15 U.S.C. § 7403 : US Code - Section 7403: National Science Foundation research

Search 15 U.S.C. § 7403 : US Code - Section 7403: National Science Foundation research

(a) Computer and network security research grants
(1) In general
The Director shall award grants for basic research on
innovative approaches to the structure of computer and network
hardware and software that are aimed at enhancing computer
security. Research areas may include -
(A) authentication, cryptography, and other secure data
communications technology;
(B) computer forensics and intrusion detection;
(C) reliability of computer and network applications,
middleware, operating systems, control systems, and
communications infrastructure;
(D) privacy and confidentiality;
(E) network security architecture, including tools for
security administration and analysis;
(F) emerging threats;
(G) vulnerability assessments and techniques for quantifying
risk;
(H) remote access and wireless security; and
(I) enhancement of law enforcement ability to detect,
investigate, and prosecute cyber-crimes, including those that
involve piracy of intellectual property.
(2) Merit review; competition
Grants shall be awarded under this section on a merit-reviewed
competitive basis.
(3) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science
Foundation to carry out this subsection -
(A) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2003;
(B) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
(C) $46,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(D) $52,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and
(E) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
(b) Computer and network security research centers
(1) In general
The Director shall award multiyear grants, subject to the
availability of appropriations, to institutions of higher
education, nonprofit research institutions, or consortia thereof
to establish multidisciplinary Centers for Computer and Network
Security Research. Institutions of higher education, nonprofit
research institutions, or consortia thereof receiving such grants
may partner with 1 or more government laboratories or for-profit
institutions, or other institutions of higher education or
nonprofit research institutions.
(2) Merit review; competition
Grants shall be awarded under this subsection on a merit-
reviewed competitive basis.
(3) Purpose
The purpose of the Centers shall be to generate innovative
approaches to computer and network security by conducting cutting-
edge, multidisciplinary research in computer and network
security, including the research areas described in subsection
(a)(1) of this section.
(4) Applications
An institution of higher education, nonprofit research
institution, or consortia thereof seeking funding under this
subsection shall submit an application to the Director at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Director may require. The application shall include, at a
minimum, a description of -
(A) the research projects that will be undertaken by the
Center and the contributions of each of the participating
entities;
(B) how the Center will promote active collaboration among
scientists and engineers from different disciplines, such as
computer scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and social
science researchers;
(C) how the Center will contribute to increasing the number
and quality of computer and network security researchers and
other professionals, including individuals from groups
historically underrepresented in these fields; and
(D) how the center (!1) will disseminate research results
quickly and widely to improve cyber security in information
technology networks, products, and services.
(5) Criteria
In evaluating the applications submitted under paragraph (4),
the Director shall consider, at a minimum -
(A) the ability of the applicant to generate innovative
approaches to computer and network security and effectively
carry out the research program;
(B) the experience of the applicant in conducting research on
computer and network security and the capacity of the applicant
to foster new multidisciplinary collaborations;
(C) the capacity of the applicant to attract and provide
adequate support for a diverse group of undergraduate and
graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to pursue computer
and network security research; and
(D) the extent to which the applicant will partner with
government laboratories, for-profit entities, other
institutions of higher education, or nonprofit research
institutions, and the role the partners will play in the
research undertaken by the Center.
(6) Annual meeting
The Director shall convene an annual meeting of the Centers in
order to foster collaboration and communication between Center
participants.
(7) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated for the National
Science Foundation to carry out this subsection -
(A) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2003;
(B) $24,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
(C) $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(D) $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and
(E) $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.