Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers, developers, and institutions committed to improving the security and sustainability of open-source ecosystems. The National Science Foundation's Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems program supports fundamental research and development initiatives that strengthen open-source infrastructure, security practices, and community resilience. Eligible applicants typically include academic institutions (universities, research centers), nonprofit research organizations, and small businesses engaged in research. Projects must demonstrate how proposed work advances open-source security, sustainability, or ecosystem health at a systems level. Geographic scope is United States-based institutions and researchers, though international collaborations may be permitted as subawards. Supported activities include research projects, pilot implementations, tool development, and community-building initiatives that have measurable impact on open-source security and ecosystem practices.
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Program description
The Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE) program supports the translation of open-source science and engineering-focused research products into safe and sustainable ecosystems that address national and societal challenges. Open-source tools such as software, hardware, machine learning models, languages, and data platforms are designed to be shared as they are publicly-accessible and modifiable. These tools spark innovation in critical fields as varied as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, banking, healthcare, research, education, next-gen manufacturing, mobility, and National security (including cybersecurity).
PESOSE supports the creation of managing organizations for these ecosystems, ensuring strong governance, distributed development, and broad user communities across academia, industry, and government. PESOSE also supports enhancements to the safety, security, and privacy of Open-Source Ecosystems (OSE) by addressing significant vulnerabilities, both technical and socio-technical, to improve the resistance of the ecosystem against threats.
This solicitation seeks three types of proposals, allowing teams to propose specific activities to:1) scope and planthe establishment of an OSE, 2)establishand expand a sustainable OSE based on a robust, promising open-source product that meets an emergent societal or national need, and 3) improve the safety, security, and privacy of an existing OSE and its products.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NSF Form 424 (Research & Related Projects - Federal Short Form) or equivalent SF-424 R&R
- Project Narrative (research/development plan, typically 15 pages)
- Project Summary (one page: overview, intellectual merit, broader impacts)
- References Cited
- Biographical Sketches (for all senior personnel, max 2 pages each)
- Budget Justification (detailed breakdown of direct and indirect costs)
- Budget Form (SF-424 R&R Budget module)
- Institutional Commitment Letter (from grants office or administrator)
- Letters of Collaboration (if applicable, from partners or open-source communities)
- Data Management Plan (how data will be managed, preserved, and shared)
- Facilities & Equipment (describe available resources and any equipment purchases)
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.084 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$33,821,660
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$31,976,680
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$30,163,581
-
$30,013,596
-
Icamr, Inc. FL$29,938,673
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$29,869,465
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$29,494,884
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$28,841,053
-
$27,448,182
-
$25,127,344
Top States by Funding
- MA 15 awards $140.6M
- NY 9 awards $104.0M
- DC 9 awards $98.7M
- CA 8 awards $95.1M
- IL 7 awards $76.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.084). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $607,870,000 | |
| 2025 | $609,179,999 | |
| 2026 est. | $346,570,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this NSF grant?
Typically, U.S. academic institutions, nonprofit research organizations, and small businesses (under SBA size standards) can apply. Individual researchers should apply through their institution. Some programs allow international institutions as subawardees but not as lead applicants.
What is the deadline and application timeline?
Applications open February 19, 2026, with a fixed deadline of September 1, 2026. Plan to begin preparation well in advance, as NSF proposals require institutional review and significant lead time for coordination.
What types of activities and projects are supported?
This program supports research, development, and implementation projects that strengthen open-source security, sustainability, and ecosystem health. Examples include security vulnerability research, tooling development, community resilience initiatives, and best-practice documentation.
How competitive is this funding and what should I expect?
NSF programs are highly competitive, with success rates typically 20-30%. Your proposal must demonstrate innovation, feasibility, and significant potential impact on the open-source community. Preliminary data or proof-of-concept is valuable.
What is the typical funding range and project duration?
NSF research grants commonly range from $150,000 to $750,000+ depending on scope, with project periods typically 2-4 years. Check the solicitation for specific guidance on budget caps and allowable costs.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Read the full NSF solicitation document carefully before proposal writing. Ensure your project aligns with the specific program focus areas and evaluation criteria outlined by NSF program officers.
- Develop a strong research or development plan with clear milestones, measurable outcomes, and explicit connections to open-source security and ecosystem health. NSF reviewers expect rigorous methodology and realistic timelines.
- Build institutional partnerships and collaborations where possible. Proposals that demonstrate support from open-source communities, industry stakeholders, or complementary research teams are often more competitive.
- Budget realistically and justify all costs with detail. NSF scrutinizes indirect cost rates and requires clear justification for personnel, equipment, and other direct costs. Have your grants/contracts office review early.
- Include a sustainability and dissemination plan showing how your research or tools will have lasting impact beyond the grant period. Demonstrate commitment to sharing findings openly, contributing to open-source projects, or training the next generation of developers.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail to clearly articulate how the proposed work directly strengthens open-source security or ecosystem resilience—vague connections to "open source" without specific mechanics or benefits weaken competitiveness. Many proposals underestimate the complexity of coordinating with open-source communities and lack concrete commitments or letters of support from project maintainers. Budgets that ignore NSF cost-sharing policies, inflated indirect rates, or inadequate justification for personnel and equipment also trigger rejection or negotiation delays.
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