Expeditions in Computing
Can you apply?
This grant is for ambitious, fundamental computing research pursued by large, multi-institutional teams. Eligible applicants include accredited U.S. colleges and universities with undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs in computer science or related fields. These institutions may apply as lead or collaborative partners. Subawardees may include two- and four-year colleges, nonprofits, museums, and professional societies directly engaged in computing education or research. National labs, for-profit firms, and foreign organizations may participate only with independent funding sources outside NSF support.
Projects must address transformative research agendas with 10+ year vision. Teams should combine strengths across departments or institutions to tackle large-scale computing challenges. This is center-scale funding for deep, multi-field research requiring coordinated advances.
Program description
The far-reaching impact and rate of innovation in the computer and information science and engineering fields has been remarkable, generating economic prosperity and enhancing the quality of life for people throughout the world.
More than a decade ago, the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) established the Expeditions in Computing (Expeditions) program to build on past successes and provide the CISE research and education community with the opportunity to pursue ambitious, fundamental research agendas that promise to define the future of computing and information.
In planning Expeditions projects, investigators are strongly encouraged to come together within or across departments or institutions to combine their creative talents in the identification of compelling, transformative research agendas that look ahead by at least a decade and promise disruptive innovations in computer and information science and engineering for many years to come.
Now funded at levels up to $15,000,000 for seven years, Expeditions projects represent some of the largest single investments currently made by the CISE directorate. Together with the Science and Technology Centers and the National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes that CISE supports, Expeditions projects form the centerpiece of the directorate’s center-scale award portfolio. With awards funded at levels that promote the formation of large research teams, CISE recognizes that concurrent research advances in multiple fields or sub-fields are often necessary to stimulate deep and enduring outcomes. The awards made in this program will complement research areas supported by other CISE programs, which target particular computer and information science and engineering fields.
Additionally, CISE offers Innovation Transition (InTrans) awards for teams nearing the end of their Expeditions as well as Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC) and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) Frontier projects. The goal of InTransis to continue the long-term vision and objectives of CISE’s center-scale projects. Through InTrans awards, CISE will provide limited funds to match industry support.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF Proposal Cover Pages (PAPPG form)
- Project Narrative (typically 15 pages or per current guidelines)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Current and Pending Support forms for all senior personnel
- Letters of commitment from partner institutions
- Biographical sketches (NSF format) for key team members
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.070 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$975,888,088
-
$376,000,000
-
$146,395,788
-
$84,249,997
-
$78,999,134
-
$38,082,925
-
$37,758,328
-
$37,023,406
-
$36,793,220
-
$31,497,099
Top States by Funding
- CO 6 awards $1,049.0M
- TX 9 awards $651.6M
- IL 10 awards $304.8M
- CA 16 awards $228.2M
- IN 3 awards $93.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.070). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $965,230,000 | |
| 2025 | $916,340,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $331,630,000 |
FAQ
Who can submit a proposal as the lead institution?
Only U.S. accredited colleges and universities with undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs in computer science or information science and engineering may be lead institutions. They must have a campus located in the U.S.
Can for-profit companies participate?
Yes, for-profit companies may participate but only with their own funding—NSF will not support them. National labs and foreign organizations have the same restriction.
How long is a typical project?
Awards are funded for seven years at levels up to $15,000,000. Projects should define a research vision extending at least a decade forward.
What makes an application competitive?
Strong applications propose transformative, disruptive research agendas combining talent across institutions or departments. Large, coordinated teams with clear multi-field research synergies score higher.
Do I need cost-sharing?
No cost-sharing is required. However, InTrans awards provide limited matching funds for teams transitioning from Expeditions projects with industry support.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Form a large, coordinated team across institutions or departments before drafting. Expeditions rewards multi-site collaboration addressing big challenges.
- Define a clear 10+ year research vision. Reviewers seek disruptive innovation agendas, not incremental advances in a single subfield.
- Show how multiple research areas must advance together. Explain why your team's expertise combines to create synergy no single team could achieve.
- Demonstrate institutional commitment. Include letters of support from partner institutions committing resources and personnel.
- Plan for center-scale operations. Budget for coordination, outreach, and education activities, not just research salaries and equipment.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants propose incremental research within one subfield instead of transformative, multi-field agendas. Teams fail to show why large, distributed collaboration is necessary for their vision. Budgets neglect center management, education, and broader impact activities critical to NSF center-scale grants.
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