Communications, Circuits, and Sensing-Systems (CCSS)
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 19, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for university faculty, researchers, and research teams conducting innovative research in circuit design, sensing systems, and communications. Eligible organizations include academic institutions, research centers, and organizations capable of conducting research and development. Projects must focus on hardware, signal processing, or system architectures that advance communications, sensing, or cyber-physical systems.
Research areas include RF circuits, MEMS/NEMS, biomedical sensing, wireless communications, and dynamic sensing systems. Both fundamental research and emerging technology applications are supported. Applications spanning healthcare, environmental monitoring, IoT, autonomous systems, and other fields are welcome.
NSF funding is available to U.S. institutions and researchers. Applicants should review specific Program Director areas of interest before submitting proposals. Contact program staff to confirm alignment with current priorities.
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Program description
The Communications, Circuits, and Sensing-Systems (CCSS) Program supports innovative research in circuit and system hardware and signal processing techniques. CCSS also supports system and network architectures for communications and sensing to enable the next-generation cyber-physical systems (CPS) that leverage computation, communication, and sensing integrated with physical domains. CCSS invests in micro- and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS), physical, chemical, and biological sensing systems, neurotechnologies, and communication & sensing circuits and systems. The goal is to create new complex and hybrid systems ranging from nano- to macro-scale with innovative engineering principles and solutions for a variety of applications including but not limited to healthcare, medicine, environmental and biological monitoring, communications, disaster mitigation, homeland security, intelligent transportation, manufacturing, energy, and smart buildings. CCSS encourages research proposals based on emerging technologies and applications for communications and sensing such as high-speed communications of terabits per second and beyond, sensing and imaging covering microwave to terahertz frequencies, personalized health monitoring and assistance, secured wireless connectivity and sensing for the Internet of Things, and dynamic-data-enabled autonomous systems through real-time sensing and learning.
Areas managed by CCSS Program Directors (please contact Program Directors listed in the CCSS staff directory for areas of interest):
RF Circuits and Antennas for Communications and Sensing
- RF Communications and Sensing Technologies from kHz to THz
- Antennas and Wave Propagation for Communications and Sensing
- Circuits and Systems for Secured Communications and Sensing
- Trusted Microelectronic Circuits
- RF Biomedical Applications and Remote Sensing
- Bio-mimetic Circuits and Systems
- Dynamic-data-enabled Reconfigurable RF Subsystems through Sensing and Machine Learning
- Wireless Energy Transfer and RF Energy Harvesting
Communication Systems and Signal Processing
- Wireless, Optical, and Hybrid Communications and Networking
- Full-duplex, massive MIMO, mm-Wave, and THz communications
- Spectrum Access and Sharing
- Integrated Sensing, Communication, and Computational Systems
- Signal Processing, image processing, and Compressive Sampling
- Cyber Physical Systems and Hardware-controlled Secured Communications
- Dynamic-data-enabled Communication Systems through Sensing and Machine Learning
- Quantum Communication Systems
Dynamic Bio-Sensing Systems
- Micro, Nano, and Bio Systems (MEMS/NEMS)
- Chemical, Biological, and Physical Diagnostics
- Sensors, Actuators, and Electronic Interfaces
- Ultra-Low Power Wearable and Implantable Sensing Systems
- Dynamic-data-enabled Reconfigurable Sensing Systems
- Personalized Health Monitoring Systems through Sensing and Machine Learning
- Neuroengineering and Brain-Inspired Concepts and Designs
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF PAPPG Cover Sheet
- Project Narrative/Technical Description
- Budget and Budget Justification
- CV of Principal Investigator
- Biosketches of Key Personnel
- Letters of Support/Commitment (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4261
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.041 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$41,946,862
-
$39,305,237
-
$38,714,114
-
$38,523,346
-
$37,936,436
-
$37,861,058
-
$37,780,463
-
$36,940,111
-
$36,277,271
-
$36,183,087
Top States by Funding
- TX 3 awards $93.8M
- CA 7 awards $86.9M
- IL 5 awards $78.8M
- NC 3 awards $71.9M
- AZ 2 awards $68.6M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.041). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $752,230,000 | |
| 2025 | $727,730,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $181,990,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for CCSS funding?
Faculty and research teams at U.S. academic institutions, universities, and research organizations can apply. You must be conducting research aligned with the program's focus areas.
What types of projects are funded?
Research in RF circuits, antennas, MEMS/NEMS, biomedical sensors, wireless communications, and signal processing. Projects addressing healthcare, IoT, autonomous systems, or environmental monitoring are encouraged.
Is there a deadline?
CCSS operates on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline. You can submit proposals throughout the year, but earlier submission may be advantageous.
What makes a competitive proposal?
Clear innovation in circuits, sensing, or communications; strong research methodology; potential impact on applications like healthcare or IoT; and alignment with program priorities.
What is the typical funding range?
Award amounts vary depending on project scope and research category. Contact the program directors for typical ranges in your specific area.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact program directors early to confirm your research aligns with current priorities and areas of interest.
- Emphasize the novelty of your circuit design, sensing approach, or communication system architecture.
- Clearly articulate practical applications and potential real-world impact in healthcare, IoT, autonomous systems, or other domains.
- Ensure your technical approach is well-developed and feasible within the proposed budget and timeline.
- Address how machine learning, data-driven methods, or emerging technologies enhance your sensing or communications system.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals lacking clear innovation or advancing incremental improvements instead of novel approaches. Applications misaligned with program focus areas, submitted without checking current program director priorities. Weak articulation of practical applications or potential impact on healthcare, communications, or sensing systems.
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