A dark hallway flanked by glowing walls of computers

Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE)

The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (NSF CISE) advances fundamental research, innovation and education across computer science, information science and computer engineering.

NSF CISE investments support the ideas, talent and infrastructure that strengthen U.S. leadership in computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum information science, robotics, advanced communications, software and systems, research cyberinfrastructure and computing education.

Through support for universities, research centers, community-based organizations, industry partnerships and national-scale infrastructure, CISE helps advance the discoveries and workforce needed for America's economic prosperity, national security and long-term competitiveness.

Recent funding opportunities

Program
Next Required Due Date: July 28, 2026
Posted April 15, 2026
Program
Next Required Due Date: July 16, 2026
Posted March 25, 2026
Program
Next Required Due Date: September 1, 2026
Posted February 19, 2026

What we support

CISE is organized around six thematic science areas that support foundational research, use-inspired innovation, education and infrastructure across the computing and information science enterprise.

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Center-scale and testbeds

Supports large-scale, center-level and testbed investments that bring together research communities, infrastructure and partnerships to accelerate discovery and transition.

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Computing and AI foundations

Supports foundational research in AI, machine learning, data, algorithms, communications and intelligent systems.

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Cyber, physical and intelligent systems

Supports foundational research that enables intelligent technologies to operate safely and reliably across physical, digital and human environments. 

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Human-centered computing and education

Supports research and education at the intersection of people, computing and learning. 

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Software and systems foundations

Supports unconventional, potentially paradigm-shifting research that explores new models, technologies and foundations of computing. 

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Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure

Supports the design, deployment and operation of advanced research cyberinfrastructure for the national science and engineering community.

Focus areas

CISE areas supporting NSF priorities.

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Artificial Intelligence and human-AI teaming

CISE supports AI research in areas such as machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing and robotics, as well as interdisciplinary collaborations to advance AI in areas of national importance and workforce training in AI.

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Education and training

CISE supports programs that strengthen computing education at all levels — from k-12 to postdoctoral and faculty training — and help build a strong pipeline of talent in computer and information science.

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Quantum computing

CISE invests in foundational and applied research that advances quantum algorithms, programming languages, architectures and systems to help transform computing, communications and cybersecurity and sustain U.S. leadership in quantum innovation.

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Scalable infrastructure

CISE invests in high-performance computing systems that enable researchers to tackle complex problems in science and engineering at scale — from climate modeling to genomics to AI.

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Secure and resilient cyberspace

CISE advances research and applications in cybersecurity to enhance security, privacy and trustworthiness in cyberspace and support innovations that strengthen national cyberinfrastructure resilience.

Illustration depicting modular fabrication process developed by researchers to produce a quantum-system-on-chip which integrates an array of artificial atom qubits onto a semiconductor chip.

Semiconductors

CISE promotes interdisciplinary semiconductor research as well as programs to expand access to semiconductor chip design infrastructure, to foster innovation and ensure sustained U.S. leadership in semiconductor research and technology.

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Communications and wireless

CISE supports a portfolio of programs designed to accelerate innovation in next-generation communication technologies including wireless systems that are secure, resilient and capable of leveraging AI to adapt in real time.