Session

Robust and reliable civil infrastructure is foundational to economic vitality, innovation, and public wellbeing. Civil infrastructure comes in many forms that include physical assets (e.g., power, water, wastewater, telecommunications, transportation systems, and networks), critical facilities and protection systems (e.g., schools, hospitals, and flood control systems), and networks that interconnect them.

The Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI), one of four divisions in the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Engineering, is at the forefront of funding fundamental and convergent research that advances civil, mechanical, industrial, systems, manufacturing, and materials engineering as well as the science of engineering design. CMMI aims to catalyze innovation to shape the nation’s future civil infrastructure to underpin and strengthen the U.S. economy, increase productivity, and improve disaster resilience.

This NSF panel brings together several CMMI program directors to discuss funded projects and funding opportunities related to civil infrastructures. Specifically, it will:

• Provide an overview of CMMI research priorities that align with a NSF budget request to Congress and statutory requirements (e.g., National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program)
• Outline relevant research topics covered by CMMI core programs (e.g., Engineering for Civil Infrastructure, Infrastructure Systems and People, Foundational Research in Robotics, Advanced Manufacturing) and cross-cutting solicitations (Smart and Connected Communities, CIVIC Innovation Challenge, Mathematical Foundations of Digital Twins, Future Manufacturing)
• Identify investment in and needs for shared-use, large-scale research infrastructure (e.g., Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure, Mcity)
• Provide guidance about how to prepare competitive proposals to the NSF
• Share success stories and information on federal agencies partnership building mechanisms

In addition, the panel will highlight CMMI’s commitment to supporting research, education, and workforce development that remove barriers, build capacity, and foster partnerships. For example, CMMI invests in the Engineering Research Initiation program, encourages research by minority-serving institutions (MSI) and Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) institutions, supports faculty transitions between career stages, and provides opportunities for midsize, interdisciplinary team research. Feedback and comments from conference participants are welcome.