Ultra-High Capacity Optical Communications:

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through the Divisions of Electrical and Communications Systems (ECS), Chemical and Transport Systems (CTS), and Design, Manufacture and Industrial Innovation (DMII) of the Directorate for Engineering,  and the Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) of the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, announces a broad interdisciplinary program of research and education on ultra-high capacity optical communications, including novel concepts in photonic devices, advanced fiber communication systems, component technologies for broadband optical access, new approaches to low-cost processing and manufacturing, and new mathematical models to simulate the device and system performance.  The objective is to enable the continued growth of broadband optical access and high-capacity optical communications into the next decade. The Division of Advanced Networking Infrastructure and Research (ANIR) of the Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering and DARPA plan to participate in the reviews and identify proposals of mutual interest and may provide co-funding for programs of high quality that meet their programmatic and relevancy requirements. The reviews and panels will be conducted by NSF, utilizing the NSF merit review process. All awards will be made by NSF, and will be subject to NSF terms and conditions.