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CISE Core Programs (Small Projects) is a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Computer and Information Science and Engineering directorate that funds fundamental research in computing and communication systems through investigator-initiated small grants. The program supports projects in algorithms, networking, human-computer interaction, programming languages, software engineering, and computer systems.
Eligible applicants are U.S. university researchers. Small project awards typically range up to $600,000 over three years and support one to two investigators along with graduate student researchers conducting foundational computing research.
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Computer and Information Science and Engineering : Future Computing Research (Future CoRe) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation Computer and Information Science and Engineering : Future Computing Research (Future CoRe) NSF's implementation of the revised 2 CFR NSF Financial Assistance awards (grants and cooperative agreements) made on or after October 1, 2024, will be subject to the applicable set of award conditions, dated October 1, 2024, available on the NSF website .
These terms and conditions are consistent with the revised guidance specified in the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024.
Important information for proposers All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in this funding opportunity and in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets these requirements.
Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.
Updates to NSF Research Security Policies On July 10, 2025, NSF issued an Important Notice providing updates to the agency's research security policies, including a research security training requirement, Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program annual certification requirement, prohibition on Confucius institutes and an updated FFDR reporting and submission timeline.
Supports foundational and interdisciplinary research across all aspects of computing, communication and information science and engineering to advance the future of technology, systems and human-centered innovation. Supports foundational and interdisciplinary research across all aspects of computing, communication and information science and engineering to advance the future of technology, systems and human-centered innovation.
The NSF CISE Directorate supports research and education projects that develop new knowledge in all aspects of computing, communications, and information science and engineering through the following Future Computing Research (Future CoRe) programs: Algorithmic Foundations (AF) program; Communications and Information Foundations (CIF) program; Computer Systems Research (CSR) program; Computing Education Research (CER) program; Cyber-Physical System Foundations and Connected Communities (CPS) program; Foundations of Emerging Technologies (FET) program; Human-Centered Computing (HCC) program; Information Integration and Informatics (III) program; Networking Technology and Systems (NeTS) program; Robust Intelligence (RI) program; and Software and Hardware Foundations (SHF) program; The CISE Future Computing Research program anticipates a portfolio of awards with a range of budgets and durations, including projects of smaller scope.
Project durations and budgets must be commensurate with the scope of the proposed work up to the maximum limit of $1,000,000 with a duration up to 4 years. Typical projects are approximately $150,000 to $250,000 per year and are 3 to 4 years in duration. Projects are discouraged from exceeding $300,000 in any single year.
Estimated program budget, number of awards, and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.
Funded as part of this Program Algorithmic Foundations (AF) Communications and Information Foundations (CIF) Computer Systems Research (CSR) Computing Education Research 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) Software and Hardware Foundations (SHF) Awards made through this program Browse projects funded by this program Map of recent awards made through this program Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Division of Computing and Communication Foundations (CISE/CCF) Division of Information and Intelligent Systems (CISE/IIS) Division of Computer and Network Systems (CISE/CNS)
Key questions and narrative sections extracted from the solicitation.
Project Description per PAPPG guidelines: Research objectives and rationale, proposed activities and methodology, assessment mechanisms for success, personnel qualifications and resources
Scoring criteria used to review proposals for this grant.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Institutions of higher education and non-profit research organizations. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates $100,000 - $600,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Education & Human Resources (IUSE: EHR) Program is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). This program promotes novel, creative, and transformative approaches to generating and using new knowledge about STEM teaching and learning to improve STEM education for undergraduate students. It supports projects that bring recent advances in STEM knowledge into undergraduate education, adapt, improve, and incorporate evidence-based practices, and lay the groundwork for institutional improvement in STEM education. Professional development for instructors to ensure adoption of new and effective pedagogical techniques is a potential topic of interest.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). The NSF SBIR/STTR programs provide non-dilutive funds for use-inspired research and development (R&D) of unproven, leading-edge technology innovations that address societal challenges. These programs specifically foster and encourage participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses.
Agricultural Technologies (AG) - NSF SBIR/STTR is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). The Agricultural Technologies topic supports innovations enabling farm production ecosystems that support the proper utilization of natural resources. Such technologies may encompass systems-level and multidisciplinary solutions to enable complex agricultural practices that support increased biodiversity balanced with yield production. Sub-topics include food waste mitigation, resilient supply & distribution, and other agricultural technologies.