NSF Announces First Convergence Accelerator Pilot

The National Science Foundation (NSF) issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) on March 15, 2019 for a pilot Convergence Accelerator (C-Accel) activity. The program intends to fund 50 Phase 1 projects (up to 9 months) at up to $1 million each. In 2020, Phase 1 projects will be eligible to apply for Phase 2 C-Accel funding, for up to $5 million. The NSF C-Accel pilot seeks to transform how NSF supports innovative science and engineering to accelerate convergence research in areas of national importance by facilitating convergent team-building capacity around high-risk proposals. The initiative reflects NSF’s commitment to invest in fundamental research while encouraging rapid advances through partnerships between academic and non-academic stakeholders. It will begin with three convergence tracks that align with two of NSF’s 10 Big Ideas: Harnessing the Data Revolution for 21st-Century Science and Engineering and the Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier. The three tracks are: An Open Knowledge Network (as part of Harnessing the Data Revolution) AI and Future Jobs (as part of Future of Work) A National Talent Ecosystem (as part of Future of Work) The DCL provides more detailed information about participating in the pilot Convergence Accelerator initiative. The first step in participation, submission of a Research Concept Outline, is due April 15, with full proposals due by June 3. A webinar to answer questions about the submission process will be h...
Source: Public Policy Reports - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: news