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

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), has announced the Computer and Information Science and Engineering: Future Computing Research (Future CoRe) program solicitation (NSF 25-543). This program supports transformative research and education projects in computing, communication, and information science and engineering. It is administered across several CISE divisions including Computing and Communication Foundations, Information and Intelligent Systems, and Computer and Network Systems. The program builds on decades of NSF’s work to advance the nation’s scientific and technological capacity while also strengthening workforce development in computing-related fields. The purpose of the Future CoRe program is to generate foundational and applied research that enables new knowledge across computing and related disciplines. It encompasses a wide range of programs such as Algorithmic Foundations, Communications and Information Foundations, Computer Systems Research, Computing Education Research, Cyber-Physical Systems Foundations and Connected Communities, Foundations of Emerging Technologies, Human-Centered Computing, Information Integration and Informatics, Networking Technology and Systems, Robust Intelligence, and Software and Hardware Foundations. These program areas invite both discipline-specific proposals and interdisciplinary research that spans multiple categories. Project proposals must align with the scope of at least one Future CoRe program and are reviewed under NSF’s intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria. The program allows for projects with budgets up to $1,000,000 and durations of up to four years. Typical awards are expected to fall between $150,000 and $250,000 per year over three to four years, with projects discouraged from exceeding $300,000 in any given year. The estimated total program funding is $280,000,000 annually, supporting between 400 and 600 awards depending on fund availability. Awards will be made as either standard grants or continuing grants. Cost sharing is prohibited, and there are no indirect cost limitations. Proposals are subject to NSF’s standard award conditions and reporting requirements, including annual and final project reports. Eligibility to apply extends to accredited U.S. institutions of higher education, including community colleges, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Nonprofit, non-academic organizations such as museums, observatories, research labs, and professional societies are also eligible, as are federally recognized Tribal Nations. International branch campuses of U.S. institutions may participate if they demonstrate clear benefits to the project. There are no restrictions on who may serve as a principal investigator, but individuals may not be listed as PI, co-PI, or senior/key personnel on more than two proposals across Future CoRe programs within a 12-month period. Applications are accepted year-round, though proposers are strongly encouraged to submit by the target dates to be considered in the corresponding review cycles. The next upcoming target deadlines are September 11, 2025, and February 5, 2026, with recurring cycles each September and February thereafter. Proposals must be submitted electronically via Research.gov or Grants.gov, with adherence to the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide. Collaborative proposals must be submitted via Research.gov. Proposals must include all required supplementary documents, such as a detailed listing of project personnel and partner organizations, and follow solicitation-specific guidance on proposal titles. Review is conducted through NSF’s established merit review process, involving ad hoc reviewers and panels of experts. Proposals are judged on their intellectual merit, or potential to advance knowledge, and broader impacts, or the potential benefits to society. Broader impacts may include improvements to STEM education, increased participation of underrepresented groups, and public engagement in science and technology. Applicants are expected to demonstrate both the technical strength of their research and its societal relevance. For assistance, program teams can be contacted directly by email or telephone depending on the Future CoRe program. General inquiries may be directed to the appropriate program team (e.g., AF: cise-af@nsf.gov, 703-292-8910). Technical support is available from the Research.gov Help Desk at 1-800-381-1532 or rgov@nsf.gov, and the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. NSF also provides additional resources on its website, including updates on solicitations, publications, and award conditions.