Computer and Network Systems (CNS) Core Programs | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NSF Computer and Network Systems (CNS) Core Programs (NSF 15-572)

What is the "Computer and Network Systems (CNS) Core Programs" funding opportunity?

It is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity (NSF Publication / Funding Opportunity No. 15-572) that supports research and education projects in the broad area of computer and network systems. The goal is to develop new knowledge and advance the state of the art in systems and networking, including foundational ideas, methods, prototypes, and educational efforts that help train the next generation of researchers and practitioners.

Which NSF organization manages this solicitation?

This opportunity is within NSF's Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), specifically the Division of Computer and Network Systems (CNS).

What kinds of projects does NSF want to fund through this program?

The solicitation supports work that advances systems and networking. This can include foundational research, methods and prototypes, and education-focused activities that contribute to training and workforce development in computer and network systems.

What are the two main CNS programs (tracks) in this solicitation?

The solicitation is organized around two central CNS programs: (1) Computer Systems Research (CSR) and (2) Networking Technology and Systems (NeTS).

What topics fit under the Computer Systems Research (CSR) program?

CSR focuses on research that advances computing systems. Examples of areas mentioned include hardware-software systems, operating systems, storage systems, distributed systems, cyber-physical and embedded platforms, cloud and data-center systems, system security as it relates to systems design, performance and reliability, programmability, and other system-building questions where the main contribution is at the systems level.

What topics fit under the Networking Technology and Systems (NeTS) program?

NeTS focuses on networking research. Examples of areas mentioned include network architectures and protocols, wireless and mobile networking, network measurement and management, network security and resilience, software-defined networking, networked systems that support emerging applications, and other work where the primary contribution centers on communication networks and their operation.

How do CSR and NeTS differ?

CSR emphasizes contributions at the computing systems level (the internals of computing platforms and system-building), while NeTS emphasizes contributions centered on communication networks and how they operate (architectures, protocols, measurement, management, and related networking systems).

What project sizes (classes) are available under this solicitation?

NSF invites proposals in three project classes: Small Projects, Medium Projects, and Large Projects. These classes primarily differ by total budget and project duration, allowing teams to scale from smaller exploratory efforts to larger, longer-term research agendas.

What is the budget limit and duration for Small Projects?

Small Projects can request up to $500,000 in total budget for projects lasting up to three years.

What is the budget range and duration for Medium Projects?

Medium Projects can request from $500,001 to $1,200,000 in total budget with durations up to four years.

What is the budget range and duration for Large Projects?

Large Projects can request from $1,200,001 to $3,000,000 in total budget with durations up to five years.

What is the overall award ceiling and award floor for this opportunity?

The maximum (award ceiling) is $3,000,000, and the minimum (award floor) is $50,000.

Where can applicants find details about what differentiates Small, Medium, and Large projects?

The solicitation notes that additional detail on differentiating the classes and what is expected at each scale is provided in the program description (Section II of the full announcement).

Is this a discretionary grant program, and what category does it fall under?

Yes. It is described as a discretionary grant opportunity in the category of science and technology and other research and development.

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

NSF anticipated making about 150 awards under this solicitation, with an estimated total funding level of $60,000,000.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 47.070 (Computer and Information Science and Engineering).

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The solicitation states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning proposers generally do not need to commit institutional funds as a condition of the award (beyond standard expectations consistent with NSF policy).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as "unrestricted," meaning the opportunity is broadly open to any type of entity, subject to any clarifications that may appear in the full text under additional eligibility information.

When was this opportunity posted, and what was the closing date?

The opportunity was posted on June 2, 2015. The closing date listed is September 24, 2015, and it applies to Small, Medium, and Large project classes.

Is this solicitation still active?

No. The archive date shown is December 19, 2018, which indicates the solicitation is no longer active. It may still be useful as a reference for the structure and intent of CNS core program funding during that period.

Where should applicants look for the authoritative rules and requirements for proposals?

For authoritative details such as topic scope, proposal preparation rules, review criteria emphasis, and class-specific expectations, the key reference is the NSF publication associated with this opportunity: NSF 15-572.

Who should be contacted for access issues related to the full announcement on Grants.gov?

For access issues related to the full announcement, the solicitation directs applicants to Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.