EMERGING FRONTIERS IN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION (EFRI-2026/27): Wave-Based Computing ( EFRI-WBC) | 26 524

NSF EFRI-WBC (Wave-Based Computing) 2026/2027: Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the NSF EFRI program?

The Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI) program is an NSF Directorate for Engineering initiative intended to move quickly on new, high-potential research directions before they become mainstream.

2) What is the focus area for the 2026/2027 EFRI cycle?

The 2026/2027 focus area is Wave-Based Computing (EFRI-WBC), which targets foundational and potentially transformative engineering research that could change how computing is conceived and implemented.

3) What kind of research is EFRI-WBC trying to support?

EFRI-WBC supports research aimed at developing computing approaches that harness wave dynamics. Proposals should center on using wave behavior as a core physical and informational principle for computation.

4) What does "wave-based computing" mean in the context of this solicitation?

In this solicitation, wave-based computing refers to representing, processing, and moving information using wave phenomena, and investigating the architectures, devices, materials, algorithms, or design methods needed to make such computing practical, scalable, and impactful.

5) Is the program looking for incremental improvements or bigger leaps?

The intent is not incremental progress. The solicitation emphasizes advances that can plausibly create a noticeable shift in underlying engineering knowledge and open new long-run technological trajectories.

6) Are single-device demonstrations competitive for EFRI-WBC?

The solicitation suggests competitive projects will typically go beyond demonstrating a single device concept and instead articulate a broader research vision with clear technical novelty and a compelling pathway toward future computing capabilities.

7) How important is alignment with national priorities?

Alignment with national priorities is a major EFRI theme. Projects are expected to have strong potential for long-term impact on U.S. strategic technology priorities and/or national science and technology missions referenced in the Administration's FY 2028 R&D Budget Priorities Memorandum.

8) Do societal or mission impacts need to be fully achieved during the award period?

No. NSF is not requiring the societal or mission impact to be fully achieved within the award period. Teams must clearly explain how the research is use-inspired, why it matters in a national-strategy sense, and how it could lay groundwork for longer-horizon outcomes.

9) What funding tracks are available under this solicitation?

The solicitation uses two tracks: Track 1 for exploratory, early-stage ideas and Track 2 for larger, multidisciplinary efforts with more integrated research plans.

10) What is Track 1 intended for?

Track 1 is intended for exploratory, early-stage concepts where key feasibility questions or basic principles still need to be tested.

11) What is the typical award mechanism and duration for Track 1?

Track 1 may be supported through EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) awards with a two-year time horizon.

12) What is Track 2 intended for?

Track 2 is intended for larger, multidisciplinary efforts that bring together broader expertise and pursue a more integrated plan to drive the field forward in a substantial way.

13) How long are Track 2 awards and what is the budget level?

Track 2 offers four-year awards with budgets up to $2,000,000.

14) Are collaborations with industry encouraged?

Yes. The program explicitly encourages collaboration with industry to reflect the practical and use-inspired nature of the topic.

15) What is GOALI and how does it relate to this opportunity?

Teams are invited to consider formal NSF mechanisms such as GOALI (Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry), which can be used to structure meaningful academic-industry collaboration, clarify roles, and strengthen translational relevance while keeping the work grounded in fundamental engineering advances.

16) Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based organizations in two categories: (1) Institutions of Higher Education, including accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities (including community colleges) with a campus in the United States, applying on behalf of their faculty; and (2) non-profit, non-academic U.S. organizations directly associated with education or research activities, such as independent museums, observatories, research labs, and professional societies.

17) Are community colleges eligible?

Yes. Accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities, including community colleges, with a campus in the United States are included under eligible Institutions of Higher Education.

18) Can non-academic non-profits apply?

Yes. Non-profit, non-academic organizations in the U.S. that are directly associated with education or research activities (for example, independent museums, observatories, research labs, and professional societies) are eligible.

19) What are the requirements if a proposal includes funding for an international branch campus?

If a proposal includes funding that would flow to an international branch campus of a U.S. higher education institution (including via subawards or consultants tied to that branch campus), the proposal must justify why the international site is beneficial and explain why the activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus.

20) Who can serve as Principal Investigator (PI) for proposals submitted by universities?

For proposals submitted by higher education institutions, the lead PI must be full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty.

21) Who can serve as Principal Investigator (PI) for proposals submitted by eligible non-profit, non-academic organizations?

For proposals submitted by non-profit, non-academic organizations, the lead PI must have a continuing appointment expected to last for the full award term, have substantial research responsibilities, and propose work aligned with both their job responsibilities and the mission of their unit or organization.

22) Is there an engineering leadership requirement for the project team?

Yes. Across all proposals, either the PI or at least one co-PI must hold a full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty appointment within a College/Department of Engineering.

23) Are there specific team composition requirements for Track 2?

Yes. Track 2 proposals must include at least one PI and two co-PIs, reflecting the expectation that Track 2 projects are inherently multidisciplinary.

24) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 26-524.

25) What type of grant is this?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. National Science Foundation.

26) What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The solicitation lists CFDA numbers 47.041, 47.049, and 47.084.

27) What is the application deadline (closing date)?

The closing date provided is February 11, 2027.

28) How many awards does NSF expect to make?

NSF anticipates making around 30 awards under this solicitation across the two tracks.

29) What is the main expectation for a competitive EFRI-WBC proposal?

Based on the solicitation description, competitive proposals will present foundational and transformative wave-based computing research with clear technical novelty, a broader research vision (not just a single demonstration), and a well-explained use-inspired rationale tied to long-term U.S. strategic priorities.

30) Does the solicitation indicate how Track 1 and Track 2 differ in risk and maturity?

Yes. Track 1 is positioned for earlier-stage, higher-uncertainty concepts where feasibility and principles are still being tested, while Track 2 supports larger, integrated efforts intended to advance the field in a substantial way.