Manufacturing Systems Integration
NSF supports fundamental, generalizable research on digital integration of manufacturing systems across the product life cycle for broad industrial use.
⚑ Fundamental research only; proposals should be generalizable and not product- or site-specific. · No deadline stated; investigators are encouraged to discuss with the program director before submission.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds basic research |
| IPPRA | 48 partial | outside portfolio topics; social/behavioral work is minor; funds basic research |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 30 weak | prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
The Manufacturing Systems Integration (MSI) Program supports fundamental research addressing the opportunities and challenges that digital technologies present for the next industrial revolution, with particular emphasis on the digital integration of design and manufacturing within the larger life cycle ecosystem. Manufacturing Systems Integration proposals should address underlying principles and advances that are generalizable for globally competitive and world leading industries. Connectivity, automation, and secure collaboration are examples of areas that are integral to digital environments capable of supporting the innovation, realization and sustainment of manufactured products and systems in the value creation process.
Fundamental generalizable research for manufacturing systems integration might include, for example:
Digital representation, protocols, and/or processes for integration and collaboration in manufacturing systems (machines and/or humans)
Intelligent self-organizing production systems
Ease of use, interoperability and seamless integration of technologies, machines, and humans
Service-oriented architectures and systems
Data sets that are compatible and usable across platforms
Reliable and secure communications within and across the manufacturing value chain
Integration of distributed manufacturing systems across time and space, including incorporating both legacy and leading-edge equipment and technologies
Methods for assessing the impact and value of externalities throughout the life cycle within the digital environment
Interdisciplinary, convergent proposals that bring diverse perspectives, populations, disciplines, and capabilities together are welcome. It is strongly encouraged and expected that investigators discuss their ideas with a MSI program director well in advance of proposal submission.
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: National Science Foundation <grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · National Science Foundation conventions SEE AN NSF EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — National Science Foundation's document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.