Internal Funding Sources

External Funding Source

American Astronomical Society
American Meteorological Society (AMS)
American Society for Engineering Education
Argonne National Laboratory
Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association
Lucent Technologies Foundation
National Science Foundation, Physics Division
National Science Foundation, Math and Physical Sciences, overview
National Security Agency
National Training Systems Association
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
Semiconductor Research Corporation

Specific Programs

• AAS Chretien International Research Grants Program
• AAS Small Research Grants Program
• AFOSR--Physics and Electronics
• APS Arthur L. Schawlow Prize in Laser Science
• APS Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Physics Prize
• APS George E. Duvall Shock Compression Science Award
• APS Travel Grants for Minority Speakers Program
• APS Travel Grants for Women Speakers Program
• APS W.K.H. Panofsky Prize in Experimental Particle Physics
• ARO--BAA--Physics Program
• CERN--Scientific Associateships
• MPS/ENG--NSF Scholar-In-Residence at NIH
• NASA--Unsolicited Proposals
• National Geographic Society--Research Grants
• NOAO--National Solar Observatory
• ONR--Electronics, Sensors, and Network Research Program
• Smithsonian--Visiting Scientist Program at SAO
• Spencer Foundation Grants Program

Sponsor:American Astronomical Society
Deadline(s): April 1, annually

Objectives:
Support is provided to further international collaborative projects in observational astronomy. Emphasis is on long-term visits and the development of close working relationships with astronomers in other countries.

Eligibility:
Astronomers, throughout the world, with a Ph.D. or equivalent, are eligible to apply.

Sponsor:American Astronomical Society
Deadline(s): May 1 and November 30, annually

Objectives:
The sponsor offers a small research grant program to cover costs associated with any type of astronomical research.

Restrictions:
Eligible applicants are astronomers with a Ph.D. or equivalent; graduate students are not eligible. Astronomers from smaller, less well-endowed institutions will be given priority; however, proposals will be accepted from individuals not associated with an institution. There are no citizenship restrictions.

Awards range from $1,000 to $7,000. Page charges, computing costs, equipment, shipping of equipment, travel to observatories, etc., are acceptable expenses. No salaries or overhead will be paid. For observing runs the amount of travel and subsistence costs may be requested, provided that theses costs will not be reimbursed. Awards will not be made to investigators holding other federal research grants except under special circumstances. Application forms and guidelines are available.

Sponsor:Department of the Air Force
Deadline(s): Open

Objectives:

Research in physics and electronics generates the fundamental knowledge needed to advance Air Force operational capabilities in directed energy weapons; surveillance; electronic countermeasures; guidance and control; information and signal processing; and communications, command, and control. The program is of substantial breadth, extending from plasma and quantum physics, to the understanding of the performance of novel electronic devices, to maintaining device integrity in the harsh environment of space. The program includes theoretical and experimental physics from all disciplines, as well as engineering issues such as those found in microwave or photonic systems or materials-processing techniques. One main objective of the program is to balance innovative science and Air Force relevance, the first element being forward looking and the second being dependent on the current state of the art. This directorate takes particular pride in the strong synergistic ties it has forged between university researchers and those in the Air Force Research Laboratory community.

Sponsor:American Physical Society
Deadline(s): July 1, annually

Objectives:
Relevant areas of research are: nonlinear optics, ultrafast phenomena, laser spectroscopy, squeezed states, quantum optics, multiphoton physics, laser cooling and trapping, physics of lasers, particle acceleration by lasers, and short wavelength lasers.

Sponsor:American Physical Society
Deadline(s): July 1, annually

Objectives:
The prize is to recognize and encourage outstanding theoretical or experimental contributions to condensed matter physics.

Sponsor:American Physical Society
Deadline(s): July 1, annually

Objectives:
The award recognizes contributions to understanding condensed matter and non-linear physics through shock compression.

Sponsor:American Physical Society
Deadline(s): Open

OBJECTIVES:
The sponsor provides support to expand the opportunity for physics departments to invite minority colloquium speakers who can serve as role models for minority undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. Invited speakers should be physicists or scholars in a closely related field, such as astronomy. The program also recognizes the scientific accomplishments and contributions of these minority physicists.

RESTRICTIONS:
Although the deadline date is open, institutions are encouraged to apply as early as possible; institutions will be notified of approval or rejection within two weeks. Eligible applicants are physics and/or science departments of U.S. colleges and universities. Invited minority speakers (African-American, Native American, or Hispanic) should be physicists or in a closely related field, such as astronomy. Speakers should currently be in the U.S. The sponsor maintains the Minority Speakers List, but selection of speakers need not be limited to this list. Speakers may not be faculty members of the host institution.

Colleges and universities will be reimbursed up to $500 for travel expenses for one minority speaker invited during the academic year. Reimbursement is for travel and lodging expenses only. Funds for this program are limited. Application forms and guidelines are available and should be submitted as soon as possible even if speaker and possible dates are only tentative.

Sponsor:American Physical Society
Deadline(s): Open

OBJECTIVES:
The sponsor provides support to expand the opportunity for physics departments to invite women colloquium/seminar speakers who can serve as role models for women undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. Invited speakers should be women physicists or scholars in a closely related field, such as astronomy. The program also recognizes the scientific accomplishments and contributions of these women physicists.

Eligbility:
Although the deadline date is open, institutions are encouraged to apply as early as possible; institutions will be notified of approval or rejection within two weeks. Eligible applicants are physics and/or science departments of U.S. colleges and universities. Canadian and Mexican colleges and universities are also eligible, provided that the speakers they invite are currently employed by U.S. institutions. Invited women speakers should be physicists or in a closely related field, such as astronomy. Speakers should be currently in the U.S. The sponsor maintains the CSWP Colloquium/Seminar Speakers List of Women in Physics, but selection of speakers need not be limited to this list. Speakers may not be faculty members of the host institution.

Colleges and universities will be reimbursed up to $500 for travel and lodging expenses for one of two women speakers invited during the academic year. Funds for this program are limited. Application forms and guidelines are available and should be submitted as soon as possible even if speaker and possible dates are only tentative.

Sponsor:American Physical Society
Deadline(s): July 2009 (anticipated)

Objectives:
The prize recognizes and encourages achievements in Experimental Particle Physics.The prize consists of $5,000, an allowance for travel to the meeting at which the prize is to be awarded, and a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient. It is presented annually. The prize was established in 1985 by friends of W. K. H. Panofsky and the Division of Particles and Fields

Eligibility:
Nominations are open to scientists of all nations regardless of the geographical site at which the work was accomplished. The prize shall ordinarily be awarded to one person but the prize may be shared when all recipients have contributed to the same accomplishment. The prize will normally be awarded for contributions made at an early stage of the recipient's career. Nominations are active for three years.

Sponsor:Department of the Army
Deadline(s): Open
Objectives:
The sponsor provides support to develop and exploit the physics knowledge base focs and nonlinear dynamics; quantum information science; and atomic, molecular, anr new needs and capabilities of the sponsor. In support of this goal, the interests of the physics division are primarily in the following areas: nanoscience; theoretical physid optical physics. Physics disciplines which impact these areas include: condensed matter physics, interface/surface physics, atomic, molecular, and optical physics, materials physics, cross-disciplinary topics, and classical phenomenology.

Sponsor:CERN
Deadline(s): March 19, 2009

Objectives:
The sponsor offers the use of its research facilities in Switzerland to scientific associates to participate in its programs covering experimental and theoretical particle physics, as well as various related activities in applied physics electronics, computing, and engineering.

Restrictions:
The Scientific Associates programme is open to established scientists, both of Member and Non-Member States, wishing to work at CERN. Associates must remain employed at their home institute during their appointment and are expected to receive their salary or a sizeable fraction of it, while CERN provides financial assistance.  The duration of the contract is at most one year. Extensions may be granted in exceptional cases, however the total duration of the appointment  shall not exceed two years. No Associateship can be awarded less than five years after the end date of an earlier CERN Paid Associateship or Fellowship or Staff position (for stays shorter than the standard contract duration for these statuses, the rule is applied pro rata).

Sponsor:National Science Foundation
Deadline(s):Archived

Objectives:
Through a partnership between the sponsor and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), support is provided to enable investigators in the mathematical and physical sciences and engineering to develop research collaborations within the intramural research environment at the NIH. The activity will emphasize those efforts in which the expertise of mathematical and physical scientists and engineers can be utilized in the development of innovative applications of science and engineering in addressing significant research questions in the medical and biological sciences. The interaction will focus on the introduction of innovative new research directions, tools, and methodologies.

Restrictions:
Eligible applicants are mathematical and physical scientists and engineers who are interested in making connections between their research and current and future problems in the medical and biological sciences. Emphasis is placed on establishing new collaborations for scientists and engineers who are not well-coupled to these research communities. Applicants must hold tenured, tenure-track, or senior research faculty positions at U.S. academic institutions, and have had no funding from the NIH.

Funds will support summer salary, travel, and per diem costs for the visiting NSF Scholar while on the NIH campus, as well as travel costs associated with short-term visits to the NIH campus by students working with the Scholar at his/her home institution. It is expected that the home institution of the Scholar will cost share through sabbatical salary or other resources. NIH will provide office space, research facilities, research costs in the form of expendable and minor equipment purchases to the host laboratory, and the time of its research staff.

NSF will also, as appropriate, assist with funds for transporting specialized pieces of equipment between the Scholar's laboratory and NIH for use in the collaborative research. Participants in the program are expected to spend a minimum of six months to a maximum of one year, either consecutively or staggered within an 18-month time frame, working within the NIH intramural research program. NIH will host up to ten scholars in residence at any one time through the duration of this program.

Interested applicants should contact the designated Directorate coordinator to learn more about the procedures for application and evaluation; all applications must be accompanied by a letter of invitation from NIH. Submissions should be made to the disciplinary program in the participating Directorate in which the Principle Investigator would normally have his/her research supported. Submissions must be in accordance with the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (NSF 99-2). General questions may be directed to the NSF Directorate Coordinators - Dr. Denise Caldwell (listed above) or Dr. Rajinder Khosla, rkhosla@nsf.gov, Engineering; or the coordinator at NIH, Dr. Robert Bonner, bonner@helix.nih.gov.

Sponsor:National Aeronautics & Space Administration
Deadline(s):Open

Objectives:
The sponsor provides support for the submission of unique and innovative unsolicited proposals which will further the Agency's mission. In general, the unsolicited approach is most appropriate for research of a fundamental nature which has potential for advancing the state of the art in a particular area, contributes to knowledge of a specific phenomenon, or provides fundamental advances in engineering or the sciences. The following potential areas of research provide insight into specific current and anticipated research goals of various NASA offices: Nasa Headquarters; Ames Reserach Center; Dryden Flight Research Center; John Glenn Research Center; Goddard Space Flight Reserach Center; Johnson Space Center; Kennedy Space Center; Langley Research Center; Marshall Space Flight Center; and Stennis Space Center.

Restrictions:
There are no specific dates for the submission of unsolicited proposals. However, funding availability is greater during the start of the Government's fiscal year cycle beginning October 1 of each year. All proposals should be submitted at least six months in advance of the desired starting date. Eligible applicants are educational, nonprofit, industry and for-profit private sector institutions.

Sponsor:National Geographic Society
Deadline(s): Open

Objectives:
The sponsor provides support for basic, original, scientific field research in disciplines including anthropology, archaeology, astronomy, biology, botany, geography, geology, oceanography, paleontology, and zoology. Particular emphasis is placed on multi-disciplinary projects that address environmental issues (e.g., loss of biodiversity and habitat, effects of human population pressures).

Restrictions:
There is no deadline for applications, but applicants should allow a minimum of eight months from proposal submission for a decision from the sponsor.Eligible applicants are expected to have advanced degrees (Ph.D. or equivalent) and be associated with an educational organization or institution. Independent researchers or those pursuing a Ph.D.-level degree may apply, but competition is keen and awards to non-Ph.D. applicants are rare. As a general rule, all applicants are expected to have published a minimum of three articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals. There are no citizenship restrictions. Researchers planning work in foreign countries should include at least one local collaborator as part of their research teams.

Grants vary in amount and duration depending upon the need and nature of the project, but average between $15,000 and $20,000 (US) per year. Multi-year grants are limited. Funds may be used for transportation, supplies, and daily subsistence. Laboratory expenses are acceptable, provided the laboratory work is a logical extension of the field research. Grants may not be used for expenses that are not directly related to the project. Funds may not be used for travel to scientific/professional meetings or conferences, or for publication of research results. Grants are generally intended to function as complementary support, and the sponsor encourages applicants to seek additional, concurrent funding from other agencies. Potential candidates must submit a short preproposal and a curriculum vitae. Those whose projects are deemed appropriate will receive an application form. Guidelines are available.

Sponsor:National Optical Astronomy Observatories
Deadline(s): Varies; see website

Objectives:
Large optical telescopes, observing equipment, and research support services are made available to qualified researchers and graduate students at the National Solar Observatory, at Sacramento Peak in Sunspot, New Mexico, or Kitt Peak in Tucson, Arizona. A resident staff of astronomers, engineers, and various support personnel are available to assist visitors.

Restrictions:
The deadline for the Fall Quarter is August 15; the Winter Quarter is November 15; the Spring Quarter is February 15; and the Summer Quarter is May 15. Eligible applicants are qualified researchers and graduate students. Applications will not be accepted from graduate students unless accompanied by a letter from a responsible faculty member certifying observational competence and academic standing. Graduate students have to be affiliated with a United States institution. Travel support is generally limited to graduate students having approved observing program directly related to their thesis work. Only one round-trip fare, per proposal, per observing quarter, will be made for each graduate student. Applicants are advised to contact the sponsor prior to proposal submission. Mail submissions are no longer accepted.

Sponsor:Office of Naval Research
Deadline(s): Open

Objectives:
The sponsor supports research in the uses of the electromagnetic spectrum in support on Navy and Marine Corps needs. Specific applied programs include research in the areas of surface and aerospace surveillance, communications, electronic combat, and navigation. All these areas are supported by a broad research program in electronics, focused on the reducing the cost weight and size of transmit and receive systems. Two over arching foci of this division are 1) the development of technologies and techniques to support adaptive persistent surveillance, and 2) the development of digital/RF technologies and techniques to support active aperture phased arrays capable of performing multiple functions simultaneously.

Applied Research (6.2, 6.3): Research areas in surface and aerospace surveillance include sensors, primarily radar and electro- optic/infrared, and associated signal and image processing methods. Areas of interest in communications include military radio communications with an emphasis on anti-jam and low-probability-of-intercept techniques, radio networks, and dynamic internetworking. Electronic combat research areas include threat warning systems, electronic support measures, decoys, and electronic countermeasures. Navigation research includes GPS anti-jam and associated inertial navigation techniques.

Electronics (6.1, 6.2) : All areas of electronics relating to reducing the cost of, and increasing the capabilities for, transmission and reception of electromagnetic energy are covered. These include; the growth of electronic materials; understanding of surfaces and interfaces; semiconductor and magnetic material theory; microelectronics; nanoscale electronic devices; nanolithography; novel electronic device concepts; memory; high power RF and switching components; vacuum electronics; high temperature superconductor electronics; optoelectronics; solid state lasers and light emitters; multiband IR and UV sensors, ionospheric effects; and innovative electronic circuits.

Sponsor:Smithsonian Institution
Deadline(s): Open

Objectives:
The sponsor makes visiting scientist appointments at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for the purpose of expanding the scholarly exchange of scientific information in the areas of atomic and molecular physics; infrared, optical, radio, and X-ray astronomy; planetary sciences; geophysics; solar and stellar physics; and theoretical astrophysics. Visitors come for a well-defined scientific purpose which may be in collaboration with a specific individual, to access unique data, or to use the sponsor's specialized facilities.

Restrictions:
Eligible applicants are scientists from all over the world; there are no citizenship restrictions. Visits may vary from a few days to several weeks or months, or, in some cases, for up to one year in duration. Stipend support varies with the length of the visit and the amount of support being provided by the visitor's home institution or other fellowship support. Application is made by directly contacting a member of the research staff to request support. More information on the program can be obtained from the sponsor.

Sponsor:Spencer Foundation
Deadline:Open
Objectives:
The sponsor's mission is to fund activities, anywhere in the world, which foster new ideas in education and encourage creativity. The sponsor prefers to fund specific initiatives that conform to the mission statement.

Eligibility:
The sponsor funds activities from anywhere in the world.