MS-CC Research Catalyst Program

This program is designed to directly support researchers and faculty in advancing their research objectives.by funding projects leveraging cyberinfrastructure (CI).

Through the MS-CC Research Catalyst Program, we aim to build connections between researchers and campus information technology leaders, connect campuses to national CI resources, and set them toward broader CI funding opportunities, including NSF’s Campus Cyberinfrastructure (CC*) program. This program may fund up to $200,000 per selected project.

Currently Accepting Applications Through June 6, 2025

Researchers, faculty, and administrators at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) are encouraged to apply for funding.

Program Objectives

The Research Catalyst Grant Program will:

Directly fund researchers, faculty, and administrators at HBCUs and TCUs for one-year projects.
Provide insights into CI-related research activities on these campuses.
Foster connections between researchers, campus IT leadership, and national CI resources, including Internet2.
Enhance campus CI infrastructure and capabilities.
Educate researchers and faculty about CI resources and potential applications.
Inform on new approaches to increase and accelerate CI-research capacity at MS-CC campuses.

Projects the program will consider funding include but are not limited to:

Network Infrastructure: Upgrades to improve research lab connectivity through hardware and service investments.
Identity and Access Management: Enhancements through InCommon and eduroam memberships, including associated implementation and hardware costs.
Computational Resources: Acquisition and deployment of local or cloud-based HPC/HTC clusters and related infrastructure.
Professional Development: Training opportunities for researchers, IT staff, and CI professionals through CI-focused workshops, conferences, and programs.
Community Workshops: Support for CI workshops aided by MS-CC and events focused on CC* grant writing and collaboration.
Workforce Development: Funding scalable workforce programs such as internships, graduate fellowships, and other skill-building initiatives.
Research Data Development: Support for data collection and transfer technologies, including IoT data acquisition, remote sensing, local storage, and high-speed transfer solutions.

The MS-CC Research Catalyst Program is designed to make broadly applicable funding available with a broad scope to support diverse research goals.

Who Should Apply?

We welcome applications from researchers, faculty, and administrators across all disciplines, including, but not limited to, STEM fields, humanities, natural sciences, and beyond, who:

Require CI resources to advance their research.
Are interested in exploring CI in their research.
Seek guidance and support in utilizing national CI infrastructure and resources.

Why Apply?

This grant program provides:

A lower-effort application process compared to more formal and extensive CI grant programs.
Direct CI support from MS-CC and Internet2 experts, such as CI Facilitation services, CI Engineer services, Federation, and eduroam support.
Immediate access to a network of CI resources, tools, and expertise.

Program Timeline

Program Announcement: Apr 25, 2025
Application Deadline: Jun 6, 2025 4:30 PM MDT
First Cohort Selection Announcement: Jun 20, 2025 (actual funding dependent on NSF approval of subaward)
Prospective Second Cohort Application Deadline Date: Oct 24, 2025

How to Apply

Project description, objectives, and intended impact.
CI needs, and how this program will support them.
Expected and measurable outcomes and how they contribute to the campus CI landscape. Outcomes must specifically advance science drivers and/or enhance cyberinfrastructure supporting research on the campus.
1. Applicants can contact the MS-CC for guidance on identifying science drivers for their project.
Email your applications in PDF format to aanderson@internet2.edu by 4:30 PM MDT on Jun 6, 2025.

Application Guidelines

Maximum of 5 pages for the project description, objectives, and intended impact. (not including letters of support, budget documents, or PI/Co-PI Information).
Your application should include a project narrative, a budget table, and a budget justification.
1. If your application is accepted, a scope of work will be required to issue a subaward.
Principal Investigator (PI) and, if any, Co-PI information.
Required letter of support from each of the following:
1. President’s Office and/or Office of Sponsored Research
2. Campus IT Leadership

*Applicants can contact the MS-CC for guidance on identifying science drivers for their project.

We look forward to receiving your applications and supporting you in advancing your research with the power of cyberinfrastructure.

Questions

Questions about the program and application process can be sent to Al Anderson, MS-CC Director of Cyberinfrastructure Programs.