The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (NSF CISE) supports fundamental research and education across computer science, information science and computer engineering.
NSF CISE investments advance the theories, methods, systems, infrastructure and research talent that underpin progress in computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum information science, advanced communications, software and systems, research cyberinfrastructure and computing education.
Through investments in individual investigators, collaborative teams, research centers, community-based organizations, industry partnerships and national-scale infrastructure, CISE strengthens the computing and information science research ecosystem and enables discoveries that contribute to U.S. economic prosperity, national security and long-term competitiveness.
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Supporting national and NSF-wide priorities
CISE investments contribute to major national and NSF-wide priorities by advancing the foundational research, education, workforce development and infrastructure needed to strengthen U.S. leadership in critical and emerging areas. Across its science sections, CISE supports a broad research ecosystem that connects core advances in computing and information science to national needs, economic competitiveness, scientific discovery, security and the development of a skilled domestic workforce.
Advanced communications and wireless
CISE supports a portfolio of programs designed to accelerate innovation in next-generation communication technologies.
Artificial intelligence
CISE investments advance foundational and use-inspired AI research across algorithms, intelligent systems, robotics, human-AI interaction, AI research institutes, test beds, AI-ready cyberinfrastructure, database systems and data management.
Biotechnology-enabled discovery
CISE supports computing advances that enable data-intensive, AI-enabled and cyberinfrastructure-supported research in areas such as health, biology, agriculture, genomics and biomedical discovery.
Cybersecurity
CISE supports research in security, privacy and trust, including secure systems, resilient cyber-physical infrastructure, cybersecurity for research cyberinfrastructure and trustworthy computing environments.
Quantum computing
CISE supports research that advances the foundations, systems, algorithms, software and architectures needed for progress in quantum information science and quantum-enabled computing.
Research infrastructure
CISE supports advanced computing, data systems, software, networking, test beds, centers and national-scale resources that enable discovery across science and engineering.
STEM education and workforce development
CISE supports transformative computing education research, AI and cybersecurity workforce pathways, research experiences, educator preparation and programs that help build a future-ready computing workforce.
What we support
CISE is organized around six thematic science areas that support foundational research, use-inspired innovation, education and infrastructure across the computing and information science enterprise.