(Announcement)- The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI-April 30, 2020) and call for future topics conference proposals (May 18, 2020) is to seek input from global industry, institutions of higher education (IHEs), non-profits, government entities, and other interested parties on potential NSF Convergence Accelerator tracks for FY 2021.

 

Potential NSF Convergence Accelerator tracks for FY 2021 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, but nonetheless have the potential for significant national impact. Ideas suggested in response to this RFI should be similar in breadth to NSF 19-050 tracks, which are broad enough to each support a set of related research teams working together as a cohort.

 

Note that this RFI does not invite research proposals, though the process itself may result in the identification of potential topics for future research funding opportunities. Respondents to this RFI may submit their ideas and they are highly encouraged to also submit conference proposals to develop and refine those ideas so as to incorporate convergence research, breadth, and collaboration among key stakeholders from industry, IHE’s, non-profits, government entities, and other interested parties.

 

HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS RFI

To submit a concept for future NSF Convergence Accelerator tracks, please visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021RFI and complete the online questionnaire no later than April 30, 2020. Use the email contact field provided to enable a courtesy copy of your response to be sent to your Authorized Organizational Representative or institutional leadership to ensure organizational awareness of your submission.

 

HOW TO SUBMIT CONFERENCE PROPOSALS

Proposals for NSF Convergence Accelerator conferences (which may take the form of symposia or workshops) may be submitted as unsolicited proposals as described in Chapter II.E.7 of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Conference proposal titles should begin with "NSF Convergence Accelerator:" to help ensure identification and internal routing of proposals. Conference proposals may be submitted at any time, but only those that are received by May 18, 2020, and having a budget under $100,000 will be considered for support with FY 2020 funds.

 

https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20061/nsf20061.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click