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The Foundational Research in Robotics (FRR) program, jointly led by the CISE and ENG Directorates, supports research on robotic systems that exhibit significant levels of both computational capability and physical complexity. For the purposes of this program, a robot is defined as intelligence embodied in an engineered construct, with the ability to process information, sense, plan, and move within or substantially alter its working environment. Here intelligence includes a broad class of methods that enable a robot to solve problems or to make contextually appropriate decisions and act upon them. The program welcomes research that considers inextricably interwoven questions of intelligence, computation, and embodiment. Projects may also focus on a distinct aspect of intelligence, computation, or embodiment, as long as the proposed research is clearly justified in the context of a class of robots. The focus of the FRR program is on foundational advances in robotics. Robotics is a deeply interdisciplinary field, and proposals are encouraged across the full range of fundamental engineering and computer science research challenges arising in robotics. To be responsive to the FRR program, each proposal should clearly articulate the following three points: The focus of the research project should be a robot or a class of robots, as defined above. [Is there a robot?] The goal of the project should be to endow a robot or a class of robots with new and useful capabilities or to significantly enhance existing capabilities. [Will a robot gain a new or significantly improved capability?] The intellectual contribution of the proposed work should address fundamental gaps in robotics. [Is robotics essential to the intellectual merit of the proposal?] Meaningful experimental validation on a physical platform is encouraged. Projects that do not represent a direct fundamental contribution to the science of robotics or are better aligned with other existing programs at NSF should not be submitted to the FRR program. Potential investigators are strongly encouraged to discuss their projects with an FRR Program Officer before submission. Non-compliant proposals may be returned without review.
Funding Opportunity Number: PD-20-144Y. Assistance Listing: 47.041,47.070. Funding Instrument: G. Category: ST.
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gov Maintenance Calendar View similar opportunities Foundational Research in Robotics U.S. National Science Foundation U.S. National Science Foundation Document Type:Grants Notice Funding Opportunity Number:PD-20-144Y Funding Opportunity Title:Foundational Research in Robotics Opportunity Category:Discretionary Opportunity Category Explanation: Funding Instrument Type:Grant Category of Funding Activity:Science and Technology and other Research and Development Expected Number of Awards: Assistance Listings:47.
041 -- Engineering 47.
070 -- Computer and Information Science and Engineering Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:No Last Updated Date:Jun 18, 2025 Original Closing Date for Applications:Proposals accepted anytime Current Closing Date for Applications:Proposals accepted anytime Estimated Total Program Funding: Eligible Applicants:Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" Additional Information on Eligibility: ## Additional Information Agency Name:U.S. National Science Foundation Description:The Foundational Research in Robotics (FRR) program, jointly led by the CISE and ENG Directorates, supports research on robotic systems that exhibit significant levels of both computational capability and physical complexity.
For the purposes of this program, a robot is defined as intelligence embodied in an engineered construct, with the ability to process information, sense, plan, and move within or substantially alter its working environment. Here intelligence includes a broad class of methods that enable a robot to solve problems or to make contextually appropriate decisions and act upon them.
The program welcomes research that considers inextricably interwoven questions of intelligence, computation, and embodiment. Projects may also focus on a distinct aspect of intelligence, computation, or embodiment, as long as the proposed research is clearly justified in the context of a class of robots. The focus of the FRR program is on foundational advances in robotics.
Robotics is a deeply interdisciplinary field, and proposals are encouraged across the full range of fundamental engineering and computer science research challenges arising in robotics. To be responsive to the FRR program, each proposal should clearly articulate the following three points: 1. The focus of the research project should be a robot or a class of robots, as defined above.
[Is there a robot?] 2. The goal of the project should be to endow a robot or a class of robots with new and useful capabilities or to significantly enhance existing capabilities.
[Will a robot gain a new or significantly improved capability?] 3. The intellectual contribution of the proposed work should address fundamental gaps in robotics.
[Is robotics essential to the intellectual merit of the proposal?] Meaningful experimental validation on a physical platform is encouraged. Projects that do not represent a direct fundamental contribution to the science of robotics or are better aligned with other existing programs at NSF should not be submitted to the FRR program.
Potential investigators are strongly encouraged to discuss their projects with an FRR Program Officer before submission. Non-compliant proposals may be returned without review.
Link to Additional Information:NSF Program Desccription PD-20-144Y Grantor Contact Information:If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact: If you have any problems linking to this funding announcement, please contact the email address above. ## Similar Opportunities (identified by AI) #### Health & Human Services * Frequently Asked Questions ## Your session will expire in 3 minutes.
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According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Eligible applicants: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Yes — Foundational Research in Robotics is offered by U.S. National Science Foundation and this listing comes from Grants.gov, an official U.S. federal source. Federal applications generally require registrations (for example SAM.gov or an agency submission portal), so allow extra lead time.
Yes — this listing is flagged as national in scope, so applicants across the U.S. may apply, subject to the sponsor's other eligibility criteria.
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