Future Manufacturing seeks inventive approaches to invigorate the manufacturing ecosystem and seed nascent future industries that can only be imagined today.

Fundamental research to overcome significant barriers will be required in quantum and semiconductor devices and integrated systems, robotics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, sustainable chemistry and production, materials science, education and public policy, and workforce development. Research and education that enhances U.S. leadership in manufacturing by providing new capabilities for companies and entrepreneurs is also supported.

Proposals must perform fundamental research to enable new manufacturing capabilities in one or more of the following three thrust areas:

• Future Cyber Manufacturing Research,
• Future Eco Manufacturing Research, and
• Future Biomanufacturing Research.

Proposals are accepted into one of the following two award tracks:

• Future Manufacturing Research Grants (FMRG) – up to $3,000,000 for up to four years
• Future Manufacturing Seed Grants (FMSG) – up to $500,000 for up to two years

The goal of this solicitation is to enable new manufacturing that represents a significant change from current practice. Therefore, proposers responding to this solicitation must include within the Project Description a section titled Enabling Future Manufacturing.

It is anticipated the results of Future Manufacturing could change how workers interact with technology. Investigators may choose to address challenges in this area by including an optional component of research which focuses on future workers and their interactions with the new technology. Please see “Proposal Preparation Instructions” for specifics.

Applications are due on April 11, 2024. For more information, including a recorded webinar, please visit the Future Manufacturing solicitation page. General inquiries regarding this program should be made to futuremanufacturing@nsf.gov