Safety, Security, and Privacy of Open-Source Ecosystems (Safe-OSE)

Summary

To respond to the growing threats to the safety, security, and privacy of open-source ecosystems (OSEs), NSF is launching the Safety, Security, and Privacy for Open-Source Ecosystems (Safe-OSE) program. This program solicits proposals from OSEs, including those not originally funded by NSF's Pathways to Enable Open-Source Ecosystems (POSE) program, to address significant safety, security, and/or privacy vulnerabilities, both technical (e.g., vulnerabilities in code and side-channels) and socio-technical (e.g., supply chain, insider threats, and social engineering). Interested applicants should submit the following list of materials via Box (see full announcement) by December 1, 2025. Please also reach out to frcgrantapps@wm.edu when you have submitted the documents.

Full Description

Synopsis of Program from NSF: 

“Vulnerabilities in an open-source product and/or its continuous development, integration and deployment infrastructure can potentially be exploited to attack any user (human, organization, and/or another product/entity) of the product. To respond to the growing threats to the safety, security, and privacy of open-source ecosystems (OSEs), NSF is launching the Safety, Security, and Privacy for Open-Source Ecosystems (Safe-OSE) program. This program solicits proposals from OSEs, including those not originally funded by NSF's Pathways to Enable Open-Source Ecosystems (POSE) program, to address significant safety, security, and/or privacy vulnerabilities, both technical (e.g., vulnerabilities in code and side-channels) and socio-technical (e.g., supply chain, insider threats, and social engineering).” 

Award Eligibility/Information 

• 2 proposals per institution 
• By the submission deadline, any PI, co-PI, or other Senior/Key Personnel must hold either: 
  • a tenured or tenure-track position, or 
  • a primary, full-time, paid appointment in a research or teaching position, or 
  • a staff leadership role in an Open-Source Program Office or equivalent position 
• Preliminary proposal due January 13, 2026 
• Full proposal due April 28, 2026

Zoom session 

There will be two sessions hosted by VASEM (sponsors of the COVES Fellowships) held via Zoom. Registration is required.

• November 11, 2025 - 1 - 2 p.m. EST
• November 19, 2025 - 11 a.m. - 12 p.m EST

Students may register at https://vasem.org/strengthening-policymaking/ under the header 2026 Fellows: Important Dates and Application Link. 

Internal Competition 

Interested applicants should submit the following list of materials via Box (see link below) by December 1, 2025. Please also reach out to frcgrantapps@wm.edu when you have submitted the documents so that we can ensure the application has the required elements.   

Required Materials for Internal Submission 

All materials must be uploaded in PDF format with the last name of the uploading PI in the title.  

1. Project Description (1-2 pages) 
   1. List of Collaborators from End-User Organizations (must have at least 3 listed) 
   2. Name 
   3. Contact information 
   4. Collaborator’s relationship to members of proposing team 
   5. Short description of the service the collaborator would provide to support your project
      Please see the solicitation for specifics about who can count as a collaborator.  
2. Budget and justification 
   1. Each award will be for 24 months. The budget for Year 1 should be up to a maximum of $500,000 and the budget for Year 2 should be up to a maximum of $1,000,000, for a total budget of up to $1,500,000 per award.

Submit materials here

Important Dates to Note

1. December 1 - Internal Competition Closes 
2. December 8th – FRC Reviews Due 
3. December 15th – Selected applicants notified 
4. January 13th – Preliminary proposal due to grants.gov 
   1. Project Description (5 pages) 
   2. Letters of Collaboration (3-5 letters from end-user organizations) 
5. April 28nd – Full Proposal Due to grants.gov