Integrated Data Systems Services

The Integrated Data Systems and Services (IDSS) program, led by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), aims to support the national-scale development, deployment, and operation of cyberinfrastructure systems and services that facilitate open, data-intensive, and artificial intelligence-driven science and engineering research. Administered through NSF’s Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering, specifically the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC), the program reflects the agency’s longstanding commitment to enabling advanced research by building foundational data infrastructure across disciplines. The IDSS program is part of NSF’s broader strategy to enhance accessibility, reliability, and interoperability of research data systems at a national level, complementing previous initiatives such as CSSI and CC*. This funding opportunity offers support in three categories: Category I for novel, national-scale integrated systems and services; Category II for transitioning regional or pilot-scale systems to national-scale operations; and Category III for planning grants toward future Category I or II proposals. Category I awards range from $10 million to $30 million over up to five years, while Category II awards can reach up to $9 million over three years. Category III grants are capped at $500,000 over two years. Projects must address national-scale needs and be demonstrably multidisciplinary, with a focus on broad accessibility and integration with other cyberinfrastructure. Proposals that are narrowly scoped or discipline-specific are explicitly ineligible. Eligibility for the IDSS program includes U.S.-based institutions of higher education, independent research and education-related nonprofit organizations, and federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs). Each organization may submit only one proposal as the lead for Categories I and II per deadline but may participate as a subawardee on other proposals. There are no such limits for Category III proposals. Individuals may participate as PI or co-PI on only one proposal across Categories I and II. Collaborative proposals must be submitted as a single unified application, with partner involvement structured via subawards. Applications must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov and follow the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Required elements include a project summary and description, detailing vision, goals, system specifications, operational plans, performance objectives, and project management structure. Category I and II proposals also require detailed cost estimates as supplementary documents. Category III proposals must outline their planning strategy and targeted infrastructure goals. All applicants must clearly articulate the broader impacts of their proposed systems on science, education, and the workforce. Applications are evaluated based on NSF’s merit review criteria of intellectual merit and broader impacts, with additional scrutiny on performance plans, user engagement, innovation potential, and operational viability. Awards are issued as either standard grants or cooperative agreements, depending on the category. Some projects may be eligible for renewal based on performance and availability of funds. Notably, the IDSS program prohibits voluntary committed cost sharing and does not fund individual research or facility renovations. Key deadlines for this program are December 4, 2025, for the current cycle and July 28, 2026, for the next. The program will accept proposals annually on the fourth Tuesday in July thereafter. For assistance, applicants are encouraged to contact the program officers listed—Andrey Kanaev, Kevin L. Thompson, or Marlon Pierce—at [email protected] or by phone. Additional administrative and reporting requirements will be specified in award terms, including participation in annual PI meetings and routine project performance evaluations.

Clearly define system architecture, operational plans, and demonstrate broad community impact with measurable performance targets.