Launching Early-Career Academic Pathways in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (LEAPS-MPS)
OpenU.S. National Science Foundation
Updated: Oct 30, 2025
Summary
The LEAPS-MPS grant aims to support pre-tenure faculty in Mathematical and Physical Sciences at institutions that typically receive less funding, such as R2 universities and minority-serving institutions, by helping them establish research programs. Eligible applicants include faculty members with a doctoral degree in relevant fields from accredited U.S. institutions that are not classified as R1 universities, who have not previously served as Principal Investigators on NSF research awards. Proposals must be submitted to the appropriate MPS Division, and awards are for 24 months with budgets up to $250,000.
Full Description
Description
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Miscellaneous
- Other
Additional information
The proposal must be submitted by Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) accredited in, and having a campus located in the U.S., that arenotcurrently classified as a Doctoral University with “Very High Research Activity” (R1 institutions) according to the most recent Carnegie Classification:https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/. These include two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty members. Eligibility is based on the classification on the date of proposal submission deadline. *Who May Serve as PI: The Principal Investigator must fulfill these three conditions at the time of proposal submission:
- hold a doctoral degree in a discipline in which the Divisions of the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences support fundamental research
- be in the pre-tenure period of a tenure-track or tenure-track equivalent faculty appointment
- have not previously served as Principal or co-Principal Investigator on an NSF research award. For this solicitation, Fellowship, Conference/Workshop, Equipment, Travel, Instrumentation Infrastructure, and Research Opportunity Award (ROA) awards are not included in the research grant category
Grantor contact information
Description
If you have any problems linking to this funding announcement, please contact the email address above.
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