National Science Foundation Translation to Practice
The NSF Translation to Practice program funds research teams to move scientific discoveries toward real-world impact through technology development, partnerships, and workforce training in STEM, offering support across three translational tracks.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: April 1, 2025 (NSF TTP-E supplement) | April 1, 2026 (NSF TTP-E supplement) | April 1, 2027 (NSF TTP-E supplement, annual) | September 16, 2025 (NSF TTP-T/P full proposal) | January 20, 2026 (NSF TTP-T/P full proposal) | May 19, 2026 (NSF TTP-T/P full proposal) | September 15, 2026 (NSF TTP-T/P full proposal, annual)
Funding Amounts: Up to $600,000 (TTP-E, up to 2 years); up to $1,200,000 (TTP-T, up to 3 years); up to $2,000,000 (TTP-P, up to 4 years); total program funding approx. $30 million.
Summary: Supports the translation of use-inspired STEM research into real-world practice through three tracks: exploratory, translational, and partnership-driven projects.
Key Information: TTP-T and TTP-P require NSF I-Corps training; TTP-P proposals must include a non-academic NSF-Catalyzed Partner.
Description
This funding opportunity from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) supports the translation of scientific and engineering research into practical applications with societal, economic, or commercial impact. The program is designed to accelerate technology translation and innovation, foster regional economic growth, and prepare the workforce for high-wage STEM jobs. It offers three distinct tracks:
- NSF TTP-Explore (TTP-E): For current NSF awardees to extend their basic research towards initial translational activities not covered by their original award.
- NSF TTP-Translate (TTP-T): For maturing use-inspired research and iterating solutions for effective translation from lab to practice.
- NSF TTP-Partner (TTP-P): For projects requiring strategic partnerships (with a required non-academic partner) to drive technology development and deployment at scale.
The program encourages a broad range of outcomes, including open-source projects, standards development, commercialization, startup formation, and other pathways to societal benefit.
