CyberArts Call for Proposals 2026

The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) seeks proposals that bring together CCI cybersecurity researchers and members of the arts and design community from across the CCI network.

The CCI Cyber Arts and Design Program (CyberArts) Call for Proposals is funded by CCI and co-organized with the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT) at Virginia Tech.

The program challenges researchers in arts and design to reimagine and depict cybersecurity research, particularly CCI-funded research, through the creative arts. Proposed works must be grounded in cybersecurity research and clearly communicate, interpret, or respond to cybersecurity concepts, challenges, discoveries, or outcomes. Transdisciplinary partnerships with CCI researchers are strongly encouraged.

The program envisions a multi-month exhibit at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond beginning in January 2028. An opening reception is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 24, 2028. Additional exhibits are expected to take place across Virginia beginning in fall 2027. Dates and locations will be announced in advance.

Objectives

• Expand public understanding of cybersecurity research through creative and accessible forms of artistic expression.
• Showcase cybersecurity research conducted across the CCI network through public exhibitions and engagement opportunities.
• Encourage innovative approaches to translating complex cybersecurity topics for a wide range of audiences through interdisciplinary partnerships.
• Foster collaboration between cybersecurity researchers and researchers and practitioners in arts and design across the CCI network.
• Support the creation of artistic works that are grounded in cybersecurity research and clearly communicate, interpret, or respond to cybersecurity concepts, challenges, discoveries, or outcomes.

Learn more about past exhibits:

• 2024 CyberArts Exhibit at the Torpedo Factory Arts Center in Alexandria, Va
• Information session for 2023 CFP (video)
• 2022 CyberArts Exhibit at the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Va (video)

Additional information about CCI, including member institutions and researchers, is available at cyberinitiative.org. We welcome applications from all CCI researchers and institutions.

Eligibility

Who Can Serve as Principal Investigator (PI)

Researchers and faculty members at public institutions in CCI who are deemed eligible by their home institution to serve as a PI on an external grant are eligible to apply.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Institution

There are no restrictions or limits.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Investigator

An eligible researcher can participate in two proposals but only one as PI. 

Other Requirements

Proposers must describe how the proposed work could continue beyond the initial exhibition period and identify potential opportunities for future support, partnerships, exhibitions, educational activities, commercialization, or other avenues for expanding the reach and impact of the work.

Awards

Maximum Award Amount

$25,000 per proposal. We encourage transdisciplinary teams that reimagine cybersecurity and CCI-funded research through the creative arts.

Award Conditions

Successful applicants are expected to participate fully in CCI activities. Researchers must meet specific conditions by:

• Providing materials needed for reports.
• Participating in CCI meetings.
• Acting as a reviewer for future CCI calls for proposals.
• Responding to data collection requests by CCI relating to the grant. 
• Acknowledging CCI support in all publications and presentations resulting from the grant.
• Present an exhibit or performance at the Science Museum of Virginia. The opening reception is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 24, 2028, and the exhibit is expected to remain on display for at least six months. Additional smaller exhibits may be held at locations across Virginia, with dates and locations to be determined.
• The PI is responsible for a final technical report and a final financial report 30 and 60 days following the end of the period of performance.

Full Proposal Format

1. Title page (one page)

Title of the proposed project, name, affiliation, and contact information for the Principal Investigator (PI) and co-Principal Investigators (co-PIs), if any. An example of the title page format is at the bottom of this page.

2. Proposed Project Description (up to four pages)

• Concept and Rationale: Describe the proposed artistic work and the cybersecurity research, concepts, challenges, discoveries, or outcomes that will inform it. Explain the artistic approach, project objectives, and why the proposed work is important and compelling.
• Connection to Cybersecurity Research: Describe how the proposed work is grounded in cybersecurity research, particularly CCI-funded research where applicable. Explain how the work will communicate, interpret, or respond to cybersecurity concepts, challenges, discoveries, or outcomes. If applicable, describe how cybersecurity researchers will contribute to the development of the work and help ensure technical accuracy.
• Collaboration and Project Plan: Describe the project team and the planned collaborations between team members with cybersecurity expertise and team members with arts and design expertise. Explain the planned activities, methods, timeline, milestones, and anticipated outcomes. If the project will leverage existing CCI resources, facilities, datasets, technologies, or research activities, describe how they will be used.
• Public Engagement and Exhibition Plan: Describe how the project will engage audiences and contribute to the exhibition program. Explain how the work will be presented and how it will help expand public understanding of cybersecurity research.
• Deliverables: Describe the expected project deliverables, which may include artistic works, exhibitions, performances, installations, digital experiences, educational materials, public engagement activities, documentation, publications, or other project outcomes.

3. Sustainability, Future Opportunities, and Impact (up to one page)

• Future Development: Describe how the proposed work could continue beyond the initial exhibition period. This may include future exhibitions, performances, installations, educational programs, community engagement activities, collaborations, commercialization opportunities, or other avenues for expanding the reach and impact of the work.
• Funding and Partnership Opportunities: Identify potential opportunities for future support, including grants, sponsorships, institutional partnerships, commissions, industry collaborations, or other funding sources that could enable the work to grow, evolve, or reach new audiences.
• Impact and Reach: Describe the anticipated impact of the project on public understanding of cybersecurity research and its relevance to society. Explain how the work may contribute to arts and design, cybersecurity outreach, education, workforce development, community engagement, economic development, or other areas of benefit to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

4. References (not included in the page count)

5. Budget

• A detailed budget and one-page justification must be included. Confirm your ability to utilize all potentially awarded funds by Feb. 28, 2028.
• Travel should be included to support the PI’s and team members’ attendance at the annual CCI Symposium, Science Museum of Virginia exhibit, and other CCI events/exhibits. The next Symposium is expected to take place April 5-6, 2027, in Charlottesville, Va.

Indirect costs are not allowed.

6. Biographical sketches

Up to three pages for each investigator, using NSF format.

7. Current and pending support for each investigator

Title of the project, status (current, pending, submission planned, etc.), source of the support, period of performance, total award amount, and the portion of the award attributed to the investigator.

Investigators can use a current NSF Current & Pending Support document that contains this information.

Proposal Submission

The submission period closes on Dec. 4, 2026, 5 p.m. ET.

The proposal must be submitted to Michele McDonald, CCI communications and marketing director, mmcdonald@vt.edu, on Dec. 4, 2026, by the close of business (5 p.m. ET). Submission Format: Applicants should send their complete proposal in PDF format, including the designated subject line in their email transmission: PI last name, first initial, CyberArts FY27 Call.

Proposals and budgets should go through the appropriate approval process at the PI’s institution. For example, many universities require researchers to include a proposal and budget approved in the standard Office of Sponsored Programs (or your institution’s equivalent) pre-award procedure. Consult the PI’s node director to confirm the process.

Contact information of CCI node directors:

Evaluation Criteria

A review committee will evaluate proposals and make funding recommendations based on the following criteria:

• Alignment with the goals of the CyberArts program. The proposed work should be grounded in cybersecurity research and clearly communicate, interpret, or respond to cybersecurity concepts, challenges, discoveries, or outcomes.
• Artistic and intellectual merit. The proposal should demonstrate a compelling artistic vision, a strong conceptual foundation, and a meaningful connection to cybersecurity research.
• Collaboration and interdisciplinary engagement. Projects must demonstrate meaningful collaboration between cybersecurity researchers and researchers or practitioners in arts and design.
• Feasibility and exhibition potential. The proposal should present a clear plan for project execution and result in a high-quality artistic work, performance, installation, digital experience, or other outcome suitable for public exhibition and engagement.
• Public engagement and broader impacts. The proposed work should expand public understanding of cybersecurity research and demonstrate potential benefits to CCI's mission areas of research, innovation, and workforce development.
• Sustainability and future opportunities. The proposal should demonstrate potential for continued development beyond the initial exhibition period through future exhibitions, performances, educational activities, partnerships, commercialization opportunities, or other avenues for long-term impact.

CyberArts Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to the FAQ section below for general questions concerning this call for proposals. Specific questions and the requirements herein should be directed in writing to Michele McDonald, mmcdonald@vt.edu.

Timeline

Title Page Format Example

Download a template of the title page document.