Mathematical Foundations of Digital Twins

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Description

This program, jointly supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Mathematical Sciences and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), funds foundational research at the intersection of mathematics, statistics, computation, and Digital Twin applications. Digital Twins are dynamic digital representations of real-world systems, and their development presents significant mathematical and computational challenges, especially in areas such as multi-scale modeling, uncertainty quantification, and data integration.

The program aims to foster innovative, collaborative research that advances both the mathematical foundations and practical applications of Digital Twins. Proposals should address the two-way relationship between mathematical/statistical innovation and Digital Twin development, with clear potential for real-world impact in fields such as engineering, medicine, urban planning, and more.

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Due Dates

• March 17, 2025 (Full Proposal Deadline)
• March 15, 2026 (Full Proposal Deadline; repeats annually)

Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. local time of the submitting organization.

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Funding Amount

• Estimated total program funding: $5,000,000
• Typical award size: $1,500,000 per project
• Award duration: 36 months
• Expected number of awards: 6–10, subject to availability of funds and proposal competitiveness

No cost sharing is required or allowed.

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Eligibility

• Eligible organizations:

  • U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (two- and four-year, including community colleges)
  • Non-profit, non-academic organizations (e.g., independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies) located in the U.S.
  • Federally recognized Tribal Nations

• PI/Co-PI requirements:

  • Each proposal must have at least two PIs/co-PIs:
    • At least one must lead on mathematical/statistical challenges.
    • At least one must be a modeling or data expert relevant to Digital Twin applications.
  • Each individual may participate as PI or co-PI on only one proposal.

• Other notes:

  • Proposals from diverse institutions, including Minority-Serving Institutions, Primarily Undergraduate Institutions, and EPSCoR jurisdictions, are encouraged.
  • AFRL and its staff are ineligible to participate in any capacity.

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Application Process

• Submission platforms: Research.gov or Grants.gov
• Letters of Intent/Preliminary Proposals: Not required
• Full proposals: Must follow the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) or the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide
• Proposal title: Should begin with "MATH-DT" (or "Collaborative Research: MATH-DT" for collaborative submissions)
• Collaborative proposals: Allowed and encouraged; must be submitted via Research.gov if from multiple organizations

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Additional Information

• Review criteria: Standard NSF merit review (Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts), plus:

  • Degree of synergy between Digital Twin applications and mathematical/statistical innovation
  • Clarity of the two-directional relationship between mathematics/statistics and Digital Twins
  • Appropriateness of PI roles as specified above

• Award conditions and reporting: Standard NSF terms apply; annual and final project reports required

• Build America, Buy America Act: All iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project must be produced in the United States.

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External Links

• NSF Program Solicitation & Details
• Download Solicitation PDF
• NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)
• NSF Grants.gov Application Guide
• Grants.gov Opportunity Listing

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Contact Information

• NSF Help Desk: 1-800-381-1532 | rgov@nsf.gov
• Grants.gov Contact Center: 1-800-518-4726 | support@grants.gov