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

Currently archived; not accepting applications

Expected 15 awards per cycle; award amounts vary by project and program budget

Supports fundamental research to develop theoretical foundations for design and systems engineering, emphasizing domain-independent explanatory models.

Program is currently archived; check NSF program page for future updates.

--- ## Description The Systems Science (SYS) program from the U.S. National Science Foundation supports fundamental research aimed at establishing a theoretical foundation for design and systems engineering. The program seeks intellectual advances that integrate and abstract underlying theories—such as probability theory, decision theory, game theory, organizational sociology, behavioral economics, or cognitive psychology—to develop explanatory, domain-independent models for design and systems engineering. These models should ideally lead to testable hypotheses, enabling iterative refinement based on evidence. Research solely focused on systems outside the scope of engineering or on domain-specific applications without broader theoretical contributions is not eligible. However, proposals that advance fundamental understanding of design and systems engineering while also addressing domain-specific applications may be considered for co-funding with other NSF programs. Key research topics include: - **Processes:** Search strategy, guidance, and control in design and systems engineering, including monitoring, metrics, decision framing, and abstraction. - **Organizations:** Decomposition, communication, and incentivization within engineering organizations, including interdisciplinary collaboration and the impact of incentive structures. - **Modeling:** Creation, use, and assessment of models in engineering, including model selection, cognitive aspects, teaching modeling, and model sharing/reuse. - **Research Methodology:** Metrics and rigorous comparison of design methods to express and measure improvement. --- ## Due Dates - Currently archived; not accepting applications. --- ## Funding Amount - The program typically expects to make approximately 15 awards per cycle. - Award amounts vary depending on project scope and annual program budget. - No cost sharing or matching requirement. --- ## Eligibility - Open to all applicant types (unrestricted), including academic institutions, non-profits, for-profits, and other organizations. - Proposals must be relevant to fundamental research in design and systems engineering, as described above. --- ## Application Process - The program is currently archived and not accepting new proposals. - When active, proposals must be submitted in accordance with the NSF [Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg). - For future cycles, applicants should monitor the [NSF program page](http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504788) for updates on re-opening and submission instructions. - Proposals that include domain-specific applications but also advance the theoretical foundation should be submitted to the relevant disciplinary program, with Systems Science listed as a secondary program. --- ## Additional Information - Awards are subject to NSF's revised terms and conditions for financial assistance made on or after October 1, 2024. - Indirect costs are reimbursed according to NSF’s standard policies. - For guidance on proposal preparation and award management, refer to the [NSF PAPPG](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg). --- ## External Links - [NSF Systems Science Program Page](http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504788) - [Official Grants.gov Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359595) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg) - [Browse Recent Awards](https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearchResult?ProgEleCode=808500&BooleanElement=Any&BooleanRef=Any&ActiveAwards=true#results) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | |----------------|-----------------------------------|---------------| | Richard Malak | [rmalak@nsf.gov](mailto:rmalak@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-7902 | | NSF Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | |

Systems Science

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