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The Chemical Catalysis Program supports experimental and theoretical research directed towards the fundamental understanding of the chemistry of catalytic processes at the molecular level. The Program accepts proposals on catalytic approaches which facilitate, direct, and accelerate efficient chemical transformations. This includes the design and synthesis of catalytic and pre-catalytic species on the molecular, supramolecular, and nanometer scales; and studies of the dynamics of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic processes. Processes of interest include (but are not limited to) polymerization catalysis, single site catalysis, asymmetric catalysis, and biologically-inspired catalysis. Applications of modeling, theory, and simulation to catalytic processes are also relevant.

Submissions that advance chemical catalysis and address national needs for sustainability are of particular interest. These include fundamental studies of energy-related catalytic processes, CO2 conversion, electrocatalysis (such as in water splitting and fuel cells), photocatalysis (such as in solar energy conversion), catalytic conversions of fossil fuels and biomass, and environmentally-friendly chemical processes.

The Program does not support applied catalysis research that focuses on scale-up, processing, transport dynamics, long-term stability and other engineering aspects of catalysis. The Program also does not support biocatalysis research with purely biological enzymes and cellular systems.

Full Proposal Window: July 1, 2011 - July 31, 2011

website: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503418&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=fund