Materials World Network: Cooperative Activity in Materials Research between US Investigators and their Counterparts Abroad

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is working jointly with counterpart national, regional and multinational funding organizations worldwide to enhance opportunities for collaborative activities in materials research and education between US investigators and their colleagues abroad. This solicitation promotes joint activities between the NSF Division of Materials Research (DMR)and funding organizations in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe.Proposals submitted to NSF in response to this solicitation must have clear relevance to fundamental materials and condensed matter research supported by the NSF Division of Materials Research (DMR). Projects not having this focus will not be considered for funding. Proposals will be evaluated within the context of programmatic areas supported by DMR: condensed matter physics, solid state and materials chemistry, polymers, biomaterials, metallic materials and nanostructures, ceramics, electronic and photonic materials, and condensed matter and materials theory. For areas supported by DMR seehttp://www.nsf.gov/materials.????In addition, this year the Materials World Network (MWN) program will particularly focus on proposals related to Sustainable Materials, DMR's effort inSustainable Chemistry, Engineering and Materials??(SusChEM).?? This initiative is described by??NSF 12-095??and is aimed at enabling the basic science and engineering discoveries that will reduce dependence on non-renewable resources and improve efficiency of industrial processes.????Research projects that target the discovery of new materials or make materials more sustainable through improved synthesis, enhanced applications, and/or advances in lifecycle management are particularly encouraged for the Materials World Network program.?? It is strongly recommended that proposers contact the cognizant program officer listed in this solicitation to ascertain that the scientific focus of the proposed research is appropriate for the solicitation. Proposals not appropriate for consideration by the Division of Materials Research will be returned without review.?? Proposals that focus on any area of interest to the Division of Materials Research will be considered. ??