Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE): Future Computing Research | 25 543

Opportunity Information: Apply for 25 543

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Directorate, is offering the Future Computing Research (Future CoRe) grant opportunity to support research and education projects that advance fundamental knowledge across the full spectrum of computing, communications, and information science and engineering. The program is structured as an umbrella that houses multiple discipline-focused programs, giving applicants several natural entry points depending on the technical area and research community. These programs include Algorithmic Foundations (AF), Communications and Information Foundations (CIF), Computer Systems Research (CSR), Computing Education Research (CER), Cyber-Physical System Foundations and Connected Communities (CPS), Foundations of Emerging Technologies (FET), Human-Centered Computing (HCC), Information Integration and Informatics (III), Networking Technology and Systems (NeTS), Robust Intelligence (RI), and Software and Hardware Foundations (SHF). Collectively, they cover work ranging from theoretical foundations and algorithms to systems, networking, AI and robust intelligence, cyber-physical systems, human-centered methods, data integration, and computing education.

In terms of award structure, NSF indicates it expects to make a portfolio of awards with varying sizes and durations, explicitly including smaller-scope projects as part of the mix. Budgets and timelines are expected to match the ambition and scale of the proposed work, with an overall upper bound of up to $1,000,000 total over a period of up to 4 years. While NSF allows that maximum, it signals what it considers typical: many projects run 3 to 4 years with annual budgets in the range of about $150,000 to $250,000. Proposers are discouraged from requesting more than $300,000 in any single year, which is an important budgeting cue for shaping a proposal that fits program norms. As with many NSF programs, the final number of awards, average award size, and total dollars available can vary depending on appropriations and the availability of funds.

Eligibility is limited to specific organization types. Proposals may be submitted by U.S.-based non-profit, non-academic organizations that are closely tied to research or educational activities, such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies. Accredited U.S. institutions of higher education are also eligible, including both two-year and four-year institutions (community colleges included), submitting on behalf of their faculty. Federally recognized Tribal Nations are eligible as well, defined as American Indian or Alaska Native tribes, bands, nations, pueblos, villages, or communities recognized by the Secretary of the Interior under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994. For U.S. universities with international branch campuses, there is a special requirement: if any funding would support work at an international branch campus (including via subawards or consultants), the proposal must explain the project benefit of conducting work there and justify why the activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus.

Key administrative details from the listing include that this is a discretionary grant opportunity from NSF (agency: U.S. National Science Foundation) under CFDA 47.070, with an original closing date of 2025-09-11. The opportunity is identified as "Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE): Future Computing Research" (Funding Opportunity Number: 25-543). The listing also provides high-level planning figures such as an anticipated large number of awards (shown as 600) and an award ceiling field in the source data, though the narrative guidance emphasizes the typical annual funding ranges and the $1,000,000/4-year maximum for standard project proposals, with final funding levels dependent on available funds.

• The U.S. 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): Future Computing Research" 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 2025-07-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-11. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $12,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 600 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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