Integrated Data Systems & Services | 26 509

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NSF Integrated Data Systems & Services (IDSS)

1) What is the IDSS program?

The Integrated Data Systems and Services (IDSS) program is a National Science Foundation (NSF) opportunity, administered through the Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC), that supports national-scale, operations-level data cyberinfrastructure. The focus is on integrated systems and services that broadly enable open, data-intensive, and AI-driven research and education across many science and engineering communities.

2) What types of projects is IDSS trying to fund?

IDSS is intended to fund production-quality infrastructure that large numbers of researchers can rely on day to day. It is oriented toward operational, national-scale integrated data systems and services rather than experimental prototypes or tools aimed at a narrow user group.

3) What does "national-scale, operations-level" mean in this solicitation?

Based on the solicitation description, "national-scale, operations-level" refers to capabilities designed for broad use across many communities, with production or operational quality suitable for ongoing reliance by researchers and educators. The emphasis is on integrated systems and services that function as shared infrastructure at scale.

4) What are the three IDSS project categories?

IDSS accepts proposals in three categories:

• Category I: Development, deployment, and operation of new, novel national-scale integrated data systems and services, including efforts that interface with or leverage existing platforms where appropriate.
• Category II: Transition of an established smaller-scale capability (such as regional services, pilots, or prototypes) to national-scale, production/operational quality. This category can also include major enhancements or expansions of existing national-scale operational data services.
• Category III: Planning grants to prepare for future Category I or II efforts, such as scoping requirements, governance, sustainability models, community engagement, architecture planning, and other pre-implementation work to improve readiness for national-scale buildout.

5) What is the difference between Category I and Category II?

Category I supports new and novel national-scale integrated data systems and services from development through operation, potentially leveraging existing platforms. Category II supports scaling an established capability up to national-scale operational quality and can also support major enhancements or expansions of existing national-scale operational services.

6) What is a Category III planning grant meant to accomplish?

Category III provides planning support intended to help teams get ready for a future national-scale implementation effort (Category I or II). The solicitation highlights planning activities such as defining requirements, designing governance and sustainability approaches, engaging communities, and planning architecture and other pre-implementation steps.

7) Does IDSS require broad, transdisciplinary impact?

Yes. A central requirement is broad, transdisciplinary impact. NSF is explicitly targeting foundational data cyberinfrastructure that demonstrably serves multiple communities and supports multidisciplinary research and education at scale.

8) Are single-discipline or single-project efforts a fit for IDSS?

No. The solicitation states that proposals primarily benefiting a single discipline, domain, project, or application are not a fit for this program.

9) How does IDSS relate to prior NSF investments like CSSI or Campus Cyberinfrastructure?

IDSS is positioned as a national-scale complement to prior NSF investments that often focused on campus-, regional-, or community-scale needs (including CSSI and Campus Cyberinfrastructure programs). The intent is to mature and operate capabilities into widely used, shared infrastructure for data- and AI-enabled science.

10) Is it encouraged to contact NSF program officers before submitting?

Yes. The solicitation strongly encourages prospective principal investigators to contact the cognizant program officer(s) in advance. This outreach is described as a way to confirm alignment with IDSS priorities and to sanity-check whether the proposed scope and budget are appropriate for this competition.

11) Why is early program officer contact especially important for IDSS?

The notice indicates it is especially important due to the operational, national-scale expectations and the potentially large size of awards. Early communication can help teams confirm that what they intend to propose aligns with the program and is appropriately scoped.

12) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to specific types of U.S.-based organizations. Eligible applicants include:

• U.S. non-profit, non-academic organizations directly associated with education or research activities (such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies).
• Institutions of higher education, including accredited two-year and four-year colleges and universities (including community colleges) with a campus located in the United States, applying on behalf of their faculty.
• Other federal agencies and federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), subject to NSF guidance on eligibility and limitations described in the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG), Chapter I.E.2.

13) Can a U.S. college or university apply if it has a campus in the United States?

Yes. The solicitation states that accredited two-year and four-year institutions (including community colleges) with a campus located in the United States are eligible to apply on behalf of their faculty.

14) Can non-academic non-profits apply?

Yes, if they are U.S.-based non-profit, non-academic organizations directly associated with education or research activities. Examples provided include independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies.

15) Can federal agencies or FFRDCs apply?

Yes, other federal agencies and FFRDCs may apply, but they must follow NSF guidance on eligibility and limitations as described in the PAPPG, Chapter I.E.2.

16) Are there special requirements if work will be performed at an international branch campus?

Yes. If a proposal involves funding work at an international branch campus of a U.S. institution (including via subawards or consultants), the proposer must clearly explain the benefit of performing that work at the international campus and justify why it cannot be performed at the U.S. campus.

17) What is the funding opportunity title and number?

The funding opportunity title is Integrated Data Systems & Services. The funding opportunity number is 26-509.

18) What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity lists CFDA 47.070.

19) What type of award instrument is used?

The instrument type listed is a Grant.

20) What is the closing date provided in the notice?

The notice lists an original closing date of 2026-07-28.

21) How many awards does NSF expect to make?

NSF anticipates making around 9 awards.

22) What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The award ceiling is listed as up to $30,000,000.

23) What broad activity area does NSF associate with this funding opportunity?

The overall activity category is science and technology and other research and development, consistent with NSF's focus on enabling national-scale infrastructure for research and education.

24) Does IDSS allow leveraging or interfacing with existing platforms?

Yes. Category I explicitly includes efforts that interface with or leverage existing platforms where that makes sense, and Category II includes scaling established capabilities as well as major enhancements or expansions of existing national-scale operational data services.