Findable Accessible Interoperable Reusable Open Science (FAIROS)
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research organizations advancing open science and research data management. Eligible applicants include US institutions of higher education, non-profit research organizations, museums, observatories, and federally recognized tribal nations. Projects must focus on either disciplinary improvements within specific scientific communities or cross-cutting improvements applicable across multiple disciplines. The program supports cyberinfrastructure development, FAIR data practices, scientific communication innovation, and removal of barriers to research data access and sharing.
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Program description
The FAIROS Program seeks to support a broad range of transformative open science activities including but not limited to i.) Research, education, and socio-technical cyberinfrastructure development capacities that advance sustainable multi-disciplinary findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable (FAIR) research data management (RDM) and open science capabilities, ii.) Piloting new models of scientific communication and publication that improve efficiency and accessibility, iii.) Developing FAIROS data portals, research data commons, RDM as a national service, and iv.) Lowering barriers to accessing, curating, integrating, linking, managing, sharing, and storing data across many disciplinary domains, irrespective of data size.
The program supports innovation across the cyberinfrastructure (CI) ecosystem to address accessibility, data curation, research data management, discoverability, reliability, reproducibility, preservation, sustainability, and utility of research products, including data software, and code, developed as part of funded projects.
FAIROS proposals must select one of two tracks to focus on, either: 1) Disciplinary Improvements to targeted scientific communities, or 2) Cross-Cutting Improvements that apply to many or most scientific disciplines. In the case of proposals focused on Disciplinary Improvements, it is strongly recommended that prospective PIs contact a program officer from the list of Cognizant Program Officers in the directorate closest to the major disciplinary impact of the proposed work to ascertain that the scientific focus and budget of the proposed work are appropriate for this solicitation. In the case of proposals focused on Cross-Cutting Improvements, it is strongly recommended that prospective PIs contact the cognizant program officer from the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC).
After selecting either Disciplinary Improvements or Cross-Cutting Improvements in which to focus research, the proposal must include the kinds of activities relevant to the selected track. Standard research proposals are the only type of proposal accepted in response to this solicitation.
The FAIROS Program is undertaken in support of the US NSF Public Access Initiative.
For more information on the US NSF Public Access Initiative please visit https://new.nsf.gov/public-access.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (key personnel)
- Current and Pending Support
- Letters of Commitment (if subawards involved)
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.078 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$1,012,598,088
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$58,718,849
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$56,181,116
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$43,579,373
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$40,788,142
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$29,681,229
-
$28,702,995
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$28,479,901
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$22,317,120
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$19,138,965
Top States by Funding
- CO 12 awards $1,039.9M
- AK 13 awards $161.6M
- CA 14 awards $139.2M
- MA 9 awards $89.9M
- WI 6 awards $61.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.078). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $460,090,000 | |
| 2025 | $462,490,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $387,660,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for FAIROS funding?
Universities, non-profit research organizations, museums, observatories, professional societies, and federally recognized tribal nations can apply. Organizations must be US-based with campus or location in the US.
What are the two main proposal tracks?
Disciplinary Improvements target specific scientific communities. Cross-Cutting Improvements apply to multiple or most scientific disciplines.
Is cost sharing required?
No cost sharing is required for this grant program.
Should I contact a program officer before applying?
Yes, it's strongly recommended. Contact the cognizant program officer in your disciplinary directorate or the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC) depending on your track.
What types of projects does FAIROS support?
Research data management infrastructure, open science cyberinfrastructure, FAIR data portals, scientific publication models, data commons, and systems that improve accessibility and discoverability of research products.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact your program officer early to confirm your project scope and budget fit the track you've selected.
- Choose your track carefully: Disciplinary Improvements or Cross-Cutting Improvements, then design activities specifically relevant to that track.
- Emphasize how your work addresses FAIR principles: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable research outputs.
- Show how your project removes barriers to research data access, curation, or management across your target domain or disciplines.
- Align your proposal with NSF's Public Access Initiative and demonstrate the broader impact of improved open science practices.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Selecting a track but proposing activities misaligned with that track. Not contacting program officers early to clarify scope fit. Failing to explain the FAIR data management principles specific to your discipline.
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