Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE): Future Computing Research

The NSF CISE Directorate supports research and education projects that develop new knowledge in all aspects of computing, communications, and information science and engineering through the following Future Computing Research (Future CoRe) programs:


Algorithmic Foundations (AF) program;
Communications and Information Foundations (CIF) program;
Computer Systems Research (CSR) program;
Computing Education Research (CER) program;
Cyber-Physical System Foundations and Connected Communities (CPS) program;
Foundations of Emerging Technologies (FET) program;
Human-Centered Computing (HCC) program;
Information Integration and Informatics (III) program;
Networking Technology and Systems (NeTS) program;
Robust Intelligence (RI) program;and
Software and Hardware Foundations (SHF) program;

The CISE Future Computing Research program anticipates a portfolio of awards with a range of budgets and durations, including projects of smaller scope. Project durations and budgets must be commensurate with the scope of the proposed work up to the maximum limit of $1,000,000 with a duration up to 4 years. Typical projects are approximately $150,000 to $250,000 per year and are 3 to 4 years in duration. Projects are discouraged from exceeding $300,000 in any single year. Estimated program budget, number of awards, and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.

The NSF CISE Directorate supports research and education projects that develop new knowledge in all aspects of computing, communications, and information science and engineering through the following Future Computing Research (Future CoRe) programs:

• Algorithmic Foundations (AF) program;


• Communications and Information Foundations (CIF) program;


• Computer Systems Research (CSR) program;


• Computing Education Research (CER) program;


• Cyber-Physical System Foundations and Connected Communities (CPS) program;


• Foundations of Emerging Technologies (FET) program;


• Human-Centered Computing (HCC) program;


• Information Integration and Informatics (III) program;


• Networking Technology and Systems (NeTS) program;


• Robust Intelligence (RI) program;and


• Software and Hardware Foundations (SHF) program;

The CISE Future Computing Research program anticipates a portfolio of awards with a range of budgets and durations, including projects of smaller scope. Project durations and budgets must be commensurate with the scope of the proposed work up to the maximum limit of $1,000,000 with a duration up to 4 years. Typical projects are approximately $150,000 to $250,000 per year and are 3 to 4 years in duration. Projects are discouraged from exceeding $300,000 in any single year. Estimated program budget, number of awards, and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
-Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities.
-Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.
-Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131.