The National Science Foundation (NSF) Materials Innovation Platforms (MIP) program, under solicitation NSF 25-521, aims to accelerate advancements in materials research through the establishment of mid-scale infrastructure that supports transdisciplinary collaboration, cutting-edge tools, and knowledge sharing. The program is aligned with the Materials Genome Initiative (MGI), which seeks to "discover, manufacture, and deploy advanced materials twice as fast, at a fraction of the cost." The third MIP competition in 2025 will focus on alloys, amorphous materials, and composite materials, explicitly excluding biomaterials and polymer research due to their emphasis in the previous competition. MIPs integrate materials synthesis/processing, materials characterization, and theory/modeling/simulation in an iterative, closed-loop framework to address grand scientific challenges and national priorities.

The primary objectives of the MIP program include advancing next-generation experimental and computational tools, conducting in-house research to address key scientific challenges, operating user facilities that provide tools and services to external researchers, and fostering knowledge sharing among scientists. Additionally, MIPs aim to serve as educational hubs for training future materials scientists and tool developers. The program seeks to cultivate scientific ecosystems where in-house researchers, external users, and broader scientific communities collaborate and share tools, data, and expertise. This ecosystem is expected to drive innovation and facilitate the deployment of new materials and technologies.

The anticipated funding amount is approximately $16 million in Fiscal Year 2026, with a total award budget ranging between $18 million and $30 million over a six-year period, depending on the scope and quality of proposals. Funds will support equipment acquisition and development, operational costs for user facilities, staffing for scientific and technical personnel, and training programs. At least 50% of instrument operational time funded by the MIP award must be allocated to external users, and U.S.-based academic users will not be charged for standard equipment usage. However, fees may apply for extended equipment usage, proprietary research, or consumables.

Eligible applicants include accredited institutions of higher education in the United States. Each proposal must be led by a team of at least three Senior/Key Personnel with complementary expertise in materials synthesis/processing, characterization, and theory/modeling/simulation. Institutions that received MIP awards in the 2019 competition are not eligible to lead a proposal in the 2025 cycle. Each Senior/Key Personnel member can only participate in one MIP proposal, and institutions may submit only one proposal as a lead applicant.

Full proposals must include comprehensive sections covering knowledge sharing mechanisms, in-house research plans, user facility operation, training activities, broadening participation strategies, infrastructure development, and management plans. Proposals must align with NSF's merit review criteria, focusing on intellectual merit and broader impacts. Additional criteria include the vision and rationale for addressing grand challenges, knowledge sharing effectiveness, infrastructure uniqueness, and plans for collaboration with industry and other institutions. Proposals will undergo ad hoc and panel reviews, with finalists participating in reverse site visits.

The deadline for full proposal submission is May 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. local time of the submitting organization. Proposals must be submitted through either Research.gov or Grants.gov, adhering to the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). For further details, proposers can contact Z. Charles Ying (cying@nsf.gov) or Debasis Majumdar (dmajumda@nsf.gov) for program-specific questions.