Funding Opportunities
NSF Convergence Accelerator Phase 1 and 2 for 2022 Cohort - Tracks H, I and J
Researchers and innovators have two submission pathways to submit their proposals.
- Solicitation, NSF-22-583
- Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), NSFBAA-CA22-02
Key dates:
- Letter of intent (required): May 31, 2022
- Full Phase 1 Proposal: July 20, 2022
- Full Phase 2 Proposal: August 29, 2023*
* Phase 2 Full Proposals, only Phase 1 awardees are eligible to apply
Securely Operating through 5G Infrastructure Funding Opportunity
Partnering with the Department of Defense’s Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, OUSD(RE), the NSF Convergence Accelerator has published two submission pathways for researchers and innovators to submit their proposal.
- Solicitation, NSF 22-538
- Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), NSFBAA-CA22-01
Key dates:
- Letter of intent (required): February 16, 2022
- Full Phase 1 Proposal: April 12, 2022
- Full Phase 2 Proposal: April 4, 2023*
* Phase 2 Full Proposals, only Phase 1 awardees are eligible to apply
Funded Future Topic Selection Workshops
Convergence Accelerator research topics begin as an ideation process—gathering input, through a Dear Colleague Letter on future topics conference proposals, from industry, academic institutions, non-profits, government, and other interested parties. Identified topics must meet a societal need at scale, be built upon foundational research, and be suitable for a multidisciplinary, convergence research approach.
2021 Workshops for the 2022 Topics
The Convergence Accelerator has selected 12 topics to further be developed through workshops. Topic submissions were gathered from the Dear Colleague Letter/Request for Information, DCL/RFI NSF-21-012 and RFI on SAM.gov NSFOA2021-1, focused on gathering convergence research topics for FY2022.
Find additional information on the funded workshops
2020 Workshop Reports for 2021 Topics
The Convergence Accelerator funded 12 topics to be further developed through workshops. Topic submissions were gathered from the Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) NSF-20-061, focused on gathering convergence research topics for FY 2021. Reports were provided to NSF at the conclusion of each workshop to assist the Convergence Accelerator program in determining the topics for the 2021 cohort. Of the 12 workshop topics, two were chosen for the 2021 cohort, creating the Networked Blue Economy and Trust & Authenticity in Communication Systems tracks.
Videos
NSF's Convergence Accelerator program overview video, July 2021
2019 cohort phase 1 project videos
Track A: Open Knowledge Networks phase 2 videos
Biomedical Open Knowledge Network
KnowWhereGraph
OKN Infrastructure
SCALES
Urban Flooding Open Knowledge Network
Data2Knowledge Consortium
Track B: The Future of Work phase 2 videos
LEARNER
NeuroAI@Work
SkillSync
Skills-Based Talent Ecosystem Platform for Upskilling, STEP UP
Track C: Quantum Technology, phase 2 project videos
PEAQUE
QuaNeCQT
Quantum Sensors
QuSTEAM
Track D: AI-Driven Innovation via Data and Model Sharing project videos
AI-Grid
BrunPro3D
Computing the Biome
CRIPT
HydroGEN
Precision Epidemiology
Convergence Accelerator Portfolio Resources

2022 Convergence Accelerator Portfolio Guide
The 2022 Convergence Accelerator Portfolio Guide features more than 45 NSF funded use-inspired projects across six convergence research tracks from the 2019, 2020 and 2021 cohorts. Projects aligned to Track A: Open Knowledge Networks; Track B: AI & the Future of Work projects; Track C: Quantum Technology and Track D: Trust & Authenticity in Communication Systems are in phase 2. Track E: Networked Blue Economy and Track F: Trust & Authenticity in Communication Systems projects are in phase 1.

2021 Convergence Accelerator Portfolio Guide
The 2021 Convergence Accelerator Portfolio Guide features NSF funded projects in the 2019 cohort and 2020 cohort. Track A: Open Knowledge Networks and Track B: AI & the Future of Work projects are in phase 2. Track C: Quantum Technology and Track D: Trust & Authenticity in Communication Systems projects are in phase 1.

2020 Convergence Accelerator Cohort Guide
The 2020 Convergence Accelerator Cohort Guide features the NSF funded projects in the 2019 cohort in phase 1. The convergent research track topics include Track A: Open Knowledge Networks and Track B: AI & the Future of Work.
Additional resources
Past Webinars
Informational Webinar: NSF Convergence Accelerator Phases 1 and 2 for the 2022 Cohort
NSF’s Convergence Accelerator is speeding research and discovery into practice through a funding opportunity focused on three new research track topics: Enhancing Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, Sustainable Materials for Global Challenges, and Food & Nutrition Security.
In the 90 minute informational webinar, hosted on May 4 and 5, 2022, participants learned about
- The NSF Convergence Accelerator program, to include our phased approach and innovation processes used to accelerate basic research into practice
- The funding opportunity to include the research track focuses, required Convergence Accelerator fundamentals, and important submission information
Resources:
May 4, 2022: Webinar Recording | Presentation Brief
May 5, 2022: Webinar Recording | Presentation Brief
Informational webinar for the Convergence Accelerator's request for topics for FY22, Oct. 2020
An outreach webinar on Dear Colleague Letter NSF 21-012: Request for Information (RFI) on Future Topics for the NSF Convergence Accelerator was held Oct. 27, 2020. Click to view the
Past Events
Convergence Accelerator Expo 2021
The U.S. National Science Foundation's Convergence Accelerator hosted Convergence Accelerator Expo 2021 on July 28–29, 2021.
This exciting event highlighted the Convergence Accelerator's portfolio in an exhibition format, like a big science fair. Attendees had the opportunity to see unique solutions across multiple convergence research track topics, all focused on addressing national-scale societal challenges.
During the event, attendees learned about the Convergence Accelerator Program; saw more than 35 live demos focused on solutions to national-scale societal challenges; and networked with other researchers, innovators, and business and technical practitioners.
FEATURED TRACK TOPICS
Track A: Open Knowledge Networks: Knowledge networks connect data to create new understandings. The Convergence Accelerator is funding the creation of nonproprietary infrastructure for building open knowledge networks.
Track B: Future of Work: Artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics are shifting the future of work. The Convergence Accelerator is funding solutions to train, reskill, upskill and prepare the workforce for the industry needs and jobs of the future — building a talent pipeline to stimulate the U.S. workforce.
Track C: Quantum Technology: Quantum technologies can improve the U.S. industrial base, create jobs, and provide significant progress toward economic and societal needs. The Convergence Accelerator is funding solutions for a diverse set of quantum applications.
Track D: AI-Driven Innovation via Data Sharing and Modeling: AI research and development requires access to high-quality datasets and environments and resources for testing and training. The Convergence Accelerator is funding solutions to address data and model-related challenges and data types.
Special Track: Future of Manufacturing EcoManufacturing Team: The EcoManufacturing team, funded by the NSF Directorate of Engineering, participated in the Convergence Accelerator's innovation curriculum to speed their research toward major science advances in sustainable manufacturing.