Centers for Chemical Innovation

The Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) Program supportsresearch centersfocused on major, long-term fundamental chemical researchchallenges.CCIs that addressthese challenges will produce transformative research, lead to innovation, and attract broad scientific and public interest. CCIs are agile structures that can respond rapidly to emerging opportunities through enhanced collaborations. CCIs integrate research with strong broader impacts, including innovation, education, broadening participation, andinformal science communication.


The CCI Program is a two-phase program. Both phases are described in this solicitation. Phase I CCIs receive significant resources to develop the science, management and broader impacts of a major research center before requesting Phase II funding. Satisfactory progress in Phase I is required for Phase II applications; Phase I proposals funded in FY 2024 will seek Phase II funding in FY 2027.


The FY 2024 Phase I CCI competition is open to projects in all fields supported by the Division of Chemistry, and must have scientific focus and the potential for transformative impact in chemistry.The NSF Division of Chemistry particularly encourages fundamental chemistry projects aligned with articulated budget priorities, including Advanced Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductor Research, Biotechnology, Climate Research and Sustainability, Clean Energy, and Quantum Information Science.


The FY 2024 Phase II CCI competition is open to projects funded as Phase I awards in FY 2021.



The FY 2026 Phase II CCI competition is open to projects funded as Phase I awards in FY 2023 as well as renewals of Phase II proposals funded in FY 2021.

The Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) Program supportsresearch centersfocused on major, long-term fundamental chemical researchchallenges.CCIs that addressthese challenges will produce transformative research, lead to innovation, and attract broad scientific and public interest. CCIs are agile structures that can respond rapidly to emerging opportunities through enhanced collaborations. CCIs integrate research with strong broader impacts, including innovation, education, broadening participation, andinformal science communication.


The CCI Program is a two-phase program. Both phases are described in this solicitation. Phase I CCIs receive significant resources to develop the science, management and broader impacts of a major research center before requesting Phase II funding. Satisfactory progress in Phase I is required for Phase II applications; Phase I proposals funded in FY 2024 will seek Phase II funding in FY 2027.


The FY 2024 Phase I CCI competition is open to projects in all fields supported by the Division of Chemistry, and must have scientific focus and the potential for transformative impact in chemistry.The NSF Division of Chemistry particularly encourages fundamental chemistry projects aligned with articulated budget priorities, including Advanced Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductor Research, Biotechnology, Climate Research and Sustainability, Clean Energy, and Quantum Information Science.



The FY 2024 Phase II CCI competition is open to projects funded as Phase I awards in FY 2021.

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
-Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities.
-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 sub-awards 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:

While these proposals will reflect the research of many investigators, only one Principal Investigator (PI) should be identified; no co-PIs are permitted. All other investigators are considered Other Senior Personnel (Faculty Associates). The PI must be affiliated with an eligible submitting organization.


An investigator may participate (as PI or Other Senior Personnel) in only oneCCI preliminary proposal, one CCI Phase I full proposal, and one CCI Phase II full proposal submitted to this competition. In cases where an individual appears in two or more proposals at the same stage, any submitted proposals involving that person may be returned without review.


The Phase II eligibility is limited to teams from the Phase I awards initiated in FY 2021.