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NSF Civic Innovation Challenge is sponsored by National Science Foundation. Funds partnerships between researchers and community organizations, including nonprofits, to deploy emerging technologies like AI for civic challenges.
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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- U.S. National Science Foundation Civic Innovation Challenge (CIVIC) Archived funding opportunity This document has been archived. 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.
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: Nonprofits partnering with researchers and community organizations. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $75,000 - $1,000,000. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
NSF Civic Innovation Challenge is funded by National Science Foundation. 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.
Community Economic Development Projects is sponsored by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Community Services (OCS). This program awards discretionary funds to Community Development Corporations (CDCs) for well-planned, financially viable, and innovative projects to enhance job creation and business development for individuals with low income. The goal is to decrease dependency on federal programs, chronic unemployment, and community deterioration in urban and rural areas. Projects are expected to actively recruit low-income individuals for positions created and ensure business viability for at least one year.
Community Economic Development (CED) is sponsored by Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This program awards discretionary funds to Community Development Corporations (CDCs) for well-planned, financially viable, and innovative projects that enhance job creation and business development for individuals with low income. CED awards are part of a broader strategy to decrease dependency on federal programs, chronic unemployment, and community deterioration in urban and rural areas.
1. Project Background, Goals, and Objectives The Public Diplomacy Section invites proposals for programs that support one of the following U.S. Embassy priority program areas listed below. Applicants are strongly encouraged to propose collaborative approaches and programs that integrate multiple priority areas. Priority Program Areas/Goals: Applicants may submit a proposal to address one of the program goals below. Proposals should focus on one or more of the priority outcomes, but applicants may also recommend their own objective. Priority Program Areas: · Commercial Diplomacy and U.S.-Zimbabwe Trade · Artificial Intelligence for improved prosperity · Cybersecurity · Technology Literacy and Resilience · Free Speech · American Excellence in education, media, sports, creative industries, civil society GOAL 1. FREE SPEECH AND OPEN EXPRESSION Promote democratic principles including freedom of speech and civic participation; particularly if they share best practices for citizen advocacy or explore the challenges modern media houses face in a digital economy and the ethical standards needed to gain public confidence. Project Audience(s): Organizations and individuals that reflect American values, policies and priorities Priority Outcomes(s): Applicants may focus on one or more of the outcomes listed below. Applicants are encouraged to propose additional objectives and innovative activities that address the priority program areas. Outcome: A more informed and media-literate Zimbabwean public that can identify and resist disinformation, with stronger independent media institutions operating transparently and ethically. Strengthening independent media in Zimbabwe advances U.S. strategic interests in promoting open, stable societies across Africa. GOAL 2. ADVANCE U.S.- ZIMBABWE COMMERCIAL TIES AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY Advance economic prosperity; particularly connecting social entrepreneurs and the creative community with online marketing tools. Project Audience(s): Organizations and individuals that reflect American values, policies, and priorities Priority Outcomes(s): Applicants may focus on one or more of the outcomes listed below. Applicants are encouraged to propose additional objectives and innovative activities that address the priority program areas. Outcome: Increased bilateral trade activity, expanded market access for U.S. goods and services, and a growing cohort of Zimbabwean entrepreneurs with direct ties to U.S. businesses and platforms. Deepening commercial relationships with Zimbabwe creates new markets for American exports, strengthens U.S. economic influence in the region, and reduces Zimbabwe's economic dependence on adversarial partners. This directly supports the America First economic agenda and commercial diplomacy priorities. GOAL 3. HARNESS EMERGING TECHNOLOGY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR DEVELOPMENT Empower Zimbabweans to leverage American innovations in technology, AI, and digital tools, to drive economic growth, improve livelihoods, and improve digital trade opportunities between the United States and Zimbabwe. Project Audience(s): Organizations and individuals that reflect American values, policies, and priorities. Priority Outcomes(s): Applicants may focus on one or more of the outcomes listed below. Applicants are encouraged to propose additional objectives and innovative activities that address the priority program areas. Outcome: A growing base of Zimbabwean professionals and institutions equipped to adopt, adapt, and deploy emerging American technologies - including AI - for economic and social development, using U.S.-developed platforms and frameworks. Promoting U.S.-developed technology standards and platforms in Zimbabwe expands American technological influence and market share, and builds a digital ecosystem aligned with U.S. values of openness, security, and innovation. GOAL 4. EXPAND U.S.-ZIMBABWE PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS AND PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TIES Deepen bilateral relationships through targeted workshops, alumni engagement, and exchange partnerships that advance shared solutions and reinforce American values and influence. Project Audience(s): Organizations and individuals that reflect American values, policies, and priorities. Priority Outcomes(s): Applicants may focus on one or more of the outcomes listed below. Applicants are encouraged to propose additional objectives and innovative activities that address the priority program areas. Outcome: Strengthened alumni networks and new professional cohorts with sustained engagement with U.S. counterparts, resulting in collaborative projects, cross-sector partnerships, and ongoing people-to-people dialogue. Strong professional networks create durable channels of U.S. influence and goodwill in Zimbabwe. Alumni of U.S. exchange programs consistently demonstrate greater alignment with U.S. foreign policy interests and serve as credible advocates for American businesses, institutions, and values within their professional and social communities. Funding Opportunity Number: AF-HAR-FY26-03. Assistance Listing: 19.040. Funding Instrument: CA. Category: O. Award Amount: $10K – $15K per award.
TCUP lists eight funding tracks and roughly $10.3M a year, but the October 14, 2026 deadline applies to only three of them — CHAI, Pre-TI, and TCUP Partnerships — and each carries a restriction that disqualifies most applicants. Here is the track-by-track math.
Read articleNSF 26-513 makes roughly $100 million available for up to 10 State and Regional AI Infrastructure Hubs at $4M to $12M each over five years. One award per state or multi-state region. One proposal per organization. And NSF is not buying you GPUs — it funds the coordination, the workforce and the faculty training, while the compute has to come from partners you have to already have.
Read articleAs of September 12, NSF had obligated $6.3 billion across 6,200 grants versus $8.1 billion and 8,600 last year. AHRQ has made 61 awards. Judge Allison Burroughs ordered the government to report by September 28 on whether IES will obligate $180 million before it expires. Here is what actually happens to the money on October 1 — and what it means for your FY2027 application.
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