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Dear Colleague Letter

Advice related to the potential renewal of NSF AI Institute Awards

Provides information to principal investigators of AI Institute awards on the potential for renewal or continuation funding.
Provides information to principal investigators of AI Institute awards on the potential for renewal or continuation funding.

Dear Colleague:

The Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), together with other funding directorates in NSF, wish to provide notice and advice related to the potential renewal or continuation for Institutes funded under the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institutes Program ("AI Institutes").

In order to continue particularly productive or promising activities, NSF encourages the Principal Investigator (PI) of an AI Institute award to discuss with their cognizant program officer the potential to submit a renewal proposal. It is recommended that this discussion about a potential renewal take place during the fourth funding year of the original award. During that year, the cognizant program officer and the principal investigator should discuss:

  • award-specific opportunities for renewal;
  • the goals or activities of emphasis for continuation in funded institute activities;
  • an appropriate period of performance for the renewal (up to five years);
  • budgetary guidance appropriate for the proposed scope of activities; and
  • any additional proposal submission guidance.

Renewal proposals, if applicable, should be submitted in conjunction with the fourth annual project review, and not later than the end of October of the fifth funding year. Cognizant program officers may provide more specific guidance. Renewal proposals should be submitted in accordance with the instructions for "Traditional Renewals" in Chapter V of the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Renewal proposals will be externally reviewed. Reviewers of renewal proposals may be given the results of one or more of the institute's annual evaluation reports. Decisions on renewal proposals will normally be provided within six months of submission of the request.

This update applies to AI Institutes funded by NSF under solicitations NSF 20-503, NSF 22-502, and NSF 22-604. AI Institutes with a lead funding agency other than NSF should consult their cognizant program officers for guidance.

Questions about this DCL should be directed to the cognizant program officer and to the AI Institutes program leads at AIInstitutesProgram@nsf.gov.

Sincerely,

Margaret Martonosi
Assistant Director
Computer and Information Science & Engineering

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