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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this NSF CCF grant opportunity focused on?

This opportunity from the National Science Foundation (NSF), within the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) and the Division of Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF), supports research and education projects that advance fundamental knowledge in computing and communications. The emphasis is on foundational, high-impact work that strengthens the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of computing systems, communication technologies, and the methods used to design, analyze, and reason about them.

What are the main research areas supported by this solicitation?

The solicitation is organized around three core research areas: Algorithmic Foundations, Communications and Information Foundations, and Software and Hardware Foundations.

What types of projects does the program aim to fund?

The program is aimed at foundational projects with strong potential impact, including work that advances core theories, principles, and conceptual frameworks underpinning computing and communications, as well as methods for designing and analyzing computing and communication systems.

What funding classes are available (Small, Medium, Large)?

CCF invites proposals in three funding classes based on total project budget and project length: Small Projects, Medium Projects, and Large Projects.

How much funding can a Small Project request and how long can it last?

Small Projects can request up to $500,000 in total funding and may have durations of up to three years.

How much funding can a Medium Project request and how long can it last?

Medium Projects range from $500,001 to $1,200,000 in total funding and may last up to four years.

How much funding can a Large Project request and how long can it last?

Large Projects range from $1,200,001 to $3,000,000 in total funding and may last up to five years.

What is the minimum and maximum award size mentioned for this opportunity?

The award floor is $50,000. The award ceiling aligns with the Large Project maximum of $3,000,000.

How much total funding is NSF expecting to commit through this program?

The estimated total program funding level is $80,000,000.

How many awards are expected to be made?

The program expects to make roughly 160 awards.

What is the assistance instrument for this opportunity?

The assistance instrument is a grant.

What activity category does this funding fall under?

The activity category is science and technology research and development.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

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

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states that it does not require cost sharing or matching.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is geared toward U.S.-based organizations involved in research or education. Eligible applicants include accredited U.S. colleges and universities (including two-year and four-year institutions such as community colleges) submitting on behalf of their faculty. Certain U.S. non-profit, non-academic organizations may also be eligible, such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar organizations tied to educational or research activities.

Does the announcement mention any additional eligibility requirements?

Yes. The listing references an additional eligibility section in the full announcement for details and clarifications.

When can Large Project proposals be submitted?

Large Project proposals are typically accepted each year from November 1 to November 28.

When can Small Project proposals be submitted?

Small Project proposals are typically accepted each year from December 1 to December 17.

When can Medium Project proposals be submitted?

Medium Project proposals are typically accepted each year from August 1 to August 30.

Are the submission windows recurring or one-time dates?

The solicitation uses recurring annual submission windows that differ by project class (Small, Medium, Large). The source record also shows dated entries from a specific cycle, but the central structure described is the annually repeating windows tied to each category.

How does this program relate to CISE Expeditions in Computing?

The solicitation notes that the CCF Small/Medium/Large awards complement CISE's separate Expeditions in Computing program. Expeditions supports larger, more ambitious projects with budgets up to $10,000,000 over as many as five years.

What is the funding opportunity number and publication identifier?

The opportunity is identified as NSF Publication/Funding Opportunity Number 08-577.

When was this opportunity originally posted?

It was originally posted on March 4, 2009.

Where are applicants directed for complete requirements and definitions?

Applicants are directed to the full announcement (NSF Publication 08-577) for complete requirements, including more detailed definitions of the project classes referenced in the Program Description section.

What should applicants do if they have trouble accessing the announcement via Grants.gov?

For access issues, the notice points to Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov, and it also references NSF guidance for problems opening or linking to the announcement.