National Science Foundation
21 federal programs administered by National Science Foundation, sourced directly from the SAM.gov Assistance Listings catalog.
STEM research, science education, and innovation grants for universities and researchers.
Portfolio overview. National Science Foundation (NSF) currently administers 21 federal assistance programs listed in the SAM.gov Assistance Listings database. The portfolio concentrates in Science & Research (20 programs), Education (1 program). Each listing on this page links through to the full CFDA program detail — funding range, eligibility categories, current funding opportunities on Grants.gov, and the authorizing legislation.
Funding scale. SAM.gov publishes funding range data for 21 of 21 NSF programs. The largest award ceiling in this portfolio is $6.0 million, and the median listed ceiling is $2.0 million. Assistance Listings funding ranges represent the envelope across all awards, not the amount any single applicant can expect — individual awards depend on appropriations, the scope of the proposed project, and the evaluation score. Always cross-check against the current NOFO for the figure that matters to your application.
Who applies. Across the 21 NSF programs, the most frequently listed eligibility categories are educational institution (19 programs), for profit small business (3 programs), nonprofit (2 programs). Every applicant, regardless of entity type, must maintain an active SAM.gov registration and a Unique Entity ID (UEI) before submitting on Grants.gov. Nonprofits need current IRS 501(c)(3) determination; state and local governments typically need a designated authorizing official; tribal organizations apply under set-aside provisions; educational institutions frequently need institutional pre-award offices to handle the submission. First-time applicants should allow 4–6 weeks for SAM.gov registration to validate before a deadline.
Source: SAM.gov Assistance Listings (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance — CFDA) National Science Foundation federal grant programs (CFDA codes), descriptions, eligibility, and funding categories · 2026 SAM.gov Assistance Listings replaced the legacy CFDA catalog; all federal financial assistance programs must publish here. Updated continuously as agencies revise program details.
Grant Programs (21)
Accelerating Research Translation
Strengthens translational research capacity at emerging research institutions to move ideas to practice.
Up to $2M
ADVANCE Institutional Transformation
Grants to increase participation and advancement of women in academic STEM careers.
Up to $3M
Antarctic Research Grants
Supports scientific research in Antarctica including glaciology, geology, biology, and atmospheric sciences.
Up to $2M
Biological Sciences
Research in cellular, molecular, organismal, and ecological biology.
Up to $2M
Computer and Information Science and Engineering
Grants for research in computing, information, and communications systems and applications.
Up to $3M
Convergence Accelerators
Accelerates convergence research addressing critical national challenges through use-inspired research programs.
Up to $5M
Division of Ocean Sciences
Research on ocean systems, biogeochemistry, marine biology, and physical oceanography.
Up to $2M
Engineering Grants
Research grants in engineering disciplines including chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering.
Up to $3M
Geosciences
Research grants in atmospheric, earth, ocean, and polar sciences.
Up to $2M
Integrative Organismal Systems
Research on organism physiology, behavior, development, and interactions with their environment.
Up to $1M
International Science and Engineering Research
Grants supporting international research collaborations and exchanges for U.S. scientists and students.
Up to $1M
Major Research Instrumentation Program
Grants to acquire shared instrumentation to enhance research and training capacity.
Up to $4M
Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Grants for research in astronomy, chemistry, materials science, mathematics, and physics.
Up to $2M
Noyce Scholarship Program
Scholarships and stipends to attract talented STEM students to careers in K-12 teaching in high-need schools.
Up to $3M
NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Phase I and II SBIR grants for small businesses to conduct transformational R&D with commercial potential.
Up to $2M
NSF Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
Phase I and II STTR grants for small businesses partnering with research institutions on R&D projects.
Up to $2M
Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials
Collaborative research and education partnerships between minority-serving institutions and research centers.
Up to $6M
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
Supplements research grants to involve undergraduates in meaningful research activities.
Up to $500K
Research Opportunity Awards
Grants to enable researchers at primarily undergraduate institutions to conduct research.
Up to $500K
Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences
Research on human behavior, social institutions, language, economics, and decision-making.
Up to $2M
STEM Education Grants
Grants to improve STEM education for all students from K-12 through graduate levels.
Up to $3M
Related
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public official public datasets |