Formal Methods in the Field (FMitF)

NSF 24-509

The Formal Methods in the Field (FMitF) program aims to bring together researchers in formal methods with researchers in other areas of computer and information science and engineering to jointly develop rigorous and reproducible methodologies for designing and implementing correct-by-construction systems and applications with provable guarantees. FMitF encourages close collaboration between two groups of researchers. The first group consists of researchers in the area of formal methods, which, for the purposes of this solicitation, is broadly defined as principled approaches based on logic and mathematics to specification, modeling, design, analysis, implementation, abstraction, verification, synthesis, and optimization of systems, networks and applications. The second group consists of researchers in the "field," which, for the purposes of this solicitation, is defined as any area within computer and information science and engineering that would benefit from developing and applying formal methods in their research. All proposals must make a strong case for why formal methods is appropriate for the field area.

The FMitF program solicits three classes of proposals:

• Track I: Research proposals: Each proposal must have at least one Principal Investigator (PI) or co-PI with expertise in formal methods and at least one with expertise in the field area. Proposals are expected to address fundamental contributions to both formal methods and the respective field(s) and should include a proof of concept in the field along with a detailed evaluation plan that discusses intended scope of applicability, trade-offs, and limitations. Track I proposals must contain a detailed collaboration plan that clearly highlights and justifies the complementary expertise of the PIs/co-PIs in the designated areas and describes the mechanisms for continuous bi-directional interaction. Projects are limited to $1,000,000 in total budget, with durations of up to four years.
• Track II: Transition to Practice (TTP) proposals: The objective of this track is to support the ongoing development of extensible and robust formal methods research prototypes/tools to facilitate usability and accessibility to a larger and more diverse community of users. These proposals are expected to support the development, implementation, and deployment of later-stage successful formal methods research and tools into operational environments in order to bridge the gap between research and practice. A TTP proposal must include a project plan that addresses major tasks and system development milestones as well as an evaluation plan for the working system. Proposals are expected to identify a target user community or organization that will serve as an early adopter of the technology. Collaborations with industry are strongly encouraged. Projects are limited to $150,000 in total budget, with durations of up to two years.
• Track III: Education proposals: The objective of this track is to support the development and dissemination of education material to increase the accessibility of formal methods. These proposals are expected to develop new course material in formal methods either as a standalone course or as part of a course in a field area to which formal methods is applicable. An education proposal must include a project plan that addresses dissemination efforts and articulates the new communities that will be impacted through the effort. Collaborations with organizations that do not have strong formal methods education in the curriculum are strongly encouraged. Projects are limited to $250,000 in total budget, with durations of up to 36 months.

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: 3

Standard Grant or Continuing Grant

$10,500,000

Not required

February 20, 2024

• Pavithra Prabhakar, Program Director, CISE/CCF, telephone: (703) 292-8910, email: pprabhak@nsf.gov
• Alhussein A. Abouzeid, Program Director, CISE/CNS, telephone: (703) 292-8950, email: aabouzei@nsf.gov
• Anindya Banerjee, Program Director, CISE/CCF, telephone: (703) 292-7885, email: abanerje@nsf.gov