Mathematical Sciences Infrastructure Program

The U.S. National Science Foundation’s Division of Mathematical Sciences administers the Mathematical Sciences Infrastructure Program to support the continued vitality of the mathematical sciences research community across the nation. This program is designed to complement the Workforce Program in the Mathematical Sciences by helping to increase the number of well-prepared, U.S.-based individuals pursuing careers in mathematical sciences and related professions where mathematical expertise is increasingly critical. The Infrastructure Program funds projects that enhance the mathematical sciences research ecosystem, foster professional development, broaden participation, and connect researchers and institutions at a national scale. Funding is available for three main types of projects. The first type, novel projects that strengthen research infrastructure, targets initiatives that cut across multiple sub-disciplines or involve interdisciplinary collaboration. Such projects must aim to create or significantly enhance infrastructure with regional or national impact beyond the proposing institution. The second type, training projects, are designed to complement but not overlap with existing Workforce Program solicitations. These projects must integrate a core research component for trainees, show potential for national or regional impact, and meet criteria such as serving as replicable models, promoting partnerships with non-academic entities or minority-serving institutions, or including significant broadening participation activities. Training proposals must clearly articulate goals, activities, measurable outcomes, assessment methods, participant recruitment and retention strategies (especially for underrepresented groups), sustainability plans, and an appropriate budget. The third project type supports conferences, symposia, workshops, working research sessions, and travel. Conference proposals within a single subdiscipline should be submitted to the relevant disciplinary program, while those spanning the breadth of the mathematical sciences and beyond the scope of disciplinary programs may be submitted to the Infrastructure Program. Conference proposals must adhere to specific lead times: at least six months for domestic meetings requesting up to $50,000, nine months for domestic meetings over $50,000, and twelve months for international meetings. The program accepts proposals nationwide from a wide range of entities without restriction, provided they meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the solicitation. Proposals must demonstrate engagement in developing or enhancing U.S. mathematical sciences research infrastructure, with an emphasis on impacts that extend substantially beyond the host institution. All submissions must comply with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) in effect for the relevant deadline. The program operates on a recurring cycle, with full proposal target dates set for the first Tuesday in February and the first Tuesday in August each year. The next deadlines are February 3, 2026, and August 4, 2026. Proposals may be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov, following the relevant NSF guidelines. Conference and training proposals must meet the timing requirements specific to their categories. Program contacts include Tomek Bartoszynski (tbartosz@nsf.gov, 703-292-4885), Troy D. Butler (tdbutler@nsf.gov, 703-292-2084), James M. Douglass (mdouglas@nsf.gov, 703-292-2467), and Wing Suet Li (winli@nsf.gov, 703-292-4630). Applicants are encouraged to review related NSF programs, such as the NSF-CBMS Regional Research Conferences, Research Training Groups, and the Inclusion Across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science initiative.