Opportunity Information: Apply for 12 516
Apply for 12 516
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041 Engineering Grants 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 Education and Human Resources 47.078 Polar Programs 47.079 Office of International Science and Engineering 47.080 Office of Cyberinfrastructure 47.081 Office of Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 17, 2013 and posted on Nov 21, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 27, 2013 See full solicitation for details. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $10,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Organization Limit Proposals may only be submitted by the following Universities and Colleges Universities and two and four year colleges (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Such organizations also are referred to as academic institutions. PI Limit The PI at any institution participating in an I/UCRC proposal must be a tenured faculty member. Waivers may be requested when petitioned for by the PIs supervisor (Chairman of the Department or the Dean). In addition, the center or site director must be the PI. Planning grant awardees for establishing new centers must complete their planning grantworkshops (with NSF Program Director representation) before submitting full proposals. Eligibility to submit a full proposal to establish a new center is dependent upon the PI completing one of the following (this does not apply to joining established centers) ulliNSF sponsored boot camp NSFwill reimburse the center/site director for travel expenses./lili Submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) and successful fulfillment of the requirements of a Planning Grant Award. /li/ul
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRC) Program is designed to create and sustain long-term, structured partnerships that connect universities with industry and, where relevant, government stakeholders. The core idea is to build research centers that focus on applied, pre-competitive research topics that matter to both academic researchers and the companies that join as members. NSF typically provides a relatively small initial investment to help launch or expand a center, while industry membership fees and engagement provide the primary ongoing support. NSF stays involved as a catalyst and guide as the center develops, but the model is intentionally industry-driven so the research agenda remains closely tied to real-world needs.
A key goal of an I/UCRC is to strengthen the national research infrastructure and grow the talent pipeline by tightly integrating research and education. These centers are meant to be more than a set of funded projects; they are intended to be durable organizations that train students in industry-relevant problem solving, expose faculty and students to current industrial challenges, and accelerate the transfer of research results into practice. The program also encourages international collaboration when it meaningfully advances the center's mission, recognizing that many industrial and scientific challenges operate in a global environment.
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary grant program under the broader category of science and technology research and development. The solicitation referenced here is NSF Publication 12-516 (Funding Opportunity Number 12-516). NSF anticipated making about 8 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $10,000,000. Individual awards were expected to range from $10,000 to $200,000. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement listed for this opportunity.
The program spans a wide range of NSF scientific and engineering areas, reflected in the multiple CFDA numbers attached to the opportunity. These include Engineering, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Geosciences, Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Biological Sciences, Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences, Education and Human Resources, Polar Programs, the Office of International Science and Engineering, the Office of Cyberinfrastructure, and EPSCoR. In practical terms, that breadth signals that I/UCRCs can be formed in many disciplines as long as they fit the program's cooperative, membership-supported center structure and produce research of clear value to industry partners.
Eligibility is centered on U.S. academic institutions. Proposals may be submitted by accredited U.S. colleges and universities, including two-year and four-year institutions (and community colleges), as long as they have a campus located in the United States and submit on behalf of their faculty. Leadership requirements are specific: the principal investigator at any institution participating in an I/UCRC proposal must be a tenured faculty member, although waivers may be requested with support from the PI's supervisor (such as a department chair or dean). The center or site director must serve as the PI, reinforcing that the person accountable for the center's overall direction is the official project lead.
For teams seeking to establish new centers, the program includes readiness steps before a full proposal can be submitted. Planning grant awardees are required to complete planning grant workshops that include NSF program director representation. Beyond that, eligibility to submit a full proposal for a new center depends on completing certain preparatory actions, such as participating in an NSF-sponsored boot camp (with NSF reimbursing travel for the center or site director) or submitting a letter of intent and successfully meeting the requirements tied to a planning grant award. These steps are meant to ensure new centers understand the I/UCRC operational model, membership structure, governance expectations, and the collaboration practices needed to sustain long-term industry engagement.
Important administrative details for this posting include an original closing date of March 6, 2012, a later listed closing date of September 27, 2013 (with instructions to see the solicitation for full details), and an archive date of April 6, 2016. The sponsoring agency is NSF, and the solicitation directs applicants who have trouble accessing the announcement through Grants.gov to contact NSF Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRC) Program (NSF 12-516)
What is the NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRC) Program?
The NSF I/UCRC Program is designed to create and sustain long-term, structured partnerships between universities and industry (and, where relevant, government stakeholders). The program supports the creation of research centers that focus on applied, pre-competitive research topics that are important to both academic researchers and industry members.
What is the main purpose of an I/UCRC?
An I/UCRC is intended to be a durable research organization that connects university research with real-world industry needs. Key goals include strengthening the national research infrastructure, training students in industry-relevant problem solving, exposing faculty and students to current industrial challenges, and accelerating the transfer of research results into practice.
What does "pre-competitive research" mean in this program context?
In this opportunity, research is described as applied and pre-competitive, meaning it is focused on practical topics of broad interest to multiple industry members rather than proprietary product development for a single company.
How are I/UCRCs funded?
NSF typically provides a relatively small initial investment to help launch or expand a center. The primary ongoing support is expected to come from industry membership fees and engagement, with the model designed to be industry-driven while NSF remains involved as a catalyst and guide.
How many awards were anticipated under this solicitation?
NSF anticipated making about 8 awards under this opportunity.
What was the estimated total funding amount for this opportunity?
The estimated total funding amount was $10,000,000.
What was the expected award size?
Individual awards were expected to range from $10,000 to $200,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed for this opportunity.
What type of grant program is this?
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary grant program under the broader category of science and technology research and development.
What is the solicitation number or publication reference?
The solicitation referenced is NSF Publication 12-516 (Funding Opportunity Number 12-516).
Which research areas or disciplines can an I/UCRC cover?
The program spans a wide range of NSF scientific and engineering areas, as reflected by multiple CFDA numbers attached to the opportunity. Areas mentioned include Engineering; Mathematical and Physical Sciences; Geosciences; Computer and Information Science and Engineering; Biological Sciences; Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences; Education and Human Resources; Polar Programs; the Office of International Science and Engineering; the Office of Cyberinfrastructure; and EPSCoR. In practice, this breadth signals that centers can be formed in many disciplines if they fit the cooperative, membership-supported center structure and produce research of clear value to industry partners.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is centered on U.S. academic institutions. Proposals may be submitted by accredited U.S. colleges and universities, including two-year and four-year institutions (including community colleges), as long as they have a campus located in the United States and submit on behalf of their faculty.
Can two-year colleges or community colleges participate?
Yes. Two-year and four-year accredited U.S. institutions, including community colleges, are included as eligible applicants as long as they have a U.S.-located campus and submit on behalf of their faculty.
Are there specific requirements for the Principal Investigator (PI)?
Yes. The principal investigator at any institution participating in an I/UCRC proposal must be a tenured faculty member. Waivers may be requested, but they must be supported by the PI's supervisor (such as a department chair or dean).
Who must serve as the PI for the center?
The center or site director must serve as the PI. This requirement is intended to ensure that the person accountable for the center's overall direction is also the official project lead.
Does NSF encourage international collaboration in I/UCRCs?
Yes. The program encourages international collaboration when it meaningfully advances the center's mission, recognizing that many industrial and scientific challenges operate in a global environment.
Are there readiness steps required before submitting a full proposal for a new center?
Yes. For teams seeking to establish new centers, there are readiness steps before a full proposal can be submitted. These steps are designed to ensure that new centers understand the I/UCRC operational model, membership structure, governance expectations, and collaboration practices needed for long-term industry engagement.
What are the planning grant workshop requirements?
Planning grant awardees are required to complete planning grant workshops that include NSF program director representation.
What is the NSF-sponsored boot camp and what support is provided?
One pathway described for eligibility to submit a full proposal includes participating in an NSF-sponsored boot camp. NSF reimburses travel for the center or site director to attend.
Is a letter of intent part of the process for new centers?
Yes. The information provided indicates that eligibility to submit a full proposal for a new center may depend on submitting a letter of intent and successfully meeting the requirements tied to a planning grant award.
What were the key dates listed for this opportunity?
The posting lists an original closing date of March 6, 2012, and a later listed closing date of September 27, 2013, with instructions to see the solicitation for full details. The archive date is April 6, 2016.
Who is the sponsoring agency?
The sponsoring agency is the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Where should applicants go if they have trouble accessing the announcement through Grants.gov?
The solicitation directs applicants who have trouble accessing the announcement through Grants.gov to contact NSF Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
What role does NSF play after the center is launched?
NSF stays involved as a catalyst and guide as the center develops, but the model is intentionally industry-driven so the research agenda remains closely tied to real-world needs.
Is this program meant to fund individual projects or something larger?
The program is designed to support centers, not just a set of funded projects. The intent is to build long-term organizations that integrate research and education and sustain industry engagement through a membership-based structure.
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