NSF Requests Information on Future Topics for the NSF Convergence Accelerator
The National Science Foundation (NSF) issued a request for information (RFI) in conjunction with NSF’s 10 Big Ideas. The purpose of this RFI is to seek input on future NSF Convergence Accelerator tracks within the 10 Big Ideas, or on other topics that may not relate directly to a Big Idea but that may have national impact.
Deadline to submit comments: Monday, June 24, 2019 at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GVNQ75C and complete the online questionnaire.
The purpose of the Convergence Accelerator is to accelerate use-inspired convergence research in areas of national importance, and initiate convergence team-building capacity around exploratory, potentially high-risk proposals in three convergence topics (tracks) with each track aligned with one of NSF’s 10 Big Ideas, namely Harnessing the Data Revolution (HDR) (track A1) and the Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier (FW-HTF) (tracks B1 and B2). These tracks also align with Administration R&D Priorities including leadership in artificial intelligence (see July 2018 memo M-18-22), the President’s Management Agenda (see Cross Agency Priority Goals), and the U.S. 5-Year STEM Education Strategic Plan.
Ideas suggested in response to this RFI should be similar in scope to tracks A1, B1, and B2, which are broad enough to each support a set of related research teams working together as a cohort.
Submissions for future NSF Convergence Accelerator tracks should provide responses to as many of the items below as possible:
- Concept title and point of contact
- Description of the track topic
- Evidence of research community readiness (list of reports, other publications);
- Scientific and societal needs in the topic area
- Stakeholders in the ecosystem (including industry, IHEs, non-profits, government entities) and the potential for partnerships
- Deliverables that could be expected within a 2-year research effort by a cohort of teams (e.g., products, prototypes or proof-of-concepts)
- Expected impacts (including scientific and societal impacts) of the project looking forward 10 years
For more information, see Dear Colleague Letter: Request for Information on Future Topics for the NSF Convergence Accelerator
