NSF National Innovation Corps Teams (NSF National I-Corps (TM) Teams) program

NSF National Innovation Corps Teams (NSF National I-Corps (TM) Teams) program is sponsored by U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). This program provides NSF-funded faculty, students, and other researchers with entrepreneurial education, mentoring, and funding to accelerate the translation of knowledge from foundational research into emerging products, processes, and services.

NSF 25-549: NSF National Innovation Corps Teams (NSF National I-Corps (TM) Teams) program | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation Active funding opportunity This document is the current version.

Important information for proposers and award recipients All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in the funding opportunity and in the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and its supplements . All NSF grants and cooperative agreements are subject to the applicable set of NSF award terms and conditions . NSF has updated its research security policies for NSF funded projects.

NSF 25-549: NSF National Innovation Corps Teams (NSF National I-Corps (TM) Teams) program Posted: September 26, 2025 To save a PDF of this solicitation, select Print to PDF in your browser's print options. U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p. m.

submitting organization’s local time): Proposals Accepted Anytime Important Information And Revision Notes Proposers must have either 1) received a prior award from NSF in a scientific or engineering field relevant to the proposed innovation that is currently active or that has been active within five years from the date of the NSF National I-Corps Teams proposal submission or 2) have participated in a NSF Regional I-Corps Training program hosted by an NSF I-Corps Hub and have a letter of recommendation signed by a senior member of the NSF Regional I-Corps program staff.

Awardees must pay a registration fee (as a direct cost) to a third party that manages the NSF National I-Corps Teams training and logistics. The amount of the current registration fee will be posted on the NSF I-Corps program website . NSF will provide awardees with instructions for payment of the registration fee at the time of the award.

Proposal budgets may include stipends and/or compensation of up to $10,000 for the Technical Lead (TL), up to $15,000 for the Entrepreneurial Lead (EL) and up to $3,000 for the Industrial Mentor (IM). International travel, technical research and development (R&D) work and/or prototype development are no longer allowed.

Please refer to this solicitation and the related NSF National I-Corps Teams Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for additional guidance about the preparation and requirements of NSF National I-Corps Teams proposal budgets. The period of performance is extended to 12 months to enable customer discovery. Due to the unique nature of the NSF National I-Corps Teams, proposals are not subject to external merit review.

Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations: Recovery of indirect costs (F&A) shall be limited to $5,000. As such, this program does require mandatory cost sharing, and, therefore, is an exception to NSF's cost sharing policy. NSF will offer webinars to answer questions about the NSF National I-Corps Teams program.

Details will be posted on the NSF I-Corps Teams program website as they become available. Any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation should be submitted in accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG).

Summary Of Program Requirements NSF National Innovation Corps Teams (NSF National I-Corps (TM) Teams) program The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) continues to develop and nurture a national innovation ecosystem that guides the output of scientific discoveries closer to the development of technologies, products, processes, and services that benefit all Americans.

The goals of the NSF I-Corps™ program are to spur translation of foundational research to the marketplace, to encourage collaboration between academia and industry, and to train NSF-funded faculty, students and other researchers in innovation and entrepreneurship skills.

The NSF National I-Corps program utilizes experiential learning of customer and industry discovery, coupled with first-hand investigation of industrial processes, to quickly assess the translational potential of inventions. The NSF National I-Corps program is designed to support the commercialization of "deep technologies,” those revolving around foundational discoveries in science and engineering.

The NSF National I-Corps program addresses the skill and knowledge gaps associated with the transformation of basic research into deep technology ventures (DTVs).

The purpose of the NSF National I-Corps Teams program is to provide NSF-funded researchers additional support in the form of entrepreneurial education, mentoring, and funding to accelerate the translation of knowledge derived from foundational research into emerging products, processes, and services that may attract subsequent third-party funding.

The outcomes of NSF National I-Corps Teams' projects are threefold: 1) a decision on a clear path forward based on an assessment of the business model, 2) substantial first-hand evidence for or against product-market fit, with the identification of customer segments and corresponding value propositions, and 3) a narrative of a technology demonstration for potential partners.

Cognizant Program Officer(s): Please note that the following information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact.

Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s): --- Mathematical and Physical Sciences --- Computer and Information Science and Engineering --- Social Behavioral and Economic Sciences --- Office of International Science and Engineering --- Office of Integrative Activities (OIA) --- NSF Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant Estimated Number of Awards: 240 Estimated program budget and number of awards are subject to the availability of funds.

Anticipated Funding Amount: $12,000,000 The anticipated funding amount is approximately $12,000,000 subject to availability of funds. Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions A. Proposal Preparation Instructions Letters of Intent: Not required Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not required Full Proposals submitted via Research.

gov: NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) guidelines apply. The complete text of the PAPPG is available electronically on the NSF website at: https://www. nsf.

gov/publications/pub_summ. jsp? ods_key=pappg .

Full Proposals submitted via Grants. gov: NSF Grants. gov Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Applications via Grants.

gov guidelines apply (Note: The NSF Grants. gov Application Guide is available on the Grants. gov website and on the NSF website at: https://www.

nsf. gov/publications/pub_summ. jsp?

ods_key=grantsgovguide ). Cost Sharing Requirements: Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited. Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations: Recovery of indirect costs (F&A) shall be limited to $5,000.

As such, this program does require mandatory cost sharing, and, therefore, is an exception to NSF's cost sharing policy. Other Budgetary Limitations: Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p. m. submitting organization’s local time): Proposals Accepted Anytime Proposal Review Information Criteria National Science Board approved criteria.

Additional merit review criteria apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. Award Administration Information Additional award conditions apply.

Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. Additional reporting requirements apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

America's prosperity has originated, in part, from the ability to capitalize economically on ground-breaking discoveries from science and engineering research. Simultaneously, a knowledgeable, creative workforce has maintained the country's global leadership in critical areas of technology. Taken together, these outcomes result from substantial, sustained investment in science and engineering.

A strong capacity for leveraging foundational scientific discoveries into powerful engines of innovation is essential to maintain the competitive edge for the United States into the future. The NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) seeks to benefit all Americans by accelerating key technologies to advance U.S. competitiveness.

The directorate partners across sectors to advance three primary focus areas – accelerating technology translation and development, fostering regional innovation and economic growth, and preparing the American workforce for better-quality, higher-wage jobs. Through the NSF National I-Corps Teams program, TIP seeks to accelerate the development of new technologies, products, processes and services that arise from foundational research.

NSF National I-Corps Teams investments strategically strengthen the innovation ecosystem by addressing the challenges inherent in the early stages of the innovation process. This solicitation supports collaborations between academia and industry that are designed to overcome many of the obstacles in the path of innovation.

The NSF National I-Corps Teams program provides NSF-funded faculty, students, and other researchers with entrepreneurial education, mentoring, and funding to accelerate the translation of knowledge derived from foundational research into emerging products, processes, and services that may attract subsequent third-party funding. The selected teams participate in the NSF National I-Corps Teams program curriculum.

This curriculum, now delivered exclusively in an online format, typically includes a Kick-off meeting with entrepreneurial immersion training, weekly training meetings, and a Lessons Learned Closing Presentation. An NSF National I-Corps team includes an Entrepreneurial Lead, Technical Lead, and the Industrial Mentor.

During the training program, the team will be expected to spend significant time conducting active customer discovery, including interviewing potential customers and potential partners. More details on the NSF National I-Corps Teams program may be found in the NSF I-Corps Teams FAQs .

The outcomes of NSF National I-Corps Teams projects will be threefold: 1) a decision on a clear path forward based on an assessment of the business model, 2) substantial first-hand evidence for or against product-market fit, with the identification of customer segments and corresponding value propositions, and 3) a narrative of a compelling technology demonstration for potential partners and investors.

To be eligible to pursue funding in the NSF National I-Corps Teams program, proposers must have received a prior award from NSF in a scientific or engineering field relevant to the proposed innovation that is currently active or that has been active within five years from the date of the NSF National I-Corps Teams proposal submission.

The lineage of the prior award extends to the PI, co-PIs, Senior Personnel, Postdoctoral Researchers, Professional Staff or others who were supported under the award. The prior award may range from a single-investigator award to a large, distributed center.

Proposing NSF National I-Corps teams without a prior award from NSF are also eligible to apply based on participation in a Regional NSF I-Corps Training Program hosted by an NSF I-Corps Hub. A senior member of the Regional I-Corps Program staff must provide a letter of recommendation for the team to be considered for the NSF National I-Corps Teams Program.

This letter is to be submitted with the Executive Summary application and should be included in the Other Supplementary Documents in the proposal. The technology underlying the effort must: 1) have an explicit connection to an IHE (beyond personnel); 2) be consistent with NSF requirements for intellectual merit; and 3) represent a deep technical innovation based on discovery in fundamental science and/or engineering.

Before an I-Corps Teams proposal may be submitted, PIs must complete a series of steps that may lead to an invitation to submit a proposal. The steps are as follows: Identify at least three NSF National I-Corps Team members.

The NSF National I-Corps team will consist of three roles: The Entrepreneurial Lead (EL) may be a postdoctoral scholar, graduate, or other student, staff member, researcher, or other personnel with relevant knowledge of the technology and a deep commitment to investigating the commercial potential and landscape surrounding the innovation.

The Entrepreneurial Lead will typically guide translation of the technology, should the NSF National I-Corps Teams project demonstrate the potential for commercial viability. The Technical Lead (TL) may be a faculty member, senior research scientist, or postdoctoral scholar with deep and direct technical expertise in the relevant core technology about which the National NSF I-Corps team is exploring commercial potential.

Typically, the TL will also serve as the Principal Investigator (PI) of the award. The Industry Mentor (IM) may be an experienced entrepreneur or business leader with expertise in transitioning technology out of academic labs. The IM should be a third-party resource and may be recommended by the proposing institution.

The IM will be responsible for advising the team on its progress throughout the NSF National I-Corps Program and will usually have contacts in the industry area(s) being explored. For more details on the role of the IM, please see the NSF I-Corps Teams FAQs . Teams may have an additional member in the role of co-EL, co-TL, or co-IM.

Teams with more than four members will typically not be supported. 2. Executive Summary Preparation: Prepare a two-page (maximum) Executive Summary that describes the following: Team Members.

Composition and roles (EL, TL, and IM, plus any additional co-EL, co-TL or co-IM) of the team members proposing to participate in the NSF National I-Corps Teams program and a brief description of each member's professional expertise. Principal Investigator. Principal Investigator (PI) and a brief description of their connection to the team.

In most cases the PI will also be the TL. Lineage. Relevant current/prior NSF awards establishing team eligibility, including that of a Regional I-Corps Training Program if appropriate.

Technology. Brief description of the core technology. Application/Market.

Brief description of the potential commercial application. Current Plan. Brief description of the current commercialization plan.

If the proposed NSF National I-Corps Team is applying based on participation in an NSF Regional I-Corps training program hosted by a current NSF I-Corps Hub, a senior member of the Hub must provide a letter of recommendation for the Team to be considered in the NSF National I-Corps Teams program. This letter is to be submitted with the Executive Summary application and included in the Other Supplementary Documents.

The technology underlying the effort must: 1) have an explicit connection to an IHE (beyond personnel); 2) be consistent with NSF requirements for intellectual merit; and 3) represent a deep technical innovation based on discovery in foundational science and/or engineering. Submit the initial application, called an Executive Summary, via the Executive Summary Form for review. This will require creating a login account.

4. Executive Summary Review Process: NSF National I-Corps Teams Executive Summaries will be reviewed by NSF program staff. Teams may be contacted for additional information or invited to participate in an interview to verify the information in the Executive Summary application.

Teams selected to participate in the NSF National I-Corps Teams program will be contacted to select a cohort and invited to submit a proposal. The NSF National I-Corps Teams program will not accept proposals that have not been authorized for submission by a cognizant NSF Program Officer. Uninvited proposals will be returned without review.

Each team member will be asked to agree to all program requirements: meeting the target number of interviews (typically, a minimum of 100 interviews) with potential customers and potential partners from their proposed target market(s) ecosystem during the program, allocating the time required to meet the program requirements, agreeing to attend all NSF National I-Corps Teams meetings, and committing fully to the NSF National I-Corps Teams program before receiving approval to submit a proposal to NSF.

See Section V on Proposal Preparation for instructions about preparing an NSF National I-Corps Teams proposal. 6. I-Corps Teams Program Participation All NSF National I-Corps team members are required to participate in the NSF National I-Corps Teams program.

This curriculum, delivered exclusively in an online format, typically includes a Kick-off meeting with Entrepreneurial Immersion Training, a weekly training meeting and a Lessons Learned Closing Presentation. An NSF National I-Corps team includes the EL, TL, and IM. More details on the NSF National I-Corps Teams program can be found in the NSF I-Corps Teams FAQs .

Dates for upcoming cohorts are posted on the NSF I-Corps Teams program website . The NSF National I-Corps Teams program provides a real-world, hands-on, immersive learning experience to evaluate the commercial opportunity around the innovation. The main activity is customer discovery where the team “leaves the lab” to evaluate the potential product-market fit and the wider business model.

The team's progress in customer discovery will be shared with the entire cohort to facilitate group learning. At the end of the curriculum, teams are expected to have performed at least one hundred (100) interviews with potential customers and potential partners from their proposed target market(s). NSF National I-Corps teams are encouraged to travel to reach their customer discovery goals when feasible.

Travel to customer discovery interviews typically does not need approval by NSF, however, teams must obtain written prior approval from their NSF I-Corps Program Officer for travel to an academic conference. International travel is not allowed.

Outcomes from an NSF National I-Corps Teams Grant: Successful completion of the NSF National I-Corps Teams Program is expected to contribute to one or more of the following: Enhanced entrepreneurial mindset among NSF-funded researchers, Students prepared to be competitive entrepreneurially, Informed decision about the commercial potential of the proposed technology, Selection of a licensing commercialization strategy Submission of a SBIR/STTR proposal, Formation of a for-profit, start-up business, and Development of a business model suitable for review by third-party investors.

NSF will seek to collect outcomes from the grantees along the lines listed above during the post-award period. Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant Estimated Number of Awards: 240 Estimated program budget and number of awards are subject to the availability of funds. Anticipated Funding Amount: $12,000,000 The anticipated funding amount is approximately $12,000,000, subject to availability of funds.

IV. Eligibility Information Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members.

Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.

Principal Investigator (PI) Limit: Multiple awards based on the same core technology generally will not be supported. Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: There are no restrictions or limits. Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: Multiple I-Corps awards to a PI participating on a currently active I-Corps team generally will not be supported.

Collaborative proposals are not eligible for the I-Corps Teams Program.

Additional Eligibility Info: Proposers must have either 1) received a prior award from NSF in a scientific or engineering field relevant to the proposed innovation that is currently active or that has been active within five years from the date of the NSF National I-Corps Teams proposal submission or 2) have participated in a NSF Regional I-Corps Training program hosted by an NSF I-Corps Hub and have a letter of recommendation signed by a senior member of the NSF Regional I-Corps program staff.

V. Proposal Preparation And Submission Instructions A. Proposal Preparation Instructions Full Proposal Preparation Instructions : Proposers may opt to submit proposals in response to this Program Solicitation via Research.

gov or Grants. gov. Full Proposals submitted via Research. gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the general guidelines contained in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG).

The complete text of the PAPPG is available electronically on the NSF website at: https://www. nsf. gov/publications/pub_summ.

jsp? ods_key=pappg . Paper copies of the PAPPG may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf.

gov . The Prepare New Proposal setup will prompt you for the program solicitation number. Full proposals submitted via Grants.

gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation via Grants. gov should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the NSF Grants. gov Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Applications via Grants.

gov . The complete text of the NSF Grants. gov Application Guide is available on the Grants.

gov website and on the NSF website at: ( https://www. nsf. gov/publications/pub_summ.

jsp? ods_key=grantsgovguide ). To obtain copies of the Application Guide and Application Forms Package, click on the Apply tab on the Grants.

gov site, then click on the Apply Step 1: Download a Grant Application Package and Application Instructions link and enter the funding opportunity number, (the program solicitation number without the NSF prefix) and press the Download Package button. Paper copies of the Grants. gov Application Guide also may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf.

gov . See PAPPG Chapter II. C.

2 for guidance on the required sections of a full research proposal submitted to NSF. Please note that the proposal preparation instructions provided in this program solicitation may deviate from the PAPPG instructions. Mandatory Communication with cognizant NSF National I-Corps Program Officer: PI(s) must contact one of the cognizant NSF I-Corps Program Officers and receive prior written authorization to submit a proposal.

To start this process, the NSF National I-Corps Team should submit an application, called an Executive Summary , (as outlined in Section II-PROGRAM DESCRIPTION) for review. This application will require creating a login account.

Guide to Submission of an NSF National I-Corps Teams Proposal Note: See the current Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) for guidance on the required sections of a full research proposal submitted to NSF. The NSF National I-Corps Teams proposal preparation and submission requirements specified below modify or supplement the requirements specified in the PAPPG and thus, supersede the PAPPG.

An NSF National I-Corps Teams proposal must contain the following required sections: The Project Summary consists of an overview, a statement on the intellectual merit of the proposed activity, and a statement on the broader impacts of the proposed activity. The summary MUST have the following components: The overview section must include a listing of "key" words.

The key words/phrases should identify the areas of technical expertise in science, engineering, or education that are to be considered in reviewing the proposal, and the areas of application that are the initial target of the technology. The Intellectual Merits section should include a summary limited to 200 words describing the technical aspects of the proposed activity.

No proprietary information should be included in the Project Summary. Broader impacts section should include a summary limited to 200 words addressing how the innovation will enhance scientific and technological understanding. Describe the potential societal and commercial impact of the project.

The project description is limited to 5 pages . The following information should be provided in the project description: 1. NSF National I-Corps Team (two-page limit) Describe the composition of the team and roles (EL, TL, IM, plus any additional co-EL, co-TL or co-IM team members) and provide a one-paragraph description of each member’s professional experience.

Include each member’s entrepreneurial experience and their experience in collaborating with the other team members. 2. Lineage of the Proposed Innovation (one-page limit) a.

Provide a table of previous awards with the cognizant NSF Program Officer (if applicable) identified. b. Indicate the eligibility pathway by providing the relevant NSF award number(s) or by identifying the NSF Regional I-Corps Training program (include the letter of recommendation in the Supplementary Documents module).

Teams qualifying through a Regional I-Corps Training Program must use the following language in both the letter of recommendation and the lineage statement of the proposal: “The NSF Regional I-Corps Training program award conferring lineage is:” . c. Briefly describe the core technology that is being considered for commercialization potential.

d. Briefly describe how this research has led the team to believe that a commercial opportunity exists for the effort moving forward. 3 .

Description of the Potential Commercial Impact (one-page limit) a. Provide a brief profile of a typical customer of the proposed innovation. b.

Describe the customer need that you believe will be met by the proposed innovation. How much do you think a customer would pay for your solution? How did you arrive at that estimate?

c. Describe how the customer currently meets those needs. 4.

Brief description of the project plan (one-page limit) a. Describe your approach. What is the proposed innovation?

How does it relate to the foundational research already conducted under previous award(s)? b. Describe the current status of the technology.

In what stage is the development: proof-of-principle, proof-of-concept, prototype (alpha, beta), other? c. Provide a brief description of the proof-of-concept or technology demonstration you envision will be the next step following the NSF National I-Corps Teams program.

Please note that per guidance in the PAPPG, the Project Description must contain, as a separate section within the narrative, a discussion of the Broader Impacts of the proposed activities. You may decide where to include this section within the Project Description, but it must be a separate section labeled "Broader Impacts." Provide a comprehensive listing of relevant reference sources, including patent citations.

Senior/Key Personnel Documents For the PI, four documents must be prepared in accordance with the requirements specified in the current PAPPG: Biographical Sketch. Highlight the technical expertise and track records in successful technology and business development. The PI must prepare a biographical sketch using SciENcv (Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae) , which will produce a compliant PDF.

Current and Pending (Other) Support. The proposal should provide information regarding all research to which the PI has committed time or has planned to commit time outside of this submitted NSF National I-Corps Team proposal. Current and Pending Support must be prepared in accordance with the requirements specified in the PAPPG and uploaded for each of the team members.

Note that this proposal is considered "pending" and, therefore, MUST appear on each Current and Pending Support submission. The PIs must prepare Current and Pending (Other) Support files using SciENcv . Collaborators and Other Affiliations (COA) Information (Single Copy Document).

Download the required template and follow the instructions. Synergistic Activities. The PI must provide a PDF document of up to one-page that includes a list of up to five distinct examples that demonstrates the broader impact of the individual’s professional and scholarly activities that focus on the integration and transfer of knowledge as well as its creation.

The total amount of the request must not exceed $50,000/12 months. Proposal budgets may include stipends and/or compensation of up to $10,000 for the TL, up to $15,000 for the EL, and up to $3,000 for the IM. Funds should be set aside for customer discovery activities and tools to facilitate program participation and requirements.

It is expected that customer discovery will be the largest portion of the NSF National I-Corps Teams budget. Virtual tools to facilitate customer interviews such as Zoom Meeting subscriptions, LinkedIn Premium membership, inexpensive headsets, calendar meeting tools such as Calendly, and recommended books. Conference fees for attending virtual and in-person conferences.

A registration fee must be paid directly to a third party that manages the NSF National I-Corps Teams training and logistics for NSF. The amount of the current registration fee will be posted on the NSF I-Corps website . NSF will provide awardees with instructions for payment of the registration fee at the time of the award.

Recovery of indirect costs (F&A) is limited to $5,000 (11. 11%). To complete the NSF National I-Corps Teams budget in Research.

gov: Include $45,000 on line G6 (Other Direct Costs), and Include $5,000 on line I. 1 (Indirect Costs). To complete the NSF National I-Corps Teams budget in Grants.

gov: Include $45,000 in Field F. 8 (Other Direct Costs),and Include $5,000 in Field H (Indirect Costs). Travel expenses associated with travel for customer discovery including in-person interviews and conferences.

The following statement must be included in the budget justification: “The team will require explicit written approval from the cognizant NSF I-Corps Program Officer prior to attending an academic conference under the NSF I-Corps Teams award. ” International travel is not allowed.

Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources Discuss requirements for and the availability of equipment, instrumentation, and facilities required for the proposed project. If none, state NONE. Proposals MUST contain a supplementary document labeled "Data Management Plan (DMP)".

Proposals must contain a mentoring plan if there are students and/or postdoctoral scholars participating on the team. Other Supplementary Documentation Hub recommended teams must include a letter of recommendation from the Hub. Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.

Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations: Recovery of indirect costs (F&A) shall be limited to $5,000. As such, this program does require mandatory cost sharing, and, therefore, is an exception to NSF's cost sharing policy. Other Budgetary Limitations: Other budgetary limitations apply.

Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p. m.

submitting organization’s local time) Proposals Accepted Anytime D. Research. gov/Grants.

gov Requirements For Proposals Submitted Via Research. gov: To prepare and submit a proposal via Research. gov, see detailed technical instructions available at: https://www.

research. gov/research-portal/appmanager/base/desktop? _nfpb=true&_pageLabel=research_node_display&_nodePath=/researchGov/Service/Desktop/ProposalPreparationandSubmission.

html . For Research. gov user support, call the Research.

gov Help Desk at 1-800-381-1532 or e-mail rgov@nsf. gov . The Research.

gov Help Desk answers general technical questions related to the use of the Research. gov system. Specific questions related to this program solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this funding opportunity.

For Proposals Submitted Via Grants. gov: Before using Grants. gov for the first time, each organization must register to create an institutional profile.

Once registered, the applicant's organization can then apply for any federal grant on the Grants. gov website. Comprehensive information about using Grants.

gov is available on the Grants. gov Applicant Resources webpage: https://www. grants.

gov/applicants . In addition, the NSF Grants. gov Application Guide (see link in Section V.

A) provides instructions regarding the technical preparation of proposals via Grants. gov. For Grants. gov user support, contact the Grants.

gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or by email: support@grants. gov . The Grants.

gov Contact Center answers general technical questions related to the use of Grants. gov. Specific questions related to this program solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this solicitation. Submitting the Proposal: Once all documents have been completed, the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) must submit the application to Grants.

gov and verify the desired funding opportunity and agency to which the application is submitted. The AOR must then sign and submit the application to Grants. gov. The completed application will be transferred to Research.

gov for further processing. The NSF Grants. gov Proposal Processing in Research.

gov informational page provides submission guidance to applicants and links to helpful resources including the NSF Grants. gov Application Guide , Grants. gov Proposal Processing in Research.

gov how-to guide , and Grants. gov Submitted Proposals Frequently Asked Questions . Grants.

gov proposals must pass all NSF pre-check and post-check validations in order to be accepted by Research. gov at NSF. When submitting via Grants.

gov, NSF