ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS · GRANT
MPS Physics Research Programs (MPS Physics)
- Deadline
- Oct 6, 2076 (18245 days left)
- Who can apply
- Anyone eligible under the notice (unrestricted)
- Award range
- Not stated
- Expected awards
- Not stated
- Total program funding
- $180 million
- Your own money required
- No cost sharing or matching required
- Opportunity number
- 26-523
- Posted
- Aug 17, 2026
- Assistance listing
- 47.049
What it funds
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.
Open the official notice on Grants.gov ↗What to do next
- Open the official notice on Grants.gov and download the full announcement (the NOFO) and any attachments.
- Check you can apply: the eligible applicants above, and any detail in the notice's eligibility section.
- Register your organization in SAM.gov (choose "all awards") and create a Grants.gov account; allow several weeks the first time.
- Apply through Grants.gov exactly as the notice says, before Oct 6, 2076. Late applications are usually not accepted.
New to this? Applying for a federal grant, step by step · Register to apply · How to read the notice · Write the narrative · Build the budget · Agency contact: grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
From Grants.gov's official daily extract of Oct 25, 2026. The notice on Grants.gov and its attachments are what count. UX Contract is independent and not a government website.