The NSF S&CC program, started in 2016, supports foundational research to solve complex challenges faced by communities in the 21st century. It focuses on fostering deep collaborations between researchers, local governments, industry, and community organizations. The program harnesses interdisciplinary research across various fields — including AI, ML, IoT, social sciences, and beyond — to improve the quality of life for all. Learn more about the S&CC program at:

There is an open post-doctoral scholar position to help lead an ongoing NSF Smart and Connected Communities project at UC Irvine working with Professor Michael Hyland. 

Among other project objectives, they are developing long-range urban dynamics models and controllers/reinforcement learning agents to support long-range transportation planning decisions under uncertainty.

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Erwin Gianchandani, Assistant Director of NSF’s Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Directorate, will speak at the 2025 5G Summit on Feb. 27 in Tysons Corner, VA. A leader in advancing AI, microelectronics, and next-gen networks, Gianchandani will discuss TIP’s mission to drive U.S. technological leadership and workforce growth. Learn more about NSF funding opportunities and innovation strategies at this must-attend event.

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The TSA extended its cybersecurity directives for pipeline operators, introduced post-Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, for another year with enhanced performance-based measures. Updates require operators to develop TSA-approved cybersecurity implementation plans, incident response strategies, and annual cyber assessments. These changes aim to strengthen protections against evolving threats, including ransomware and foreign-sponsored cyber actors, while allowing flexibility for tailored security measures.

UIC researchers, led by CME Assistant Professor Aslihan Karatas, are studying air leakage caused by windows in Chicago homes. Supported by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, their project measures air leakage rates before and after window replacement, revealing its impact on energy efficiency and indoor air quality. Results aim to inform public awareness on maintaining windows for health, comfort, and financial savings.

Discover more here.

Notre Dame researchers developed an innovative tool analyzing embodied carbon in over 1 million Chicago buildings. By mapping emissions-intensive zones and identifying architectural types, this tool supports data-driven urban planning to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Findings reveal extending building lifespans and reducing size significantly cuts emissions. The research underscores the environmental and cultural value of reusing existing structures. Funded by NSF, the project aims to scale nationwide, aiding cities in strategic carbon reduction efforts.

Dr. Branko Kerkez, an associate professor at the University of Michigan, is spearheading a cutting-edge project that aims to revolutionize water management systems in communities across the country. His Smart and Connected Communities (SCC) initiative is developing autonomous water systems to tackle the persistent challenges of flooding and urban runoff.

Abigail Horn and her USC Viterbi team developed MINT, an AI-based model analyzing menus from 600,000 U.S. restaurants to predict nutritional quality. MINT highlights disparities in food access, showing less healthy options in low-income and predominantly Black neighborhoods. It also aids policymakers in identifying healthier dining spots for programs like CalFresh. Horn aims to refine MINT to include ingredient use and processing. This tool aligns with USC’s Frontiers of Computing initiative for ethical advancements in AI.

Fort Hays State University received a $74,446 NSF Civic Innovation Planning Grant to enhance health equity for gender-based violence survivors in rural western Kansas. The project focuses on bridging systemic gaps in services like transportation and housing while fostering trauma-informed community support. Collaborating with local organizations, the team aims to create sustainable, survivor-centered advocacy and prepare for a larger implementation grant.

Read more here.