Conference: 2027 Workshop for Aspiring PIs in Cyber-Physical Systems

The NSF Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) program is a highly competitive, multidisciplinary research program. New aspiring principal investigators often lack familiarity with the program, the proposal review process, and how to effectively engage with federal science agencies, making it challenging to compete successfully for research funding. The 2027 Workshop for Aspiring PIs in Cyber-Physical Systems is designed to help early-career researchers develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in CPS research and compete effectively for federal research support. Through presentations and interactive discussions, participants will gain a deeper understanding of proposal development, federally funded research competitions, and the NSF merit review process from the perspectives of a principal investigator, a review panelist, and an NSF program director. Modeled after previous successful workshops for aspiring principal investigators, this meeting provides training and mentorship from leading experts in cyber-physical systems. Topics include launching a successful research career in CPS, navigating the academic job market, developing competitive research proposals, building research groups and collaborations, and establishing a long-term research agenda. The workshop also offers extensive opportunities to network with established CPS researchers and potential collaborators. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.