February 26, 2024

Dear Colleague:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) seeks to fund early-concept projects via the EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) type of proposal that will identify ambitious new mid-to-long-range research directions that align with national and societal priorities, and will disseminate their findings to the broad CISE community. With this Dear Colleague Letter (DCL), NSF invites EAGER proposals from the broad NSF/CISE research and development (R&D) community to explore these new fundamental and translational research directions. This announcement is not a call for the scientific research itself; rather it is a mechanism to surface and communicate promising future R&D directions, pathways, and opportunities. Of special importance for the EAGER proposal is to establish a proof-of-concept for the structure and organization of a project that would lead CISE R&D strategic visioning.

The goal of this DCL is to encourage a diversity of compelling approaches to early-concept strategic visioning by the broad R&D community in different emerging areas important to the CISE mission. The objectives include (1) coordination with stakeholders from academia, industry, government, professional societies, virtual organizations, and international entities; (2) development of plans and methodologies for timely, effective communications and dissemination; and (3) approaches for recognition of early-stage R&D and emerging trends of high-impact potential for CISE at an EAGER-appropriate scale. Moreover, the lessons learned from the EAGER awards will inform future visioning activities.

The proposal must highlight its methodology and organizational structure for identifying, generating, and ascertaining promising emergent R&D directions and opportunities, assess its effectiveness and potential to scale, engage the CISE community, and provide evidence of its value and practicality. Please note that this DCL seeks to establish proof-of-concept in CISE relevant domains. The proposal must reflect the process of scientific dissemination, the R&D enterprise, and public-sector support of science.

NSF anticipates that there will be follow-on activities to look more broadly at possible future R&D directions in computer science, technology, and its applications. Submission of an EAGER proposal in response to this DCL is not required to participate in future competitions, nor does receiving an EAGER award guarantee any subsequent grants.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Guidance on the preparation and submission of EAGER proposals is contained in Chapter II.F.3 of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG).

Prospective Principal Investigators (PIs) must submit a one-page concept outline to CISE-RDSV@nsf.gov (subject line of email: RDSV:DCL) prior to submission of an EAGER proposal in response to this DCL by May 1, 2024. As per the PAPPG, the email confirming approval by the RDSV Working Group for a PI to submit an RDSV EAGER proposal must be uploaded as part of the proposal submission.

The proposed period of performance is for one (1) year commencing no later than August 1, 2024 with the requested budget for up to $300,000. The title of the proposal must start with: "EAGER:RDSV:". The project PIs will be required to participate in a virtual program kickoff meeting soon after the award is made and two PI meetings thereafter. The PI should budget for the PI meetings, which will be hybrid, although in-person participation will be encouraged.

A proposal involving multiple organizations must be submitted as a single proposal with subawards administered by the lead organization. Separately submitted collaborative proposals are not permitted and will be returned without review.

Limit on number of submissions: An individual may be included as PI or co-PI in only one EAGER proposal submission pursuant to this DCL.

When to submit: Proposals submitted to this DCL must be received by 5 p.m. submitter's local time on May 31, 2024.

How to submit: Proposals should be submitted to the PAPPG and directed to the CISE Directorate, Division of Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF), "Special Projects - CCF" program.

NSF/CISE expects to make up to four (4) awards with an estimated total value of $1.2M. Award decisions are expected by July 31, 2024.

Sincerely,

Dilma Da Silva, Acting Assistant Director
Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE)