Plasma Physics

The Division of Physics accepts proposals in the field of Plasma Physics that are not governed by another solicitation. Such submissions should be addressed to the Division-wide solicitation: Division of Physics: Investigator-Initiated Research Projects.

The Plasma Physics program partakes in various NSF meta-programs, such as ECLIPSE and WoU-MMA, as well as CDS&E. Proposals fitting other NSF requests, such as the CAS: Innovative Solutions to Sustainable Chemistry, can also be submitted to the program.

In addition, the NSF may share proposal information for consideration of joint funding if permitted under an agreement (MOU) with another agency or foundation. This could lead to observers from these organizations attending merit review panels. The Plasma Physics program currently has MOUs in place with several national and international organizations including the Department of Energy/Office of Science, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and German Research Foundation, among others.

Plasma Physics studies the collective behaviors of free charged particle ensembles and their applications to various scientific disciplines. The program supports research focused on understanding these fundamental principles, as well as developing the basic understanding of the plasma state for other areas of science.

Investigators are encouraged to consider promoting diversity in the plasma physics and wider STEM communities. This could be through including underrepresented groups or by developing new undergraduate and graduate plasma physics curricula.

For research projects which may need more than three years to produce demonstrable results, consult the Program Director to discuss possibility of submitting a proposal of 4- or 5-year duration.

Finally, proposals relating to specific areas of research should be directed as follows: physical properties of individual atoms or molecules to the Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics Program; understanding astrophysical systems to the Division of Astronomical Sciences; understanding Geospace environment or Sun-Earth interactions to a program within the Geospace Section; development of new materials using plasmas to a program in the Division of Materials Research; plasma-assisted manufacturing to the Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation; and the use of plasmas for environmental sustainability, combustion systems, or biomedical systems engineering to a program within the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport systems.