Division of Physics: Investigator-Initiated Research Projects

The Division of Physics (PHY)supports physics research and the preparation of future scientists in the nation’s colleges and universities across a broad range of physics disciplines that span scales of space and time from the largest to the smallest and the oldest to the youngest. The Division is comprised of disciplinary programs covering experimental and theoretical research in the following major subfields of physics:Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics; Elementary Particle Physics; Gravitational Physics; Integrative Activities in Physics; Nuclear Physics; Particle Astrophysics; Physics at the Information Frontier; Physics of Living Systems; Plasma Physics; and Quantum Information Science.


Additional Information


The Division of Physics strongly encourages single proposal submission for possible co-review rather than submission of multiple related proposals to several programs.


PIs considering submitting more than one proposal to this solicitation, or who already have an active PHY award, are encouraged to first consult with the relevant program officer(s) before preparing a new proposal. This does not apply to awards from or submissions to the MRI, REU, and/or center programs, or in cases of renewal proposals.


Due Dates


Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter’s local time):






Program(s)




Deadline






Plasma Physics




Third Monday in November, e.g. November 20, 2023






AMO – Theory and Experiment


Gravitational Physics – Theory and Experiment


LIGO Research Support


Integrative Activities in Physics




Fourth Wednesday in November,


e.g. November 22, 2023






Elementary Particle Physics – Experiment


Particle Astrophysics – Experiment




First Tuesday in December, e.g. December 05, 2023






Nuclear Physics – Theory and Experiment


Elementary Particle Physics – Theory


Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology – Theory


Physics of Living Systems


Quantum Information Science




Second Tuesday in December,


e.g. December 12, 2023

The Division of Physics (PHY)supports physics research and the preparation of future scientists in the nation’s colleges and universities across a broad range of physics disciplines that span scales of space and time from the largest to the smallest and the oldest to the youngest. The Division is comprised of disciplinary programs covering experimental and theoretical research in the following major subfields of physics:Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics; Elementary Particle Physics; Gravitational Physics; Integrative Activities in Physics; Nuclear Physics; Particle Astrophysics; Physics at the Information Frontier; Physics of Living Systems; Plasma Physics; and Quantum Information Science.


Additional Information


The Division of Physics strongly encourages single proposal submission for possible co-review rather than submission of multiple related proposals to several programs.


PIs considering submitting more than one proposal to this solicitation, or who already have an active PHY award, are encouraged to first consult with the relevant program officer(s) before preparing a new proposal. This does not apply to awards from or submissions to the MRI, REU, and/or center programs, or in cases of renewal proposals.


Due Dates


Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter’s local time):

Program(s)	Deadline
Plasma Physics	Third Monday in November, e.g. November 20, 2023
AMO – Theory and Experiment Gravitational Physics – Theory and Experiment LIGO Research Support Integrative Activities in Physics	Fourth Wednesday in November, e.g. November 22, 2023
Elementary Particle Physics – Experiment Particle Astrophysics – Experiment	First Tuesday in December, e.g. December 05, 2023
Nuclear Physics – Theory and Experiment Elementary Particle Physics – Theory Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology – Theory Physics of Living Systems Quantum Information Science	Second Tuesday in December, e.g. December 12, 2023

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
-Foreign organizations: For cooperative projects involving U.S. and foreign organizations, support will only be provided for the U.S. portion.
-For-profit organizations: U.S.-based commercial organizations, including small businesses, with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education and a passion for innovation.
-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.
-Other Federal Agencies and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs): Prospective proposers from other Federal Agencies and FFRDCs, including NSF sponsored FFRDCs, must follow the guidance in PAPPG Chapter I.E.2 regarding limitations on eligibility.
-State and Local Governments
-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.
-Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131.