The interest in electrochemical energy storage is on high-energy density and high-power density batteries suitable for transportation and renewable energy storage applications. Advanced systems such as lithium-air, sodium-ion, as well as lithium-ion electrochemical energy storage are appropriate. Work on commercially available systems such as lead-acid and nickel-metal hydride batteries will not be considered by this program.

NSF will also consider advanced fuel cell systems with advanced components for propulsion for transportation. Novel systems with non-commercial components are appropriate; emphasis is still placed on fundamental understanding of the key barriers to improved system level performance.

Flow batteries for energy storage applications are also appropriate. Similarly emphasis should be placed on fundamental understanding of the reaction and transport phenomena that impacts system performance.

Photocatalytic or photoelectrochemical processes for the splitting of water into H₂ gas, or for the reduction of CO₂ to liquid or gaseous fuels are appropriate. Emphasis should be placed on fundamental molecular level understanding of key barriers that impact system level performance.

For organic photovoltaics, the program emphasis is for fundamental research on innovative processes for the fabrication and theory-based characterization of future organic PV devices (OPVs). Devices of interest include polymer and small molecule organic photovoltaics or dye sensitized photovoltaics for electricity generation.