Catalyzing New International Collaborations (CNIC)

The Catalyzing New International Collaboration (CNIC) program is designed to promote professional development of US Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) researchers and to advance their research through international engagement.

Support of international activities is an integral part of NSF's mission to sustain and strengthen the nation's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) capabilities. NSF recognizes the importance of enabling US researchers and educators at every career level to advance their work through international collaboration and of helping to ensure that future generations of US scientists and engineers gain professional experience beyond the nation's borders early in their careers.

Awards from the International Science and Engineering Section of the Office of International and Integrative Activities (OIIA/ISE) contribute to NSF's mission by supporting research and education activities that present unique opportunities and offer potentially high benefits through collaboration with scientists, engineers, and STEM educators abroad. NSF will consider proposals from US institutions for collaborative work with any country that is not explicitly proscribed by the Department of State (see current information at http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/Programs.aspx and http://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm). Activities can be in any field of science and engineering research and education supported by NSF.

This program offers support for the initial phase of international collaborations with clear expectations that the next phase will be submission by the US investigators of follow-on proposals to NSF core programs for continued funding of the research initiated with CNIC awards.

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