Posted by: Francis Koster Published: September 16, 2025

National Science Foundation Accelerating Research Translation Program (Exp. January 15, 2026)

Purpose

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks to increase the scale and pace of advancing discoveries from academic research into tangible solutions that benefit the public. The overarching goal for the Accelerating Research Translation (ART) Program is to advance the U.S. scientific and economic leadership by building capacity and increasing the number of robust translational research ecosystems in Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs). Achieving translational outcomes is viewed as a mechanism to drive sustained economic impacts.  The ART program facilitates a wide range of IHEs in all geographic regions of the United States to achieve research translation, accelerate technology transfer, and create sustained economic and collective impacts.
The program recognizes that innovations in the disciplines and fields identified under "Assistance Listings" represent opportunities for sustained economic impact.
Assistance Listings
47.041 -- Engineering
47.049 -- Mathematical and Physical Sciences
47.050 -- Geosciences
47.070 -- Computer and Information Science and Engineering
47.074 -- Biological Sciences
47.075 -- Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences
47.076 -- STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources)
47.079 -- Office of International Science and Engineering
47.083 -- Integrative Activities
47.084 -- NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships

Eligible Entities

The following types of organizations are eligible to apply for the program:
    • Non-profit, non-academic organizations, such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities;
    • Two- and four-year Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty members.
Please note these additional stipulations:
    • An IHE that is part of a university system is eligible if it has its own leadership team, sponsored research office (SRO), and governing structure.
    • Additional eligibility requirements may be stated based on different Tracks described below.
    • Principal Investigators (PIs), Co-PIs, and key personnel must hold an appointment at an eligible entity (above).
    • PI designates from an IHE technology transfer office or equivalent who possess responsibility to manage research intellectual property (IP) are strongly encouraged.

 

Eligible Activities

Led by NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), in collaboration with other NSF directorates and the Office of Integrative Activities, the ART program seeks proposals that involve elements such as the following:

      • institutional leadership;
      • research translation programs, institutes or centers;
      • technology transfer offices;
      • units responsible for managing research intellectual property (IP);
      • entrepreneurial training teams; and
      • collaborations among researchers from all scientific, technological and engineering fields.

 

Tracks

Applicants must determine which Track best describes their capacity to accelerate research translation--their Research Translation Readiness Level (RTRL), with Track 5 signifying the highest stage of readiness. Each track isolates a particular area for emphasis that is appropriate for the RTRL of the applicant.  The following characteristics may aid applicants in identifying the most suitable Track for proposals: 

    • volume of sustained basic and applied research as measured by research expenditures;
    • presence of a dedicated technology transfer office;
    • number of technology transfer activities, including invention disclosures, patenting, licensing and royalties;
    • creation and number of startups;
    • number of partnerships with industry, non-profits, etc.; and
    • amount entrepreneurial and innovation education, training, and networking opportunities.

Track 1: Accelerating Technology Transfer (ACT)

This is an opportunity for only IHEs that have a low to medium level of overall research with proposals that start to build capacity for innovation translation by identifying and acting on opportunities for economic benefits. The proposal must be led by and focused on outcomes of one IHE.

Track 2: Growing Capacity for Research Translation (GROW)

This is an opportunity for only IHEs that currently have a high level of research with a modest research translation infrastructure in place but where the level of research translation remains low. Proposals have a high potential to substantially elevate the overall level of research translation to unleash innovation and create significant opportunities for sustained economic and collective impacts. The proposal must be led by and focused on outcomes of one IHE in partnership with one mentoring IHE with a high RTRL.

Track 3: Technology Transfer Resource Centers (RESOURCE)

This is an opportunity for IHEs with strong research translation capacity to provide guidance, training, education, and services to other IHEs in a region who have a low RTRL through a network of regional Technology Transfer Resource Centers (RESOURCE).  The lead IHE for this Track is expected to be an IHE with a very high RTRL or a non-profit with significant expertise related to technology transfer, entrepreneurship and related areas leading to sustained economic impacts.

Track 4: Education and Training (ET)

This nationally-focused Track invites proposals from IHEs or non-profits with any combination of either a strong, vibrant and established research translation ecosystem, and/or demonstrated experience to develop, evaluate, and deploy educational and training resources related to entrepreneurship, technology transfer and related activities.

Track 5: Coordinating Accelerating Research Translation (CART)

This Track invites proposals from IHEs or non-profits for the development of an integrated platform for coordinating, evaluating, and monitoring the progress being made by teams that are supported under both Tracks 1 and 2. The CART awardee would also coordinate activities to be carried out under awards pursuant to Tracks 3 and 4. Proposals for this Track must be led by one IHE with a high RTRL with significant expertise and experience in areas related to technology transfer, intellectual property management, entrepreneurship as well as initiatives and programs directed at sustained economic and collective impacts.

Award

Total Program Funding

$ 178,000,000

Award Ceiling, Duration, Number of Awards

T1:  $3 million, 3 years, 20 awards

T2: $6 million, 4 years, 10 awards

T3: $8 million, 4 years, 5 awards

T4: $3 million, 3 years, 4 awards

T5: $3 million, 5 years, 2 awards

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

Important Dates

Closing Date for Applications: January 15, 2026

Next Steps

To read the official program synopsis, go to NSF Accelerating Research Translation Synopsis.

To read a summary of the program, including past grant awards, go to Accelerating Research Translation (ART) | NSF - National Science Foundation.

To read the full announcement, go to NSF Publication 25-548.

If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please send an email to grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.

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