DMR is...

The Division of Materials Research (DMR) is the unit of the Federal Government with primary responsibility for the overall health of materials research and education in the nation's colleges and universities. Materials research addresses and integrates a wide range of activities ranging from the quantum realm to engineering systems. As an integrated field it is relatively young although it has deep roots in physics, chemistry, ceramics, metallurgy, and engineering. Most US university materials departments were established in the 1960s and 1970s, DMR was created in 1972, and the Materials Research Society, the professional society that perhaps maps most closely on to this rapidly moving field, was established in 1973.

The DMR budget in FY 2000 was over $190 million. The Division comprises nine programs including Condensed Matter Physics, Solid State Chemistry, Polymers, Metals, Ceramics, Electronic Materials, Materials Theory, Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers, and National Facilities and Instrumentation. Modes of support range from individual investigator awards to groups, multidisciplinary centers and user facilities. DMR awards directly support the efforts of more than 2000 college and university faculty members and about 3000 students and postdoctoral investigators. In addition, well over 1000 investigators make use of DMR-supported facilities in synchrotron radiation, neutron scattering, nanofabrication and high magnetic fields every year.

Recently there has been new emphasis on support for innovative educational projects and on the development of international partnerships and collaborations, and DMR is a key player in NSF priority areas such as nanoscale science and engineering. DMR supports vigorous programs enabling pre-college students, undergraduates, and pre-college and community college teachers to gain hands-on research experience. The Division also supports active collaborations among investigators from academia, industry and national laboratories. Within this overall framework, DMR strongly encourages high-risk research with potential for high scientific or technological impact; support for women and minorities; projects integrating research and education; and projects with the broad multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach needed to address many of the complex and challenging problems in materials research.