Funder: National Science Foundation
Due Dates: February 10, 2025 | February 9, 2026 (Second Monday in February, annually thereafter)
Funding Amounts: Up to $3,600,000 per project over 5 years (Phase I: max $1.2M for years 1–2; Phase II: max $2.4M for years 3–5)
Summary: Supports multidisciplinary teams conducting convergence research to develop innovative solutions to complex scientific or societal problems.
Key Information: Each PI/co-PI may participate in only one GCR project at a time; initial funding is for 2 years, with continuation contingent on progress review.
Description
This opportunity supports multidisciplinary teams engaging in convergence research—defined as research driven by a specific, compelling problem and characterized by deep integration across disciplines. The program aims to catalyze innovative solutions to complex scientific or societal challenges that cannot be addressed by existing NSF programs. Projects should intentionally bring together intellectually diverse researchers and stakeholders from the outset, fostering new frameworks, paradigms, or even disciplines.
The solicitation targets bold, high-impact research that has the potential to transform scientific understanding, establish new scientific communities, or develop transformative technologies. Proposals must clearly articulate the need for a convergence approach, the novelty of the integration, and the anticipated scientific and broader impacts.
Due Dates
- February 10, 2025 (Full Proposal Deadline)
- February 9, 2026 (Full Proposal Deadline; second Monday in February, annually thereafter)
All proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. submitter's local time.
Funding Amount
- Total per project: Up to $3,600,000 over five years
- Phase I (Years 1–2): Up to $1,200,000
- Phase II (Years 3–5): Up to $2,400,000 (contingent on progress review)
- Estimated number of awards: 6 to 10 per cycle
- Total anticipated program funding: $16,000,000 (subject to availability)
Projects are initially funded for two years. Continuation for the remaining three years is based on a reverse site visit and progress evaluation.
Eligibility
- Eligible organizations:
- U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (two- and four-year, including community colleges)
- U.S.-based non-profit, non-academic organizations (e.g., independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies)
- Principal Investigator (PI) requirements:
- Must hold a full-time research or teaching appointment at a U.S.-based eligible organization
- Proposal limits:
- Each PI or co-PI may participate in only one GCR project at a time (including those under review or currently funded)
- No organizational limit on the number of proposals
- Past GCR awardees: May apply only if the proposed research is substantially different from prior GCR-supported work
Application Process
- Submission platforms: Research.gov or Grants.gov
- Letters of Intent/Preliminary Proposals: Not required
- Full Proposal Requirements:
- Project Description (max 15 pages), including:
- Long-term vision and specific problem addressed
- Rationale for convergence approach and program fit
- Five-year research plan, divided into Phase I (years 1–2) and Phase II (years 3–5)
- Convergence management plan (2 pages)
- Broader impacts section
- List of project personnel
- Supplementary documents as specified in the solicitation
- Budget: Five-year budget, with clear delineation between phases
- Review process: Proposals are evaluated on NSF’s standard merit review criteria (Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts), plus solicitation-specific criteria regarding the novelty, integration, and transformative potential of the research.
Additional Information
- Progress Review: At the end of Phase I (year 2), teams must participate in a reverse site visit and submit a progress report. Only teams demonstrating exceptional progress and clear plans for further advancement will be eligible for Phase II funding.
- Cost sharing: Not required or allowed
- Special conditions: Senior/key personnel must participate in a virtual convergence workshop within 90 days of award and in the reverse site visit at the end of year 2.
- Build America, Buy America Act: All iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project must be produced in the U.S.
External Links
Contact Information
For the most current information and additional contacts, see the NSF Contact Page.