NSF 26-506: PATHWAYS TO ENABLE SECURE OPEN-SOURCE ECOSYSTEMS (PESOSE) | NSF - U.S. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Print this Page Active funding opportunity This document is the current version. Important information for proposers and award recipients All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in the funding opportunity and in the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and its supplements"). All NSF grants and cooperative agreements are subject to the applicable set of NSF award terms and conditions. NSF has updated its research security policies for NSF funded projects. NSF 26-506: Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE) Program Solicitation Document Information Document History • Posted: February 19, 2026 • Replaces: NSF 24-606 Create a PDF To save a PDF of this solicitation, select Print to PDF in your browser's print options. View the program page Program Solicitation NSF 26-506 --- --- --- U.S. National Science FoundationDirectorate for Biological SciencesDirectorate for Computer and Information Science and EngineeringDirectorate for STEM EducationDirectorate for EngineeringDirectorate for GeosciencesDirectorate for Mathematical and Physical SciencesDirectorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic SciencesDirectorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitting organization's local time):      September 01, 2026      First Tuesday in September, Annually Thereafter      March 02, 2027      First Tuesday in March, Annually Thereafter Important Information And Revision Notes Proposers must review the PESOSE website for critical information on proposal and budget preparation. Experiential Activities: Each PESOSE Track 1 or Track 2 awardee must participate in mandatory OSE experiential activities, known as "I-Corps for PESOSE." The PESOSE website provide information on team composition, expectations for participation and budget information. Track 2 awardees that successfully completed I-Corps for PESOSE as a Track 1 awardee may waive this requirement by indicating the dates of their I-Corps for PESOSE activity on the first line of their Project Description and describing the outcomes of their activities in the body of the Project Description. Collaborations: Although proposals may be multi-organizational, a single organization must serve as the lead and all other organizations as subawardees. Organizations ineligible to submit to this program solicitation may not receive subawards. If ineligible organizations are part of the team; their participation is expected to be supported by non-NSF sources. Restricted Eligibility: The PESOSE solicitation restricts PI eligibility dependent on the submitting organization in order to ensure the PIs/Co-PIs have the proper authority, responsibility, continuity and oversight experience to lead the OSE efforts. Proposals must be prepared in accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Use the version of the guide that is in effect on the proposal's due date. Summary Of Program Requirements General Information Program Title: > Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE) Synopsis of Program: > The Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE) program supports the translation of open-source science and engineering-focused research products into safe and sustainable ecosystems that address national and societal challenges. Open-source tools such as software, hardware, machine learning models, languages, and data platforms are designed to be shared as they are publicly-accessible and modifiable. These tools spark innovation in critical fields as varied as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, banking, healthcare, research, education, next-gen manufacturing, mobility, and National security (including cybersecurity). > > PESOSE supports the creation of managing organizations for these ecosystems, ensuring strong governance, distributed development, and broad user communities across academia, industry, and government. PESOSE also supports enhancements to the safety, security, and privacy of Open-Source Ecosystems (OSE) by addressing significant vulnerabilities, both tec