Global competition in science and technology is fierce. To continue to keep the nation secure, we must invest in accelerating breakthrough technologies, transitioning these technologies to the market and preparing Americans for better-quality, higher-wage jobs, including through reskilling and upskilling. This is the work of the U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP).
Over the past three years, NSF TIP has sought to foster regional innovation and economic growth in America's heartland and sunbelt; accelerate technology development and translation; and prepare Americans for the jobs of tomorrow.
Updates
Maximizing NSF TIP's impact
NSF has advanced the full spectrum of fundamental research and education in all fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics for 75 years — from foundational, curiosity-driven research that has led to new knowledge about our world to use-inspired, solutions-oriented research that has directly impacted people's everyday lives. At every stage, investments in foundational and use-inspired research have been deeply intertwined.
TIP doubles down on the agency's commitment to accelerate use-inspired research and the translation of research results to the market and society. In doing so, the directorate strengthens the interplay between foundational and use-inspired work, enhancing the full cycle of discovery and innovation.
TIP prepares thousands of Americans for good jobs in emerging technology fields, bolsters small businesses and startups to build technologies, invests in new pathways for research and matures research for future investment or impact.
Mobilizing the collective power of the nation
NSF TIP is a crosscutting platform that collaboratively integrates with NSF's existing directorates and fosters partnerships — with government, industry, nonprofits, civil society and communities of practice — to leverage and energize use-inspired research and innovation and rapidly bring its benefits to society.
TIP spurs NSF and the science, engineering and technology communities forward to innovations and impact. TIP meets the nation's priorities by providing researchers and innovators with education, tools and funding to accelerate the development of breakthrough technologies and speed solutions.
TIP comprises three primary strategy areas
TIP works closely with the entire agency to leverage ongoing research investments and drive research and innovation across all science and engineering fields, fostering U.S. competitiveness and economic growth.
Strategy 1 — Accelerate critical and emerging technology
TIP is working to accelerate advancements in critical and emerging technology to ensure that the United States maintains its leadership in sectors of significant economic and national security importance.
Learn about how TIP is accelerating critical and emerging technology.
Strategy 2 — Expand the geography of American innovation
TIP is dedicated to enhancing domestic capacity not only to generate ideas but also to rapidly bring them to the market. Through various ecosystem-focused programs, NSF is fostering a new wave of products and solutions conceived, manufactured and consumed in America by American workers.
Learn about how TIP is expanding the geography of American innovation.
Strategy 3 — Build a competition-ready workforce
TIP is creating accessible pathways into future jobs by investing in institutions and infrastructure responsible for training workers in current competitive technologies and emerging technologies that will define the global job market.
Learn about how TIP is building a competition-ready workforce.
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To receive updates about TIP, including the latest funding opportunities and information about ways to partner across the directorate's portfolio, sign up for the TIP newsletter today.