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2026 NSF CISE Aspiring PI Workshop - Clemson/Greenville, SC

Applications are due Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 11:59pm, ET.

Thank you for applying to participate in the 2026 NSF CISE Aspiring PI Workshop in Clemson/Greenville, SC, which will be held August 6-7, 2026 at the Courtyard by Marriott Greenville Downtown Hotel.

This workshop is open to researchers who are eligible to submit grant proposals to the National Science Foundation (NSF) CISE Future CoRe, Security, Privacy, and Trust in Cyberspace (SaTC 2.0), and CISE CAREER programs. An emphasis will be placed on the research areas of AI and Quantum Frontiers. Space for this workshop is limited. Eligible applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

This workshop will provide participants with knowledge, tools, and strategies on how to submit a complete and competitive grant proposal and navigate the NSF peer review process. The ultimate goal of this workshop is an increased number of submitted and funded proposals. The workshop will include an NSF-led keynote, participant-led lightning talks, expert-led panels and small group discussions with experienced PIs and NSF Program Officers.

Participation in the workshop is open to researchers with the following qualifications:
  • Have principal investigator (PI) status for submitting to NSF programs at the time of submitting this application.
  • Have core research interests that align with CISE Future CoRe programs, SaTC 2.0 and/or CISE Career programs (review above links)
  • Have not been awarded funding through any of the above programs (those who have had proposals rejected are eligible to attend); those who have proposals funded in other NSF programs are eligible, but preference will be given to those who have not received NSF funding as a PI)
Travel stipends will be provided to offset workshop-related expenses. Meals will be provided onsite.

If you are selected to participate in this workshop, we ask that you prepare a 2 - 3 page research proposal summary and share it with the workshop organizers no later than one week before the workshop. This pre-workshop assignment is used for accountability purposes and to maximize workshop value for all participants. Summaries will not be shared.
1.Please enter the below contact information.(Required.)
2.Which state or U.S. territory is your institution located in?(Required.)
3.What is your current institutional role?(Required.)
4.Please upload an NSF-style CV, generated in SciENcv. (Required.)
No file chosen
5.Are you eligible to serve as serve as a Principal Investigator (PI) on an NSF proposal? Please confirm below.

Workshop participants must be eligible to serve as PI on an NSF proposal. (Required.)
6.Which program do you intend to submit to?(Required.)
7.Please select your core research area/program from the list below. Select no more than two.(Required.)
8.In 1 - 2 paragraphs, please let us know why you want to participate in this workshop and how the workshop will benefit you.(Required.)
9.In 1 - 2 paragraphs, please describe your research idea/proposal that you will expand further if selected to participate in this workshop.(Required.)
10.Please indicate any dietary restrictions or preferences that you have. Select all that apply.(Required.)