The U.S. National Science Foundation is accepting proposals for its Plasma Physics program. The program funds basic research on how large groups of charged particles behave together. Proposals are due November 16, 2026.
About the NSF Plasma Physics Program
The program sits within the NSF Division of Physics. It supports study of collective behavior in plasmas, which make up most of the visible universe. The work connects to astrophysics, fusion science, materials science, and many engineering fields.
The program joins several NSF cross-cutting efforts, including ECLIPSE, Windows on the Universe, and Computational and Data-enabled Science and Engineering. Where agreements allow, NSF may share proposal information with partner funders for joint support. Partners include the Department of Energy Office of Science, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and several international science agencies.
Proposals not covered by another solicitation, such as CAREER, go through the Division of Physics investigator-initiated research solicitation. Some topics belong elsewhere at NSF, including atomic and optical physics, astrophysical systems, and plasma-assisted manufacturing.
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Funding Size
- Total program funding: not published
- Award range: varies by project
- Number of awards: not stated for this program
- Duration: typically three years, with four or five years possible after talking with the program director
- Allowable uses: research costs under the NSF solicitation
Who Can Apply
- Any entity type, subject to the notice’s added eligibility text
- Research organizations with a principal investigator and sponsored-research support
- Teams with research administration help for submission and post-award reporting
- Projects better suited to other NSF programs should go there instead
Geographic Eligibility
- The listing sets no geographic limit
- NSF funding mostly goes to U.S. institutions
- Confirm location rules in the full notice
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Magnetized plasmas in laboratory, space, and astrophysical settings
- High energy density plasmas
- Low temperature plasmas
- Dusty, ultra-cold, and strongly coupled plasmas
- Non-neutral plasmas
- Intense field-matter interaction in plasmas
- Broader participation in STEM and new plasma curricula at institutions lacking them
Application Process
Register on SAM.gov and verify your UEI. Allow two to four weeks. Next, create a Grants.gov account and get approval for your authorized organizational representative. Read the full notice, then submit through Grants.gov at least 48 hours before the deadline. NSF encourages applicants to contact the program officer first.
Required Materials
- Project narrative addressing every evaluation criterion
- Budget within project limits
- Statements on intellectual merit and broader impacts
- Resumes and letters of support, if the notice requires them
- Active SAM.gov registration and UEI
Key Dates
- Proposal deadline: November 16, 2026
- Announcement and start dates: not published
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Selection Notes
- Reviewers weigh intellectual merit, broader impacts, budget need, and fit with program scope
- Competition is likely heavy, and no funding is guaranteed
- Efforts to broaden participation are encouraged