The NSF Smart and Connected Communities (S&CC) program supports interdisciplinary research that integrates advanced technologies, data science, and meaningful community engagement to improve quality of life in cities, towns, rural regions, and Tribal communities. Unlike purely technology-driven initiatives that emphasize hardware or software development in isolation, S&CC requires co-created solutions—research conducted with communities rather than for them. Projects must demonstrate authentic partnerships with residents, local governments, nonprofits, Tribal entities, or regional agencies to ensure that technological innovations directly address real societal challenges and support equitable outcomes. 

S&CC projects span a wide spectrum of domains: resilient infrastructure, mobility and transportation systems, energy and sustainability planning, public health, emergency response, environmental monitoring, social services delivery, digital equity, workforce development, and community-centered AI systems. Many proposals deploy sensing networks, cyber-physical systems, geospatial analytics, real-time data platforms, simulation tools, or machine learning models to support decision-making, improve government operations, or strengthen community resilience. The most competitive projects integrate human-centered design, participatory research methods, and clear pathways for community adoption. 

Eligibility follows standard NSF guidelines, allowing participation from U.S.-based universities, nonprofits, research institutions, Tribal nations, and qualified small businesses. While S&CC welcomes technological innovation, proposals must emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, ethical considerations, privacy protections, stakeholder involvement, and scalable frameworks for long-term impact. Community partners often serve as co-PIs, advisory board members, or testbed collaborators to ensure that solutions reflect local priorities and cultural context. 

Competitive S&CC proposals articulate: 

• A compelling societal challenge defined in collaboration with the community 

• Novel technical approaches that integrate engineering, computer science, social sciences, and policy insights 

• Clear models for data governance, privacy, and transparency 

• Evidence of strong community partnerships and communication channels 

• Evaluation metrics for societal benefit, usability, and long-term sustainability 

• Broader impacts such as local workforce training, K–12 or community education, and inclusive technology deployment 

Successful projects often contribute to national priorities including climate resilience, digital inclusion, public safety, environmental sustainability, and equitable access to emerging technologies. 

ScienceDocs Can Help 

ScienceDocs assists S&CC applicants with community-engaged research design, technical narrative development, partnership frameworks, and integrated evaluation strategies that strengthen competitiveness. 
Begin at sciencedocs.com/quotes.