The U.S. National Science Foundation has allocated $8.5 million to solicit blockchain and other technology projects to promote the development of network infrastructure

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking funding to develop research into how blockchain and software tools can advance the development of network infrastructure.

According to a proposal from NSF, the total amount of funds funded by the organization (NSF) is expected to be as high as $8.5 million. In addition, the "Research-based Cyber ​​Infrastructure Resilient Security Architecture" series of awards can reach $1 million per award for three consecutive years. The "Network Security Enhancement" award will reach $1 million per award for up to two consecutive years. It is currently estimated that the number of NSF awards is between 7 and 9.

The proposal reads:

The research network infrastructure environment is becoming increasingly complex as universities and other research institutions are continually adapting their existing network infrastructure to accommodate a wide range of new technologies and paradigms, including private and commercial use of cloud computing resources, new forms of shared data and computing infrastructure, cross-institutional identity management, and distributed shared computing, storage, and network resources.

It is already difficult to monitor scientific environments today, as some deliberate or unintentional events that affect the system are often difficult to detect. Therefore, resolving system anomalies and data loss remains a problem.

To address such questions, the National Science Foundation of the United States will focus on the research of blockchain technology. When data is spread across multiple environments such as mobile, cloud, campus and the Internet, the use of blockchain can ensure the integrity and confidentiality of various scientific data.

NFS will focus on research related to cryptographic currency

This is not the NSF’s first foray into cryptocurrency.

In 2015, NSF awarded about $3 million to three universities: Cornell University, the University of Maryland, and the University of California, Berkeley. The funds are intended to rigorously define and study the science of cryptocurrency. The funding will last until June 2018.

With so much interest surrounding blockchain technology and Bitcoin, the NSF is eager to find the right solution for its network infrastructure.

These initiatives include exploring the value and potential advantages that blockchain can provide to the organization.

It is reported that for the new funding, in addition to non-profit and non-academic organizations, NSF is also calling on university research teams to submit their own proposals. According to the NSF proposal, the deadline for project application submission is 5 pm on March 1, 2017.