Security, Privacy, and Trust in Cyberspace | 25 515

Opportunity Information: Apply for 25 515

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Security, Privacy, and Trust in Cyberspace program, also referred to as SaTC 2.0, is a discretionary grant opportunity focused on strengthening trust in modern cyberspace. The program is motivated by the reality that digital systems are no longer separate from everyday life; they are tightly woven into health, government services, commerce, education, public discourse, transportation, and critical infrastructure. Because cyberspace is now a complicated ecosystem that includes hardware, software, networks, data, and human and organizational behavior, weaknesses can be exploited in ways that cause real-world harm. The solicitation highlights outcomes like disruption of critical systems, theft of intellectual property and sensitive data, privacy violations affecting individuals and governments, the amplification of social inequities, and broader risks to livelihoods and reputations. A central concern is that persistent attacks also erode public confidence in decisions and processes that rely on digital systems, which makes “trust” both a technical and societal issue.

SaTC 2.0 frames trust as a broad concept that includes security, privacy, and resilience, especially under malicious intent. The program is not only about finding technical vulnerabilities and patching them; it also emphasizes understanding how trust is formed and maintained across social and technical dimensions. That includes work that helps people and institutions better understand cyber risk, improves public awareness, and contributes to developing a well-trained security and privacy workforce. Reflecting this multidisciplinary scope, SaTC 2.0 spans multiple NSF directorates, including Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS), Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE), and STEM Education (EDU). In practice, this means proposals can be grounded in computing and systems research, formal methods and mathematical foundations, human factors and organizational behavior, or education and workforce development, as long as they align with the program goal of building trustworthy cyber ecosystems.

Proposals must be submitted under one of three designations, each with its own budget and duration limits. The Research (RES) designation is the main multidisciplinary research track, supporting projects up to $1,200,000 total for up to four years. RES proposals requesting more than $600,000 face additional requirements, including plans related to Broadening Participation in Computing and collaboration. RES projects can also include an optional Transition to Education (TTE) plan, capped at $50,000 and included within the overall RES budget request, intended to help translate research ideas into educational activities or materials alongside the research effort. The Education (EDU) designation is for projects centered on education and workforce training to build trust in the security, privacy, and resilience of cyberspace. EDU awards can request up to $500,000 for up to three years, and projects that are primarily education research can request up to an additional $100,000 beyond that cap when there is clear collaboration between cybersecurity subject matter experts and education researcher(s) on the PI team. The Seedling (SEED) designation supports smaller, focused efforts tied to special topics announced through accompanying Dear Colleague Letters, with budgets up to $300,000 and durations up to two years.

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based, non-profit, non-academic organizations connected to research or education (such as museums, observatories, labs, and professional societies) and accredited U.S. institutions of higher education, including community colleges and four-year universities. If a proposal involves funding going to an international branch campus of a U.S. institution (including through subawards or consultants), the proposal must clearly explain why that overseas work is beneficial and why the activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus. Rules for who can serve as PI, co-PI, or other senior/key personnel are also specific: at the time of submission, they must hold either a tenured or tenure-track position, or a primary, full-time paid research or teaching appointment, at a U.S.-based campus of an eligible organization. Individuals primarily employed by for-profit non-academic organizations or based at overseas branch campuses of U.S. universities are not eligible to serve in those senior roles.

Key administrative details from the opportunity listing include that it is offered by the National Science Foundation under Funding Opportunity Number 25-515, with a grant funding instrument and science and technology R&D focus. The posted award ceiling aligns with the RES track maximum of $1,200,000. The original closing date listed is 2025-09-29. CFDA numbers associated with the opportunity include 47.049, 47.070, 47.075, and 47.076. Overall, SaTC 2.0 is positioned for teams that can connect rigorous research and/or education efforts to measurable improvements in cybersecurity and privacy outcomes, while also addressing the human, organizational, and societal factors that determine whether people actually trust and safely rely on cyber systems.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Security, Privacy, and Trust in Cyberspace" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.049, 47.070, 47.075, 47.076.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-29. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,200,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for 25 515

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