CISE - CCF - About

The Division of Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF) supports research and education projects that explore the foundations of computing and communication devices and their usage. The Division seeks advances in computing and communication theory, algorithms for computer and computational sciences, and architecture and design of computers and software. CCF-supported projects also investigate revolutionary computing models and technologies based on emerging scientific ideas and integrate research and education activities to prepare future generations of computer science and engineering workers.

CCF supports three core programs

Algorithmic Foundations (AF): 

The Algorithmic Foundations program supports research characterized by algorithmic thinking accompanied by rigorous mathematical analysis. The goal is to understand the fundamental limits of resource-bounded computation and to obtain optimal solutions within those limits. Specifically, the time and space complexity of finding exact and approximate solutions in deterministic and randomized models of computation are the central concern of the program. Resources other than time and space, such as communication, heat, power, etc., are also of interest. In addition to the traditional, sequential computing paradigm, research on models such as the streaming model, parallel, distributed and hybrid models and the quantum-computing model are welcomed. Such research includes optimizations across complex processor/memory hierarchies as well as measurement of the performance of algorithms by correct, reproducible computational experiments. Theories that exploit algorithmic scalability and portability are especially welcome.  More information on topics of interest to the AF program is available at:  http://www.nsf.gov/cise/ccf/af_pgm.jsp.

Communications and Information Foundations (CIF): 

The Communications and Information Foundations (CIF) program supports transformative research that addresses the theoretical underpinnings and current and future enabling technologies for information acquisition, transmission, and processing in communication and information networks. As a result, CIF research and education projects strengthen the intellectual foundations of communications and information theory and signal processing in a variety of types of networks such as sensor networks, wireless and multimedia networks, biological networks, and networks of quantum devices. Research outcomes can lead to more secure and reliable communications and advanced mathematical capabilities that are applicable throughout science and engineering.  More information on topics of interest to the CIF program is available at:  http://www.nsf.gov/cise/ccf/cif_pgm.jsp.

Software and Hardware Foundations (SHF): 

The Software and Hardware Foundations program supports foundational research essential to advance the capability of computing systems. The combined power of the software and hardware of these systems enables new, possibly unforeseen application. At the same time, new and emerging technologies require continued advances in software and hardware foundations. The focus of this program is on reasoning, comparing and establishing properties of existing and newly-conceived software and hardware components, systems, and other artifacts.  More information on topics of interest to the SHF program is available at:  http://www.nsf.gov/cise/ccf/shf_pgm.jsp.