Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE)

Research
Funding Agency:
Funding Agency
National Science Foundation
RFP# and Website:
RFP# and Website
NSF 26-506
Awards:
Awards

Standard Grant or Continuing Grant

Estimated Number of Awards: 40 to 60

Track 1: maximum $300,000 per award, approximately 30 awards

Track 2: maximum $1,500,000 per award, approximately 10 awards

Track 3: maximum $1,500,000 per award, approximately 10 awards

The estimated program budget, number of awards, and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.
Anticipated Funding Amount:
Anticipated Funding Amount

$40,000,000
Letter of Intent:
Letter of Intent
Not Required
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:
Preliminary Proposal Deadline:
Full Proposal Submission Deadline:
Full Proposal Submission Deadline

September 01, 2026; March 02, 2027
Contacts:
Contacts
Description

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 technical and socio-technical, to improve the resistance of the ecosystem against threats.

This solicitation seeks three types of proposals, allowing teams to propose specific activities to: 1) scope and plan the establishment of an OSE, 2) establish and expand a sustainable OSE based on a robust, promising open-source product that meets an emergent societal or national need, and 3) improve the safety, security, and privacy of an existing OSE and its products.