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

October 10, 2025 | October 9, 2026

Awards range from $500,000 to $1,500,000 total for up to 36 months; ~$8.5M available annually

Supports interdisciplinary research on the mathematical and theoretical foundations of artificial intelligence, emphasizing explainability, reliability, and principled design.

--- ## Description This opportunity from the National Science Foundation (NSF) funds collaborative, interdisciplinary research on the mathematical and theoretical underpinnings of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). The program seeks to address foundational gaps that limit advances in AI, emphasizing the need for rigorous mathematical frameworks to explain, validate, and design AI systems. Supported projects should foster collaborations among mathematicians, statisticians, computer scientists, engineers, and social/behavioral scientists, with a focus on innovative, principled approaches that advance the theory and reliability of current and next-generation AI. Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to: - Fundamental mathematical understanding of AI capabilities and limitations (e.g., foundation models, generative models, deep learning, federated learning) - Development of mathematically grounded design and analysis principles - Rigorous validation and characterization of AI algorithms and their predictions - Approaches enabling provably reliable, general-purpose AI systems - Promotion of new interdisciplinary collaborations and workforce development Projects should clearly articulate the mathematical and theoretical advances, the technical challenges addressed, and the collaborative contributions of the team. --- ## Due Dates - October 10, 2025 - October 9, 2026 Proposals are due by 5 p.m. local time of the submitting organization on each deadline. --- ## Funding Amount - Estimated total program funding: $8,500,000 per year (subject to availability of funds) - Award size: $500,000 to $1,500,000 total per project - Award duration: Up to 36 months - Up to 15 awards anticipated per competition --- ## Eligibility - **Who May Apply:** - U.S.-based institutions of higher education (two- and four-year, including community colleges) accredited in the U.S. - U.S.-based non-profit, non-academic organizations directly associated with educational or research activities (e.g., independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies) - **Who May Serve as PI:** - Must hold a tenured/tenure-track position or a primary, full-time, paid appointment in a research or teaching position at an eligible U.S. institution - Individuals with primary appointments at for-profit non-academic organizations or overseas branch campuses of U.S. institutions are not eligible - **Proposal Limits:** - No limit on proposals per organization - A PI/co-PI may participate in only one proposal per deadline --- ## Application Process - Proposals may be submitted via [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov) or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov). - No letters of intent or preliminary proposals required. - Proposals must adhere to the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) and this program’s solicitation requirements. - The project title should begin with "MFAI:" (or "Collaborative Research: MFAI:" for collaborative proposals). - A two-page Collaboration Plan is required as a supplementary document, even for teams within a single institution. - Budgets must include travel for annual PI meetings. --- ## Additional Information - Cost sharing is not permitted. - Standard NSF merit review criteria apply, with additional emphasis on the quality of the collaboration plan and the articulation of mathematical/theoretical innovations. - Annual and final project reports are required for awarded projects. - Projects are expected to contribute to workforce development by involving students and/or postdoctoral associates from relevant disciplines. --- ## External Links - [Program Solicitation & Details](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/mfai-mathematical-foundations-artificial-intelligence/nsf24-569/solicitation) - [NSF Publication 24-569](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf24569) - [Apply via Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/353936) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Email | Phone | |-----------|-------|-------| | Program Contacts (all disciplines) | [mfai@nsf.gov](mailto:mfai@nsf.gov) | See below | | Stacey Levine (MPS/DMS) | [mfai@nsf.gov](mailto:mfai@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-2948 | | Eyad Abed (ENG/ECCS) | [mfai@nsf.gov](mailto:mfai@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-2303 | | Yulia Gel (MPS/DMS) | [mfai@nsf.gov](mailto:mfai@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-7888 | | Alfred Hero (CISE/CCF) | [mfai@nsf.gov](mailto:mfai@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8910 | | Anthony Kuh (ENG/ECCS) | [mfai@nsf.gov](mailto:mfai@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-4714 | | Tracy J. Kimbrel | [mfai@nsf.gov](mailto:mfai@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8910 | | Phillip A. Regalia (CISE/CCF) | [mfai@nsf.gov](mailto:mfai@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-2981 | | Christopher W. Stark (MPS/DMS) | [mfai@nsf.gov](mailto:mfai@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-4869 | | Reha M. Uzsoy (ENG/CMMI) | [mfai@nsf.gov](mailto:mfai@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-2681 | | Juan P. Wachs (CISE/IIS) | [mfai@nsf.gov](mailto:mfai@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8714 | | Kenneth C. Whang (CISE/IIS) | [mfai@nsf.gov](mailto:mfai@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-5149 | | Joseph M. Whitmeyer (SBE/SES) | [mfai@nsf.gov](mailto:mfai@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-7808 | | NSF Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | | For technical assistance with Research.gov: 1-800-381-1532 For Grants.gov support: 1-800-518-4726 or [support@grants.gov](mailto:support@grants.gov)

Mathematical Foundations of Artificial Intelligence

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