The 2026 NSF CISE Aspiring PI Workshop: Clemson/Greenville, SC will be held August 6 – 7, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Greenville.

This workshop is application-based and open to researchers who are eligible to submit grant proposals to the National Science Foundation (NSF) CISE Future CoRe, Security, Privacy, and Trust in Cyberspace (SaTC 2.0), and CISE CAREER programs. An emphasis will be placed on the research areas of AI and Quantum Frontiers.

 

Space for this workshop is limited. Eligible applicants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

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Workshop Objectives

This workshop will provide participants with knowledge, tools, and strategies on how to submit a complete and competitive grant proposal and navigate the NSF peer review process. The ultimate goal of this workshop is an increased number of submitted and funded proposals. The workshop will include an NSF-led keynote, participant-led lightning talks, expert-led panels and small group discussions with experienced PIs and NSF Program Officers.

 

Eligibility Requirements
Participation in the workshop is open to researchers with the following qualifications:

• Have principal investigator (PI) status for submitting to NSF programs at the time of submitting the workshop application

• Have core research interests that align with CISE Future CoRe programs, SaTC 2.0 and/or CISE Career programs 

• Have not been awarded funding through any of the above programs (those who have had proposals rejected are eligible to attend); those who have proposals funded in other NSF programs are eligible, but preference will be given to those who have not received NSF funding as a PI)

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Travel stipends will be provided to offset meeting-related expenses. Meals will be provided onsite.

 

Pre-Workshop Assignment

If you are selected to participate in this workshop, we ask that you prepare a 2 – 3 page research proposal summary and share it with the workshop organizers no later than one week before the workshop. This pre-workshop assignment is used for accountability purposes and to maximize workshop value for all participants. Summaries will not be shared.