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

Opportunity Summary:

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Directorate and its Division of Computer and Network Systems (CNS), is soliciting grant proposals under the opportunity titled "Computer and Network Systems (CNS) Core Programs" (NSF Publication 11-555). The focus is on research and education projects that create new knowledge in two central CNS program areas: the Computer Systems Research (CSR) program and the Networking Technology and Systems (NeTS) program. In practical terms, this opportunity is meant to support advances in the design, implementation, analysis, and evaluation of computer systems and networking technologies, including the broader system and infrastructure ideas that underpin computing and communication.

NSF is inviting submissions across three project classes, structured mainly by total budget size and project duration. Small Projects may request up to $500,000 in total funding and can run for up to three years. Medium Projects are intended for efforts that require more scope or coordination, with total budgets from $500,001 to $1,200,000 and durations up to four years. Large Projects are designed for the most ambitious efforts within this core program solicitation, with total budgets from $1,200,001 to $3,000,000 and durations up to five years. The solicitation notes that a fuller explanation of these project classes appears in the program description section of the announcement, but the key takeaway is that proposers can choose a class that matches the scale and maturity of their research plan, team, and expected outcomes.

The submission process uses annual proposal windows tied to the project class, with proposals due by 5 p.m. local time of the proposer. Medium Project proposals are due annually between September 15 and September 30. Large Project proposals are due annually between November 1 and November 28. Small Project proposals are due annually between December 1 and December 19. The source text also lists earlier full proposal windows (for example, November 1-28, 2011 for Large; December 1-19, 2011 for Small; and September 15-30, 2012 for Medium) and indicates that these windows repeat annually thereafter. While the record shows an archived status with dates tied to 2011-2013 and an archive date of July 18, 2012, the described structure reflects how CNS organized its core annual submissions under this publication.

From a funding standpoint, NSF estimated total program funding at about $60,000,000 with an expectation of roughly 120 awards. The award ceiling is $3,000,000 and the award floor is $50,000. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is science and technology and other research and development. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated for this opportunity, which typically simplifies budgeting and reduces barriers for applicants that might otherwise struggle to meet match obligations.

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning proposals are open to any type of entity as long as they comply with any specific eligibility clarifications in the full solicitation text. The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 47.070 (Computer and Information Science and Engineering), aligning it with NSF's broader computing research portfolio. The solicitation also positions these Small, Medium, and Large CNS awards as complementary to CISE's higher-budget "Expeditions in Computing" program, which can support projects up to $10,000,000 over up to five years. In other words, CNS Core Programs cover a wide range of system and networking research at scales below Expeditions, while still offering a path to substantial multi-year support for complex efforts.

For reference and official details, the announcement is identified by Funding Opportunity Number 11-555 and is administered by the National Science Foundation. The listed support contact for access issues is NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov, and the solicitation is linked as "NSF Publication 11 555" in the provided record.

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