Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation's Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems awarded a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Project Grant of $570,000 to the University of Wisconsin-Madison on April 1, 2026, with a completion date of March 31, 2031. This award supports the development of data-driven systems and control theory methodologies that enable engineers to design reliable control strategies directly from measured data without requiring precise mathematical models. The primary products delivered through this funding include new mathematical tools and theoretical frameworks for understanding complex system behavior through time-series measurements, adaptive control algorithms that learn and respond in real time while maintaining performance and safety guarantees, and behavioral systems analysis methods applicable to autonomous vehicles, intelligent robots, advanced energy systems, and smart infrastructure. The research aims to overcome current limitations in data-driven control by establishing a robust scientific foundation compatible with real-world deployment requirements.

The broader impacts of this award extend beyond technical innovation to include integration of research findings into educational and outreach activities designed to prepare students and the community for data-driven technological advancement. The project addresses fundamental open challenges in ensuring system robustness under uncertainty and enabling real-time adaptation—critical requirements for next-generation autonomous technologies. By advancing both the intellectual merit and practical applicability of data-driven control methods, this CAREER award supports the Engineering program's (CFDA 47.041) mission to foster innovation and excellence in engineering research while developing a skilled engineering workforce.