[U.S. National Science Foundation](https://www.nsf.gov/)

January 15, 2026

Up to $8 million per award (Track 3), with other tracks ranging from $3M–$6M; total program funding estimated at $178M.

Supports capacity-building and infrastructure at U.S. institutions to accelerate the translation of academic research into tangible societal and economic impacts.

--- ## Description The U.S. National Science Foundation's Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program aims to increase the scale and pace at which discoveries from academic research are transformed into real-world solutions that benefit the public. The program’s primary goal is to strengthen translational research ecosystems at U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), fostering economic and societal impacts across all regions. ART supports a broad definition of research translation—including technology transfer, entrepreneurship, civic innovation, and informing policy or standards—by building institutional capacity, providing training, and facilitating the transition of innovations to practice. The program is organized into five distinct tracks, each tailored to institutions at different stages of translational readiness: - **Track 1: Accelerating Technology Transfer (ACT)** – For IHEs with low to medium research translation capacity. - **Track 2: Growing Capacity for Research Translation (GROW)** – For IHEs with high research activity but modest translation infrastructure, partnered with a mentoring institution. - **Track 3: Technology Transfer Resource Centers (RESOURCE)** – For IHEs or non-profits with strong translation capacity to serve as regional hubs. - **Track 4: Education and Training (ET)** – For developing and disseminating educational and training resources nationally. - **Track 5: Coordinating Accelerating Research Translation (CART)** – For leading coordination and evaluation across the program’s tracks. Awardees are expected to build sustainable institutional infrastructure, offer training and experiential opportunities, and demonstrate immediate translational activities with measurable impacts. --- ## Due Dates - **Full Proposal Deadline:** January 15, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - **Track 1 (ACT):** Up to $3 million for 3 years (renewal possible for up to 2 more years and $1M additional) - **Track 2 (GROW):** Up to $6 million for 4 years - **Track 3 (RESOURCE):** Up to $8 million for 4 years (renewal possible for up to 4 more years and $2M additional) - **Track 4 (ET):** Up to $3 million for 3 years (renewal possible for up to 2 more years and $2M additional) - **Track 5 (CART):** Up to $3 million for 5 years (renewal possible for up to 5 more years and $3M additional) - **Estimated total program funding:** $178 million - **No cost-sharing or matching required** --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible applicants:** - U.S.-based non-profit, non-academic organizations (e.g., independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies) directly associated with educational or research activities. - U.S.-accredited two- and four-year Institutions of Higher Education (including community colleges). Each eligible campus within a university system may apply separately if it has its own leadership, research office, and governance. - **PI/Co-PI requirements:** - Must hold an appointment at an eligible organization. - Strongly encouraged to include a representative from the institution’s technology transfer office (or equivalent) as PI or co-PI. - **Other notes:** - Researchers at overseas branch campuses of U.S. IHEs are not eligible. - Foreign collaborators may participate but cannot receive NSF funding. - Additional eligibility criteria apply for specific tracks. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Proposals must be submitted via [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360665) or NSF systems by the deadline. - **Required materials:** Follow the guidelines in [NSF Publication 25-548](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf25548) and the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1). - **Review:** Proposals will be evaluated for alignment with the program’s goals, potential for capacity-building, quality of translational activities, and sustainability. --- ## Additional Information - No cost-sharing or matching is required. - Proposals must align with the appropriate track based on the institution’s research translation readiness level (RTRL). - Renewal and supplemental funding may be available for high-performing awardees. - For full details, consult the [program summary](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/art-accelerating-research-translation). --- ## External Links - [NSF ART Program Information](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/art-accelerating-research-translation) - [NSF Publication 25-548](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf25548) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360665) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Description | |------------------------|-----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | NSF grants.gov support | grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov | For technical issues with the funding announcement. | For programmatic questions, refer to the [ART program page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/art-accelerating-research-translation) for up-to-date contacts.

Accelerating Research Translation

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