The purpose of the NSF Smart and Connected Communities (S&CC) program solicitation is to accelerate the creation of novel intelligent technologies and concepts through high-risk/high-reward research that addresses major challenges and issues faced by communities across the US. A “smart and connected community” is defined as a community that synergistically integrates intelligent technologies with the natural and built environments and with the functions of civic institutions and organizations. Proposals submitted to the program should be designed to advance one or more of the following community priorities: economic opportunity and growth; safety and security; human and environmental health and wellness; accessibility of critical services and resources; and the overall quality of life for those who live, work, learn, or travel within the community. To meet the goals of the program, researchers should work with community stakeholders to identify and define challenges the community faces, using that interaction and input to generate high-impact, use-inspired, basic research that advances science and engineering.
Deadlines:
- Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (required): Feb. 20, 2025; Sep. 8, 2025
- Full Proposal Target Date(s): April 4, 2025; Nov. 10, 2025
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
- Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.
- 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.
For the S&CC program, during any contiguous 12-monthperiod, an individual may not participate as PI, co-PI, or Senior/Key Personnel in more than two proposals across all proposal categories. This limit will be applied beginning with this solicitation and will continue to apply to future versions of this solicitation, unless noted otherwise.
Estimated Number of Awards: 20 to 40
Development Grants: 10 to 20
Integrative Research Grants: 10 to 20
Large-Scale Research Grants: 1
The estimated number of awards indicated above is for a given fiscal year and is dependent upon the proposals received and the degree to which proposals meet the solicitation goals, NSF merit review criteria, and solicitation-specific review criteria.
Anticipated Funding Amount: $23,260,000
The anticipated funding amount indicated above is for a given fiscal year and is subject to the quality of proposals received and availability of funds.