NSF Chemical Process Systems (CPS) Funding Opportunity Overview
NSF Chemical Process Systems (CPS) Program
Funding Opportunity Number: PD-26-367Y
Funding Agency: National Science Foundation
Estimated Funding: Not Specified
Cost Share: None
Application Deadline: Proposals Accepted Anytime
Program Overview
The National Science Foundation’s Chemical Process Systems (CPS) Program supports fundamental research that advances chemical and biochemical process technologies critical to U.S. manufacturing, biotechnology, energy, food production, critical minerals, and other strategic industries. The program encourages innovative research that improves process efficiency, sustainability, and resilience while strengthening America’s scientific and industrial competitiveness.
Research Areas Supported
The CPS Program funds research across the complete spectrum of chemical process engineering, connecting molecular-scale science with pilot and commercial process applications.
- Reaction engineering
- Molecular thermodynamics
- Catalysis
- Electrochemical systems
- Chemical and biological separations
- Process design and optimization
- Reactor design
- Membrane technologies
- Catalytic reactors
- Microreactors
- Atmospheric plasma systems
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning for process optimization
- Uncertainty quantification
Applications Across Multiple Industries
Research supported through the CPS Program has broad industrial relevance across sectors including:
- Sustainable chemical manufacturing
- Industrial biotechnology
- Biofuels and renewable fuels
- Hydrogen production
- Carbon utilization
- Critical minerals recovery
- Water purification
- Food processing
- Polymer manufacturing
- Nuclear fuel processing
Eligibility
Eligibility is unrestricted. The NSF accepts proposals from organizations that meet Foundation eligibility requirements. There is no cost-share requirement for this funding opportunity, and proposals may be submitted at any time.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Many of today’s industrial challenges require advances that span chemistry, engineering, materials science, data science, and process systems engineering. The CPS Program supports foundational research that enables more efficient manufacturing, lower emissions, improved resource utilization, and greater resilience across industrial supply chains.
The program also encourages technologies that can transition from laboratory discovery toward scalable industrial implementation, helping bridge scientific innovation and commercial deployment.
How LEC Partners Supports Chemical Process Innovation
Organizations developing advanced chemical processes often face complex technical, commercial, and scale-up challenges. LEC Partners helps technology developers, manufacturers, investors, and public-sector organizations evaluate opportunities and reduce implementation risk.
- Technology assessments
- Independent feasibility studies
- Technical due diligence
- Commercial due diligence
- Process scale-up support
- Pilot and demonstration planning
- Market assessments
- Project development strategy
- Funding support
With a network of more than 150 technical and commercial specialists, LEC Partners provides practical guidance across the full lifecycle of industrial technology development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of research does the CPS Program support?
Research involving catalysis, reaction engineering, separations, electrochemical systems, process optimization, reactor design, and related chemical process technologies.
Is there a submission deadline?
No. NSF accepts proposals throughout the year.
Is cost sharing required?
No.
Who can apply?
Eligibility is unrestricted, subject to NSF proposal requirements.
Talk With an Expert
LEC Partners supports organizations developing innovative industrial technologies through technical due diligence, commercialization planning, process evaluation, and project development. Whether you’re pursuing federal funding or advancing a new technology, our experts can help reduce risk and strengthen your path to implementation.
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