FOA-NSF
Convergence Accelerator Phases I and II for the 2021 Cohort; May 5, 2021
(LOI)
Agency
National
Science Foundation
Description
The
NSF Convergence Accelerator program addresses national-scale societal
challenges through use-inspired convergence research. Using a convergence
approach and innovation processes like human-centered design, user discovery,
and team science and integration of multidisciplinary research, the Convergence
Accelerator program seeks to transition basic research and discovery into
practice—to solve high-impact societal challenges aligned with specific
research themes (tracks).
NSF
Convergence Accelerator tracks are chosen in concordance with the themes
identified during the program’s ideation process that have the potential for
significant national impact. The NSF Convergence Accelerator implements a
two-phase program. Both phases are described in this solicitation and are
covered by this single solicitation and corresponding Broad Agency
Announcement. The link to the Broad Agency Announcement can be found here. The
purpose of this parallel activity is to provide increased opportunities for
proposals that are led by non academic entities.
Proposals that are led by Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), non-profits,
independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies and
similar organizations should respond to this solicitation. Proposals led by for
profit or similar organizations should respond to the BAA. Phase I awardees
receive significant resources to further develop their convergence research
ideas and to identify important partnerships and resources to accelerate their
projects, leading to deliverable research prototypes in Phase
II.
This
solicitation for FY 2021 invites proposals for the following Track
Topics:
Networked
Blue Economy (Track E)
The
overarching goal of Track E is to interconnect the Blue Economy and accelerate
convergence across ocean sectors. This track aims to create a smart,
integrated, connected, and open ecosystem for ocean innovation, exploration,
and sustainable utilization. It will provide a highly innovative set of
interconnected tools, techniques, methods, and educational resources, as well as
improve human engagement with ocean resources. The cohort of projects supported
through this track will ultimately lead to a range of innovative partnerships
involving stakeholders in ocean-related science and engineering, coastal
communities and a diverse set of entities and organizations engaged in the
Networked Blue Economy. Collectively, this cohort will produce products,
processes, and resources that will allow the US to develop avenues for a more
sustainable engagement with the ocean both as an environment and as a resource.
The cohort of synergistic projects funded through this track will help our
nation and our citizens effectively combat challenges in the ocean while
simultaneously unleashing the power of the Networked Blue
Economy.
Trust
& Authenticity in Communications Systems (Track F)
The
overarching goal of Track F is to develop prototype(s) of novel research
platforms forming integrated collection(s) of tools, techniques, and
educational materials and programs to support increased citizen trust in public
information of all sorts (health, climate, news, etc.), through more
effectively preventing, mitigating, and adapting to critical threats in our
communications systems. The cohort of projects supported through this track
will catalyze innovative partnerships involving the full range of information
consumers and a diverse set of organizations focused on engendering trust and
authenticity in communications systems. Collectively, the cohort of projects
will produce products, processes, and resources to enable a more trustworthy
communications ecosystem by focusing on the range of content platforms, new and
enhanced services to improve the fidelity of communications between platforms
and information consumers, and education and training materials to create
better informed consumers.
Announcement
Number:
NSF
21-572
Closing
Date:
Required
Letter of Intent Due: May 05, 2021
Phase
I Full Proposals: June 14, 2021
Phase
II Full Proposas: May 25,
2022
Link
to Full Announcement
https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21572/nsf21572.htm?org=NSF
Contact
Information
Chaitanya
K. Baru
(703)
292-2473