Dear CISE community,

May 2026 marks an exciting milestone: the 40th anniversary of the U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (NSF CISE). Since its founding on May 1, 1986, NSF CISE has helped shape the foundations of modern computing, networking, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, advanced computing and many of the technologies that now touch nearly every aspect of our lives.

This anniversary gives us a meaningful opportunity to look back with gratitude and pride. Over four decades, generations of CISE leaders, program directors, staff, researchers, educators, students and partners have helped build and sustain a vibrant community dedicated to discovery, innovation and public service. We especially celebrate and thank the NSF staff who, throughout the decades, have dedicated their careers to serving CISE and making these accomplishments possible. Their vision and commitment have expanded the reach of CISE, strengthened the nation's research ecosystem and helped prepare the workforce needed for a rapidly changing technological future.

Throughout the year, CISE will share stories, reflections and communications activities that highlight the people, ideas and investments that have shaped this remarkable journey. We encourage you to continue reading future CISE newsletters for updates on anniversary-related activities and opportunities to engage.

We also invite you to share this newsletter with your colleagues, students, collaborators and professional networks. If your organization is celebrating or planning to recognize CISE's 40th anniversary, we would welcome hearing from you. Please share your plans or stories with us so we can help capture a mosaic of celebrations taking place across the community and reflect the broad reach and lasting impact of CISE-supported research and education.

As we celebrate this milestone, we invite the community to pause and reflect not only on how far computing has come, but also on what comes next. What discoveries will define the next generation of computing? What new fields, tools and partnerships will emerge? How will this community continue to advance science, strengthen the nation, expand opportunity and serve the public good?

The first 40 years of CISE helped transform the world. Together, we now look ahead to the questions, breakthroughs and possibilities that will shape the next 40. Please join me in wishing CISE a very happy 40th birthday.

Irina Dolinskaya
NSF Directorate Head
NSF Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering 

News and updates

Autonomous IndyCar Racing (Part 1). AI techniques are driving the development of autonomous vehicles. Madhur Behl, an NSF-supported associate professor, discusses how the high-speed world of racing helps advance safe autonomous vehicles.

Onboard autonomous IndyCar Racing (Part 2). In this second part of the podcast, Behl discusses software challenges in autonomous racing and how his program is helping to develop the AI workforce of the future.

The Future of Quantum Computing. The future of quantum information science and engineering promises computers with unprecedented speed and capabilities. Mikhail Lukin, an NSF-supported professor, discusses his work with neutral atom qubits, why error correction is important in quantum computing, and his journey through starting a company and moving into industry.

Photonic Quantum Chips Promise Fast Future. The future of quantum information science and engineering promises computers with unprecedented speed and capabilities. Miloš Popović, an NSF-supported associate professor, discusses a collaboration that has built a photonic quantum system into a traditional electronic chip.

New NSF-funded resource to boost AI, machine learning research. A new NSF-funded GPU-based computing resource is expanding researchers' ability to conduct AI and machine learning research across disciplines, from engineering and computer science to business and social sciences.

Events

NSF EPSCoR Graduate Fellowship Program Office Hours for Potential Fellows. Join this upcoming virtual office hour session to learn about the NSF Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research Graduate Fellowship Program, eligibility requirements, participating institutions, and how to apply through the NSF Education and Training Application system. Prospective applicants will also have the opportunity to ask questions directly to NSF program representatives. Thursday, June 8, 2026. 1 p.m.-2 p.m.