Opportunity Information: Apply for 16 579
Apply for 16 579
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Computer and Network Systems (CNS): Core Programs" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.070.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 06, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 16, 2016 LARGE Projects MEDIUM Projects SMALL Projects. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 150 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Computer and Network Systems (CNS): Core Programs opportunity is a National Science Foundation (NSF) discretionary grant program run through the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), specifically the Division of Computer and Network Systems (CNS). Its purpose is to fund research and education projects that push forward fundamental knowledge in computer and networked systems. The solicitation is organized around two long-standing CNS core areas: the Computer Systems Research (CSR) program, which broadly supports advances in the design, implementation, and understanding of computing systems, and the Networking Technology and Systems (NeTS) program, which focuses on networking technologies, architectures, protocols, and systems that enable communication and distributed computing at scale.
A central feature of this opportunity is that proposals may be submitted under three project classes, which mainly differ by total budget and project duration. Small Projects are intended for more compact efforts, with a total budget of up to $500,000 and a maximum duration of three years. Medium Projects support larger and potentially more ambitious work, ranging from $500,001 to $1,200,000 in total budget with durations up to four years. Large Projects are designed for the biggest efforts that may require broader scope, deeper technical risk, or more extensive collaboration, with total budgets from $1,200,001 to $3,000,000 and durations up to five years. The maximum award ceiling listed for the solicitation is $3,000,000, aligning with the upper end of the Large Project category. The solicitation indicates that a more detailed explanation of how NSF defines and evaluates these project classes is provided in the program description section of the full document.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a grant mechanism (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category, under CFDA number 47.070 (the NSF research and development assistance catalog entry). The opportunity number is 16-579, and the solicitation was created on July 6, 2016, with an original closing date of November 16, 2016. NSF anticipated making approximately 150 awards under this call, reflecting a relatively broad portfolio approach intended to seed progress across many topics within systems and networking, rather than concentrating funds into only a few projects.
Eligibility is described at a high level as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," meaning the eligible applicant types are not fully enumerated in the excerpted text and would need to be confirmed in the full solicitation. In practice, NSF core programs commonly fund proposals led by U.S.-based institutions such as universities and certain nonprofit or research organizations, but the definitive eligibility requirements and any restrictions would come from the official "Additional Information on Eligibility" section of the solicitation.
Overall, this opportunity is essentially NSF CNS core funding for foundational systems and networking research, with flexible project sizing (small/medium/large) to accommodate everything from focused, early-stage ideas to multi-year, multi-investigator efforts. The stated emphasis is on generating new knowledge through research and education activities within CSR and NeTS, with budgets and timelines scaled to match the scope of the proposed work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Computer and Network Systems (CNS): Core Programs opportunity?
The Computer and Network Systems (CNS): Core Programs opportunity is a discretionary grant program from the National Science Foundation (NSF). It supports research and education projects that advance fundamental knowledge in computer and networked systems.
Which NSF unit runs this program?
This opportunity is run through NSF's Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), specifically within the Division of Computer and Network Systems (CNS).
What is the main purpose of the funding?
The stated purpose is to fund research and education activities that push forward foundational understanding and capabilities in computer systems and networking technologies.
How is the solicitation organized?
The solicitation is organized around two long-standing CNS core areas: the Computer Systems Research (CSR) program and the Networking Technology and Systems (NeTS) program.
What kinds of topics fit under the Computer Systems Research (CSR) program area?
CSR broadly supports advances in the design, implementation, and understanding of computing systems. In other words, it focuses on fundamental progress in how computing systems are built and how they behave.
What kinds of topics fit under the Networking Technology and Systems (NeTS) program area?
NeTS focuses on networking technologies, architectures, protocols, and systems that enable communication and distributed computing at scale.
What funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
What is the opportunity number for this solicitation?
The opportunity number is 16-579.
When was the solicitation created?
The solicitation was created on July 6, 2016.
What was the original closing date for submissions?
The original closing date listed is November 16, 2016.
How many awards did NSF anticipate making under this call?
NSF anticipated making approximately 150 awards.
How are project sizes classified in this program?
Proposals may be submitted under three project classes that primarily differ by total budget and project duration: Small Projects, Medium Projects, and Large Projects.
What qualifies as a Small Project?
Small Projects are intended for more compact efforts, with a total budget of up to $500,000 and a maximum duration of three years.
What qualifies as a Medium Project?
Medium Projects support larger and potentially more ambitious work, with total budgets from $500,001 to $1,200,000 and project durations up to four years.
What qualifies as a Large Project?
Large Projects are designed for the biggest efforts, with total budgets from $1,200,001 to $3,000,000 and durations up to five years.
What is the maximum award amount mentioned in the solicitation?
The maximum award ceiling listed is $3,000,000, which aligns with the upper end of the Large Project category.
Do the project classes differ only by budget?
Based on the provided information, the project classes mainly differ by total budget and project duration. The solicitation also notes that a more detailed explanation of how NSF defines and evaluates these classes is provided in the full program description.
How long can projects last under each project class?
Small Projects may last up to three years, Medium Projects up to four years, and Large Projects up to five years.
What category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is in the "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" category.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 47.070, which corresponds to NSF research and development assistance.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described at a high level as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." The excerpt does not fully enumerate eligible applicant types, so applicants would need to confirm details in the official solicitation's eligibility section.
Does the provided text list specific eligible organization types (for example, universities or nonprofits)?
No. The text notes that, in practice, NSF core programs commonly fund proposals led by U.S.-based institutions such as universities and certain nonprofit or research organizations, but it also states that definitive eligibility requirements and any restrictions must be confirmed in the solicitation's "Additional Information on Eligibility" section.
Is this program focused on research, education, or both?
It supports both research and education projects, with an emphasis on generating new knowledge in systems and networking.
Is the program aimed at a few large awards or many awards across topics?
The program description suggests a broad portfolio approach, with NSF anticipating around 150 awards intended to seed progress across many topics within systems and networking.
What is the overall emphasis of the CNS Core Programs solicitation?
Overall, it is described as core NSF CNS funding for foundational systems and networking research, offering flexible project sizing to accommodate efforts ranging from focused early-stage ideas to multi-year, multi-investigator projects.
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