Find Your Funding Opportunity
Verticals-enabling Intelligent Network Systems
Service
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Source |
Final Application Due Date |
Funding Available
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Match Required
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| Science & Technology |
Federal
NSF |
08-25-2025 | $4.0 M | No Match Required |
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Service
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Source
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Final Application Due Date
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Funding Available
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Match Required
Status
- Expected Number of Awards 40
- Opportunity Type Discretionary
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CFDA
47.041 -- Engineering
47.049 -- Mathematical and Physical Sciences
47.070 -- Computer and Information Science and Engineering
47.084 -- NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships
97.108 -- Public Safety and Violence Prevention Research, Evaluation, and Implementation
Description
The VINES program seeks to support both fundamental research and verticals-driven technology development, demonstration, and translation activities that will lead to leaps in performance and capabilities of next generation (NextG) advanced intelligent network systems that span the user-edge-core-cloud continuum. The program seeks to go beyond the current research portfolios within individual participating NSF directorates and partner organizations by simultaneously emphasizing gains in performance and capabilities without compromising resilience and interoperability across all layers of the networking protocol and computation stacks. Innovations are sought across the various aspects of next generation communications, networking, and computing systems. This program is a multisector effort led by the National Science Foundation (NSF), in partnership with several industry and international agency partners, and in cooperation with other U.S. Federal agencies. It recognizes the importance of advanced telecommunications as a key technology area. The program seeks to enhance U.S. competitiveness in advanced telecommunications technologies to establish itself as a global leader in both NextG wireless telecommunications and emerging potential NextG vertical industries, as well as address the need for skilled workforce and expertise in these technology areas. VINES expects to increase investments in foundational technology innovations and their translation while leveraging international eco-system partners to drive the principles of open and trustworthy networks. It seeks to fund collaborative research that transcends the traditional boundaries of individual disciplines or geographic boundaries to achieve the program goals. This program is organized into two Tracks: · Track 1 (Use-inspired Fundamental Research) will support activities focused on use-inspired fundamental research to develop novel networking techniques and solutions. · Track 2 (Verticals-Driven Technology Development, Demonstration, and Translation) will support activities focused on technology development, maturation, demonstration, integration, and translation of solutions with higher technology readiness levels (TRLs), with the goal of producing adoption-ready technologies. Industry contributions will not be used to fund Track 2. Companies specifically listed in this solicitation have committed to providing annual unrestricted donations to NSF for the purpose of funding proposals in Track 1. The reference to “industry partners” in this document refers specifically to Ericsson, Intel, and Qualcomm in their role as funding partners in this solicitation. The donations from these partners have been agreed upon based on a shared belief in the importance of advancing use-inspired fundamental research, education, and workforce development goals identified in Track 1. In the spirit of a whole-of-government approach, the collaborating U.S. Federal agencies listed on this solicitation, NIST, OUSD (R&E), and DHS, referred to as “Federal partners,” have participated in the development of this solicitation. NIST, OUSD (R&E), and DHS intend to consider co-funding proposals subject to availability of funds. Proposals will be recommended for funding in accordance with the NSF Selection Process described below. The collaborating U.S. agencies may consider funding or co-funding of proposals from either track in this solicitation. Any funds transferred from these partners to NSF will be combined with NSF and other partner funds where applicable to make awards under this program. These awards are made and managed at NSF. As the NextG networks eco-system is global, this program also partners with international agencies to advance research and accelerate technology translation in the spirit of principles and values outlined in the February 26, 2024, “Joint Statement Endorsing Principles for 6G: Secure, Open, and Resilient by Design.” International funding agencies listed in this solicitation, referred to as “international partners,” from Finland, India, Japan, and Sweden have participated in the development of this solicitation.This program seeks proposals formed entirely by U.S. funded teams, as well as international collaborative proposals formed by U.S. and international partner funded teams. Personnel requestingfundingfrom international partners on international collaborative proposals are referred to as foreign collaborators.For international collaborative proposals, this program supports bi-lateral international projects with the U.S., i.e., projects seeking funding from the U.S. in partnership with only one of the participating international partners.Proposals will be recommended for funding in accordance with the NSF Selection Process described below. International collaborative proposals are expected to have the international team funded by the respective international partner. SELECTED LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AIArtificialIntelligence ARAugmentedReality GbpsGiga-bitspersecond ISACIntegrated Sensing and Communications IoTInternetofThings MHzMega Hertz MIMOMultiple-Input and Multiple-OutputmsMillisecond NextGNext Generation PAPPGProposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide PAWRPlatforms for Advanced Wireless Research RFRadioFrequency RVResearch Vector THzTera Hertz TRLTechnology Readiness Level UAVUnmanned Aircraft Vehicles VRVirtual Reality XRExtended Reality
Eligibility
- IHE
- Local Government
- Non-Profit
- Other
- State Government
- Tribal Government
Additional Eligibility Information
*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: - Proposals for Track 1 may only be submitted by the following: <ul type="disc"> <li>Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) - Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty members.</li> <li>Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities.</li> </ul> Proposals for Track 2 may only be submitted by the following: <ul type="disc"> <li>Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) - Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty members.</li> <li>Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities.</li> <li>For-profit organizations: U.S.-based commercial organizations, including small businesses, with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education.</li> <li>State and Local Governments: State educational offices or organizations and local school districts.</li> <li>Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131.</li> </ul> *Who May Serve as PI: Track 1: At the time of submission, any PI, co-PI, or other senior/key project personnel must hold either: <ul type="disc"> <li>a tenured or tenure-track position,or</li> <li>a primary, full-time, paid appointment in a research or teaching position</li> </ul> at a U.S.-based campus of an organization eligible to submit to this solicitation (see above), with exceptions granted for family or medical leave, as determined by the submitting organization. Individuals with primary appointments at for-profit non-academic organizations or at overseas branch campuses of U.S. IHEs are not eligible. Researchers from foreign academic institutions who contribute essential expertise to the project may participate as senior/key personnel or collaborators but may not receive NSF support. Track 2: · Individuals with primary appointments at overseas branch campuses of U.S. IHEs are not eligible. · There are no other restrictions except those identified in <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg">PAPPG Chapter 1.E.3</a> Guidelines for the Participation of Industry Partners and Affiliated Individuals in Proposals Guidelines for Industry Partners: An industry partner is permitted to participate in proposals to Track 2. An industry partner is not, however, permitted to participate in proposals to Track 1. The company may not participate in such proposals in any way as a collaborator, whether funded or unfunded. For example, the company may not submit a letter of collaboration as part of any Track 1 proposal. Guidelines for Individuals Affiliated with Industry Partners: Track 1: Individuals affiliated with an industry partner may participate in proposals to the program subject to certain limitations and allowances. These limitations and allowances apply to individuals who are currently employed by, consulting for, or on an active agreement to provide services for the company. Specifically: <ul type="disc"> <li>Such individuals may not participate in their capacity with the industry partner.</li> <li>Such individuals may participate if they (i) hold a primary appointment at another organization not partnered on the program (e.g., a primary academic
Key Date(s)
- May 20, 2025: Last Updated Date
- May 20, 2025: Posted Date
- August 25, 2025: Current Closing Date for Applications
- August 25, 2025: Application Due Date
- October 25, 2025: Application Archive Date
Contact Information
NSF grants.gov support
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov