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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Algorithms in the Field (NSF 15-515)

What is the Algorithms in the Field (NSF 15-515) program?

Algorithms in the Field (NSF 15-515) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant program that aims to move algorithm research beyond purely theoretical settings and into real computing environments. The program emphasizes situations where real-world constraints matter, including messy data, hardware limitations, platform constraints, and system-level realities.

What is the central goal of this NSF opportunity?

The central goal is to strengthen collaboration between two research communities that often operate in parallel: theoretical computer science researchers (who design and analyze provably efficient and accurate algorithms in formal models) and applied researchers (including systems builders and domain experts who understand practical constraints of applications and computing platforms). The program is built around the idea that theory and practice should shape each other from the beginning of a project, not only connect at the end via implementation.

What kinds of research does the program encourage?

The program encourages research that is both rigorous and grounded. It is focused on algorithmic research that is validated or developed in real computing settings where practical limitations and operational constraints affect performance, accuracy, and usability.

Is team composition a requirement for proposals?

Yes. Every proposal must include at least one co-PI whose main interest is theoretical computer science and at least one co-PI whose main interest lies in an applied area typically supported by NSF CISE.

What does NSF mean by an "applied area typically supported by NSF CISE"?

The solicitation describes applied areas broadly and provides examples to illustrate the intended scope rather than restrict it. Examples mentioned include computer architecture, programming languages and systems, networks, cyber-physical systems, cyber-human systems, machine learning, databases, and data analytics, along with application areas such as networking, data mining, and human-computer interaction.

Are the listed applied areas the only ones allowed?

No. The examples are explicitly presented as illustrative and "not to limit what is allowed." The intent is to support collaborations that combine rigorous algorithmic foundations with practical expertise about platforms, workloads, and operational constraints.

What makes this program different from proposals that only include theory or only include systems work?

The program favors projects where theory and practice are integrated from the start. NSF is looking for efforts that do more than produce new theorems or build prototypes in isolation; the work should connect provable algorithm design and analysis to real system and application realities and produce outputs that can be used by others.

What outcomes does NSF expect from funded projects?

Funded projects are expected to produce algorithmic contributions and also address how those contributions will be disseminated and used in practice. The program emphasizes tangible outputs and adoption pathways, not just standalone theoretical or prototype results.

What kinds of deliverables or artifacts are mentioned as possible dissemination outputs?

Depending on the project, dissemination may include applications, tools, languages, compilers, libraries, architectures, systems, released datasets, and other artifacts. The emphasis is on outputs that other researchers or practitioners can adopt, evaluate, and build upon.

What is the CFDA listing for this opportunity?

The CFDA listing is 47.070, categorized under Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE).

What type of NSF funding opportunity is this described as?

It is described as a discretionary NSF grant opportunity under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category.

How many awards did NSF anticipate making, and what was the total estimated funding?

NSF anticipated about 16 awards from an estimated total funding amount of about $9,000,000.

What is the award ceiling for a single grant under this program?

The award ceiling is listed as $800,000 per grant.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the provided opportunity description.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on November 12, 2014.

What was the original full proposal deadline?

The original full proposal deadline was February 9, 2015.

Was this opportunity described as recurring, and if so, what was the deadline pattern?

Yes. The recurring deadline pattern is described as the second Monday in February annually thereafter.

What closing date is listed in the provided source information?

The listed current closing date in the provided source information is February 8, 2016.

What is the archive date mentioned for this opportunity?

The archive date is March 15, 2017.

Where are additional program details referenced?

Additional program details are referenced through NSF Publication 15-515.

In plain terms, what kind of team is this program trying to fund?

The program is aimed at teams that can connect provable algorithm design and analysis with the realities of computing systems and application domains, and that are prepared to share resulting methods and artifacts in ways that make adoption and follow-on work straightforward.