Opportunity Information: Apply for 12 543
Apply for 12 543
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Small Business/ ERC Collaborative Opportunity" 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 Mar 2, 2012 and posted on Mar 2, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 30, 2012 Letter of Intent Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m. proposers local time) March 30, 2012 Full Proposal Deadline(s) May 30, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,000,000.00 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).
- See Full Solicitation for details
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business/ERC Collaborative Opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 12-543) is a discretionary grant program designed to move NSF-funded technologies out of the lab and into real-world use. The central purpose is to speed up commercialization and practical implementation by creating structured collaborations between NSF Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) and small businesses funded through NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). In addition to traditional marketplace outcomes, the program also recognizes that some ERCs are created to serve the public good by advancing critical public engineering systems, so the opportunity explicitly supports projects that translate research into deployments that deliver intended public benefits, not just private commercial returns.
The opportunity is organized around two collaboration paths. Option 1 focuses on leveraging ERC-generated research and technology advances by pairing an ERC with a small business firm to accelerate translation to the marketplace or, where relevant, to implementation in critical public engineering systems. A notable emphasis in this option is workforce and education: the collaboration is expected to engage undergraduate and graduate students more directly in the innovation process, meaning students are not only doing research but also participating in the steps needed to turn research into usable products, services, or systems. Option 2 is aimed at active NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II awardees and is structured to strengthen their research capacity by connecting them with an ERC. The intent is to help Phase II companies move faster toward market entry and to broaden their pipeline of marketable products by tapping into ERC expertise, facilities, and research capabilities.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is an NSF grant opportunity in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category, listed under CFDA 47.041 (Engineering Grants). NSF anticipated making about 15 awards, supported by an estimated total funding level of $3,000,000, with an award floor of $200,000. No cost sharing or matching is required, which can reduce barriers for small businesses and partners that may not have substantial non-federal funds available.
Key dates for the 2012 cycle were clearly defined. A Letter of Intent was required and due by March 30, 2012 (by 5 p.m. local time for the proposer), and full proposals were due by May 30, 2012. The opportunity was posted and created on March 2, 2012, had an original and current closing date of May 30, 2012, and an archive date of June 30, 2012. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," with the solicitation directing applicants to the full announcement (NSF Publication 12-543) for the specific eligibility rules and requirements that govern who can apply and how the ERC and small business relationships must be structured.
For access and support, NSF pointed applicants to Grants.gov support (grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) for difficulties accessing the announcement electronically, and indicated separate assistance for problems linking to the funding announcement. Overall, the program is best understood as an NSF translation and partnership mechanism: it is meant to bridge the gap between ERC research and small business commercialization capability, while also supporting public-benefit implementations when an ERCs mission is tied to critical infrastructure or public engineering systems.
FAQs: NSF Small Business/ERC Collaborative Opportunity (NSF 12-543)
What is the NSF Small Business/ERC Collaborative Opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 12-543)?
This is a discretionary National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity designed to move NSF-funded technologies out of the lab and into real-world use. It does this by creating structured collaborations between NSF Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) and small businesses funded through NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR).
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The central purpose is to speed up commercialization and practical implementation of NSF-funded technology. The program is meant to bridge the gap between ERC research capabilities and small business commercialization capacity, helping innovations transition from research into usable products, services, or deployed systems.
Is the program only about commercialization and private-market outcomes?
No. While commercialization and marketplace outcomes are a major focus, the opportunity also explicitly supports projects that translate research into deployments that deliver intended public benefits, not just private commercial returns. This is especially relevant for ERCs whose missions are tied to critical public engineering systems.
How is the opportunity structured?
The opportunity is organized around two collaboration paths: Option 1 and Option 2. Each option has a different starting point and collaboration goal between ERCs and small businesses.
What is Option 1?
Option 1 focuses on leveraging ERC-generated research and technology advances by pairing an ERC with a small business firm. The goal is to accelerate translation to the marketplace or, where relevant, to implementation in critical public engineering systems.
What is the student/workforce component in Option 1?
Option 1 places notable emphasis on workforce and education. The collaboration is expected to engage undergraduate and graduate students more directly in the innovation process, meaning students participate not only in research but also in steps needed to turn research into usable products, services, or systems.
What is Option 2?
Option 2 is aimed at active NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II awardees. It is structured to strengthen the Phase II companys research capacity by connecting the company with an ERC, with the intent of helping the company move faster toward market entry and broaden its pipeline of marketable products.
Who is Option 2 specifically intended for?
Option 2 is specifically intended for active NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II awardees seeking to connect with an ERC to access expertise, facilities, and research capabilities that can accelerate market entry and product pipeline development.
What types of collaborations does this program encourage?
The program encourages structured collaborations between NSF ERCs and small businesses associated with NSF SBIR/STTR, with the aim of translating ERC research into practical outcomes. Depending on the ERC mission and project goals, those outcomes can include commercial products/services or deployments in critical public engineering systems.
What is the funding category and CFDA listing for this opportunity?
This is an NSF grant opportunity in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category. It is listed under CFDA 47.041 (Engineering Grants).
How many awards did NSF anticipate making and what was the total funding level?
NSF anticipated making about 15 awards, supported by an estimated total funding level of $3,000,000.
What is the minimum (award floor) funding amount for an award?
The award floor listed for this opportunity is $200,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states that no cost sharing or matching is required, which can reduce barriers for small businesses and partners that may not have substantial non-federal funds available.
What were the key dates for the 2012 cycle?
The opportunity was created and posted on March 2, 2012. A Letter of Intent was required and due by March 30, 2012 (by 5 p.m. local time for the proposer). Full proposals were due by May 30, 2012. The original and current closing date was May 30, 2012, and the archive date was June 30, 2012.
Was a Letter of Intent required?
Yes. A Letter of Intent was required for the 2012 cycle, with a due date of March 30, 2012 (by 5 p.m. local time for the proposer).
When were full proposals due?
For the 2012 cycle described, full proposals were due by May 30, 2012.
What does it mean that the opportunity is archived?
The information provided indicates an archive date of June 30, 2012. This typically signals the solicitation was part of a time-bounded cycle and is no longer open under that archived posting.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." The solicitation directs applicants to the full announcement (NSF Publication 12-543) for specific eligibility rules and requirements, including how the ERC and small business relationships must be structured.
Where can applicants find the definitive eligibility and submission requirements?
The opportunity points applicants to the full announcement, NSF Publication 12-543, for the specific eligibility rules and requirements governing who can apply and how ERC and small business relationships must be set up.
What kinds of outcomes does NSF expect from projects funded under this opportunity?
Projects are expected to translate NSF-funded research into real-world use. That can include commercial marketplace outcomes (products/services) and, where relevant, implementation in critical public engineering systems that deliver intended public benefits.
How does this opportunity support small businesses?
It supports small businesses by pairing them with ERC expertise and capabilities to accelerate translation and market entry. Option 2 specifically strengthens the research capacity of active NSF SBIR/STTR Phase II awardees by connecting them to ERC facilities, expertise, and research capabilities.
How does this opportunity support ERCs?
It supports ERCs by providing a structured mechanism to translate ERC research and technology advances into practical deployments, including commercialization and public-benefit implementations, and by encouraging deeper student participation in innovation and translation activities (especially under Option 1).
What support contact is provided for accessing the announcement electronically?
NSF pointed applicants to Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov for difficulties accessing the announcement electronically.
What if there are problems linking to the funding announcement?
The opportunity indicates there is separate assistance for problems linking to the funding announcement, in addition to the Grants.gov support address provided for access issues.
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