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June 2026 deadline unconfirmed; generic program page does not list active solicitation
The NSF Convergence Accelerator is a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that funds multidisciplinary teams working to solve national-scale societal challenges through convergence research and innovation. Launched in 2019 under NSF's Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, the program operates in two phases: Phase 1 awards are up to $750,000, with successful teams advancing to larger Phase 2 awards.
Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education and nonprofit or for-profit organizations. Track I and Track K focus on specific high-priority topics announced each funding cycle. The next deadline is June 15, 2026.
Proposals must comply with updated NSF research security policies effective July 2025.
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Convergence Accelerator | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation View image credit & caption Updates to NSF Research Security Policies On July 10, 2025, NSF issued an Important Notice providing updates to the agency's research security policies, including a research security training requirement, Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program annual certification requirement, prohibition on Confucius institutes and an updated FFDR reporting and submission timeline.
Share on X (formerly known as Twitter) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) NSF Convergence Accelerator announces expansion into Southwest Region NSF Convergence Accelerator announces solicitation to establish a Southeast Regional Anchor National-scale challenges cannot be solved by a single discipline.
Instead, these challenges require convergence: the merging of innovative ideas, approaches, and technologies from a wide range of sectors and expertise. Launched in 2019, the NSF Convergence Accelerator builds upon basic research and discovery to accelerate solutions toward real-world impact. The program funds teams to solve complex challenges through convergence research and innovation.
To enhance its impact, the Accelerator also places teams together in cohorts, synergizing their work through facilitated collaboration. While the overarching goal of the program is to strengthen the nation and American communities , results for each solution and the way a solution transitions to impact will vary. Examples include: Integration of a solution into existing systems.
Production of open-source tools and knowledge products. Expansion of a solution into new markets. Follow-on funding and investment.
A unique innovation program The Convergence Accelerator's unique program structure offers researchers and innovators the opportunity to accelerate their research toward tangible solutions that make a difference. Through an intense and hands-on journey, researchers gain skills and experiences that are applied during the program and throughout one's career.
The program is focused on a convergent research approach that: Is use-inspired and application-oriented. Is fed by basic research and discovery. Integrates teams from industry, academia, nonprofits, government and other communities of practice.
Offers intensive hands-on education and mentorship to participants. Multidisciplinary approach Funded teams are composed of diverse disciplines, expertise, and organizations. Teams merge ideas and share approaches and techniques to speed use-inspired solutions toward real-world application.
Teams have no size limits and are expected to evolve as a project advances. Funded projects are intentionally focused on sustainability and national-scale impact. At the end of the fixed three-year term, teams are expected to provide high-impact deliverables that address complex challenges and enhance the nation’s competitiveness and security.
Cross-cutting partnerships Catalyzed partnerships strengthen each funded effort by providing end-user insights, resources, services, infrastructure and transition-to-practice pathways. The innovation curriculum provides teams the tools to move from idea to proof of concept, to prototype and then solution. Researchers gain knowledge in human-centered design, team science, communication, and storytelling and pitching.
A "coopetition" environment stimulates innovative ideas. Funded teams compete and share expertise and resources to assist solutions in advancing to the next phase. Phase 2 teams collaborate on integration with other teams within their convergent research track — ensuring the track's focus is more impactful than each individually funded effort.
Engaging the Convergence Accelerator There are several opportunities for researchers, innovators, and business and technical practitioners from academia, industry, nonprofits, government and other organizations to engage with the Convergence Accelerator. Industry, nonprofit, government, and international collaborations are welcomed, but the collaborations must follow the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) .
Credit: National Science Foundation Submit an idea during the ideation process: Each year the program releases a Dear Colleague Letter, Request for Information, DCL/RFI, to gather ideas from the community at large. Promising ideas are selected by the Convergence Accelerator and further explored in funded workshops, described below.
Further an idea through a workshop: NSF funds workshops on promising ideas submitted during the ideation process. Workshops are held to further develop an idea, incorporating convergence research and various disciplines and expertise. NSF promotes the workshops to allow researchers and innovators to engage in workshop dialogues.
If an idea that you submitted during the ideation process is chosen by NSF, the program may ask you to lead the development of a workshop on that topic. Form a team and apply to a convergence research solicitation : Each year the program releases a solicitation funding opportunity featuring several convergent research topics selected from the program’s ideation process. Researchers and innovators are encouraged to apply.
The submitted project team must represent a mix of disciplines, expertise and organizations from academia, industry, nonprofits, government, and other communities of practice and sectors. Contribute to a currently funded solution: Cross-cutting partnerships are vital to the Convergence Accelerator and the funded teams.
Partners provide expertise, represent end users, provide resources, services and infrastructure, or support a transition or educational pathway. View currently funded teams at the Convergence Accelerator’s portfolio page or reach out to a program director to learn more. Be a reviewer: Provide your expertise to assist NSF in funding the best research ideas and solutions.
If you are interested in serving as a reviewer for future proposals or site visits, please fill out the Convergence Accelerator reviewer form . NSF Convergence Accelerator Pilot Phase II NSF Convergence Accelerator 2022 Joint NSF/DOD Phases 1 and 2 for Track G: Securely Operating Through 5G Infrastructure
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Institutions of Higher Education and non-profit/for-profit organizations. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows up to $750,000 (Phase 1). Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The most recent published deadline was June 15, 2026, which has passed. This is an annual program, so a new cycle should follow. Check the funder's website for the next application window.
Convergence Accelerator (Track I & Track K) is funded by National Science Foundation (NSF). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Yes — this listing is flagged as national in scope, so applicants across the U.S. may apply, subject to the sponsor's other eligibility criteria.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
The FY2026 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program supports basic research in science and engineering at U.S. institutions of higher education, with emphasis on multidisciplinary research where more than one traditional discipline interacts. The Army, Navy, and Air Force basic research offices are seeking applications across 22 topic areas including artificial intelligence and autonomy, information sensing and processing, and systems manipulation. MURI grants typically provide $1.25 million to $1.5 million per year for three years with option to extend two additional years. Approximately $170 million in total funding is available annually across all topics. The program is administered through the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Army Research Office (ARO), and Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR).
The USDA Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) 2026 provides $175 million in annual funding for research addressing the needs of the specialty crop industry, with a groundbreaking new $20 million set-aside for mechanization and automation research. For the first time, the SCRI Notice of Funding Opportunity explicitly funds AI-driven automation technologies to help specialty crop growers reduce labor costs, which have been among the most persistent financial pressures in fruit, vegetable, tree nut, and horticulture production. Priority areas include data-driven predictive tools using artificial intelligence, robotics, sensor technologies, precision agriculture, improved mechanization technologies that delay or inhibit ripening, decision support systems, management of quarantine pests, and cybersecurity for agricultural systems. The funding increase was enabled by the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, more than doubling the previous SCRI budget from $80 million to $175 million per year. Applications are due by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on June 15, 2026. This represents the largest federal investment specifically targeting AI and automation in specialty crop agriculture.
The SBA Manufacturing in America Empower to Grow (E2G) Grant Initiative is a new $50 million program announced in May 2026 to support small manufacturers across the United States. The program funds organizations that provide training, technical assistance, and workforce development to small manufacturing businesses in critical industries including advanced manufacturing, robotics, aerospace, shipbuilding, rail equipment, mining, industrial machinery, construction equipment, metal fabrication, electrical equipment, food processing, and medical/precision manufacturing. As many as 10 awards will be made to organizations with demonstrated experience providing hands-on manufacturing training and technical assistance to small manufacturers. The program addresses the need for small manufacturers — who represent 98% of all U.S. manufacturers — to adopt modern technologies including AI, automation, and advanced manufacturing processes to remain globally competitive. Three informational webinars are scheduled for May 11, May 27, and June 3, 2026. Applications must be submitted via grants.gov by June 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT. Contact: e2g@sba.gov.
NSF's rebuilt SBIR/STTR program (NSF 26-510) pairs a $305,000 Phase I with a brand-new Strategic Breakthrough award worth up to $30 million for the strongest Phase II companies. The next Project Pitch deadline is July 27, 2026. Here is how the non-dilutive funding ladder now works, why the Project Pitch gate decides everything, and how a founder should sequence the next twelve months.
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