New NSF funding opportunity aims to empower U.S. Army capabilities for today and the future
The U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center (DEVCOM GVSC) have partnered to issue a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) seeking proposals to advance cutting-edge scientific discovery, provide technological innovation and transition knowledge products to empower U.S. Army capabilities.
Proposers should tailor their use-inspired research and translation projects towards national security and/or national defense.
This DCL specifically seeks projects that are aligned with six core competencies: survivability and protection; robotics and autonomy; power and mobility; additive manufacturing; fuel and lubricants; and modeling, simulation and software development. In addition, projects should deliver on DEVCOM GVSC research initiatives and work toward developing, integrating, enhancing and sustaining DEVCOM GVSC capabilities to support U.S. Army modernization priorities and improve readiness.
"We look forward to supporting the U.S. Army and providing pathways to innovation to secure our nation's defense," said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships. "This opportunity underscores how essential science and technology advancements are to our nation, not only for global competitiveness but for national security as well."
The DEVCOM GVSC funding opportunity is offered through the NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, which recently launched the new Translation to Practice (NSF TTP) program. Projects should:
- Identify and support the initiation of use-inspired research and initial translational activities enabling a continuum from foundational research to practice.
- Develop partnerships and collaborations that include traditional (academic) and nontraditional entities. These sustainable partnerships will accelerate the transfer of technology by ensuring that needs and opportunities are appropriately addressed.
- Promote and advance the education and training of students and postdoctoral researchers, avoiding undue geographic concentration of funding and encouraging the participation of all Americans.
- Identify future customer needs and opportunities.
"Through this collaboration with NSF, we are building a pathway to accelerate the maturation and transition of innovative fundamental research that shortens technology development timelines and delivers critical capabilities to the soldier faster," said David Gorsich, chief scientist for U.S. Army DEVCOM GVSC.
The NSF TTP program will consider proposals that are responsive to the core competencies and interests of the DEVCOM GVSC across all three tracks of the NSF TTP program solicitation.
To learn more about this funding opportunity, view the full DCL.
About NSF TIP and DEVCOM GVSC
The NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP) seeks to engage all Americans in accelerating key technologies to advance U.S. competitiveness. The directorate partners across sectors to advance three primary focus areas — accelerating technology translation and development, fostering regional innovation and economic growth and preparing the American workforce for better-quality, higher-wage jobs. For more information about NSF TIP, visit nsf.gov/tip/latest.
For more information regarding U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center (DEVCOM GVSC) research interests related to GVSC competencies related to this DCL, please contact Talia Marie Sebastian, deputy chief scientist and NSF fellow at DEVCOM GVSC (talia.m.sebastian.civ@army.mil).