This document summarizes funding opportunities through the NSF for sustainable chemistry, engineering, and materials research (SusChEM) as well as separation science projects. It outlines areas of focus for SusChEM such as sustainable synthesis and chemical reuse. For separation science, it lists critical metal extraction, chemical recycling, biomass conversion byproducts separation, and green solvent processes. It also provides details on the Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program (CMI) and Chemical and Biological Separations Program (CBS) including supported research areas, proposal types, and contacts for each program.

1. NSF/CHE/Chemical Measurement and
Imaging Program (CMI)
and
NSF/CBET/Chemical and Biological
Separations Program (CBS)

2. Sustainable Chemistry, Engineering, and Materials (SusChEM)
• Research and education in the chemical sciences and
engineering related to sustainable synthesis, use, and reuse of
chemicals and materials
• Participating Divisions: CHE, DMR (MPS); CBET, CMMI (ENG);
EAR (GEO)
• Regular Proposal (SusChem in title), Supplement, EAGER, or
CREATIV
• Details see DCL: NSF 12-097

3. Separation Science: Extraction, Refinery and Recovery
• Separation of critical metals
• Recycling of chemicals that cannot be replaced (phosphorus)
• Separation of gaseous by-products from biomass conversion
• Water purification techniques
• Chemical processes designed for zero waste/more environmentally
friendly solvents
• Etc.

4. CMI in general supports research on:
• Chemically-relevant measurement science and imaging;
• Development of innovative approaches and instruments;
• Improved understanding and/or innovative approaches to
substantially broaden applicability for existing technologies;
• Instrument Development proposals: CMI:ID, CRIF:MU, MRI;
• Industrial Collaborations: GOALI, I-Corps, SBIR/STTR;
• Optimizing and/or utilizing established methods for specific
applications should be directed to programs focused on the
application.

5. CBS supports novel methods and materials for separation
processes such as:
• Nanostructured materials for separations;
• Biorenewable resource separation science;
• Field (flow, magnetic, electrical) induced separations;
• Separation of molecular constituents from blood

6. CBS Proposal Submission Window:
August 15 – September 18, 2012
Contact: Dr. Debra Reinhart: dreinhar@nsf.gov
CMI New Submission Window:
October 1-31, 2012
Contact: Dr. Kelsey Cook: kcook@nsf.gov
Dr. Lin He: lhe@nsf.gov
Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI)
Currently Seeking Potential FY14 Topic Areas
www.nsf.gov/eng/efri
Contact: Dr. Rosemarie Wesson: rwesson@nsf.gov