Training-based Workforce Development for Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (CyberTraining)

The National Science Foundation’s CyberTraining program, under solicitation NSF 23-520, aims to develop the scientific research workforce by advancing training and educational initiatives in advanced cyberinfrastructure (CI). Administered by the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure within the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering, this program invites proposals that promote the integration of CI tools, methods, and resources into research and education. The initiative supports fundamental science and engineering by equipping researchers and professionals with necessary skills in computational and data-driven methodologies, thus contributing to national competitiveness and security. The program seeks proposals that address two main goals: enhancing broad adoption of CI tools and integrating advanced CI literacy into undergraduate and graduate curricula. Eligible activities include innovative, scalable training programs and instructional material development targeted at a range of communities from postsecondary students to seasoned researchers and CI professionals. Proposals should strive for transformative impact, especially by expanding CI access to underrepresented groups and institutions traditionally under-involved in CI-enabled research. Applicants can propose either Pilot Projects with up to $300,000 in funding over two years or Implementation Projects, which are further divided into Small (up to $500,000 over four years) and Medium (up to $1,000,000 over four years) categories. The solicitation emphasizes collaborative efforts and mandates inclusion of at least one PI or co-PI with relevant domain expertise and another with CI expertise. Proposed activities should be developed in consultation with NSF Program Officers and must align with NSF’s strategic goals for broadening participation and enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration. Proposals must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov, following the NSF Proposal and Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). The submission deadline is the third Thursday in January annually, with the next due date on January 16, 2025. The solicitation prohibits cost sharing and requires awardees to attend annual PI meetings, with travel funded by the grant. Application materials must include specific components such as a Management and Coordination Plan, evaluation strategies, and, if applicable, documentation of cloud computing or high-throughput computing resource requests. Merit review of proposals will focus on intellectual merit and broader impacts, including the potential for scalability, sustainability, and fostering of community engagement. The grant supports projects that develop or enhance curriculum, engage diverse stakeholder communities, and contribute to a national educational infrastructure for CI. Contact information for multiple program officers is provided to guide applicants in tailoring their proposals to specific NSF directorates and divisions.