DFG and NSF Launch Joint Programme on Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace

The new bilateral call between Germany and the US accepts proposals for research on cybersecurity and privacy within the established NSF Lead Agency Activity programme.

On the basis of their Memorandum of Understanding, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG – German Research Foundation) and the US National Science Foundation (NSF) have launched a new call for joint research projects bringing together researchers in Germany and the USA with a thematic focus on secure and trustworthy cyberspace. The programme supports research addressing cybersecurity and privacy and draws on expertise in research areas including computing, communication and information sciences; engineering; economics; education; mathematics; statistics; and social and behavioural sciences.

NSF acts as the lead agency. Therefore submitted proposals are reviewed by NSF only, along with other proposals submitted to the SaTC programme. The result of the review process will be shared between the agencies to make final decisions on this basis. On the German side, funding is offered as part of the Research Grants Programme (Sachbeihilfe). There is no dedicated funding budget for the call.

Eligible for DFG funding researchers who work in Germany, or at a German research institution abroad, and who have completed their academic training (usually with a doctorate). Researchers at publicly funded non-university research institutions in Germany must observe their duty to cooperate.

The eligibility to submit a proposal to NSF follows the policies and regulations for the NSF’s SaTC CORE Programme for small projects.

DFG funding is offered according to the rules of DFG Research Grants programme (Sachbeihilfe). The maximum initial funding duration is three years.

NSF will support projects with a maximum budget of USD $600,000 over a period of up to three years.

Joint proposals are first submitted to NSF in accordance with the proposal preparation requirements of the SaTC programme. Within a week upon submission to NSF, the proposal must also be provided to DFG. The proposal submitted to NSF and DFG must be identical and written in English.

Proposals are accepted at any time.

The programme is expected to continue for two years, ending on 9 January 2025.

(This report was the subject of a RESEARCHconnect Newsflash.)