The NSF Convergence Accelerator has issued a new funding opportunity for three new research track topics aligned to the 2022 cohort. Researchers and innovators have two submission pathways to submit their proposals: Solicitation, NSF-22-583 and Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), NSFBAA-CA22-02.
The funding opportunity track focuses include:
Track H: Enhancing Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
This track will converge a wide range of disciplines to include social sciences, behavioral sciences, engineering, computer science, ethics, and economics to develop use-inspired solutions to enhance the quality of life, employment access, and opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Track I: Sustainable Materials for Global Challenges
This track will converge advances in fundamental materials science with materials design and manufacturing methods with the goal to couple their end-use and full life-cycle considerations for environmentally and economically sustainable materials and products that address global challenges.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), an Australian Government agency, is partnering with the NSF Convergence Accelerator on Track I. Australian researchers have the opportunity to be on multidisciplinary teams that submit proposals aligned to Track I.
Track J: Food & Nutrition Security
This track will converge a wide range of disciplines to address intertwined challenges in supporting population health, combating climate change, and addressing the nutritional needs of the most vulnerable by empowering youth, women, and disadvantaged communities.
Participating in the NSF Convergence Accelerator
Selected teams begin in phase 1, participating in an accelerated 12 month planning effort, with grant funding up to $750,000. Phase 1 teams participate in the programs innovation curriculum designed to strengthen each teams convergence approach and to further develop the solution concepts. At the end of phase 1, teams participate in a formal NSF pitch and proposal evaluation. Selected teams advance to phase 2 to continue developing sustainable, impactful solutions. Teams are eligible to receive up to $5 million of funding during phase 2.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DETAILS
Who can Apply:
Researchers and innovators from academia, industry, government, nonprofit, and other organizations are encouraged to submit a letter of intent (required) and full proposal.
Funding Opportunity:
Submit your proposal using one of the submission pathways: Solicitation, NSF-22-583 and the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), NSFBAA-CA22-02
Solicitation Key Dates:
Letter of Intent (required): May 31, 2022
Full Proposal Deadline: July 20, 2022
*Full proposals are due 5 p.m. submitters local time.
INFORMATIONAL WEBINARS
Join an NSF Convergence Accelerator webinar to learn about the program and the current funding opportunity. During the webinars, participants will learn about the programs model and fundamentals, including the programs phased approach and innovation processes used to accelerate basic research into practice; and the solicitation opportunity and the research track focuses, required Convergence Accelerator fundamentals, and important submission information. The goal of these webinars is to bring awareness of this exciting opportunity to develop use-inspired solutions to have a positive impact on national and societal challenges.
May 4, 2022, from 1 3 p.m. ET
May 5, 2022, from 3 5 p.m. ET
Webinar Registration: http://nsfconvergenceaccelerator.eventbrite.com/
After registering a confirmation email containing the meeting information, including how to join will be provided.
Questions: Convergence-Accelerator@nsf.gov
ABOUT THE CONVERGENCE ACCELERATOR
Research is often driven by a compelling societal or scientific challenge; however, it may take the researcher community years to develop a solution. To deliver tangible solutions that have a nation-wide societal impact and at a more accelerated pace, the NSF Convergence Accelerator brings together multiple disciplines, expertise, and cross- cutting partnerships to develop solutions through a convergence research approach and innovation processes.
To learn about future opportunities with the Convergence Accelerator, visit: beta.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/convergence-accelerator