The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers the Expeditions in Computing (Expeditions) program to support ambitious, large-scale research projects in computing and information science. The program is managed by NSF’s Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), which includes the Division of Computing and Communication Foundations, the Division of Computer and Network Systems, the Division of Information and Intelligent Systems, and the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure. The goal of Expeditions is to encourage collaborative, forward-looking research that addresses transformative challenges in computing, with the potential to impact multiple subfields and lead to disruptive innovations over the next decade.

The program funds projects with budgets of up to $15,000,000 over a seven-year period. These projects are expected to integrate diverse teams of investigators and institutions, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration that pushes the boundaries of computer and information science. Successful Expeditions proposals must demonstrate intellectual merit and broader impacts, including contributions to scientific knowledge, workforce development, and societal benefits. Projects must include effective knowledge transfer mechanisms and may incorporate experimental systems, shared research facilities, and cyberinfrastructure deployment.

In addition to the core Expeditions awards, NSF offers Innovation Transition (InTrans) funding for projects in their final two years. InTrans provides limited matching funds for teams that secure industry support to continue developing their research results into practical applications. The purpose of InTrans is to extend the long-term vision of Expeditions projects and facilitate technology transfer to industry partners.

Eligibility for this funding opportunity is limited to accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (IHEs) that offer undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs in computer and information science and engineering fields. While subawardees may include non-profit organizations such as museums, professional societies, and observatories, direct NSF funding is not available for national laboratories, for-profit entities, or organizations outside the U.S. Individuals are not restricted from serving as principal investigators, but each researcher may only participate in one proposal per competition as a PI, co-PI, or senior personnel.

The application process involves multiple stages. Preliminary proposals are required and must be submitted by specific deadlines. Only selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals, which must adhere to NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Proposals must clearly articulate the project's overarching goals, anticipated outcomes, collaboration structure, and budget justification. The budget must include allocations for broadening participation in computing (BPC) activities, ensuring diversity and inclusion in computing fields.

Key deadlines for the program include preliminary proposal due dates every two years (e.g., June 20, 2024, and June 22, 2026), followed by full proposal deadlines approximately eight months later (e.g., July 9, 2025, and March 31, 2027). The program operates on a recurring basis, with application windows opening annually in April for InTrans applications. The review process involves merit-based evaluations by expert panels, considering intellectual merit, broader impacts, leadership structure, and collaboration effectiveness.

For further details or inquiries, applicants should contact Mitra Basu, Program Director, at (703) 292-8910 or mbasu@nsf.gov. Additional information is available through NSF’s online portals at www.nsf.gov.