October 31, 2016

Recognizing the importance of cybersecurity as one of the key aspects of the current digital age, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Research and Development Center on Digital Technologies for Information and Communication (CTIC) of the Brazilian National Research and Educational Network (RNP), with support from the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications (MCTIC), are pleased to announce their intent to support collaborative cybersecurity research efforts through a new dear colleague letter. 

The announcement comes at a time when individuals around the world are growing ever-more reliant upon networked information and systems.  We check the weather on our mobile devices before we walk out the door to inform us if we need an umbrella or jacket for the day.  We depend on traffic information from the “cloud” to get us to where we are going on time.  And, if we forget our wallet, we can access our bank account online to make a payment.  We all have deep interest in ensuring the security of our computing systems and privacy of our data.   

Fundamental research in the area of cybersecurity has increased our understanding of how to better design security and privacy into our devices, incent people to take actions to help them to secure their personal information, and even detect problems and self-repair systems if needed.  And these advances are important not just for our personal devices, but also for those that control our critical infrastructure and manufacturing systems.

Today’s announcement builds on interest expressed by American and Brazilian cybersecurity researchers at two recent workshops.  

The anticipated funding amount is $1,500,000 from NSF and $1,500,000 from RNP/CTIC.  Each award will be up to $300,000 from NSF and up to $300,000 from RNP/CTIC, for a duration of no more than two years.

NSF has long supported research to protect the frontiers of cyberspace. In fiscal year 2016, NSF invested approximately $160 million in cybersecurity research across the agency.

In addition to Brazil, NSF has international research partnerships in cybersecurity and privacy with Israel and the Netherlands.

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The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

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