Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE): Core Programs | 21 616

Opportunity Information: Apply for 21 616

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE): Core Programs opportunity supports research and education projects aimed at advancing fundamental and applied knowledge across computing, communications, and information science and engineering, along with research that strengthens advanced cyberinfrastructure. In practical terms, this solicitation is the main entry point for a wide range of core CISE topics, from theoretical foundations and algorithms to networking, intelligent systems, human-centered computing, and the hardware/software stack that underpins modern computing. Projects funded under this umbrella are expected to push the field forward through new concepts, methods, systems, or rigorous insights, and they may also include educational components that help build the future computing workforce.

The opportunity is organized around several CISE units and their corresponding core programs. Within the Division of Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF), proposals can align with Algorithmic Foundations (AF), Communications and Information Foundations (CIF), Foundations of Emerging Technologies (FET), and Software and Hardware Foundations (SHF). These areas collectively cover deep foundational work, including algorithms and complexity, information and communication theory, early-stage directions in computing and communication technologies, and the principles behind reliable and efficient software and hardware. Within the Division of Computer and Network Systems (CNS), the CNS Core program supports work related to computer systems and networks, including topics that can span networking, distributed systems, edge and cloud systems, security-related systems issues, and other core systems and networking research themes. Within the Division of Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS), the core programs include Human-Centered Computing (HCC), Information Integration and Informatics (III), and Robust Intelligence (RI), which together cover research at the intersection of people and computing, data and information integration, and AI or machine learning methods designed to be capable, reliable, and resilient. Separately, the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC) supports the OAC Core Research (OAC Core) program, which focuses on cyberinfrastructure research, meaning the computing, data, software, and advanced infrastructure capabilities that enable and accelerate discovery and innovation across many domains.

NSF invites submissions in specific project classes that mainly differ by budget size, duration, and which CISE unit may receive them. Small Projects are capped at a total budget of up to $600,000 and may last up to three years; these are eligible for submission only to CCF, CNS, and IIS (not OAC). Medium Projects range from $600,001 to $1,200,000 total budget and may last up to four years; these also may be submitted only to CCF, CNS, and IIS. For OAC, the relevant category is OAC Core Projects, which are capped at up to $600,000 total budget with durations up to three years, and these may be submitted only to OAC. The solicitation notes that additional details about these project classes are provided in the program description section of the announcement, which typically clarifies expectations around scope, team structure, and what differentiates a smaller effort from a medium-scale one.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by NSF under CFDA 47.070 (NSF Research and Development). Proposals are accepted anytime, indicating an open submission window rather than a single annual deadline, though in practice NSF programs often have internal target dates or review cycles that applicants should confirm in the full solicitation and on the relevant program pages. The listing indicates an expected volume of awards (approximately 600), and it shows an award ceiling of $0, which generally means the ceiling is not expressed as a single fixed number at the opportunity level and instead depends on the project class limits and programmatic considerations. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others (see text...)," meaning applicants should consult the full eligibility language in the official solicitation to confirm which organizations or institution types may apply and under what conditions.

Overall, CISE: Core Programs functions as NSF's central mechanism for supporting a broad portfolio of computing research, spanning foundational theory, systems and networking, AI and data-intensive methods, and the cyberinfrastructure foundations that enable modern science and engineering. Applicants typically choose the most appropriate division and core program based on their technical focus, then tailor the project scope to fit the Small, Medium, or OAC Core project class rules on budget and duration.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE): Core Programs" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.070.
• This funding opportunity was created on Sep 10, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Proposals accepted anytime. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 600 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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