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Program page explicitly marked 'Status: Archived' / 'Program 24-534 was archived'; no deadline dates listed
NSF Civic Innovation Challenge (CIVIC) is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). This program funds partnerships between researchers and community organizations to deploy emerging technologies, including AI. It specifically targets projects that transition foundational research into community-level practice, addressing real-world community challenges through applied AI.
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Civic Innovation Challenge (CIVIC) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation Civic Innovation Challenge (CIVIC) Archived funding opportunity This document has been archived. Important information for proposers and award recipients All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in the funding opportunity and in the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and its supplements .
All NSF grants and cooperative agreements are subject to the applicable set of NSF award terms and conditions . NSF has updated its research security policies for NSF funded projects.
A research and action competition driven by community priorities Supports partnerships between researchers and local communities to pilot innovative, research-based solutions that address climate resilience and equitable access to essential resources, focusing on scalable, real-world impacts.
The Civic Innovation Challenge (CIVIC) is a research and action competition that accelerates the transition to practice of foundational research and emerging technologies into communities through civic-engaged research.
By addressing priorities at the local scale that are relevant across the US, CIVIC is laying the foundation for a broader and more fluid exchange of research and technology capabilities and civic priorities through joint partnerships involving civic partners and the research community.
CIVIC funds projects that pilot state-of-the-art solutions to community challenges over 12 months, following a six-month planning phase, and have the potential for lasting impact in the partnering community as well as the potential to be scaled and implemented in other communities.
Additionally, the foundation for CIVIC projects should be rooted in maturing and transitioning state-of-the-art research in disciplines, including but not limited to computer science, engineering, geosciences, biological sciences, and social sciences.
CIVIC is uniquely designed to enable transition to practice of innovations into communities, as follows: (1) CIVIC flips the community-university dynamic, by empowering communities and researchers to jointly identify civic priorities ripe for innovation and to address these priorities as equal partners; (2) CIVIC focuses on research-centered solutions that are ready for piloting in and with communities on a short timescale, where real-world outcomes can be evaluated within 12 months; (3) CIVIC requires a coalition of communities and civic partners and a multi-disciplinary set of researchers to co-create and execute pilot projects; and (4) CIVIC organizes and fosters nationwide “communities of practice” around high-need problem areas that allow for meaningful knowledge sharing and cross-site collaboration during both the pre-development and piloting stages.
For this solicitation, civic partnership and engagement activities, communities, and academic and civic partners must be based in the United States or its protectorates. For purposes of clarity, civic partners may include local, state, or tribal government officials; non-profit representatives; community organizers or advocates; community service providers; and/or others working to improve their communities.
CIVIC is organized as a two-stage competition with two tracks centered around the following topic areas: Track A. Climate and Environmental Instability - Building Resilient Communities through Co-Design, Adaption, and Mitigation Track B . Bridging the gap between essential resources and services & community needs.
In Stage 1, approximately 35-40 Planning Grant awards will be made – each with a budget of up to $75,000 for six months to undertake planning and team development activities. These include solidifying the team, maturing the project plans, and preparing a well-developed full proposal for submission to Stage 2. Only Stage 1 CIVIC recipients can submit to the CIVIC Stage 2 competition.
In Stage 2, approximately 20 Full Awards will be made. These will be selected from Stage 1 award recipients. For Stage 2, proposals will be considered with budgets up to $1,000,000 for up to 12 months.
Proposals must describe how the PIs will execute and evaluate their research-centered pilot projects. Throughout both stages, NSF award recipient ( 2223449 ) MetroLab Network ( metrolabnetwork. org , nsfcivicinnovation.
org ) will foster “communities of practice” through in-person and virtual activities, aimed at enhancing the teams’ capacity-building, networking, impact, and ability to create methods and solutions transferable to other communities.
The CIVIC research and action competition is jointly supported by NSF’s Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE); Directorate for Engineering (ENG); Directorate for Geosciences (GEO); Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE); Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO); and the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Program Director, CISE/CNS Program Director, CISE/CNS Program Director, CISE/CNS Program Director, CISE/CNS Program Director, CISE/CNS Program Director, ENG/CMMI Program Director, ENG/CMMI Program Director, GEO/RISE Program Director, SBE/SES Program Director, BIO/DEB March 11, 2024 - DEB Virtual Office Hour: CIVIC February 22, 2024 - Civic Innovation Challenge Webinar for 2024 Solicitation March 22, 2022 - Civic Innovation Challenge Q&A Session March 10, 2022 - Civic Innovation Challenge Q&A Session February 25, 2022 - Civic Innovation Challenge Webinar Additional program resources CIVIC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 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) Directorate for Engineering (ENG) Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO)
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Partnerships between researchers and community organizations, including nonprofits. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows up to $75,000 for Stage 1 planning grants; up to $1,000,000 for Stage 2 full awards. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
NSF Civic Innovation Challenge (CIVIC) is funded by National Science Foundation (NSF). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
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.
Start with the full solicitation document linked on this page — it contains the submission instructions and required forms.
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