Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE): Core Programs

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Description

The National Science Foundation's Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) offers funding for research and education projects that advance knowledge in all aspects of computing, communications, information science and engineering, and advanced cyberinfrastructure. This opportunity encompasses a broad range of foundational and applied topics, supporting projects through several core programs organized by division:

• Division of Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF): Algorithmic Foundations, Communications and Information Foundations, Foundations of Emerging Technologies, Software and Hardware Foundations
• Division of Computer and Network Systems (CNS): Computer Systems Research, Networking Technology and Systems
• Division of Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS): Human-Centered Computing, Information Integration and Informatics, Robust Intelligence
• Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC): OAC Core Research

Proposals are accepted in three project classes (Small, Medium, OAC Core), each with specific budget and duration limits. The program encourages interdisciplinary, collaborative, and high-impact research, as well as efforts to broaden participation in computing.

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Due Dates

• Annual Submission Window End: September 30, 2025 (proposals accepted anytime during the window)
• SMALL, MEDIUM, and OAC Core Projects: October 23, 2025 (annual window for these project classes)
• Future Cycles: These deadlines repeat annually; see the solicitation page for updates.

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Funding Amount

• Small Projects: Up to $600,000 total, up to 3 years (CCF, CNS, IIS only)
• Medium Projects: $600,001–$1,200,000 total, up to 4 years (CCF, CNS, IIS only)
• OAC Core Projects: Up to $600,000 total, up to 3 years (OAC only)
• Estimated Number of Awards: 400–600 per year
• Total Program Funding: Up to $280 million annually (subject to availability)

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Eligibility

• Eligible Institutions:
  • U.S.-based non-profit, non-academic organizations (e.g., independent research labs, museums, professional societies)
  • Accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (2- and 4-year, including community colleges)
• Eligible Individuals:
  • PI, co-PI, or senior/key personnel must hold a tenured/tenure-track or primary, full-time, paid research/teaching appointment at an eligible U.S. institution by the submission deadline (or by date of submission for Small Projects)
  • Individuals with primary appointments at for-profit non-academic organizations or overseas branch campuses of U.S. IHEs are not eligible
• Proposal Limits:
  • No organizational limit
  • Individual limit: No more than 2 proposals as PI/co-PI/Senior Personnel across all project classes in any contiguous 12-month period

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Application Process

• Submission Platforms: Research.gov or Grants.gov
• Letters of Intent/Preliminary Proposals: Not required
• Full Proposal: Required; must follow the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and solicitation-specific instructions
• Proposal Title Format: Must begin with the relevant program acronym and project class (e.g., "CSR: Small: Title")
• Required Documents:
  • Project Summary (with 3–6 keywords)
  • Project Description (including evaluation plan; OAC Core requires a validation or transition-to-practice plan)
  • Data Management and Sharing Plan
  • Supplementary Documents (e.g., Collaboration Plan for Medium projects, BPC Plan for Medium projects, REU supplement requests if applicable)
• Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC) Plan: Required for all Medium projects (see BPCnet Resource Portal)
• Cloud Computing Resources: May be requested via CloudBank (see solicitation for instructions)
• Cost Sharing: Not allowed

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Additional Information

• Review Criteria: NSF's standard Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, plus additional criteria for collaboration and BPC plans (for Medium projects)
• REU Supplements: Up to $10,000 per student/year (up to two students per PI/co-PI), not counted against project budget cap
• EPSCoR Participation: Proposals from EPSCoR-eligible institutions are encouraged
• Reporting: Annual and final project reports required; Medium projects must report BPC activities and outcomes

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External Links

• NSF CISE Core Programs Solicitation (NSF 24-589)
• NSF CISE Directorate
• NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)
• BPCnet Resource Portal
• CloudBank
• Research.gov Submission Portal
• Grants.gov Opportunity Page

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Contact Information

For technical support with Research.gov: rgov@nsf.gov
For Grants.gov support: support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726

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