NSF Releases New Translation to Practice Solicitation
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) released a solicitation for the new Translation to Practice (TTP) program. The purpose of TTP is to identify and support translational research, develop partnerships between higher education and industry, government, open-source ecosystems, and other entities, and advance STEM education and training for all Americans, especially students and postdoctoral researchers. NSF TIP’s goal for translation of research to practice is to ensure that innovations developed through research have tangible and positive impacts for the US such as “improving quality of life, promoting economic and job growth, ensuring national security, and maintaining global competitiveness.”
NSF TTP includes three funding tracks that represent different starting points along the spectrum of translation research from laboratory discovery to practical application:
NSF TTP-Explore (NSF TTP-E): This pilot track is intended as a first step for researchers to begin translating their basic research into practice. To be eligible for this track, proposers must have an active, eligible NSF research award. Awardees in this track will receive an extension of the initial award period of a current NSF award for up to 2 additional years for investigators to explore more high-risk, usage inspired research and initial translation activities that were not covered by the original award.
NSF TTP-Translate (NSF TTP-T): This track is for innovations starting with use-inspired research and in support of intentional translation activities such as iterative prototype testing, open-source product design within communities, and development of community standards, among other items. The goal of this track is to mature ideas, improve solutions, and lower barriers to advance translation research from lab to practice. Active or prior NSF funding is not required to pursue NSF TTP-T awards, but awardees will be required to participate in NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps) training.
NSF TTP-Partner (NSF TTP-P): This track supports translation activities that require at least one strategic partnership outside of institutions of higher education for technology development and deployment. NSF TTP-P does not require prior NSF funding but does require participation from an NSF Catalyzed Partnership (e.g., industry, governments, and philanthropies) to be included as a part of the proposal. These partnerships are intended to help accelerate the commercialization of products, processes, and services through mechanisms such as startups, small businesses, development of standards setting arrangements, and licensing agreements. Proposals for this track must include a Co-PI or Senior/Key Personnel who is a member or employee of an NSF-Catalyzed Partner.
FUNDING INFORMATION
NSF anticipates funding 29 awards with $30 million in total funding distributed across the three tracks with amounts as follows:
- TTP-E: up to $600,000 for 24 months
- TTP-T: up to $1.2 million for 36 months
- TTP-P: up to $2 million for 48 months
ELIGIBILITY
PIs may only submit one proposal for an NSF TTP at a time either as the lead or co-PI. If a current proposal is pending, the PI must wait for an award/rejection before submitting another proposal.
PIs must be in a primary, full-time research or teaching position or a tenure/tenure-track position.
DEADLINES
Interested investigators should reach out to Lloyd Munjanja (munjanja@bu.edu) in Research Development for help in proposal development and Industry Engagement (engagebu@bu.edu) for help in securing an industry partner.
NSF TTP-E: proposals may be submitted anytime after receiving email approval from an applicant’s relevant Program Officer.
NSF TTP-T and TTP-P: annually on 3rd Tuesday in September, January, and May
Upcoming deadlines:
- Tuesday, September 16, 2025
- Tuesday, January 20, 2026
- Tuesday, May 19, 2026