The Power of Partnership: IEEE Computer Society and Computing Research Association

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IEEE CS maintains an active role within CRA to ensure that the interests of our global membership are represented in high-level research policy and planning.

• CRA Board Representation: As part of our ongoing commitment to the research community, IEEE CS appoints two representatives to the CRA Board of Directors. Our current representatives, Bill Gropp and Deborah Silver, ensure our members’ perspectives are shared in discussions where research priorities are set.
• Staying Informed: Our leadership maintains a strong connection to the research community through monthly updates from CRA, ensuring we remain aligned on legislative shifts and emerging trends shaping the global computing landscape.

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How are we expanding institutional capacity for undergraduate AI education?

Driving change at the university level requires a united front. We are proud to be a partner in the NSF LEVEL UP AI initiative, a nationwide program led by CRA under the NSF EducateAI program to build an AI-ready workforce.

• • The Goal: Develop strategies to scale undergraduate AI curricula and institutional infrastructure nationwide while keeping education accessible to all students.
  • Focus Areas: Expanding program capacity, promoting broad access to computational tools in alignment with the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) initiative, and building community consensus.
  • Action: Participating in national workshops and collaborative networks to shape strategies that transform AI education across computing departments.

• IEEE CS Representation: Mrinal Karvir, a current IEEE CS Board of Governors (BoG) member, serves as our official representative on the LEVEL UP AI project.

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We actively invest in programs that provide visibility and professional development for the next generation of computing leaders.

CRA Summit

IEEE CS supports the 2026 CRA Summit, held 21 July 2026 through 23 July 2026 in Prior Lake, Minnesota. This event focuses on the challenges facing leaders of computing research organizations. Our partnership provides:

• CS leadership will join in program discussions
• Recognition in event communications to highlight our collective commitment to the community
• A shared space to offer resources and exchange ideas with fellow attendees
• Support for the official event gatherings to help foster community connection

Mentorship For Graduate Students

Supported by the Technical and Conferences (T&C) Board, IEEE CS helps students build their professional foundation through the CRA Grad Cohort. This initiative serves approximately 200 to 250 students annually, where our staff participate on site to provide direct mentorship and resources, helping graduate students successfully navigate their research careers.

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We collaborate closely with the Computing Community Consortium (CCC) to support visioning workshops that catalyze new research areas. By bringing together diverse experts, these workshops produce comprehensive reports that serve as essential resources for government policy makers and the broader research community to guide future investment and innovation.

Recent and Upcoming Workshops:

• Computing On the Fly: A December 2025 workshop focused on Drone Computing, organized by CCC members and IEEE CS representatives Nils Aschenbruck and Deborah Silver.
• Beyond Code: A February 2026 workshop exploring the future of AI and Software, organized by CCC members and IEEE CS representatives Nils Aschenbruck, Terry Benzel and Rick Kazman.
• Sustainable Computing and Trustworthy Data: New workshops are currently being planned as part of the 2026 IEEE CS Board of Governors Technology Trend Seeding   IEEE CS Board of Governors initiative.

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Our collaboration provides IEEE CS members with unique opportunities to influence the state of the art in computing.

• Shape the Future of AI: Members are invited to join the Pillars of the AI Research Ecosystem (AIRE) discussion forum. Hosted by the CRA Computing Community Consortium (CCC), this platform allows participants to directly shape the research pathways of tomorrow. By sharing views on challenges like funding, peer review, and the rapid pace of AI innovation, members help build a collective voice that informs government policy and national research priorities.
• Propose a Visioning Workshop: The CCC issues open calls for visioning proposals to any researcher in the community with a bold idea for the future of the field. By submitting a proposal, participants can help organize workshops that catalyze new research areas, bring together diverse experts, and produce reports that guide future federal investment.
• Access Exclusive Research Data: Participation in the CRA Center for Evaluating the Research Pipeline (CERP) Pulse Survey series provides a first look at real-time trends. These surveys provide essential data on faculty hiring and student enrollment, enabling informed decisions for professional or departmental growth.
• Join a Technical Community: Staying active in the research community often begins with joining a professional network. Anyone interested in advancing their expertise or connecting with peers is invited to join one of the IEEE CS Technical Communities. These groups facilitate collaboration on the latest trends and provide a foundation for pursuing future CRA and CCC leadership opportunities.
• Support for New Researchers: The CRA Trustworthy AI Research Fellowship provides special funding and mentorship. This program is designed for researchers who combine computer science with social perspectives to build ethical AI focused on human needs.

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Computing Research Association (CRA) represents nearly 300 North American academic departments of computer science, computer engineering, and related fields; laboratories and centers in industry, government, and academia; and affiliated professional societies.