The Spring 2026 call for standard proposals opens on March 1, 2026, with a submission deadline of Tuesday, March 31, 2026 (we close at 11:59:59 pm, Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time). Applicants will be notified of review outcomes in late May, 2026.
Spring 2026 Proposal Call
The Molecular Foundry is accepting standard user research proposals for nanoscale science including:
- Synthesis of inorganic, organic, biological, and hybrid nanostructures
- High-resolution electron, optical, and scanning-probe microscopy
- Theory and simulation of nanostructured materials
- Advanced nano-fabrication
- Development of high-throughput data analysis and data management techniques
All areas of nanoscale science will be evaluated for merit by our Proposal Review Board. We especially invite projects that have synergy with national science priorities including the Genesis Mission, and the Molecular Foundry’s strategic initiatives in:
- Materials for quantum computing and sensing
- Structure, function, and dimensionality for microelectronics
- Accelerating precision design and discovery of materials
- Development and application of tools, infrastructure, characterization, AI-accelerated workflows, and modeling to push nanoscience forward
New this call: The Molecular Foundry is partnering with the Joint Genome Institute for a joint call in Critical Minerals and Materials. This is a unique opportunity for researchers to request the capabilities and expertise of both the Joint Genome Institute and the Molecular Foundry in one research proposal. The program seeks research proposals that integrate genomics with nanoscale science, accelerating discoveries and developing transformative bio-based technologies that address challenges in the sourcing, recovery, and utilization of critical minerals and materials.
Create a proposal through the User Portal
The Molecular Foundry at Berkeley Lab is a national nanoscience research facility available to researchers from around the world through a competitive proposal process — free of charge for non-proprietary work. Foundry users come from industry, academia, or government institutions to access tools, expertise, and capability development to solve problems at the smallest scales.
