The U.S. National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories. NSF was established in 1950 by Congress to promote the progress of science, advance the national health, prosperity and welfare, and secure the national defense.
The grant program spearheaded by the NSF CISE Directorate encompasses a broad range of research and education projects that aim to generate new insights across the entire spectrum of computing, communications, and information science and engineering, alongside augmentations in advanced cyberinfrastructure. This initiative is detailed through its four core programs: Division of Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF), Division of Computer and Network Systems (CNS), Division of Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS), and the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC). Each division focuses on specific areas such as algorithmic foundations, communications, computer systems research, human-centered computing, and cyberinfrastructure research among others. The grant program defines three project classes - Small Projects, Medium Projects, and OAC Core Projects, each with specified budget ranges and project durations, oriented towards the promotion of innovations and technological advancements within the designated scope.