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National Science Foundation (NSF) Convergence Accelerator September 18, 2019 Douglas Maughan ([email protected]) 1
National Science Foundation (NSF)Convergence Accelerator
September 18, 2019Douglas Maughan ([email protected])
1
NSF Champions Research and Education across all Fields of Science and Engineering
Computer & Info Science & Engineering
Engineering Geosciences (incl. Polar Programs)
Mathematical & Physical Sciences
Biological Sciences
International Science & Engineering
Education &Human Resources
Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences
Integrative Activities
93%funds research,
education and
related
activities
$7.8BFY 2018
actual
48,000proposals
evaluated
12,000awards
funded
2,000NSF-funded
institutions
386,000people NSF
supported
$1.2BSTEM
education
236NSF-funded
Nobel
Prize winners
Numbers shown are estimates based on FY 2018 activities.
NSF by the Numbers
$100Mto seed
public/private
partnerships
NSF’s 10 Big Ideas
NSF 2026:
Seeding
Innovation
Mid-scale
Research
Infrastructure
Growing
Convergence
Research
at NSF
NSF INCLUDES:
Enhancing STEM
through Diversity
and Inclusion
4
Convergence Research
5
The grand challenges of today will NOT be solved by one discipline working alone.
They require
convergence:the merging of ideas, approaches and technologies from widely diverse fields of knowledge to stimulate innovation and discovery.
WHAT: A new organizational structure to accelerate the transition of convergence research into practice, in areas of national importance
Characteristics
▪ Use-inspired research ▪ Testbeds, tools, living labs…▪ Larger, national scale▪ Requires partnerships with industry▪ Clear goals, milestones, directed
deliverables
Management
▪ Time-limited “tracks”▪ Teams and Cohorts▪ Cooperation and Competition▪ More directed management▪ Mission-driven evaluation
Convergence AcceleratorWHY: Leverage the science across all fields of NSF research to produce
outcomes in an accelerated timeframe, with streamlined operations allowing for nimbleness to support the most innovative results
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Convergence Accelerator Tracks
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Track A1Goal: Enhancing scientific data discovery and use Track: Open Knowledge Networks Big Idea: Harnessing the Data Revolution
Track B1Goal: Connecting, retraining and reskilling for jobs using AI Track: AI & Future Jobs Big Idea: Future of Work at the Human Technology Frontier
Track B2Goal: Building STEM talent in a changing workplace Track: National Talent Ecosystem Big Idea: Future of Work at the Human Technology Frontier
Vertical: Challenges specific to different topical domains such as geosciences, education, smart health, finance, and manufacturing.
Horizontal: Challenges that apply to all domains, such as developing the underlying representation of facts or developing secured access capabilities.
Open Knowledge Network
Others
National Talent Ecosystem
AI & Future Jobs
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CA Announcement – Press Release
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https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=299179&org=NSF&from=news
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2019 Convergence Accelerator Awards
1
1
1
1
2
1
5
3
2
1
22
2
3
3
3
35
11
DC
43 Awards in 19 States plus District of Columbia
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Where We Are Going?
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2019 Pilot Cohort
Pitch Competition
ProjectsStart!
Phase 1Proposals
InnovationCurriculum
AcceleratorDCL issued
Mar2019
Jun Sep Dec Mar2020
Jun Sep Dec Jun2021
Jun2022
Phase 2: Creating Deliverables
DeliverablesProjectsStart
Year 2Decision
2020 Topic Workshops
RFI: 75 responsessubmitted
Pitch Comp
ProjectsStart
Phase 1Proposals
InnovationCurriculum
2020 Cohort: new tracks
2020Solicitation
RCOsProjects
StartYear 2
Decision
RCOs
Phase 1: Team formation, res. plan dev
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PartnershipsTwo approaches to partnerships:▪ PI-identified partners: identified by teams, integrated into Phase 1 proposals
▪ NSF-identified partners: proactively engaged by NSF Convergence Accelerator staff• CA partner-planning team formed: identify, create track-specific partner engagements
• Possible workshop: co-sponsored with foundations, based on similar workshop at NSF (May 2015, led by MPS)
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Pitch Competition
ProjectsStart!
InnovationCurriculum
Sep2019
Dec Mar2020
Jun Sep Dec Jun2021
Jun2022
Phase 2:
DeliverablesProjectsStart
Year 2Decision
Phase 1:
PI-identified partners NSF—identified partners
All Partners Engaged
Potential Partnership Model for Convergence Accelerator
Pre-Competitive
Research
Industry Applied and Competitive
Research
Academic Fundamental
Research
Convergence Accelerator Research Domain
• Use-Inspired• Fundamental Research• Jointly Funded• Non-exclusive IP access• Trusted relationships• Delivery of value
Par
tne
rsh
ip D
om
ain
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We welcome industry’s opinions on the best way to make this a win-win activity.
SUCCESS – What does it look like?
• Individual Project• Some of this will be dependent on team members, partners and deliverables
• Track Success• Not just competition; cooperation is more important
• Teams working together
• Identifying joint approaches for Phase 2
• Cohort Success• Significant interest from industry, end-users, and future funders
• Deliverables that are used
• Innovation Curriculum brought value to teams in Phase 1 and for Phase 2
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THANKS!!!Douglas Maughan
Office HeadNSF Convergence Accelerator
O: 703-292-2497C: 571-451-8748
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