National Science Foundation (NSF) Convergence Accelerator ......convergence research into practice,...
Transcript of National Science Foundation (NSF) Convergence Accelerator ......convergence research into practice,...
National Science Foundation (NSF)Convergence Accelerator
September 18, 2019Douglas Maughan ([email protected])
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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
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Convergence Research
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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
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5
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22
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3
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35
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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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