Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Faculty Catalyst Awards

The purpose of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Faculty Catalyst Awards (MPS-Ascend Faculty Catalyst Awards, MPS-AFCA) is to support successful MPS-Ascending Postdoctoral Research Fellows (MPS-Ascend Fellows) as they transition into tenure track (or equivalent) faculty positions at Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) inany scientific area within the purview of the five MPS Divisions: the Divisions of Astronomical Sciences (AST), Chemistry (CHE), Materials Research (DMR), Mathematical Sciences (DMS), and Physics (PHY).The program is intended to support these investigators of significant potential by providing them with resources for research and broadening participation activities that are in addition to initial resources typically provided through institutional start-up packages.This support is strategically designed to enable their continued scientific contributions and their exemplary leadership in the area of broadening participation. MPS-Ascend Postdoc Fellows are invited to apply for an MPS-Ascend Faculty Catalyst Award after consultation with the managing or cognizant Program Director of theMPS-Ascend Postdoc Fellowship Award.

The purpose of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Faculty Catalyst Awards (MPS-Ascend Faculty Catalyst Awards, MPS-AFCA) is to support successful MPS-Ascending Postdoctoral Research Fellows (MPS-Ascend Fellows) as they transition into tenure track (or equivalent) faculty positions at Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) inany scientific area within the purview of the five MPS Divisions: the Divisions of Astronomical Sciences (AST), Chemistry (CHE), Materials Research (DMR), Mathematical Sciences (DMS), and Physics (PHY).The program is intended to support these investigators of significant potential by providing them with resources for research and broadening participation activities that are in addition to initial resources typically provided through institutional start-up packages.This support is strategically designed to enable their continued scientific contributions and their exemplary leadership in the area of broadening participation. MPS-Ascend Postdoc Fellows are invited to apply for an MPS-Ascend Faculty Catalyst Award after consultation with the managing or cognizant Program Director of theMPS-Ascend Postdoc Fellowship Award.

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
-Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) - Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting
on behalf of their faculty members.Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an
international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain
the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.

*Who May Serve as PI:

Only prior recipients of MPS-Ascend Postdoc Fellowships (those awarded under NSF 21-573, NSF 22-501, or NSF 23-501) who completed no less than 12 months as an MPS-Ascend Postdoc Fellow, are eligible for MPS-Ascend Faculty Catalyst Awards.


Applications for MPS-Ascend Faculty Catalyst award are accepted by invitation extended by the Program Director who manages or is cognizant of their MPS-Ascend Postdoc Fellowship award. The invitation to apply for theMPS-Ascend Faculty Catalyst award can be extended by themanaging or cognizant Program Director of the MPS-Ascend Postdoc Fellowship Award only after theMPS-Ascend Postdoc Fellows contacted and communicated with them.


Invited MPS-Ascend Faculty Catalyst proposals must be received no more than 12 months after the close of the MPS-Ascend Postdoc Fellowship, and no more than six months after the start of the first tenure-track appointment of the applicant at an Institution of Higher Education (IHE).


Hence, it is strongly advised that MPS-Ascend Postdoc Fellows contact their managing or cognizant Program Director as soon as they accept the offer of the tenure-track appointment.