7 April 2021

NSF Webinars: New Funding Opportunities in MPS

James Neff National Science Foundation

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The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced two new funding opportunities through the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS):

  • The Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (MPS-Ascend) program (NSF 21-573) provides support for postdoctoral Fellows who will broaden the participation of minorities that are significantly underrepresented in MPS fields (including astronomy) in the US and enable the Fellows to develop as future leaders in MPS fields. Fellowships are awards to individuals, not institutions, and are administered by the Fellow.​ Underrepresented minorities are especially encouraged to apply. Full proposal deadline: 15 June 2021.
  • The Launching Early-Career Academic Pathways in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (LEAPS-MPS) program (NSF 21-570) supports tenure track (or equivalent) but non-tenured faculty members at institutions of higher education in any MPS field (including astronomy) who have not previously served as Principal Investigator, co-Principal Investigator, or Senior Personnel on an NSF funded research award. We particularly encourage submissions from applicants at R2 institutions as defined in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and at Minority-Serving Institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions. Full proposal deadline: 14 June 2021.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to the cognizant program director in their research area (listed in the solicitation) before preparing and submitting a proposal.

Informational Webinars

MPS has webinars scheduled for both programs. Please join us on Monday, 12 April, at 2:00 pm ET for information on the MPS-Ascend program, and on Tuesday, 13 April, at 1:00 pm ET for information on the LEAPS-MPS program. Registration is required for both webinars via the following links: