What is the Information Technology Research program?

The program is managed by the National Science Foundation's Computer and Information Science and Engineering directorate. ITR supports fundamental research in information technology, encouraging research spanning IT and scientific applications and in social, ethical and work force issues. It responds directly to recommendations from the President's Information Technology Advisory Committee for basic research in software, scalable information infrastructure, high-end computing and socioeconomic impacts.

What is the ITR budget?

In fiscal 2000, NSF's ITR budget is $126 million. A $36 million portion goes to a single terascale supercomputing facility, for which proposals were received in early April. The other $90 million is devoted to IT research across all areas of science. The departments of Commerce, Defense, Energy, and Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and NASA also contribute to the ITR effort.

When will ITR awards be made?

Proposals are being reviewed and awards are expected this summer. NSF received 1,154 final proposals for amounts under $500,000 and 263 final proposals for amounts over $500,000.