NSF Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers

NSF Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers is a grant program from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that supports multi-year centers bringing together academic researchers, industry partners, and government agencies to conduct high-impact research on shared technology challenges.

Centers can receive up to two five-year phases of NSF funding, with a Phase III option for select centers, and may include Lead Sites and Partner Sites at multiple universities. The program aims to advance U.S. innovation, develop diverse high-tech workforces, and translate academic research into industry-relevant outcomes.

Eligible applicants are academic institutions and their industry partners, with supplemental funding available for graduate student internships (up to $55,000) and undergraduate research experiences (up to $8,000).

Apply For Funding | IUCRC Program Solicitation and Resources Find opportunities for Industry–University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) funding. Dennis Wise/University of Washington Funding for Existing Centers Funding for Existing Centers Important information and revision notes: Preliminary Proposals are required only for Planning Grants and Planning Grant waivers.

A Planning Grant has a duration of up to 12 months and the award size has been increased from $15,000 to IUCRCs funded under this solicitation are eligible to apply for two five-year Phases of funding. Active Phase II Centers funded under prior solicitations have the option of competing for a Phase III award.

The new Phase II funding model will consist of two designations based on membership participation and funding levels: Phase II and Phase II-Plus (denoted II+). Phase II+ provides a higher level of NSF support with a proportionately higher level of industry membership. Multi-site Centers will consist of a Lead Site and Partner Sites, requiring centralized coordination, management, and operations by the Lead Site.

For multi-site Centers, a financial plan and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between all Sites is required for how Center operations are funded at the Lead Site.

There are two levels of Center membership allowed under this solicitation – Full Members and Associate Companies of all sizes/types (large and small businesses, startups, for-profit and non-profit entities) are encouraged to participate as Members, as are government agencies (federal, state and local).

For NSF Directorates with topic-specific portfolios i.e., Geosciences (GEO); Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE), IUCRCs will be considered only on topics of interest distributed via Dear Colleague Letters. Please check the NSF website or call the cognizant Program Director in GEO or SBE.

The Industry–University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) program accelerates the impact of basic research through close relationships between industry innovators, world-class academic teams, and government leaders.

IUCRCs are designed to help corporate partners and government agencies connect directly and efficiently with university researchers to achieve three primary objectives: Conduct high-impact research to meet shared industrial needs in companies of all sizes; Enhance U.S. global leadership in driving innovative technology development, and; Identify, mentor and develop a diverse high-tech, exceptionally skilled workforce.

This recorded webinar provides an overview of the IUCRC program. View the slide deck of this presentation (PDF) . The IUCRC Office Hour below features Q&A from the community.

Frequently Asked Questions Read this official NSF document to learn more about the program and process for applying. Proposals to the IUCRC solicitation should be submitted in accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date.

The NSF PAPPG is regularly revised, and it is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets the requirements specified in the solicitation and the applicable version of the PAPPG. Access the current and previous versions of the PAPPG . Site proposals to plan or create or join an Eligibility requirements, program guidelines, and proposal submission instructions can be found in the IUCRC Program Solicitation.

Dear Colleague Letters (DCLs) Funding for Existing Centers should be discussed and approved for submission with the cognizant Program Director of the award. However, not all NSF Directorates support all supplement types.

Available supplements include: Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Support graduate students in research in non-academic settings, including company and government laboratories, to enhance student career potential and provide work experience outside of academia; up to $55,000.

Research Internships for Graduate Students at Air Force Research Laboratory (NSF-AFRL INTERN) Support the training of graduate students to meet both the NSF's strategic workforce development objectives as well as the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) mission to lead the discovery, development and delivery of new technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces; up to $55,000.

Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students in Geothermal Energy Supplemental Funding Opportunity (Geothermal INTERN) Provide graduate students with professional development opportunities in geothermal energy, technology and its application areas; up to $55,000.

Opportunity for Graduate Students Supplemental Funding to Link Geosciences and Human Health (GeoHealth INTERN) Support internships for geoscience graduate students with public health or medical professionals on mutually beneficial projects exploring the linkage of human health and the earth environment; up to $55,000.

Research Internships for Graduate Students at U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory and Ground Vehicle Systems Center (NSF-DEVCOM INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity Support graduate student research and training at the DEVCOM ARL or DEVCOM GVSC; up to $55,000.

Graduate Research Internships at National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NSF-NIBIB/BETA INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity Support graduate student research and training in biomedical engineering at NIBIB/BETA; up to $55,000.

Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students in Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies (Hydrogen INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity Support graduate student research and training on hydrogen and fuel cell technologies; up to $55,000. Research Experience for Undergraduates Support undergraduate student involvement in research; up to $8,000.

Research Experiences for Teachers Support research participation by K-12 teachers and community college instructors; up to $10,000. Veterans Research Supplement (VRS) Support research participation by undergraduate or graduate students, K-12 STEM teachers, or community college instructors and students who have served in active duty with the U.S. armed forces.

Skills Training in Advanced Research & Technology (START) Support students, faculty, and student/faculty teams in two-year Institutions of Higher Education with research internships that involve IUCRCs. For help using these resources, please contact the cognizant Program Officer of the grant. Instructions for how to complete annual reports.

Requirements for IUCRC structure, governance, and Industry Advisory Board (IAB) meetings. The Center Membership Agreement provides the framework for IUCRC operation as a vibrant research cooperative. Successful Planning Grant Meeting Instruction on the planning grant process, IUCRC boot camp, and the Typical Planning Grant Workshop Agenda for a Multi-University Typical Industry Advisory Board (IAB) Meeting Agenda.

Format for First IAB Meeting Project Presentations Typical Presentation format for IAB Meeting. Used to summarize proposed projects.

Ideally, these are shared with the IAB members in advance of an The Office of Sponsored research (SRO) in charge of the IUCRC Grants must track executed IUCRC membership agreements and provide the PIs with the membership certification for the award reporting period; and this document must be included as part of SRO Memberships Certification Form (Center Awards prior to 2021) The Office of Sponsored Research (SRO) must use this form to prepare the membership certification document for inclusion in the Annual (or Final) Report submitted to NSF on the active IUCRC grant.

This form applies to awards made under solicitations prior to NSF 20-570. This form must be submitted by each site in the IUCRC on their respective award. SRO Memberships Certification Form (Center Awards 2021 and after) The Office of Sponsored Research (SRO) must use this form to prepare the membership certification document for inclusion in the Annual (or Final) Report submitted to NSF on the IUCRC grant.

This form applies to awards made under solicitation NSF 20-570. This form must be submitted only by the Lead Site in the IUCRC on behalf of the Center. Cost-Sharing/Program Income (ARCHIVED) The Office of Sponsored research (SRO) in charge of the IUCRC Grants must track cost-sharing requirements by filing the cost-sharing notification according to the actual membership received.

Annual and Final Cost Share Notification by The Center Membership Agreement provides the framework for IUCRC operation as a vibrant research cooperative. Membership Agreement (Document) The Center Membership Agreement provides the framework for IUCRC operation as a vibrant research cooperative.

Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) NSF IUCRC Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial NSF Cost Recovery Estimates Instructions for calculating cost recovery Instructions for preparing and submitting IAA The Center Membership Agreement provides the framework for IUCRC operation as a vibrant research cooperative.

Membership Agreement (Document) The Center Membership Agreement provides the framework for IUCRC operation as a vibrant research cooperative. You are leaving the IUCRC - National Science Foundation website to go to a non-government website: This external link provides additional information that is consistent with the intended purpose of this site. NSF cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal site.

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