The Foundational Research in Robotics (FRR) program, jointly led by the CISE and ENG Directorates, supports research on robotic systems that exhibit significant levels of both computational capability and physical complexity. For the purposes of this program, a robot is defined as intelligence embodied in an engineered construct, with the ability to process information, sense, plan, and move within or substantially alter its working environment. Here intelligence includes a broad class of methods that enable a robot to solve problems or to make contextually appropriate decisions and act upon them. The program welcomes research that considers inextricably interwoven questions of intelligence, computation, and embodiment. Projects may also focus on a distinct aspect of intelligence, computation, or embodiment, as long as the proposed research is clearly justified in the context of a class of robots.

The focus of the FRR program is on foundational advances in robotics. Robotics is a deeply interdisciplinary field, and proposals are encouraged across the full range of fundamental engineering and computer science research challenges arising in robotics. To be responsive to the FRR program, each proposal should clearly articulate the following three points:

1. The focus of the research project should be a robot or a class of robots, as defined above. [Is there a robot?]
2. The goal of the project should be to endow a robot or a class of robots with new and useful capabilities or to significantly enhance existing capabilities. [Will a robot gain a new or significantly improved capability?]
3. The intellectual contribution of the proposed work should address fundamental gaps in robotics. [Is robotics essential to the intellectual merit of the proposal?]

Meaningful experimental validation on a physical platform is encouraged.

Projects that do not represent a direct fundamental contribution to the science of robotics or are better aligned with other existing programs at NSF should not be submitted to the FRR program.

Potential investigators are strongly encouraged to discuss their projects with an FRR Program Officer before submission. Non-compliant proposals may be returned without review.

Foundational Research in Robotics (FRR)

NSF's implementation of the revised 2 CFR NSF Financial Assistance awards (grants and cooperative agreements) made on or after October 1, 2024, will be subject to the applicable set of award conditions, dated October 1, 2024, available on the NSF website . These terms and conditions are consistent with the revised guidance specified in the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024.

Important information for proposers

All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in this funding opportunity and in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets these requirements. Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.

Updates to NSF Research Security Policies

On July 10, 2025, NSF issued an Important Notice providing updates to the agency's research security policies, including a research security training requirement, Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program annual certification requirement, prohibition on Confucius institutes and an updated FFDR reporting and submission timeline.

Synopsis

The Foundational Research in Robotics (FRR) program, jointly led by the CISE and ENG Directorates, supports research on robotic systems that exhibit significant levels of both computational capability and physical complexity. For the purposes of this program, a robot is defined as intelligence embodied in an engineered construct, with the ability to process information, sense, plan, and move within or substantially alter its working environment. Here intelligence includes a broad class of methods that enable a robot to solve problems or to make contextually appropriate decisions and act upon them. The program welcomes research that considers inextricably interwoven questions of intelligence, computation, and embodiment. Projects may also focus on a distinct aspect of intelligence, computation, or embodiment, as long as the proposed research is clearly justified in the context of a class of robots.

The focus of the FRR program is on foundational advances in robotics. Robotics is a deeply interdisciplinary field, and proposals are encouraged across the full range of fundamental engineering and computer science research challenges arising in robotics. To be responsive to the FRR program, each proposal should clearly articulate the following three points:

• The focus of the research project should be a robot or a class of robots, as defined above. [Is there a robot?]
• The goal of the project should be to endow a robot or a class of robots with new and useful capabilities or to significantly enhance existing capabilities. [Will a robot gain a new or significantly improved capability?]
• The intellectual contribution of the proposed work should address fundamental gaps in robotics. [Is robotics essential to the intellectual merit of the proposal?]

Meaningful experimental validation on a physical platform is encouraged.

Projects that do not represent a direct fundamental contribution to the science of robotics or are better aligned with other existing programs at NSF should not be submitted to the FRR program.

Potential investigators are strongly encouraged to discuss their projects with an FRR Program Officer before submission. Non-compliant proposals may be returned without review.

Updates and announcements

• NSF-NIFA opportunity in agricultural robotics April 25, 2024
• View more updates

Program contacts

Name	Email	Phone	Organization
Jordan M. Berg	Robotics@nsf.gov	(703) 292-5365	ENG/CMMI
Huaiyu Dai	Robotics@nsf.gov	(703) 292-4568	ENG/ECCS
Alexandra Medina-Borja	Robotics@nsf.gov	(703) 292-7557	ENG/CMMI
Veronica A. Newhart	Robotics@nsf.gov	(703) 292-2401	CISE/IIS
Siddiq M. Qidwai	Robotics@nsf.gov	(703) 292-2211	ENG/CMMI
Ralph F. Wachter	Robotics@nsf.gov	(703) 292-8950	CISE/CNS
Karl E. Wimmer	Robotics@nsf.gov	(703) 292-2095	CISE/CCF

Program events

Past

• October 31, 2025 - Foundational Research in Robotics – National Robotics…
• October 30, 2025 - Foundational Research in Robotics – National Robotics…
• May 14, 2025 - 2025 ENG/CMMI CAREER Program Webinar
• May 14, 2025 - 2025 ENG/CMMI CAREER Program Webinar
• May 8, 2025 - 2025 ENG/CMMI CAREER Program Webinar
• May 8, 2025 - 2025 ENG/CMMI CAREER Program Webinar
• June 2, 2022 - Informational Webinar: Sunset of the National Robotics Initiative
• April 26, 2021 - Robotics Program Webinar for CAREER Principal Investigators

Awards made through this program

• Browse projects funded by this program
• Map of recent awards made through this program

Organization(s)

• Directorate for Engineering (ENG)
  • Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (ENG/CMMI)
  • Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems (ENG/ECCS)
• Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE)
  • Division of Computing and Communication Foundations (CISE/CCF)
  • Division of Information and Intelligent Systems (CISE/IIS)
  • Division of Computer and Network Systems (CISE/CNS)

Upcoming due dates

Full proposal accepted anytime

Program Will Accept Proposals Anytime After August 1, 2020

Full Proposals Accepted Anytime After August 1, 2020. Declined proposals may be resubmitted to the Robotics program after a minimum moratorium period of one year from the time of initial submission, regardless of the Units of Consideration for the original and resubmitting proposals. As required by the PAPPG, declined proposals must be substantially revised prior to resubmission. Principal Investigators are strongly encouraged to consult with a cognizant Program Officer before resubmitting a previously declined proposal.

Robotics proposals submitted to other program announcements or solicitations, including the Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER), must meet the respective deadlines of those programs; please refer to the deadline dates specified in the appropriate announcement or solicitation. Proposals for EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER), Rapid Response Research (RAPID) or Research Advanced by Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (RAISE) can be submitted at any time, but Principal Investigators (PIs) must contact the cognizant Program Officer prior to submission. Proposals for supplements or workshops, or any other type of grant, can be submitted at any time, and PIs are encouraged to contact the cognizant Program Officer prior to submission.

Program guidelines

Apply to PD 20-144Y as follows:

• Full proposals submitted via Research.gov: NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide proposal preparation guidelines apply.
• Full proposals submitted via Grants.gov: NSF Grants.gov Application Guide guidelines apply. See Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Research.gov for more information.

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Published: February 11, 2020