Accelerating Research through International Network-to-Network Collaborations
The AccelNet program promotes international collaboration to accelerate scientific research and develop a diverse, globally competent workforce across all NSF-funded areas.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: September 15, 2025 (Third Monday in September, annually)
Funding Amounts: Up to $300,000 (Design Track, 1–2 yrs) | Up to $1.5M (Implementation Phase 1, 3–4 yrs) | Up to $350,000 (Implementation Phase 2, 1–2 yrs) | Total program: ~$10M, 10–14 awards
Summary: Supports U.S.-led international collaborations to accelerate research through synergistic, multi-team, cross-border networks in any NSF-funded area.
Key Information: Proposals must form or implement a “network of networks” (NoN) with at least three independent research networks, including one wholly outside the U.S.
Description
This program aims to accelerate scientific research and workforce development by fostering international “network of networks” (NoN) collaborations. The initiative supports activities that leverage existing NSF investments to build or implement globally connected research networks, enabling scientific advances that require international cooperation. Projects must focus on building or implementing a federation of at least three independent research networks (with at least one operating outside the U.S.), and demonstrate how their collaboration will address grand research challenges and train a diverse, internationally competent U.S. workforce. The program is open to proposals in any area funded by NSF, especially those tackling major research challenges.
