The NSF 2026 Idea Machine is a competition to help set the U.S. agenda for fundamental research in science and engineering. Participants can earn prizes and receive public recognition by suggesting the pressing research questions that need to be answered in the coming decade, the next set of “Big Ideas” for future investment by the National Science Foundation (NSF). It’s an opportunity for researchers, the public and other interested stakeholders to contribute to NSF’s mission to support basic research and enable new discoveries that drive the U.S. economy, enhance national security and advance knowledge to sustain the country’s global leadership in science and engineering.

What’s Next?

Review all the materials above and enter your “Big Idea” between August 31, 2018 and October 26, 2018!

  Follow #NSFIdeaMachine

• Entrants suggest new “Big Ideas” for future investment
• Open to all
• Public comments; blue-ribbon panel
• Best ideas receive public recognition, cash prizes, and other awards

Analysis

Full Proposal Target Date: October 2, 2018

Program Guidelines: PD 16-1281

The Analysis Program supports basic research in that area of mathematics whose roots can be traced to the calculus of Newton and Leibniz.  Given its centuries-old ties to physics, analysis has influenced developments from Newton’s mechanics to quantum mechanics and from Fourier’s study of heat conduction to Maxwell’s equations of electromagnetism to Witten’s theory of supersymmetry.  More generally, research supported by Analysis provides the theoretical …
More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5434&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

Computer and Network Systems (CNS): Core Programs

Full Proposal Window: October 2, 2018
LARGE projects

Program Guidelines: NSF 18-569

CISE’s Division of Computer and Network Systems (CNS) supports research and education projects that take a system-oriented approach to the development of novel computing and networking technologies, or to the enhancement of existing systems in any of several dimensions, or that explore new ways to make use of existing technologies.

Proposers are invited to submit proposals in three project classes, which are defined as follows:

• Small Projects – up to …
  More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505574&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

Computer and Network Systems (CNS): Core Programs

Full Proposal Window: October 2, 2018
MEDIUM projects

Program Guidelines: NSF 18-569

CISE’s Division of Computer and Network Systems (CNS) supports research and education projects that take a system-oriented approach to the development of novel computing and networking technologies, or to the enhancement of existing systems in any of several dimensions, or that explore new ways to make use of existing technologies.

Proposers are invited to submit proposals in three project classes, which are defined as follows:

• Small Projects – up to …
  More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505574&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF): Core Programs

Full Proposal Window: October 2, 2018
MEDIUM projects

Program Guidelines: NSF 18-568

CISE’s Division of Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF) supports research and education projects that develop new knowledge in four core programs:

• The Algorithmic Foundations (AF) program;
• The Communications and Information Foundations (CIF) program;
• The Foundations of Emerging Technologies (FET) program; and
• The Software and Hardware Foundations (SHF) program.

Proposers are invited to submit proposals in two project …
More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503220&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP)

Full Proposal Deadline Date: October 2, 2018
Research Initiation Awards and Excellence in Research Projects

Program Guidelines: NSF 18-522

HBCU-UP provides awards to strengthen STEM undergraduate education and research at HBCUs. Support is available through the following tracks:

• The new HBCU Excellence in Research (EiR) component supports projects that enable STEM and STEM education faculty to further develop research capacity at HBCUs and to conduct research. Proposals submitted to this new track will be routed for review to one of the Research and Related Activities …
  More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5481&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS): Core Programs

Full Proposal Window: October 2, 2018
LARGE Projects

Program Guidelines: NSF 18-570

CISE’s Division of Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS) supports research and education projects that develop new knowledge in three core programs:

• The Cyber-Human Systems (CHS) program;
• The Information Integration and Informatics (III) program; and
• The Robust Intelligence (RI) program.

Proposals in the area of computer graphics and visualization may be submitted to any of the three core programs …
More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13707&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS): Core Programs

Full Proposal Window: October 2, 2018
MEDIUM Projects

Program Guidelines: NSF 18-570

CISE’s Division of Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS) supports research and education projects that develop new knowledge in three core programs:

• The Cyber-Human Systems (CHS) program;
• The Information Integration and Informatics (III) program; and
• The Robust Intelligence (RI) program.

Proposals in the area of computer graphics and visualization may be submitted to any of the three core programs …
More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13707&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

Combinatorics

Full Proposal Target Date: September 25, 2018

Program Guidelines: PD 18-7970

The Combinatorics program supports research on discrete structures and includes algebraic, enumerative, existential, extremal, geometric, and probabilistic combinatorics, including graph theory.

Conferences

Principal Investigators should carefully read the program solicitation “Conferences and Workshops in the Mathematical Sciences” (link below) to obtain important information regarding the substance of proposals for conferences, workshops, …
More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503570&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

Foundations

Full Proposal Target Date: September 25, 2018

Program Guidelines: PD 18-1268

The program in Foundations supports research in mathematical logic and the foundations of mathematics, including proof theory, recursion theory, model theory, set theory, and infinitary combinatorics.

Conferences

Principal Investigators should carefully read the program solicitation “Conferences and Workshops in the Mathematical Sciences” (link below) to obtain important information regarding the substance of proposals for conferences, workshops, …
More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5548&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

International Research Experiences for Students (IRES)

Full Proposal Target Date: September 25, 2018
Track – III: New Concepts in International Graduate Experience

Program Guidelines: NSF 18-505

The International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program supports international research and research-related activities for U.S. science and engineering students. The IRES program contributes to development of a diverse, globally-engaged  workforce with world-class skills. IRES focuses on active research participation by undergraduate or graduate students in high quality international research, education and professional development experiences …
More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12831&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

Probability

Full Proposal Window: September 25, 2018

Program Guidelines: PD 18-1263

The Probability Program supports research on the theory and applications of probability. Subfields include discrete probability, stochastic processes, limit theory, interacting particle systems, stochastic differential and partial differential equations, and Markov processes. Research in probability which involves applications to other areas of science and engineering is especially encouraged.

Conferences

Principal Investigators should carefully read the program …
More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5555&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

International Research Experiences for Students (IRES)

Full Proposal Deadline Date: September 18, 2018
Track-II: Advanced Studies Institutes

Program Guidelines: NSF 18-505

The International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program supports international research and research-related activities for U.S. science and engineering students. The IRES program contributes to development of a diverse, globally-engaged  workforce with world-class skills. IRES focuses on active research participation by undergraduate or graduate students in high quality international research, education and professional development experiences …
More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12831&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

Prediction of and Resilience against Extreme Events (PREEVENTS)

Full Proposal Deadline Date: September 18, 2018
Track 2 Proposals

Program Guidelines: NSF 16-562

Natural disasters cause thousands of deaths annually, and in 2013 alone caused over $130 billion in damage worldwide. There is clear societal need to better understand and mitigate the risks posed to the US by natural hazards, consistent with the mandate of the National Science Foundation (NSF) “…to promote the progress of science [and] advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare….”

NSF and the Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) have long supported basic …
More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504804&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

NSF Earth Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowships (EAR-PF)

Full Proposal Deadline Date: September 19, 2018

Program Guidelines: NSF 18-565

The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) awards Postdoctoral Fellowships to recent recipients of doctoral degrees to conduct an integrated program of independent research and professional …
More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503144&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering and Computer Science

Full Proposal Deadline Date: September 19, 2018

Program Guidelines: NSF 17-575

NSF’s Directorate for Engineering (ENG) and the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) have joined to support the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering and Computer Science program. This program supports active long-term collaborative partnerships between K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, Computer and Information Science, and Mathematics (STEM) in-service and pre-service teachers, full-time community college faculty, and university …
More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505170&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP)

Full Proposal Deadline Date: September 20, 2018
Targeted STEM Infusion Projects (TSIP)

Program Guidelines: NSF 18-546

The Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) provides awards to Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions, and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions to promote high quality science (including sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, statistics, and other social and behavioral sciences as well as natural sciences), technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, research, and outreach. Support is available to TCUP-eligible institutions (see …
More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5483&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Pathways into Geoscience (IUSE: GEOPATHS)

Letter of Intent Deadline Date: September 21, 2018

Program Guidelines: NSF 18-583

A well-prepared, innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce is crucial to the Nation’s health and economy. Indeed, recent policy actions and reports have drawn attention to the opportunities and challenges inherent in increasing the number of highly qualified STEM graduates, including STEM teachers. Priorities include educating students to be leaders and innovators in emerging and rapidly changing STEM fields as well as educating a scientifically literate …
More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505169&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

Cooperative Studies Of The Earth’s Deep Interior (CSEDI)

Full Proposal Target Date: September 24, 2018

Program Guidelines: NSF 16-572

The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) invites the submission of proposals for collaborative, interdisciplinary studies of the Earth’s interior within the framework of the community-based initiative known as Cooperative Studies of the Earth’s Deep Interior (CSEDI). Funding will support basic research on the character and dynamics of the Earth’s mantle and core, their influence on the evolution of the Earth as a whole, and on processes operating within the deep interior that affect or are …
More at https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=11702&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click

Dear Colleagues:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is committed to ensuring a fair, competitive, and transparent merit review process. The reviews submitted by external peer reviewers are an important part of the decision-making process and a crucial source of feedback to Principal Investigators. NSF has developed a short reviewer orientation video that provides helpful tips for writing high quality reviews.

NSF encourages all reviewers to watch the orientation video, “The Art and Science of Reviewing Proposals,” which can be accessed in FastLane through the Panelist Travel and Reimbursement page and the Proposal Review, Ad Hoc Reviewers page. You can also view the video directly at https://tipsforreviewers.nsf.gov.

There is a link at the end of the video to additional resources, a list of helpful hints, and a short feedback survey. NSF values your feedback and will use the results of the survey improve future reviewer orientation materials.

We would like to thank you for your service to NSF.