Smart and Connected Communities

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Description

The NSF Smart and Connected Communities (S&CC) program aims to accelerate the development of novel intelligent technologies and concepts through transformative, high-risk/high-reward research that addresses significant challenges faced by communities across the United States. A "smart and connected community" is defined as one that synergistically integrates intelligent technologies with natural and built environments and the functions of civic institutions and organizations to improve social, economic, and environmental well-being.

Proposals should target one or more community priorities such as economic opportunity and growth, safety and security, human and environmental health and wellness, accessibility of critical services and resources, and overall quality of life for community members.

The program emphasizes interdisciplinary research that integrates at least two or more primary areas of interest: computer and information sciences, civil and mechanical engineering, geosciences, and social, learning, and behavioral sciences. Research must be use-inspired and motivated by challenges identified in collaboration with community stakeholders, including residents, local organizations, businesses, and municipal entities.

Proposal Categories

• S&CC Development Grants (SCC-DG): Up to $150,000 for one year to prepare teams for future larger proposals by exploring high-risk concepts, building collaborations, and refining research questions.

• S&CC Integrative Research Grants (SCC-IRG): Up to $1.5 million for 3-4 years supporting well-integrated, transformative research projects addressing community challenges with robust evaluation plans.

• S&CC Large-Scale Research (SCC-LSR): $4-5 million for 4-5 years to tackle critical challenges requiring major investment, including empirical validation and broad dissemination of results.

Community Engagement

Meaningful engagement with community stakeholders is a core requirement. Proposals must clearly define the community and stakeholders involved and describe how their input shapes the research. Budgets should consider equitable compensation for community participants.

Evaluation and Management

For SCC-IRG and SCC-LSR proposals, detailed evaluation plans with metrics and methodologies are required to validate research outcomes. A management plan outlining roles, responsibilities, and collaboration mechanisms among interdisciplinary teams and community partners is also mandatory.

Reporting and Dissemination

Awardees must submit annual and final reports, including a one-page graphic summary and a five-minute video (for SCC-IRG and SCC-LSR) showcasing major accomplishments. Attendance at annual S&CC PI meetings is required.

Broader Impacts and Diversity

NSF strongly encourages proposals that broaden participation in STEM, especially from underrepresented and underserved communities and institutions. Broader impacts should address societal benefits, workforce development, and inclusion.

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Due Dates

• Preliminary Proposals (required for SCC-IRG and SCC-LSR):

  • February 20, 2025
  • September 8, 2025
  • January 12, 2026
  • Annually thereafter on the second Monday in September and January

• Full Proposals:

  • April 4, 2025
  • November 10, 2025
  • March 9, 2026
  • Annually thereafter on the second Monday in November and March

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Funding Amount

• Development Grants (SCC-DG): Up to $150,000 for 1 year
• Integrative Research Grants (SCC-IRG): Up to $1,500,000 for 3-4 years
• Large-Scale Research Grants (SCC-LSR): $4,000,000 to $5,000,000 for 4-5 years
• Total anticipated funding per fiscal year: Approximately $23.26 million
• Estimated number of awards per year: 20 to 40 (including 10-20 Development Grants, 10-20 Integrative Research Grants, and 1 Large-Scale Research Grant)

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Eligibility

• Who May Submit:

  • U.S.-based Institutions of Higher Education (two- and four-year, including community colleges) accredited and with a U.S. campus.
  • Non-profit, non-academic organizations directly associated with educational or research activities (e.g., museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies).

• PI Eligibility: No restrictions on who may serve as Principal Investigator.

• Proposal Limits:

  • No limit on number of proposals per organization.
  • Individuals may participate as PI, co-PI, or Senior/Key Personnel on no more than two proposals across all categories within any contiguous 12-month period.

• Special Instructions:

  • If funding is requested for an international branch campus of a U.S. institution, justification must be provided.

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Application Process

• Preliminary Proposals:

  • Required for SCC-IRG and SCC-LSR categories.
  • Must be submitted via Research.gov.
  • Consist of Cover Sheet, Project Summary (1 page), Project Description (2 pages), and Project Personnel and Partner Institutions (1 page supplementary document).
  • Preliminary proposals are advisory and provide feedback on whether to proceed with full proposals.

• Full Proposals:

  • May be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov.
  • Follow NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) guidelines.
  • Project Description page limits: 7 pages for SCC-DG, 15 pages for SCC-IRG and SCC-LSR.
  • Must include sections on Integrative Research, Community Engagement, Evaluation Plan (IRG and LSR only), and Management Plan (IRG and LSR only).
  • Letters of Collaboration are strongly encouraged for substantial partnerships.

• Budget:

  • Voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.
  • Budgets must include funds for attendance at annual S&CC PI meetings for project representatives and ideally for community stakeholders.

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Additional Information

• Evaluation: Proposals are reviewed based on NSF’s two merit review criteria: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, with additional program-specific criteria.

• Award Conditions: Include attendance at annual PI meetings, submission of project data for program evaluation, and proper acknowledgment of NSF support.

• Transition to Practice Supplements: Awardees demonstrating significant progress may request supplemental funding to support real-world adoption activities, subject to NSF approval.

• Build America, Buy America: Awards must comply with federal requirements to maximize use of U.S.-produced materials for infrastructure projects.

• Broadening Participation: NSF encourages participation from underrepresented groups and diverse institutions in STEM.

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External Links

• Program Solicitation and Details
• NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)
• NSF Grants.gov Application Guide
• S&CC Virtual Organization (S&CC-VO)
• Broadening Participation in STEM at NSF
• Civic Innovation Challenge (CIVIC)
• Smart Health and Biomedical Research (SCH)
• Research on Innovative Technologies for Enhanced Learning (RITEL)
• Confronting Hazards, Impacts and Risks for a Resilient Planet (CHIRRP)

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Contact Information

For technical assistance with submission systems:

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