Opportunity Information: Apply for 15 505
Apply for 15 505
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Robotics Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.310 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) 43.001 Science 43.008 Education 47.041 Engineering Grants 47.070 Computer and Information Science and Engineering 47.075 Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences 47.076 Education and Human Resources 93.173 Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders 93.286 Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health 93.361 Nursing Research 93.853 Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders 93.865 Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research 93.866 Aging Research 93.867 Vision Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 12, 2015 and posted on Oct 17, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 3, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $50,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 70 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Who May Submit Proposals Proposals may only be submitted by the following Organizational eligibility is contained in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG). (The complete text of the GPG is available electronically on the NSF website at a hrefhttp://www.nsf.gov/publications/pubsumm.jspodskeygpghttp://www.nsf.gov/publications/pubsumm.jspodskeygpg/a.) Additional eligibility restrictions apply to USDA/NIFA grants (see section IV). Commercial enterprises with greater emphasis on development activities should consider the SBIR/STTR companion programs (a hrefhttp://www.nsf.gov/eng/iip/sbir/http://www.nsf.gov/eng/iip/sbir//a) and other agency SBIR/STTR websites. For USDA/NIFA Eligible applicants for the grant program implemented under this subpart include (1) State agricultural experiment stations (2) colleges and universities (including junior colleges offering associate degrees or higher) (3) university research foundations (4) other research institutions and organizations (5) Federal agencies, (6) national laboratories (7) private organizations or corporations (8) individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents and (9) any group consisting of 2 or more entities identified in (1) through (8). Eligible institutions do not include foreign and international organizations. Who May Serve as PI There are no restrictions or limits.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The National Robotics Initiative (NRI) is a multi-agency federal grant opportunity aimed at speeding up the development and adoption of "co-robots" in the United States, meaning robotic systems designed to work beside people or cooperatively with them rather than replacing them. The program focuses on robotics that can form genuinely symbiotic partnerships with human users, where the robot and the person each contribute strengths to accomplish tasks more safely, efficiently, or effectively. It is supported across several federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), NASA, NIH, USDA, and DOD, with NSF serving as the named agency for this opportunity.
At its core, NRI is meant to push the next generation of robotics forward by improving both capability and usability. That includes everything from foundational research (new algorithms, sensing, actuation, and human-robot interaction methods) through technology development and prototyping, and extending all the way to manufacturing and real-world deployment. The solicitation emphasizes innovation not only in the underlying science and engineering, but also in application areas where co-robots can have major impact, including health and caregiving, agriculture and food systems, aerospace and space-related operations, and other domains tied to national priorities. Because multiple agencies participate, prospective applicants are expected to align the project with the mission interests of the relevant funding organization and consult the specific agency points of contact listed in the full solicitation for fit and direction.
A notable element of the initiative is its explicit attention to education and societal implications. NRI encourages approaches for integrating robotics into educational curricula and research training, building a workforce capable of designing, deploying, and managing co-robot systems. In parallel, it recognizes that widespread use of co-robots will have long-term social, behavioral, and economic effects, and it supports research that helps understand those impacts across many areas of human activity. This makes the program inherently interdisciplinary, inviting contributions not only from engineering and computer science, but also from fields that study people, organizations, and communities.
Collaboration is strongly encouraged, especially partnerships that connect fundamental science to practical deployment. The solicitation highlights linkages among academic institutions, industry, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders as a way to move ideas from lab demonstrations to usable systems in the real world. For companies primarily focused on product development rather than research, the opportunity notes that SBIR/STTR programs may be a better match, but industry participation in collaborative research efforts is clearly welcomed as part of the broader translation pipeline.
In terms of funding structure, this opportunity is a discretionary grant program in the science and technology R&D category. The estimated total funding listed is $50,000,000, with an expected 70 awards. Individual award sizes range from a $100,000 floor up to a $3,000,000 ceiling, and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The solicitation states that only one class of proposals will be accepted, meaning there are not separate tracks or competitions for small, medium, and large projects; applicants instead follow the budget guidance in the solicitation's budget section.
Eligibility is tied largely to NSF proposal rules described in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide, with additional restrictions for USDA/NIFA-supported awards. The USDA/NIFA portion allows a broad set of applicants, including state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, research foundations, other research institutions, federal agencies and national laboratories, private organizations or corporations, and eligible individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents, as well as teams made up of two or more eligible entities. Foreign and international organizations are not eligible under the USDA/NIFA eligibility language included in the notice. There are no restrictions listed on who may serve as Principal Investigator. The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA program numbers spanning engineering, computer and information science, education, social and economic sciences, agriculture, and several NIH health-related research areas, reflecting the broad range of application domains for human-centered robotics.
The posting indicates this solicitation (NSF 15-505) was originally posted October 17, 2014, with an initial proposal deadline of January 14, 2015, and then a subsequent deadline on December 3, 2015, with a continuing annual deadline described as the first Thursday in December thereafter (during the active period of the solicitation). The record shows an archive date of January 6, 2018. For administrative help accessing the announcement, the listing directs applicants to NSF grants.gov support, while project fit questions are intended for the participating agencies' points of contact referenced in the solicitation.
National Robotics Initiative (NRI) Grant Opportunity FAQs
What is the National Robotics Initiative (NRI)?
The National Robotics Initiative (NRI) is a multi-agency federal grant opportunity focused on accelerating the development and adoption of "co-robots" in the United States. In this context, co-robots are robotic systems designed to work beside people or cooperatively with them rather than replace them.
What does the program mean by "co-robots"?
Co-robots are robotic systems intended to form genuinely symbiotic partnerships with human users. The emphasis is on human-robot teams where each contributes complementary strengths to complete tasks more safely, efficiently, or effectively.
Which federal agencies support this opportunity?
The initiative is supported across several federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), NASA, NIH, USDA, and the Department of Defense (DOD). NSF is the named agency for this opportunity.
Who is the named agency for this grant opportunity?
NSF is the named agency for this opportunity, even though multiple agencies participate and support the initiative.
What kinds of projects does NRI fund?
NRI supports a wide range of robotics R&D efforts, including foundational research (such as new algorithms, sensing, actuation, and human-robot interaction methods), technology development and prototyping, and extensions toward manufacturing and real-world deployment.
What are the key goals of NRI-funded robotics work?
At a high level, the program aims to push the next generation of robotics forward by improving both capability and usability, with a strong focus on robots that can work cooperatively with people.
What application areas are highlighted in the solicitation?
The solicitation emphasizes impact-focused application areas where co-robots can make a major difference, including health and caregiving, agriculture and food systems, aerospace and space-related operations, and other domains tied to national priorities.
Does NRI require projects to align with specific agency missions?
Yes. Because multiple agencies participate, prospective applicants are expected to align their project with the mission interests of the relevant funding organization and consult the specific agency points of contact listed in the full solicitation for fit and direction.
Is NRI limited to engineering and computer science research?
No. The program is inherently interdisciplinary and invites contributions not only from engineering and computer science, but also from fields that study people, organizations, and communities, especially where those perspectives inform human-centered robotics.
Does the program support research on education and workforce development?
Yes. NRI explicitly encourages integrating robotics into educational curricula and research training to help build a workforce capable of designing, deploying, and managing co-robot systems.
Does NRI fund work on societal implications of robotics?
Yes. The solicitation recognizes that widespread use of co-robots will have long-term social, behavioral, and economic effects, and it supports research that helps understand those impacts across many areas of human activity.
Are collaborations and partnerships encouraged?
Yes. Collaboration is strongly encouraged, particularly partnerships that connect fundamental science to practical deployment. The solicitation highlights linkages among academic institutions, industry, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders to help move ideas from lab demonstrations to usable real-world systems.
Can companies participate in NRI proposals?
Industry participation is welcomed as part of collaborative research efforts, especially when it supports translation from research to practical deployment.
Is this opportunity intended for companies focused mainly on product development?
The opportunity notes that for companies primarily focused on product development rather than research, SBIR/STTR programs may be a better match. However, companies can still participate in collaborative research proposals under NRI.
What type of funding program is NRI?
This opportunity is described as a discretionary grant program in the science and technology R&D category.
How much total funding is available under this opportunity?
The estimated total funding listed is $50,000,000.
How many awards are expected?
The solicitation indicates an expected 70 awards.
What is the award size range for individual grants?
Individual award sizes range from a minimum (floor) of $100,000 up to a maximum (ceiling) of $3,000,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
Are there multiple proposal tracks (small/medium/large) or separate competitions?
No. The solicitation states that only one class of proposals will be accepted, meaning there are not separate tracks or competitions for small, medium, and large projects. Applicants are directed to follow the budget guidance in the solicitation's budget section.
What rules govern eligibility for submitting proposals?
Eligibility is tied largely to NSF proposal rules described in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide, with additional restrictions applying to USDA/NIFA-supported awards.
Who is eligible under the USDA/NIFA eligibility language mentioned in the notice?
The USDA/NIFA portion allows a broad set of applicants, including state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, research foundations, other research institutions, federal agencies and national laboratories, private organizations or corporations, and eligible individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. Teams made up of two or more eligible entities are also allowed.
Are foreign or international organizations eligible under the USDA/NIFA eligibility language included in the notice?
No. Foreign and international organizations are not eligible under the USDA/NIFA eligibility language included in the notice.
Are there restrictions on who may serve as Principal Investigator (PI)?
No restrictions are listed on who may serve as Principal Investigator.
What are the CFDA program areas associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with multiple CFDA program numbers spanning engineering, computer and information science, education, social and economic sciences, agriculture, and several NIH health-related research areas. This reflects the broad range of application domains for human-centered robotics.
When was this solicitation originally posted?
The posting indicates the solicitation (NSF 15-505) was originally posted on October 17, 2014.
What proposal deadlines are listed?
The record shows an initial proposal deadline of January 14, 2015, and a subsequent deadline on December 3, 2015. It also describes a continuing annual deadline as the first Thursday in December thereafter (during the active period of the solicitation).
What does the archive date mean for this listing?
The record shows an archive date of January 6, 2018, indicating the listing was archived as of that date.
Where should applicants go for administrative help accessing the announcement?
For administrative help accessing the announcement, the listing directs applicants to NSF grants.gov support.
Who should be contacted for questions about whether a project is a good fit?
Project fit questions are intended for the participating agencies' points of contact referenced in the full solicitation.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Science, Technology, and Society
Previous opportunity: Consortium for the Study of Chronic Pancreatitis, Diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer Coordination and Data Management Center (CSCPDPC CDMC) (U01)
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for 15 505
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (15 505) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Science, Technology, and Society Apply for 15 506 Funding Number: 15 506 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $180,000 |
| Science, Technology, Engineering Mathematics Education, Outreach, and Workforce Program (STEM) Apply for ONR 15 FOA 0002 Funding Number: ONR 15 FOA 0002 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Systems Science Apply for PD 14 8085 Funding Number: PD 14 8085 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Engineering and Systems Design Apply for PD 14 1464 Funding Number: PD 14 1464 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) Program Apply for KYPTFOA 15 0001 Funding Number: KYPTFOA 15 0001 Agency: NUWC Division Keyport Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| SBIR/STTR 2015 Phase II Release 1 Apply for DE FOA 0001193 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001193 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| EHR Core Research Apply for 15 509 Funding Number: 15 509 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Game Changing Development Program, Ultra Lightweightcore Materials For Efficient Load Bearing Composite Sandwich Structures Appendix Apply for NNH15ZOA001N 15GCD C1 Funding Number: NNH15ZOA001N 15GCD C1 Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2014 Climate Indicators and Data Products for Future National Climate Assessments Apply for NNH14ZDA001N INCA Funding Number: NNH14ZDA001N INCA Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HUMAN PERFORMANCE SENSING Apply for BAA RQKHB 2015 0003 Funding Number: BAA RQKHB 2015 0003 Agency: Air Force Research Lab Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Maintenance and Sustainment RD Projects Apply for HQ0034 14 01 1030 Funding Number: HQ0034 14 01 1030 Agency: Department of Defense Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $100,000,000 |
| DARPA BAA 15 04 Low Resource Languages for Emergent Incidents (LORELEI) Apply for DARPA BAA 15 04 Funding Number: DARPA BAA 15 04 Agency: DARPA Information Innovation Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NATIONAL SECURITY SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FACULTY FELLOWSHIP Apply for ONR 15 FOA 0003 Funding Number: ONR 15 FOA 0003 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Integrated Photonics Institute for Manufacturing Innovation Apply for FOA RQKM 2015 0009 Funding Number: FOA RQKM 2015 0009 Agency: Air Force Research Lab Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $220,000,000 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU Apply for G15AS00009 Funding Number: G15AS00009 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forests Apply for G15AS00010 Funding Number: G15AS00010 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, South Florida/Caribbean Apply for G15AS00011 Funding Number: G15AS00011 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studes Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU Apply for G15AS00012 Funding Number: G15AS00012 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year 2015 Department of Defense Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI) Apply for W911NF 15 R 0002 Funding Number: W911NF 15 R 0002 Agency: Dept of the Army Materiel Command Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| CISE MPS Interdisciplinary Faculty Program in Quantum Information Science Apply for 15 512 Funding Number: 15 512 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "15 505", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.