[National Science Foundation](https://www.nsf.gov)

Proposals accepted anytime (no fixed deadline)

No specified ceiling; typical NSF awards range from 1–3 years and vary by project scope

Funds innovative research in circuits, systems, and sensing to advance next-generation communications, sensing, and cyber-physical systems.

No cost sharing required; proposals must follow the current NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG).

--- ## Description The Communications, Circuits, and Sensing-Systems (CCSS) program supports fundamental and applied research in circuit and system hardware, signal processing, and system/network architectures for communications and sensing. The program aims to enable next-generation cyber-physical systems (CPS) that integrate computation, communication, and sensing with physical domains. CCSS invests in a broad range of technologies, including micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS), physical, chemical, and biological sensing systems, neurotechnologies, and advanced communication and sensing circuits. The overarching goal is to create innovative, complex, and hybrid systems—spanning nano- to macro-scale—for applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring, communications, disaster mitigation, homeland security, intelligent transportation, manufacturing, energy, and smart infrastructure. The program encourages proposals leveraging emerging technologies and applications, such as: - High-speed communications (terabits per second and beyond) - Sensing and imaging from microwave to terahertz frequencies - Personalized health monitoring and assistance - Secured wireless connectivity and sensing for the Internet of Things (IoT) - Dynamic, data-enabled autonomous systems using real-time sensing and machine learning Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to: - RF circuits and antennas for communications and sensing - Trusted microelectronic circuits - Wireless energy transfer and RF energy harvesting - Full-duplex, massive MIMO, mm-Wave, and THz communications - Integrated sensing, communication, and computational systems - Quantum communication systems - Ultra-low power wearable and implantable sensing systems - Neuroengineering and brain-inspired designs For specific topics, applicants are encouraged to contact the relevant CCSS Program Directors. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals are accepted at any time; there is no fixed deadline. --- ## Funding Amount - No explicit maximum or minimum award amount is specified. - Typical NSF awards in this area are for 1–3 years; budgets should be appropriate to the scope and ambition of the proposed research. - No cost sharing or matching is required. --- ## Eligibility - Open to a wide range of applicants, including: - Academic institutions (colleges and universities) - Nonprofit organizations - For-profit organizations - State and local governments - Other research entities - There are no citizenship or residency restrictions for principal investigators, but institutional eligibility must align with NSF policies. - See the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg) for detailed eligibility requirements. --- ## Application Process - Proposals must be submitted via [NSF FastLane](https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/), [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/), or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/346204). - All proposals must comply with the current [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg). - Proposals should clearly address intellectual merit and broader impacts. - Contact the relevant CCSS Program Director for guidance on fit and topic area before submission. - Proposals are reviewed through NSF’s merit review process. --- ## Additional Information - Awards made on or after October 1, 2024, are subject to updated NSF award conditions in line with revised federal guidance ([details here](https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/award_conditions.jsp?org=NSF)). - No cost sharing or matching is required. - For questions about proposal preparation, see the [NSF PAPPG](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg). - Browse [recently funded projects](https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearchResult?ProgEleCode=756400&BooleanElement=Any&BooleanRef=Any&ActiveAwards=true#results) for examples. --- ## External Links - [NSF CCSS Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/ccss-communications-circuits-sensing-systems) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg) - [Apply via Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/346204) - [CCSS Staff Directory](https://www.nsf.gov/staff/staff_list.jsp?orgId=96&subDiv=y&org=ECCS&from_org=ECCS) - [Browse Funded Projects](https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearchResult?ProgEleCode=756400&BooleanElement=Any&BooleanRef=Any&ActiveAwards=true#results) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Organization | |----------------|------------------------------------|-----------------|--------------| | Huaiyu Dai | [hdai@nsf.gov](mailto:hdai@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8339 | ENG/ECCS | | Jenshan Lin | [jenlin@nsf.gov](mailto:jenlin@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-7360 | ENG/ECCS | | Rosa Lukaszew | [rlukasze@nsf.gov](mailto:rlukasze@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8103 | ENG/ECCS | | Richard Nash | [rnash@nsf.gov](mailto:rnash@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-5394 | ENG/ECCS | For general NSF inquiries: - [NSF Contact Page](https://www.nsf.gov/about/contact-us) - Email: info@nsf.gov - Phone: 1-703-292-5111

Communications, Circuits, and Sensing-Systems

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