Research Coordination Networks (RCN)

Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation

47.083 -- Integrative Activities
47.070 -- Computer and Information Science and Engineering
47.075 -- Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences
47.041 -- Engineering
47.074 -- Biological Sciences
47.050 -- Geosciences

Archived opportunityLast Updated: May 13, 2026

Description

The goal of the RCN program is to advance a field or create new directions in research or education by supporting groups of investigators to communicate and coordinate their research, training and educational activities across disciplinary, organizational, geographic and international boundaries. RCN provides opportunities to foster new collaborations,including international partnerships,and addressinterdisciplinary topics.Innovative ideas for implementing novel networking strategies, collaborative technologies, and development of community standards for data and meta-dataare especially encouraged....

RCN awards are not meant to support existing networks;nor are they meant to support the activities of established collaborations. RCN awards do not support primary research. RCN supports the means by which investigators can share information and ideas, coordinate ongoing or planned research activities, foster synthesis and new collaborations, develop community standards, and in other ways advance science and education through communication and sharing of ideas. Proposed networking activities directed to the RCN program shouldfocus ona theme to give coherence to the collaboration, such as a broad research question or particular technologies or approaches. Participating core programs inthe Directorates for Biological Sciences(BIO), Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), Geosciences (GEO), Engineering (ENG) andSocial, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) will accept General (non-targeted) RCNproposals. Some submission deadlines for the general RCN proposals vary by program; consult program websites. BIO is joined by the Directorate for Education and Human Resources(EHR) in the Undergraduate Biology Education (RCN-UBE) track described below. The following targeted track within the RCN programs is intended to foster linkages between BIO and EHR.

RCN-UBE: The Undergraduate Biology Education track focuses on any topic likely to lead to improved participation, learning, or assessment in undergraduate biology education and follows the same guidelines outlined below for the general RCN program.

Note: Because it addresses undergraduate biology education, the RCN-UBE track is offered in alignment with the NSF-wide undergraduate STEM education initiative, Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE). More information about IUSE can be found in the Program Description section of this solicitation. Several other NSF solicitations accept RCN proposals, or supportresearch networkingactivities ifappropriate to the solicitation. Please see section IX. Other Information of this solicitation for a listing of these programs.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

Other

Additional information

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.

Grantor contact information

Description

NSF grants.gov support grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov

Email

If you have any problems linking to this funding announcement, please contact the email address above.

grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov

Documents

No documents are currently available.

Link to additional information

NSF Publication 15-527

Archived: June 7, 2025

Application process

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Award

$12,500,000

Program Funding

Expected awards

$50,000

Award Minimum

$500,000

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

15-527

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

Funding instrument type:

Grant

Opportunity Category:

Discretionary

Opportunity Category Explanation:

Category of Funding Activity:

Science technology and other research and development

Category Explanation:

History

Version:

Posted date:

June 6, 2025

Archive date:

June 7, 2025