EMERGING FRONTIERS IN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION (EFRI-2026/27): Wave-Based Computing (EFRI-WBC)
This grant funds innovative research on wave-based computing, offering both exploratory and large-scale awards to advance foundational engineering and national technology priorities.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: November 19, 2026 (Concept Outline, FY2027) | February 11, 2027 (Full Proposal, FY2027) | November 16, 2027 (Concept Outline, FY2028) | February 10, 2028 (Full Proposal, FY2028)
Funding Amounts: Up to $400,000 for 2 years (Track 1/EAGER); up to $2,000,000 for 4 years (Track 2); approx. $15M/year; ~15–30 awards total.
Summary: Supports foundational and transformative research in wave-based computing, advancing novel computational technologies that leverage wave dynamics for improved performance and energy efficiency.
Key Information: Concept Outline submission is required before full proposal; see deadlines.
Description
The Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI) program from NSF targets high-impact, transformative research in foundational engineering areas with the potential for long-term national benefit. This cycle's focus is on Wave-Based Computing (WBC), supporting research that leverages wave dynamics—such as electromagnetic, acoustic, and quantum wave phenomena—to develop novel computing architectures and technologies. The program encourages multidisciplinary approaches and collaboration with industry to accelerate translation of research discoveries into impactful, energy-efficient computational solutions, especially for applications in AI, ML, and edge computing.
Research topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Physical principles of integrated wave-based computing, including both linear and nonlinear processes, and quantum phenomena
- Information processing architectures using waves, including analog, digital, mixed-signal, neuromorphic, and quantum approaches
- Development and demonstration of proof-of-concept testbeds for wave-based computational platforms
- Integration of novel materials, metasurfaces, photonic and acoustic devices, and chip-scale systems
Two tracks are offered:
- Track 1 (Exploratory/EAGER): For early-stage, high-risk research, supporting projects up to $400,000 for 2 years.
- Track 2 (Multidisciplinary): For larger, integrated teams addressing all program thrusts, supporting projects up to $2,000,000 for 4 years.
Collaboration with industry is encouraged, including via the NSF GOALI mechanism.
