NSF’s Research Coordination Networks (RCN) supports groups of researchers and educators to build new collaborations and coordinate research, training, and education around a coherent theme. Funding can be used for networking activities like communication and collaborative technologies, community standards for data and metadata, and strategies that broaden participation and enable international or interdisciplinary partnerships. RCN does not fund primary research or existing networks; it focuses on coordination and information-sharing to catalyze new directions.

The goal of the RCN program is to advance a field or create new directions in research or education by supporting groups of investigators to communicate and coordinate their research, training and educational activities across disciplinary, organizational, geographic and international boundaries. The RCN program provides opportunities to foster new collaborations,including international partnerships,and addressinterdisciplinary topics.Innovative ideas for implementing novel networking strategies, collaborative technologies, training, broadening participation, and development of community standards for data and meta-dataare especially encouraged. RCN awards are not meant to support existing networks;nor are they meant to support the activities of established collaborations. RCN awards also do not support primary research. Rather, the RCN program supports the means by which investigators can share information and ideas, coordinate ongoing or planned research activities, foster synthesis and new collaborations, develop community standards, and in other ways advance science and education through communication and sharing of ideas. Additional information about the RCN program and its impacts may be found in Porter et al. 2012 Research Coordination Networks: Evidence of the relationship between funded interdisciplinary networking and scholarly impact. BioScience, 62: 282-288

Proposed networking activities directed to the RCN program shouldfocus ona theme to give coherence to the collaboration, such as a broad research question or particular technologies or approaches.

Participating programs inthe Directorates for Biological Sciences(BIO), Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), Geosciences (GEO),Education and Human Resources (EHR), Engineering (ENG) andSocial, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) will accept RCNproposals. PIs are encouraged (for CISE required) to discuss suitability of an RCN topic with a program officer that manages the appropriate program.

Several other NSF solicitations accept RCN proposals, or supportresearch networkingactivities ifappropriate to the solicitation. Please see section IX. Other Information of this solicitation for a listing of these programs. PIs are strongly advised to contact the appropriate Program Director before submitting an RCN proposal.