Announcing Sensors and Sensor Networks Solicitation

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to inform you that the National Science Foundation, through the Directorate for Engineering and the Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering, has announced a program solicitation on sensors and sensor networks. The goal of the proposed program is to advance fundamental knowledge in the areas of new sensor technologies, including sensors for chemical and biological agents, sensor networking systems in a distributed environment, the integration of sensors into engineered systems, and the interpretation and use of sensed data in decision-making processes. In particular, we will be looking for proposals that address designs, materials and concepts for new sensors and sensing systems; arrayed sensor networks and networking; and interpretation, decision and action based on sensor data.

To meet future societal needs, sensor systems must leverage and incorporate projected advances in adjacent technologies, such as nanofabrication, biosystems, massively distributed networks, ubiquitous computing, broadband wireless communications, and information and decision systems.

This long-range research must become increasingly cross disciplinary while also drawing on breakthroughs from individual investigators. Accordingly, the program solicitation is encouraging individual-investigator, small-team, and larger interdisciplinary-group proposals, with a March 6, 2003 deadline for submission of proposals. A significant multi-year investment in this area is anticipated. FY 2003 is viewed as a transition year for this activity, and proposals involving sensor systems and networks should be submitted to this program solicitation, rather than as unsolicited proposals to individual programs. The Directorate for Engineering and the Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering look forward to working with the research community in supporting this activity.

Should you have any questions, please contact one of the sensors working group members listed in the program solicitation at https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2003/nsf03512/nsf03512.htm.

Sincerely,

Esin Gulari
Acting Assistant Director for Engineering

Peter A Freeman
Assistant Director for Computer & Information Science & Engineering