Computational Mathematics

Computational Mathematics is a research program of the U.S. National Science Foundation within the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences. The program is now included within the current MPS Mathematical Sciences Research Programs solicitation, NSF 26-520, which consolidates most mathematical sciences funding opportunities within the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences. NSF supports foundational research intended to produce scientific breakthroughs, open new frontiers of knowledge, strengthen U.S. scientific competitiveness, and support the mathematical sciences workforce. The current solicitation encompasses theoretical and applied mathematical sciences and identifies Computational Mathematics as one of its core programs. The Computational Mathematics program supports the development and analysis of innovative approaches addressing mathematical questions and challenges arising from the implementation of numerical algorithms. The broader MPS MathSci solicitation emphasizes foundational research, including both systematic advances and ambitious or potentially transformative inquiries. NSF encourages work that develops new theories or methods, creates research tools or datasets, opens new lines of inquiry, or connects scientific disciplines. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced computation, automation, formal mathematics, and verification may be incorporated when scientifically justified. Research proposals fitting a single mathematical sciences program and interdisciplinary proposals spanning multiple programs are both welcome. NSF anticipates a portfolio of awards having a range of budgets, durations, and scopes, with project budgets and durations expected to be commensurate with the proposed work. Across the programs covered by NSF 26-520, anticipated funding is $200,000,000 and an estimated 400 to 600 awards are expected, subject to availability of funds. The current solicitation does not establish a Computational Mathematics-specific minimum or maximum award amount. Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited, and the solicitation identifies no applicable indirect cost or other budgetary limitations. NSF encourages proposers to consider project durations of up to five years where longer awards would support ambitious and transformative research and reduce administrative burden. Eligible submitting organizations are accredited two- and four-year institutions of higher education, including community colleges, that have a campus located in the United States; U.S.-located nonprofit, non-academic organizations directly associated with educational or research activities, including independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar organizations; and federally recognized Tribal Nations. There are no restrictions or limits on who may serve as principal investigator, the number of proposals an organization may submit, or the number of proposals a principal investigator or co-principal investigator may submit. Special justification requirements apply when a U.S. institution of higher education proposes funding for activities at an international branch campus. Full proposals may be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov and must follow the applicable NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide requirements and the additional instructions in NSF 26-520. Collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from multiple organizations must use Research.gov. Computational Mathematics proposals should use the acronym CM at the beginning of the proposal title, followed by a colon and the project title. Predominantly undergraduate institutions add RUI after the program acronym, while interdisciplinary proposals identify the most relevant program acronym first and then other relevant program acronyms. Proposals are accepted anytime, although NSF strongly encourages submission by the target dates shown on the relevant individual program webpages so proposals can be considered during corresponding panel review cycles. Letters of intent and preliminary proposals are not required. NSF evaluates proposals using the National Science Board-approved Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts criteria. Review may involve ad hoc review, panel review, internal NSF review, or a combination of these approaches. After an initial compliance check, an NSF Program Officer reviews the proposal, and in most cases three or more external experts also participate; at least two primary reviewers are assigned to each research proposal. External review is not required for conference, workshop, or symposium proposals of up to $200,000. Conference and workshop proposals seeking no more than $50,000 must be submitted at least six months before the event, while requests exceeding $50,000 must be submitted at least nine months in advance. Award recipients are generally required to submit annual project reports and a public project outcomes report. The current NSF 26-520 solicitation was posted August 17, 2026, and supersedes the older Computational Mathematics Grants.gov timing information that listed an annual December submission window. Under the current solicitation, proposals are accepted anytime, with program-specific target dates used for review-cycle planning rather than as a universal closing deadline. Questions specifically concerning Computational Mathematics may be directed to the Computational Mathematics Team at CompMath@nsf.gov. Research.gov system questions may be directed to rgov@nsf.gov or 1-800-381-1532, and Grants.gov questions may be directed to support@grants.gov or 1-800-518-4726. Standard NSF award conditions and reporting requirements apply.

Submit by the relevant program target date when possible to ensure consideration in the corresponding panel review cycle; address both Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts; make the requested budget and duration commensurate with project scope; clearly identify the most relevant mathematical sciences program first; emphasize intellectually ambitious foundational research where appropriate; use AI advanced computation automation formal mathematics or verification only when scientifically justified and meaningful to the research