Launching Early-Career Academic Pathways in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (LEAPS-MPS) | 25 535

Opportunity Information: Apply for 25 535

Launching Early-Career Academic Pathways in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (LEAPS-MPS) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant program designed to help pre-tenure faculty in Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) fields get their research careers off the ground at institutions that have not traditionally received large amounts of NSF MPS funding. The program is aimed especially at places like Carnegie Research 2 (R2) universities, minority-serving institutions (MSIs), predominantly undergraduate institutions (PUIs), and other eligible non-R1 colleges and universities, including two-year institutions such as community colleges. The central idea is to provide early momentum: support that helps a new or early faculty member establish a productive research program, produce publishable results, and build a track record that positions them to compete successfully for more "traditional" NSF opportunities later on, such as an NSF core program award or a CAREER award.

A major workforce and broader participation goal is built into the program. LEAPS-MPS explicitly seeks to strengthen the 21st-century STEM workforce by expanding participation in STEM research among individuals from communities that have been underrepresented and/or underserved in STEM. In practice, this means the program is not only about launching an individual PI's research agenda, but also about increasing access to meaningful research experiences, strengthening local research ecosystems at less-funded institutions, and supporting the development of visible role models for students and trainees who may not otherwise see clear pathways into MPS research careers.

Awards are relatively focused and time-limited: the grant period is 24 months, and budgets can be up to $250,000 in total costs (meaning the cap includes both direct and indirect costs). NSF expects to make about 75 awards under this opportunity. Proposals must be submitted to an appropriate program within one of the five divisions in NSF's Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, meaning applicants need to align their submission with the correct MPS disciplinary home rather than treating LEAPS as a stand-alone program that reviews proposals independently of MPS division structures.

Institutional eligibility is a key gatekeeper for this opportunity. Proposals can only be submitted by U.S.-accredited Institutions of Higher Education that have a campus located in the United States and are not classified as Carnegie "Doctoral University: Very High Research Activity" (R1) institutions under the most recent Carnegie Classification at the time of the proposal deadline. This eligibility determination is tied to the institution's classification on the submission deadline date, so schools that change classification over time need to pay attention to the timing. The institution submits the proposal on behalf of the faculty member serving as PI.

PI eligibility is also tightly defined. At the time of submission, the PI must (1) hold a doctoral degree in an area in which the MPS divisions support fundamental research, (2) be in the pre-tenure period of a tenure-track or tenure-track equivalent faculty appointment, and (3) have never previously served as a Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator on an NSF research award. The solicitation clarifies that certain NSF award types are not counted as "research awards" for this restriction, including fellowships and awards for conference/workshops, equipment, travel, instrumentation infrastructure, and Research Opportunity Awards (ROAs). Another important structural rule is that co-Principal Investigators are not allowed on LEAPS-MPS proposals, so the project must be built around a single eligible PI, even if it includes collaborators or other senior personnel in supporting roles.

The solicitation also explains what NSF means by "tenure-track equivalent," which matters for institutions where formal tenure lines are not the norm. To qualify as tenure-track equivalent, the appointment has to meet all three conditions at once: the continuing appointment is expected to last at least three years from the start date of the LEAPS award, it includes substantial research and educational responsibilities, and the proposed LEAPS project must clearly serve the employee's career goals and job responsibilities as well as the mission of the relevant department or organization. This definition signals that NSF is looking for genuine academic pathway roles where the award will catalyze a durable research trajectory, rather than short-term or peripheral positions.

Key administrative details from the opportunity listing include: the funding instrument is a grant; the activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development; the CFDA number is 47.049; the opportunity number is 25-535; and the original closing date is April 17, 2025.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Launching Early-Career Academic Pathways in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences (LEAPS-MPS)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.049.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-01-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-04-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 75 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for 25 535

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