Abstract collage of science-related imagery

Spectrum Innovation Initiative: National Radio Dynamic Zones (NRDZ)

Status: Archived

Archived funding opportunity

This document has been archived.

Important information about 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.

Supports a research center focused on ensuring U.S. leadership in future wireless technologies, systems and applications in science and engineering through the efficient use and sharing of the radio spectrum.

Synopsis

The worldwide growth of wireless communication, navigation, and telemetry has provided immense societal benefits including mobile broadband data, Internet of Things (IoT), mobile healthcare, and intelligent transportation systems. These and other applications call for innovations that can circumvent the challenges of radio spectrum scarcity and interference, and foster the growth of ubiquitous, high speed, low latency connectivity. Commercial applications like the above must operate in harmony with scientific uses of spectrum (e.g., radio astronomy, Earth and atmospheric sciences, and polar research) and other nationally vital spectrum-dependent services (e.g., weather prediction). The National Science Foundation (NSF) continues to support wireless spectrum research and the scientific uses of the electromagnetic spectrum through multiple programs that enable fast, accurate, dynamic coordination and usage of the limited spectrum resource. These programs have created an opportune ground to build and create a large center-based ecosystem for spectrum research, which is the target of this SII-Center program.

NSF’s goal is to promote transformative use and management of the electromagnetic spectrum, resulting in profound benefits for science and engineering, industry, and other national interests. The focus of a spectrum research SII-Center must chart out a trajectory to ensure United States leadership in future wireless technologies, systems, and applications in science and engineering through the efficient use and sharing of the radio spectrum. The SII-Center should also seek to foster scientific and technical collaboration. The establishment of an SII-Center will have a transformational impact on wireless spectrum research by serving as a connecting point for the biggest and most challenging questions in spectrum management that the nation is facing. The SII-Center is expected to educate and develop an agile workforce needed to support industries of the future which will rely heavily on wireless technologies.

SELECTED LIST OF ACRONYMS

AI

Artificial Intelligence

EARS

Enhancing Access to the Radio Spectrum

EM

Electromagnetic

FCC

Federal Communications Commission

FFRDC

Federally Funded Research and Development Center

IHE

Institute of Higher Education

IoT

Internet of Things

IWG

Interagency Working Group

ML

Machine Learning

NITRD

Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program

NSF

National Science Foundation

NTIA

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

PAPPG

NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide

PAWR

Platform for Advanced Wireless Research

PI

Principal Investigator

RAS

Radio Astronomy Service

RF

Radio Frequency

RR

Radio Regulations

SII

Spectrum Innovation Initiative

SpecEES

Spectrum Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, and Security

STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

SWIFT

Spectrum and Wireless Innovation enabled by Future Technologies

WRC

World Radiocommunications Conference

WSRD

Wireless Spectrum Research and Development

Program contacts

Jonathan V. Williams
SII-Center@nsf.gov (703) 292-2455 MPS/AST
Alexander Sprintson
SII-Center@nsf.gov (703) 292-8950
Mohammod Ali
SII-Center@nsf.gov (703) 292-4632
Lisa M. Winter
SII-Center@nsf.gov (703) 292-8519 GEO/AGS
Bevin A. VanderLey
SII-Center@nsf.gov (703) 292-2428 MPS/AST

Awards made through this program

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