Travel: NSF Student Travel Grant for 2026 IEEE International Conference on Network Protocols (IEEE ICNP)

The 2026 IEEE International Conference on Network Protocols (IEEE ICNP) will be held in Tempe, Arizona on October 5–8, 2026. It will bring together leading researchers and practitioners from academia and industry to present and discuss the latest advances in network protocols. Network protocols are fundamental to modern computing and communication systems. They enable reliable data exchange across diverse networks (e.g., Internet, cloud, and quantum) and directly affect the performance and resilience of critical infrastructure.

ICNP 2026 will cover a wide range of crucial research topics, including applying AI/ML to improve networks, network protocols for improving AI/ML, wireless networks, including cellular, satellite, and sensor networks, quantum networking, and security, privacy, and applied cryptography for supporting network functions.

As a premier venue in the field, ICNP provides a unique opportunity for graduate students to engage with cutting-edge research, interact with senior researchers, and become part of an active international research community. Participation in ICNP is a critical component of graduate training. It enables students to present their work, receive valuable feedback, and build professional networks.

This project provides travel support for approximately 15 U.S.-based graduate students to attend ICNP 2026 and its associated workshops. Funded students will actively participate in the conference by attending technical sessions, keynotes, and workshops, as well as engaging in poster/demo sessions and networking events. Students will have the opportunity to showcase their research, receive feedback from leading experts, and gain exposure to cutting-edge developments in network protocols. These activities will not only enhance students’ technical knowledge and professional skills but also accelerate the translation of research into real-world networking systems. By supporting student participation, this project helps cultivate a skilled workforce capable of advancing networking technologies that underpin critical societal services, such as healthcare, energy systems, transportation, emergency response, education, and national security.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

Award Number: 2622158
Principal Investigator: Jiayi Meng
Funds Obligated: $15,000
State: TX