Dynamics, Control and Systems Diagnostics

The Dynamics, Control and Systems Diagnostics (DCSD) grant program aims to support the science and engineering of dynamic systems, with a focus on addressing critical societal issues. These include coping with climate change, responding to epidemics and cyber-attacks, managing extreme weather events, and dealing with other natural or man-made disasters.

The program also aims to promote efficient resource distribution, resilience in infrastructure, improvement of work and learning experiences, and overcoming the challenges of aging and illness. Through the DCSD program, proposals for innovative research in dynamic systems matched with pressing applications are encouraged.

The program is also keen on research that demonstrates how these applications increase our understanding of dynamic systems and how there is a need to further evolve the basic knowledge to allow the principles of dynamic systems to be applied more widely.

Proposals that are submitted for the DCSD grant program should clearly state the Intellectual Merit in terms of advancing knowledge in one of the key areas: modeling of the behavior of dynamic systems, analyzing dynamic behavior structures, data-based methods for inferencing properties of dynamic systems, methods to create desired behaviors or prevent undesired ones in dynamic systems, or architectures that can extend the reach of dynamic systems and solve application-related issues.

A key component of any proposal should be a description of how the work will achieve a broader impact than merely scientific merits. The National Science Foundation (NSF) encourages a flexible and creative approach to conducting activities that could benefit society or enhance desired societal outcomes.

The DCSD program is also dedicated to widening access to and inclusivity in research. Undertakings that further this aim are welcomed. Before submitting a full proposal, principal investigators (PIs) are urged to send a one-page draft Project Summary to dcsd@nsf.gov, following the proposal submission guidelines as per the NSF Proposals & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG).

For project evaluation, PIs should refer to the NSF Merit Review Principles and Merit Review Criteria as listed in the PAPPG. PIs who are contemplating potential projects that incorporate various research perspectives should also communicate with the DCSD Program Officers at dcsd@nsf.gov to explore suitable funding mechanisms.

This program encourages PIs to ask for the appropriate funding amount necessary to complete their project's objectives. In such cases, justification should be provided regarding the requested funding amount. There are no specific budget restrictions unless otherwise specified in certain solicitations.