Extramural Coordinated Funding

UM Submission Instructions: Safety, Security, and Privacy of Open-Source Ecosystems (Safe-OSE) (NSF 24-608) 2025

Sponsor:	National Science Foundation (NSF)
Award Title:	Safety, Security, and Privacy of Open-Source Ecosystems (Safe-OSE) (NSF 24-608)
Amount:	$1.5 Million The budget for Year 1 should be up to a maximum of $500,000 and the budget for Year 2 should be up to a maximum of $1,000,000, for a total budget of up to $1,500,000 per award.
UM Deadline:	11/15/2024
Sponsor Deadline:	01/14/2025
Description:	NOTE: Required Preliminary Proposal due 1/14/2025. Full Proposal due 4/22/2025 Vulnerabilities in an open-source product and/or its continuous development, integration and deployment infrastructure can potentially be exploited to attack any user (human, organization, and/or another product/entity) of the product. To respond to the growing threats to the safety, security, and privacy of open-source ecosystems (OSEs), NSF is launching the Safety, Security, and Privacy for Open-Source Ecosystems (Safe-OSE) program. This program solicits proposals from OSEs, including those not originally funded by NSF's Pathways to Enable Open-Source Ecosystems (POSE) program, to address significant safety, security, and/or privacy vulnerabilities, both technical (e.g., vulnerabilities in code and side-channels) and socio-technical (e.g., supply chain, insider threats, and social engineering). Although most open-source products are software-based, it is important to note that Safe-OSE applies to any type of OSE, including those based on scientific methodologies, models, and processes; manufacturing processes and process specifications; materials formulations; programming languages and formats; hardware instruction sets; system designs or specifications; and data platforms. The goal of the Safe-OSE program is to catalyze meaningful improvements in the safety, security, and privacy of the targeted OSE that the OSE does not currently have the resources to undertake. Funds from this program should be directed toward efforts to enhance the safety, security, and privacy characteristics of the open-source product and its supply chain as well as to bolster the ecosystem's capabilities for managing current and future risks, attacks, breaches, and responses.
Number of Applicants University is Allowed to submit:	2
Additional Requirements:	None
Sponsor Guidelines:	https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/safe-ose-safety-security-privacy-open-source-ecosystems/nsf24-608/solicitation
UM Nominations Process:	Those interested in applying should submit the following as a single pdf document to collabor@umn.edu no later than 4pm on 1/6/25: 1. Cover page including PI name, department, contact information, project title, any co-PI's name and department, and one paragraph project abstract. 2. Project summary (not more than three pages). 3. Biosketch of PI and any co-PI's (NSF format). 4. 2-3 names of possible reviewers (with no Conflicts of Interest) plus 5 keywords to be used as search terms for possible reviewers (can be added to Cover Page) Any questions can be submitted to collabor@umn.edu
Peer Review Coordination:	Research and Innovation Office contact email
Status:	PI Selected. Antonia Zhai, Computer Science & Engineering, is the official UM nominee.
Please note:	To be considered for peer review and internal selection, faculty must follow the above submission guidelines and meet the UM deadline as set by the office coordinating the peer review for this opportunity.

General Information

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Column Descriptions

Sponsor: redirects you to the sponsor's main website
Title/Guidelines: redirects you to sponsor specific information regarding the opportunity which may include description, eligibility, budget instructions, forms and other requirements
Amount: Maximum dollar amount awarded.
Add’l Req: Identifies special requirements such as cost sharing, partners, etc.
Sponsor Deadline: External deadline identified by the sponsor.
UM Submission Instructions: Contains specific internal submission requirements including internal proposal instructions, deadline, eligibility, internal nomination process, contact information.
# Apps: The maximum number of applications the sponsor will allow the university to submit.
UM Deadline: Submission deadline for internal proposal as determined by the coordinating office.
Status:
- Open: UM deadline has not passed and the opportunity is open for application.
- In Review: Peer review process is in progress for the opportunity.
- PI Selected: The PI has been selected as the official UM nominee.
- Closed: Sponsor deadline has passed and the opportunity is closed for application.

U of M Submission Instructions (Required)

This link includes summary sponsor information, specific instructions for internal submission and contact information for the university office coordinating the nomination process.

Follow the directions in the submission instructions and submit required materials by the UM deadline to the contact indicated.
Instructions vary according to the requirements of the sponsor and the university office coordinating the nomination process.

Registration (optional)

Registration is an optional but highly recommended feature. Perhaps you are looking for a wider audience for your proposal idea, or for potential collaborators to work with to create a stronger application. Registration allows applicants to share proposal ideas and post contact information.

Registration also provides information that helps the university office overseeing the nomination to determine the level of coordination needed and guide the review process.

To register (or view registrants), click on the UM Submission Instructions for a specific opportunity, then click on the Register Interest link.

Selection Process

Once the internal deadline has passed, the status will change to “In Review” and proposals will undergo review.
If there are multiple applicants, the office managing the nomination will determine the review criteria and coordinate the review process.
Once review has been completed all parties will be notified via email.
Nominees will be provided with a letter addressed to the sponsor from the RIO indicating that they are the university's nominee. This letter should accompany the nominee's proposal.
SPA is notified of the university's nominee(s) and the status is updated to “PI Selected”.

*If you have questions about the University's process related to extramural funding opportunities requiring nomination or if you have any technical issues with the site, contact collabor8@umn.edu.