Opportunity Information: Apply for 10 617
Apply for 10 617
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Opportunities for Currently NSF Supported and Self Sustaining, Graduated Engineering Research Centers to Partner with Small Businesses (ERC SBIR)" 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.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 19, 2011 and posted on Sep 17, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Waiting for new publication. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,400,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 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 Option 1 Eligibility for ERC Initiated Collaborations Active or self sustaining, graduated ERC initiated collaborations with any already established small RampD firm that meets the quotsmall businessquot eligibility requirements as defined by the SBIR program (including active or graduated SBIR/STTR Phase I and Phase II grantees supported by any agency). Institutions with NSF funded ERCs with active awards in the Classes of 2003 2008, or self sustaining, graduated ERCs, listed in the Appendix, are eligible to apply directly to the Engineering Research Centers program for Option 1. A self sustaining, graduated ERCis one that is defined as an ERC in the Classes of 1990 or later that is financially self sustaining and retains ERC key features. This would include the two ERCs in the Class of 2000, even if they are operating on brief no cost extensions.A list of self sustaining, graduated ERCs is provided in the Appendix. Option 2 Eligibility for SBIR/STTR Initiated Collaborations Active or graduated NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II initiated collaborations with either an active or a self sustaining, graduated ERC Only active or graduated NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II and Phase IIB awards are eligible to directly apply to this solicitation under Option 2. An active SBIR/STTR awardee is one with an NSF award, which has not yet expired. The quotgraduatedquot NSF supported SBIR/STTR has had an award that was successfully completed within the previous five years of the proposal deadline date. In addition, the company is only eligible to apply when an active or self sustaining, graduated ERC listed in the Appendix participates in the collaborative research project. A potential list of SBIR/STTR members can be viewed using the NSF award search tool at a hrefhttp://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/tab.dodispatch4http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/tab.dodispatch4/a and confining the search to Element Code 5373 or 1591 for awards. Details about the award and PI are viewable by clicking on the award number.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity titled "Opportunities for Currently NSF Supported and Self Sustaining, Graduated Engineering Research Centers to Partner with Small Businesses (ERC - SBIR)" is designed to connect NSF Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) with small research and development firms, including companies that have received SBIR or STTR awards. The basic idea is to pair the deep, university-based research capabilities of ERCs with the speed, focus, and commercialization drive of small businesses, so that promising technologies move more quickly from the lab into real products and services. NSF is targeting ERCs that are either currently funded (specifically those in the Classes of 2003-2008) or that have graduated from NSF support but remain financially self-sustaining while still maintaining the defining features of an ERC.
A key emphasis of the opportunity is "translation" and commercialization. ERCs are known for advancing engineering research at the systems level, integrating multiple disciplines, and maintaining strong industry connections. Many ERCs also have a track record of spinning off startups and transferring technology to the marketplace through industrial partners. This program builds on that history by explicitly encouraging collaborative R and D projects with small businesses, where the partnership is meant to accelerate product development, reduce technical risk, and create a clearer path to market. At the same time, NSF wants students involved more directly in innovation, meaning these collaborations are also meant to serve as hands-on learning environments where students see how research turns into deployable technology.
The program has two main collaboration entry paths. Under Option 1, an eligible ERC (either an active NSF-supported ERC in the specified classes, or a qualified self-sustaining graduated ERC) can initiate a proposal in collaboration with an established small R and D firm that meets SBIR small business eligibility requirements. This includes firms that have current or past SBIR/STTR Phase I or Phase II awards from any federal agency, as well as other qualifying small R and D businesses. Under Option 2, an NSF-supported SBIR/STTR company can initiate the proposal, but only if it is an active or recently graduated NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II (or Phase IIB) awardee and it partners with an eligible ERC listed in the solicitation appendix. For Option 2, "active" generally means the NSF award has not yet expired, and "graduated" means the award was successfully completed within the previous five years of the proposal deadline. In both options, the collaboration between the ERC and the company is the core requirement; neither side is intended to operate alone under this mechanism.
Eligibility is intentionally narrow and tied to NSF-defined ERC status. The solicitation distinguishes "self-sustaining graduated ERCs" as those from the Class of 1990 or later that have been confirmed (through a survey-based assessment of post-graduation status) to be financially self-sufficient and still operating with key ERC characteristics. It also notes that some ERCs from earlier classes may qualify if they were reestablished through a new NSF ERC competition award. The solicitation references a document on post-graduation status and points applicants to an appendix listing the ERCs eligible to compete, which is important because not every former ERC automatically qualifies.
From a program goals perspective, NSF is aiming for two outcomes that reinforce each other. First, it wants to speed the movement of ERC-generated research and technology into the marketplace, using small firms as commercialization engines and giving students more exposure to real-world innovation workflows. Second, it wants to strengthen the technical and research capacity of the small business partner, so the company can bring its innovation to market faster and potentially broaden its product portfolio. The expected end product is described as a mutually beneficial research and commercialization platform, meaning NSF is not only funding a single project but also trying to establish a partnership structure that can continue beyond the grant period, supporting future joint development and creating ongoing opportunities for student participation.
Administratively, this is a discretionary NSF grant program within CFDA 47.041 (Engineering Grants) and falls under science and technology research and development. The opportunity anticipated around 15 awards with an estimated total funding level of $3.4 million, and it includes a cost sharing or matching requirement, which signals that NSF expects applicants and/or partners to have meaningful financial or in-kind commitment to the work. The original timeline listed a required letter of intent due by 5 p.m. local time on the last Tuesday in November (for the initial cycle, November 30, 2010) and full proposals due the first Monday in February (for the initial cycle, February 7, 2011), with the solicitation indicating an annual cycle pattern. The posting date was September 17, 2010, and the record later moved into an archived status in December 2011, meaning applicants would need to look for a reissued or updated solicitation if seeking a current version.
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a bridge between mature academic engineering research centers and small companies trying to commercialize technology. NSF is using ERC capabilities (facilities, interdisciplinary teams, systems engineering approach, and workforce development) to help small firms overcome technical hurdles, while using the small firms' product focus and market orientation to help ERC innovations reach customers faster. The program is structured to be practical and partnership-driven, with eligibility rules designed to ensure that both collaborators are experienced, credible participants in applied research and commercialization.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the NSF "ERC - SBIR" grant opportunity?
The National Science Foundation (NSF) opportunity titled "Opportunities for Currently NSF Supported and Self Sustaining, Graduated Engineering Research Centers to Partner with Small Businesses (ERC - SBIR)" is a grant program intended to connect NSF Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) with small research and development (R&D) firms, including companies that have received SBIR or STTR awards. The goal is to combine ERCs' university-based, systems-level engineering research strengths with small businesses' speed and commercialization focus so technologies move faster from the lab into products and services.
What is the main purpose of this program?
The program is designed to accelerate translation and commercialization of engineering research by funding collaborative R&D partnerships between eligible ERCs and eligible small businesses. NSF wants these partnerships to reduce technical risk, speed product development, and create clearer routes to market while also involving students in hands-on innovation and commercialization experiences.
Who is this program meant to connect?
This program is meant to connect mature, high-capability ERCs (either currently NSF-supported in specific classes or qualified self-sustaining graduated ERCs) with small R&D companies that can drive commercialization, including SBIR/STTR awardees.
What types of organizations can participate?
Participation centers on two entities working together: (1) an eligible NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC), and (2) an eligible small research and development firm that meets SBIR small business eligibility requirements (including firms with current or past SBIR/STTR Phase I or Phase II awards from any federal agency, as well as other qualifying small R&D businesses).
Is a partnership required, or can one organization apply alone?
A partnership is the core requirement. The solicitation emphasizes that the collaboration between the ERC and the company is central in both entry paths; neither side is intended to operate alone under this mechanism.
What are the two collaboration entry options?
The program offers two entry paths:
- Option 1: An eligible ERC initiates a proposal in collaboration with an established small R&D firm that meets SBIR small business eligibility requirements.
- Option 2: An NSF-supported SBIR/STTR company initiates the proposal, but only if it is an active or recently graduated NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II (or Phase IIB) awardee, and it partners with an eligible ERC listed in the solicitation appendix.
Under Option 1, which ERCs are eligible?
Option 1 is open to ERCs that are currently funded by NSF in the Classes of 2003-2008, as well as self-sustaining graduated ERCs that meet NSF's definition and remain operational with the defining features of an ERC.
Under Option 1, what types of small businesses can partner with an ERC?
The small business partner must meet SBIR small business eligibility requirements. The solicitation notes that this includes firms with current or past SBIR/STTR Phase I or Phase II awards from any federal agency, and also includes other qualifying small R&D businesses that meet the SBIR eligibility standards.
Under Option 2, which companies are eligible to initiate a proposal?
Option 2 allows an NSF-supported SBIR/STTR company to initiate the proposal only if the company is an active or recently graduated NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II (or Phase IIB) awardee and partners with an eligible ERC listed in the solicitation appendix.
What does "active" mean for an NSF SBIR/STTR award under Option 2?
For Option 2, "active" generally means the NSF SBIR/STTR award has not yet expired.
What does "graduated" mean for an NSF SBIR/STTR award under Option 2?
For Option 2, "graduated" means the NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II (or Phase IIB) award was successfully completed within the previous five years of the proposal deadline.
What is an NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC) in the context of this opportunity?
In this solicitation, ERCs are described as centers known for systems-level engineering research, integration across multiple disciplines, and strong industry connections. They often have experience transferring technology to the marketplace and spinning off startups, and they maintain capabilities such as facilities, interdisciplinary teams, and workforce development.
What is a "self-sustaining graduated ERC"?
The solicitation distinguishes "self-sustaining graduated ERCs" as those from the Class of 1990 or later that have been confirmed through a survey-based assessment of post-graduation status to be financially self-sufficient and still operating with key ERC characteristics.
Do all former ERCs automatically qualify as self-sustaining graduated ERCs?
No. The solicitation notes that not every former ERC automatically qualifies. Applicants are directed to an appendix listing the ERCs eligible to compete, which is important for confirming eligibility.
Can ERCs from earlier classes qualify?
The solicitation indicates that some ERCs from earlier classes may qualify if they were reestablished through a new NSF ERC competition award.
What are the program's primary goals?
NSF is aiming for two reinforcing outcomes:
- Accelerate commercialization: Speed movement of ERC-generated research and technology into the marketplace, leveraging small firms as commercialization engines and providing students more exposure to real innovation workflows.
- Build small business capacity: Strengthen the technical and research capacity of the small business partner so it can bring innovations to market faster and potentially broaden its product portfolio.
What kinds of results does NSF expect from funded projects?
The expected end product is described as a mutually beneficial research and commercialization platform. This suggests NSF is not only supporting a single project, but also encouraging a partnership structure that can continue beyond the grant period and create ongoing opportunities for joint development and student participation.
How does student involvement fit into this opportunity?
The program emphasizes involving students more directly in innovation by making ERC-small business collaborations hands-on learning environments where students can see how research is translated into deployable technology.
What is the funding size and number of expected awards?
The opportunity anticipated about 15 awards with an estimated total funding level of $3.4 million.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The opportunity includes a cost sharing or matching requirement, signaling that NSF expects a meaningful financial and/or in-kind commitment to the proposed work from applicants and/or partners.
What is the CFDA number and program classification?
This is a discretionary NSF grant program within CFDA 47.041 (Engineering Grants) and falls under science and technology research and development.
What were the key deadlines mentioned in the original timeline?
The original timeline listed a required letter of intent due by 5 p.m. local time on the last Tuesday in November (for the initial cycle, November 30, 2010) and full proposals due the first Monday in February (for the initial cycle, February 7, 2011). The solicitation also indicated an annual cycle pattern.
What was the posting date and current status of this opportunity?
The posting date was September 17, 2010. The record later moved into an archived status in December 2011, meaning anyone seeking to apply would need to look for a reissued or updated solicitation to find a current version.
Why does the program emphasize "translation" and commercialization?
NSF highlights translation and commercialization because ERCs often generate promising systems-level engineering advances, and small firms can serve as focused commercialization partners. The intent is to reduce technical risk, speed development, and create clearer pathways to market by aligning research capability with product and market execution.
What is the overall concept behind the ERC-small business partnership model?
The overall concept is a bridge between mature academic engineering research centers and small companies working to commercialize technology. NSF aims to use ERC capabilities (facilities, interdisciplinary teams, systems engineering approach, and workforce development) to help small firms overcome technical hurdles, while small firms provide product focus and market orientation that can help ERC innovations reach customers faster.
Where do applicants confirm which ERCs are eligible?
The solicitation points applicants to an appendix that lists the ERCs eligible to compete. This is emphasized as a key step because eligibility is intentionally narrow and tied to NSF-defined ERC status.
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