Cluster 2: Projects to help solve real world, societal/technological problems with a convergent multi-stakeholder approach
Big, complex problems we now face as a nation on many fronts and the world require expertise from many sectors and the involvement of relevant stakeholders from academics to communities and decision makers and from the private sector to not-for-profit entities. No longer can solutions be proposed that do not involve input and co-design by those who are likely to be impacted; and solutions need to be converged upon and implemented quickly. The two competitions below in this cluster address both the seriousness of a targeted issue and the rapidity with which solutions need to be realized and implemented. Both carry significant funding but require diverse teams working together to quickly converge on deliverables with high impact.
- Convergence Accelerator: Multi-stakeholder teams tackling an identified major societal or technological challenge and delivering major impacts within 2 years.
- 2 Phases: Phase 1 ($750k for 9 mo); Phase 2 ($5M for 2 yr).
- Phase 1 includes training in team science and connecting with and understanding end user needs. It culminates with a Pitch Day where Phase 1 teams compete against each other to move to Phase 2.
- Must deliver high impact results of the selected topic by the end of Phase 2.
- CA Website
- NSF Convergence Accelerator Phases 1 and 2 for 2022 Cohort: Tracks H, I and J Solicitation(NSF 22-583)
- Sample Informational Video
- CIVIC (Civic Innovation Challenge): Science teams work with communities and civic organizations to solve problems that increase community resilience in a specified area of interest.
- Two Stages: Stage 1 ($50k for 6 mo for planning); Stage 2 (up to $1M for one yr)
- Requires a research component (can be technical or sociological) but focus is on addressing a serious community-identified need.
- Requires deep community engagement that involves co-design of the solution.
- Must deliver major sustainable solutions/impacts at the end of one year that could be scalable to other communities.
- CIVIC Website
- CIVIC Solicitation (NSF 22-565)