Energy, Power, Control, and Networks | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Energy, Power, Control, and Networks (EPCN) program is a research grant opportunity focused on advancing the theory, methods, and practical tools needed to design and operate modern cyber-physical systems. The program is motivated by the reality that communications, computation, and sensing have rapidly improved, making it possible to build systems that are far more connected, automated, and responsive than earlier generations. EPCN aims to ensure that these increasingly complex systems remain stable, high-performing, robust to disruptions, and secure against failures and cyber threats. In practice, that means EPCN supports work that strengthens the mathematical and engineering foundations of systems and control, while also pushing toward real-world demonstrations in critical domains such as the electric grid, transportation, and emerging technologies.

A major theme of the opportunity is the modeling, optimization, learning, and control of networked systems, especially those made up of many interacting components or agents. This includes multi-agent and distributed systems where decision-making and control are spread across a network rather than centralized in one place. EPCN also highlights higher-level decision making and dynamic resource allocation, which covers problems like coordinating distributed energy resources, routing and scheduling in transportation networks, or allocating limited storage and generation capacity under changing demand. Because real infrastructure must operate under imperfect information and unpredictable conditions, the program explicitly calls out risk management under uncertainty, including resilience to subsystem failures and stochastic disturbances. Projects that address robustness and reliability in realistic operating environments align strongly with the program’s intent.

EPCN further encourages research that blends control with learning and bio-inspired computation. The description specifically mentions adaptive dynamic programming, real-time learning in brain-like networked architectures, and neuromorphic engineering. These topics signal interest in control systems that can adapt online, learn from data streams, and make decisions quickly in changing conditions, potentially using new computing paradigms that mimic neural processing. Alongside traditional control theory, proposals can therefore fit well if they develop principled ways to integrate learning with guarantees about safety, stability, and performance, which is a central concern in cyber-physical systems.

Although the program is broad, it places particular emphasis on electric power systems and the technologies surrounding them. Supported topics include generation, transmission, and storage, as well as the integration of renewable energy sources and the power electronics and drives that enable efficient conversion and control. The program also calls out battery management systems and hybrid/electric vehicles, reflecting interest in electrified transportation and the control and optimization challenges that come with batteries, charging infrastructure, and powertrain electrification. Another distinctive feature is EPCN’s recognition that power systems do not operate in a vacuum: proposals can address the interplay between grid engineering and regulatory/economic structures, along with consumer behavior. This opens the door to research that combines control and optimization with market design, policy constraints, human-in-the-loop dynamics, and demand response, as long as the work remains grounded in rigorous systems methodologies.

Interdependencies across infrastructures are also within scope. EPCN is interested in how power and energy systems interact with other critical systems, which can include communications networks, transportation, water systems, and other coupled infrastructures. Related to this, grid monitoring, protection, and cybersecurity are explicitly listed as areas of interest. This supports work on sensing and estimation for grid situational awareness, protective control strategies, secure-by-design architectures, and methods to maintain safe operation under cyber-physical attacks or communication failures.

Beyond conventional grid topics, EPCN includes energy scavenging and alternative energy technologies such as solar, wind, and hydrokinetic systems. This can cover system-level design, control strategies, power conversion, and integration challenges, particularly where variability and uncertainty are fundamental (for example, intermittent renewables). The program also welcomes the development of innovative tools and testbeds, suggesting that proposals may include experimental platforms, hardware-in-the-loop setups, shared research infrastructure, or software environments that accelerate research and validation. In addition, EPCN supports curriculum development that integrates research and education, indicating that education-focused components, training experiences, and research-informed teaching materials can be viewed positively when they are tightly connected to the technical goals.

In terms of how projects can be structured, EPCN accepts single-investigator proposals but actively encourages cross-disciplinary collaborations where complementary expertise is necessary to address complex systems challenges. The solicitation notes that collaborative research may be used to capture the breadth needed for multidisciplinary, integrative work. It also indicates that the NSF division (ECCS) may support a limited number of small team proposals consisting of three or more investigators from different disciplines and/or institutions. This is a clear signal that well-integrated team proposals, especially those that combine control theory, power engineering, computation/learning, and domain-specific expertise, are encouraged when the collaboration is substantive rather than nominal.

Administratively, the opportunity is an NSF discretionary grant under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category, with CFDA numbers 47.041, and eligibility described as unrestricted (open to any entity type, subject to any additional eligibility language in the full posting). The opportunity listing provided includes an original and current closing date of November 1, 2016 (PD 16-7607), which is important context for planning: the program description reflects the research themes and priorities, while the specific deadline and competition year may differ in current NSF offerings. The main takeaway is that EPCN funds foundational and applied systems research that advances control, learning, and optimization for networked cyber-physical systems, with a strong concentration on electric power and energy technologies, resilience and security, and interdisciplinary approaches that connect theory to real infrastructure needs.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: NSF

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development

Next opportunity: Bosnia and Herzegovina Civil Society in Criminal Justice Sector Development

Previous opportunity: Pipeline Safety Research Competitive Academic Agreement Program (CAAP) 2016

USGrants.org Applicant Portal:

Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.

Apply for PD 16 7607

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PD 16 7607) also looked into and applied for these:

 

Grant application guides and resources

It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!

Apply for Grants

 

 

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers

Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.

If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.

Subscribe to Leads

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PD 16 7607", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:

Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.