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OpenOpportunity 26-506

Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE)

U.S. National Science Foundation

At a glance

Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE) is an open federal grant opportunity from U.S. National Science Foundation. Applications are due March 2, 2027. Total estimated funding is $40M across about 60 awards. Applicant types listed as eligible include others (see notice). Cost sharing is not required. It is funded under Assistance Listing 47.041 (Engineering) and 6 other listings.

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

Key facts

Posted
Feb 19, 2026
Close date
Mar 2, 2027
Archive date
Oct 7, 2027
Award floor
Not specified
Award ceiling
Not specified
Est. total funding
$40,000,000
Expected awards
60
Cost sharing
Not required
Funding instrument
Grant
Opportunity category
Discretionary

Who can apply

  • Others (see notice)

Additional information on eligibility (from the notice)

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -For-profit organizations: U.S.-based commercial organizations, including small businesses, with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education and a passion for innovation. -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -Other Federal Agencies and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs): Prospective proposers from other Federal Agencies and FFRDCs, including NSF sponsored FFRDCs, must follow the guidance in PAPPG Chapter I.E.2 regarding limitations on eligibility. -State and Local Governments -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus. -Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131. *Who May Serve as PI: For Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): By the submission deadline, any PI, co-PI, or other Senior/Key Personnel must hold either: a tenured or tenure-track position, or a primary, full-time, paid appointment in a research or teaching position, or a staff leadership role in an Open-Source Program Office or equivalent position at a U.S.-based campus of an Institution of Higher Education (see above), with exceptions granted for family or medical leave, as determined by the submitting institution. Individuals with primary appointments at overseas branch campuses of U.S. institutions of higher education are not eligible. Researchers from foreign academic institutions who contribute essential expertise to the project may participate as Senior/Key Personnel or collaborators but may not receive NSF support. For all other eligible proposing organizations: The PI must be an employee of the proposing organization who is normally resident in the U.S. and must be acting as an employee of the proposing organization while performing PI responsibilities. The PI may perform the PI responsibilities while temporarily out of the U.S. Individuals with primary appointments at non-U.S. based non-profit or non-U.S. based for-profit organizations are not eligible.

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Official synopsis as published by the agency, formatted for readability.

The Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE) program supports the translation of open-source science and engineering-focused research products into safe and sustainable ecosystems that address national and societal challenges. Open-source tools such as software, hardware, machine learning models, languages, and data platforms are designed to be shared as they are publicly-accessible and modifiable. These tools spark innovation in critical fields as varied as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, banking, healthcare, research, education, next-gen manufacturing, mobility, and National security (including cybersecurity).

PESOSE supports the creation of managing organizations for these ecosystems, ensuring strong governance, distributed development, and broad user communities across academia, industry, and government. PESOSE also supports enhancements to the safety, security, and privacy of Open-Source Ecosystems (OSE) by addressing significant vulnerabilities, both technical and socio-technical, to improve the resistance of the ecosystem against threats.

This solicitation seeks three types of proposals, allowing teams to propose specific activities to: 1) scope and plan the establishment of an OSE, 2) establish and expand a sustainable OSE based on a robust, promising open-source product that meets an emergent societal or national need, and 3) improve the safety, security, and privacy of an existing OSE and its products.

Additional information from the agency ↗

Assistance Listings

What is an ALN?

Reported obligations under ALN 47.041

Historical data · not a prediction
FY24$752M
FY25$728M
FY26$182M est.
Source: SAM.gov Assistance Listing 47.041. Program-wide totals, not awards from this specific opportunity.

Agency contact (as published)

U.S. National Science Foundation
grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
703-292-4203

Quick answers

When is the deadline for “Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE)”?

According to the official notice, applications are due March 2, 2027. Confirm the deadline and submission time on Grants.gov before applying.

Who is eligible to apply for “Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE)”?

The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible: Others (see notice). Additional restrictions may apply; review the full notice.

How much funding is available through “Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE)”?

Per the notice, total estimated program funding is $40,000,000 and the agency expects to make about 60 awards.

How do I apply for “Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE)”?

Applications are submitted through the official source, not through GrantsJunction. Open the official notice on Grants.gov (opportunity 26-506), and review the full announcement and application package. Organizations applying through Grants.gov generally need an active SAM.gov registration and a Grants.gov account, which can take several weeks to set up.

Matched on shared Assistance Listings, agency, categories and eligible applicant types.

OpenALN 47.041, 47.049…

Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1

U.S. National Science Foundation
Award range
$4M – $20M
Closes
Feb 8, 2027
Who can apply
Others (see notice)
Source: Grants.govVerified today