The U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) is accepting applications in a joint funding program with the Division of Computer and Network Systems (CNS), in the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).
The program in Computer and Network Systems (CNS) supports research activities that invent new computing and networking technologies and that explore new ways to make use of existing technologies. The program seeks to develop a better understanding of the fundamental properties of computer and network systems and to create better abstractions and tools for designing, building, analyzing, and measuring future systems.
This NSF-BSF program is not a “special” program with the NSF setting aside money for potential grants. Rather, it is an integral part of the regular NSF core programs in these disciplines, with no “special” funds. Clear understanding of it by the U.S. partner is essential before embarking on proposal writing.
All of the CNS programs are now without deadline and applications will be accepted anytime during the year after October 1st, 2020.
Applications must be written jointly by an Israeli and a U.S. scientist from a U.S. research institution.
The NSF accepts applications only from U.S. scientists. Submission to the NSF should be made by the U.S. PI alone, but he/she has to note in the cover page that it is an “NSF-BSF Application” (the Israeli does not appear as a formal co-PI on the application). In the U.S.-Israeli applications, the role of the Israeli partner(s) must be described. Furthermore, it should be clearly explained why the contribution of the Israeli PI to the research project is important/essential.
The size of the BSF grant to the Israeli is expected to be up to $80,000/year for experimental programs and up to $55,000/year for theoretical or computer based research, subject to the availability of funds. If more than a single Israeli group is involved in the research, the budget may be increased by up to 50%.
