Programs (MPS Physics)

Key facts

Copied from the official Grants.gov record. Last verified October 29, 2026.

Program name

MPS Physics Research Programs (MPS Physics)

Issuing agency

U.S. National Science Foundation

Opportunity number

26-523

Funding type

Grant

Funding purpose

Science and Technology and other Research and Development

Status

Open (posted)

Application deadline

Closes October 6, 2076Agency note: Proposals accepted anytime

Published award range

Not published by the agency

Estimated total program funding

$180,000,000

Cost sharing or match required

No

Eligible applicants (official categories)

• Unrestricted (open to any type of entity, subject to any clarification in Additional Information on Eligibility)

Relevant to

Businesses and NonprofitsHow we determined this: Grants.gov lists eligibility as Unrestricted.

Geographic restrictions

None stated in structured data (federal opportunities are often nationwide). Check the eligibility details and full announcement for any limits.

Assistance Listing (CFDA)

47.049

Official source

View on Grants.gov ↗ · Agency information link ↗

Application URL

www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/363621 ↗Apply through Grants.gov (Workspace) using the application package on the official listing, unless the full announcement names a different submission system.

Source identifier

Grants.gov opportunity ID 363621 · Funding opportunity number 26-523

Posted

August 17, 2026 · Source last updated October 6, 2026

Last verified

October 29, 2026 (against Grants.gov)

Data completeness

83% of key fields published by the sourceNot published: published funding range, eligibility criteria text.

Record confidence

highVerified against the official source; key fields present; no open issues.

Description (from the official listing)

The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (NSF MPS) supports multiple research programs at the frontiers of discovery in physics. Physics research supported by NSF MPS enables understanding of the fundamental aspects of nature at all scales, from the quantum effects inside atoms to the mysterious dark energy spanning the entire universe. The core research programs covered by this funding opportunity are: Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics - Experiment (AMO-Experiment)Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics - Theory (AMO-Theory)Elementary Particle Physics - Experiment (EPP-Experiment)Elementary Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology - Theory (EPP/Cosmology-Theory)Gravitational Physics Integrative Activities in Physics (IAP)Nuclear Physics - Experiment (NP-Experiment)Nuclear Physics - Theory (NP-Theory)Particle Astrophysics - Experiment (PA-Experiment)Physics of Living Systems (PoLS)Plasma Physics Quantum Information Science (QIS) The cross-cutting research programs covered by this funding opportunity are: Advanced Physics Instrumentation (API)Focused Research Hubs in Theoretical Physics (FRHTP)Physics at the Information Frontier (PIF) NSF MPS is particularly interested in intellectually ambitious and potentially transformative foundational research. Proposals need not promise a near-term product, deployment, or commercial outcome, nor need they address later-stage development to be competitive.

Agency contact

NSF grants.gov support grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov