The NSF Convergence Accelerator is expanding from a single national program to 10 regionally focused NSF Convergence Accelerators in the Northwest, West, Mountain,Southwest, Midwest, South Central, Central, Southeast, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. As part of this regional expansion, a series of events are scheduled to take place in three stages from spring 2024 to winter 2027. The events will raise awareness of NSF, the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) and the NSF Convergence Accelerator, while also providing insights into the roles and responsibilities of the regional NSF Convergence Accelerator lead, called a Regional Anchor, and how regional stakeholders can participate in the program.
The NSF Convergence Accelerator Regional Expansion Events offer attendees from academia, industry, nonprofits, government and other communities of practice the opportunity to learn more about the NSF Convergence Accelerator program model and the regional expansion. Event attendees will have the opportunity to network with and hear from NSF-funded teams on the results and impact of their projects. Additionally, they will be able to connect with NSF Convergence Accelerator leadership and likeminded professionals dedicated to developing use-inspired solutions to address complex challenges within the region.
Sample Agenda:
- 12 p.m. Registration and Networking
- 1 p.m. Event Begins / Welcome Remarks
- 1:10 p.m. TIP: A New Directorate - Harnessing America's Innovation Potential
- 1:35 p.m. NSF Convergence Accelerator: National Program Overview
- 2:05 p.m. Panel Session: Convergence Accelerator Experiences
- 2:35 p.m. Break
- 2:50 p.m. Ignite Innovation in Your Region: NSF Convergence Accelerator Regional Expansion
- 3:30 p.m. NSF Other Transaction Authority – Regional Anchor Opportunity
- 3:50 p.m. Closing Remarks
- 4 p.m. Networking Session | Snacks & Beverages Break
- 5 p.m. Event Conclusion
Additional information about expansion events will be released as dates and locations are finalized, but interested stakeholders and organizations are encouraged to register and attend an event within their geographical region. Note: You may only register for one event within your region.
Register and Subscribe
For updates on future events, subscribe to the NSF Convergence Accelerator’s GovDelivery email list and Eventbrite page.
Stage 1
Three Midwest Regional Expansion Events are scheduled for May 2024.
The region includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois.
Register now for the Midwest Region expansion events in Minneapolis, Omaha or Chicago.
Regional Expansion Event Information
Minneapolis
Thursday, May 16 | 12 – 5 p.m. CDT
Millennium Minneapolis
1313 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN 55403
Omaha
Thursday, May 23 | 12 – 5 p.m. CDT
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Omaha Downtown
1616 Dodge Street Omaha, NE 68102
Chicago
Wednesday, May 29 | 12 – 5 p.m. CDT
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk
301 East North Water Street Chicago, IL 60611
Two Southeast Regional expansion events are scheduled for July 2024.
The region includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Register now for a Southeast Region Expansion Event in Jackson or Atlanta.
Regional Expansion Event Information
Thursday, July 25 | 12 – 5 p.m. CT
Hilton Jackson
1001 East County Line Road, Jackson, MS 39211
Wednesday, July 31 | 12 – 5 p.m. ET
Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel & Conference Center
3405 Lenox Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30326
Two Northeast Regional Expansion Events are tentatively scheduled for October 2024.
The region includes Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York.
Two Southwest Regional Expansion Events are tentatively scheduled for January 2025.
The region includes Arizona, New Mexico, Hawaii, the U.S. Territories of Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and the following counties of California: Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego.
Stage 2
Two Mid-Atlantic Regional Expansion Events are tentatively scheduled for summer 2025.
This region includes Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey and District of Columbia.
Two South Central Regional Expansion Events are tentatively scheduled for fall 2025.
This region includes Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Kansas.
Two Northwest Regional Expansion Events are tentatively scheduled for winter 2026.
This region includes Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and the following counties of California: Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma and Trinity.
Stage 3
Two Central Regional Expansion Events are tentatively scheduled for summer 2026.
This region includes Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Two Mountain Regional Expansion Events are tentatively scheduled for fall 2026.
This region includes Montana, Idaho, Utah, Colorado and Wyoming.
Two West Regional Expansion Events are tentatively scheduled for winter 2027.
This region includes Nevada and the following counties of California: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lassen, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Shasta, Sierra, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, Yolo and Yuba.