Extramural Funding

NSF Convergence Accelerator Phase I and II 
Preliminary Proposal Due Date: May 11, 2020, 5:00pm local time
Full Proposal Deadline(s): Phase I: July 10, 2020, 5:00pm | Phase II: May 17, 2021, 5:00pm
Anticipated Funding Amount: $30,000,000

The goals of NSF’s convergence accelerator effort are to support and accelerate use-inspired convergence research in areas of national importance within particular topics (tracks). NSF Convergence Accelerator tracks can be related to Industries of the Future (IotF), NSF’s Big Ideas,  or other topics, that may not relate directly to an IotF or Big Idea, however, they must have the potential for significant national impact. 

The 2020 NSF Convergence Accelerator is a two-phase program. Both phases are described in this solicitation. Phase I awardees receive significant resources to further develop their convergence research ideas and identify crucial partnerships and resources to accelerate their projects, leading to deliverable research prototypes in Phase II. 

This solicitation invites proposals for the following Tracks: Quantum Technology (Track C) 


AI-Driven Innovation via Data and Model Sharing (Track D) 

The NSF Convergence Accelerator leverages fundamental research leading to rapid advances that can deliver significant societal impact. Proposers must first submit a Phase i preliminary proposal in order to be invited to submit a full Phase I proposal. The information required in the preliminary proposal is described in section V. 

Phase I proposals must describe a team, or a process to build a team, that includes personnel with the appropriate mix of disciplinary and institutional expertise needed to build a Phase II convergence research effort. Phase I proposals must describe one or more deliverables and how those research outputs could impact society by the end of Phase II. Phase I proposals should describe the deliverable and the research plan and team formation efforts that will refine it to a proof-of-concept. Phase I will include NSF-organized convenings for training and intra- and cross-cohort collaboration. Phase I awards are expected to be for up to 9 months and up to $1M each. 

Only awardees of Phase I grants under this solicitation may submit a Phase II proposal. Phase II proposers must outline a two-year research and development plan in which research transitions to practice through collaboration with end-users. 

Phase II proposals must describe clear deliverables that will be produced in two years of effort and the metrics by which impacts will be assessed. The Phase II teams must include appropriate stakeholders (e.g., industry, Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), non- profits, government entities, and others), each with a specific role(s) in facilitating the transition of research outputs into practical uses. Successful proposals will be funded initially for one year. Each team’s progress will be assessed during the year through approximately six virtual and in-person meetings with NSF program staff. The overall progress will be evaluated at the end of one year, based on a report and presentation that the team will make to a panel of reviewers. Teams that show significant progress during the first year, in accordance with the agreed timetable of milestones and deliverables, will receive funding for a second year. Teams should plan on completing the effort within two years; no-cost extensions will be authorized only in extraordinary circumstances. 

Please contact the NSF Program Officers below with any questions:  

Linda Molnar, telephone: (703) 292-8316 
Lara A. Campbell, telephone: (703) 292-7049 

Click here to apply!

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Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program Applications to Address 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Public Heath Need
Notice Number: NOT-TR-20-011
First Available Due Date: May 04, 2020 
Expiration Date: July 10, 20210 

Purpose
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) is issuing this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) to highlight the urgent need for research on the 2019 novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). NCATS is particularly interested in projects focusing on the use of informatics solutions to diagnose cases and the use of CTSA-supported core resources (e.g., advanced scientific instruments, highly-specialized facilities, and regulatory expertise) to facilitate research on COVID-19 and advance the translation of research findings into diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. NCATS is soliciting applications for Administrative Supplements to UL1, U01, and R21 awards (through PA-18-591), Collaborative Innovation Awards to U01 and R21 awards (through PAR-19-099 and PAR-19-100, respectively), and Competitive Revisions for UL1 awards for each of the non-administrative supplement awards (through PAR-19-337).

Inquiries
Please direct all inquiries to the Scientific/Research, Peer Review, and Financial/Grants Management contacts in Section VII of the listed funding opportunity announcements. 

 

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