The VINES program seeks to support both fundamental research and verticals-driven technology development, demonstration, and translation activities that will lead to leaps in performance and capabilities of next generation (NextG) advanced intelligent network systems that span the user-edge-core-cloud continuum. The program seeks to go beyond the current research portfolios within individual participating NSF directorates and partner organizations by simultaneously emphasizing gains in performance and capabilities without compromising resilience and interoperability across all layers of the networking protocol and computation stacks. Innovations are sought across the various aspects of next generation communications, networking, and computing systems.

This program is a multisector effort led by the National Science Foundation (NSF), in partnership with several industry and international agency partners, and in cooperation with other U.S. Federal agencies. It recognizes the importance of advanced telecommunications as a key technology area. The program seeks to enhance U.S. competitiveness in advanced telecommunications technologies to establish itself as a global leader in both NextG wireless telecommunications and emerging potential NextG vertical industries, as well as address the need for skilled workforce and expertise in these technology areas. VINES expects to increase investments in foundational technology innovations and their translation while leveraging international eco-system partners to drive the principles of open and trustworthy networks. It seeks to fund collaborative research that transcends the traditional boundaries of individual disciplines or geographic boundaries to achieve the program goals.

This program is organized into two Tracks:

• Track 1 (Use-inspired Fundamental Research) will support activities focused on use-inspired fundamental research to develop novel networking techniques and solutions.
• Track 2 (Verticals-Driven Technology Development, Demonstration, and Translation) will support activities focused on technology development, maturation, demonstration, integration, and translation of solutions with higher technology readiness levels (TRLs), with the goal of producing adoption-ready technologies. Industry contributions will not be used to fund Track 2.