Through programs such as CSSI, CC*, and other investments, NSF has long supported the development of innovative foundational and application-specific cyberinfrastructure resources and systems to address data-intensive research needs at the campus, regional, and community scales. The primary goal of the Integrated Data Systems and Services (IDSS) program is to support national-scale operational data cyberinfrastructure that broadly advances and enables data- and artificial intelligence-driven research for many communities. Additional goals include: 

• defining expectations for design, development and operational performance of data systems that provide critical services to the research and education community; 
• enabling research and education communities to maximize the value, use, and reuse of research data;
• increasing awareness and emphasis on addressing the end-to-end data lifecycle, and facilitating the user journey by providing stable and easily usable services for scientific end users; and
• developing the workforce of capable data infrastructure developers and managers. 

Projects that aim to primarily benefit a single science discipline, domain, project, or application are not supported.

Through this solicitation, the IDSS program is accepting proposals for three categories of projects: 

• Category I. Development, deployment, and operation of novel national-scale integrated data systems and services, which may include interfacing with or leveraging other existing capabilities, systems and services, as appropriate to the project;
• Category II.  Transition of established smaller scale, regional, pilot, or prototype data-focused systems and services to national-scale production/operational quality/level. This may also include enhancement and expansion of existing national-scale data-focused operational systems and services; and
• Category III. Planning grants for future potential development/deployment or transition/enhancement IDSS projects.

UD White Papers Due: 10/07/2025, 11:59 PM
Full Proposal Deadline: 12/04/2025, 5:00 PM

Link to FOA Here

Eligibility: Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as a Principal Investigator (PI) are invited to work with their organizations to develop an application. Individuals from underrepresented groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply.

Institutional Limit: An organization may submit only one (1) proposal as lead institution to Category I and one (1) to Category II but may be a subawardee on other Category I and II proposals responding to this solicitation. There are no restrictions or limits on Category III proposals.

Application Information:  All UD limited submission white papers must use this template found on the Research Office limited submission webpage. Applications not adhering to this requirement will be returned without review.  

Review Criteria: Internal white papers will be reviewed based on the merit review criteria found in the solicitation.