NSF Convergence Accelerator expands to Southeast Region

July events in Jackson, Mississippi, and Atlanta, Georgia, intended to enhance national and regional competitiveness in research and innovation 

The U.S. National Science Foundation Convergence Accelerator continues its regional expansion into the Southeast Region. 

Following a successful rollout in the Midwest, NSF will engage its second region by hosting two regional expansion events in the Southeast to enhance national and regional competitiveness in research, innovation and workforce development. Interested stakeholders and organizations from academia, industry, nonprofits, government and other communities of practice that reside within Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and the U.S. Virgin Islands are encouraged to register now and attend one of two half-day, in-person events in Jackson, Mississippi, (July 25) and Atlanta, Georgia (July 31).

Southeast Regional Expansion event attendees will learn how NSF plans to expand the NSF Convergence Accelerator from a single national program to 10 regionally focused NSF Convergence Accelerators that aim to enhance and promote regional competitiveness in research and innovation. Colleagues, partners and stakeholders are all welcome to attend one of the Southeast Regional Expansion events.

"The NSF Convergence Accelerator's expansion plan intends to promote convergence research, increasing the geography of innovation and proximity and diversity of NSF's researchers and scaling the delivery of use-inspired solutions to benefit the region and nation," said NSF Convergence Accelerator Section Head Douglas Maughan, in the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP). "Once NSF has officially stood up the NSF Regional Convergence Accelerator for the Southeast, funded teams within the region will merge innovative ideas, approaches and technologies from a wide range of sectors and expertise to harness the innovation ecosystem and address pressing societal and economic challenges." 

Sign up for program expansion updates

The Southeast Regional Expansion events will feature:

• Program and expansion overview. Gain a comprehensive understanding of NSF, the NSF TIP Directorate, the NSF Convergence Accelerator program model and plans for regional expansion.  
• Regional Anchor opportunity. Explore the pivotal role of a Regional Anchor, designed to execute the NSF Convergence Accelerator's program model at the regional level and ensure the overall experience is consistent with the existing program.   
• Regional Consortia opportunities. Learn about the opportunities that the Southeast Regional Convergence Accelerator will offer to partners within the region. Discover how Consortia Members will collaborate to solve the region's most complex challenges, from ideation to research delivery.  
• Panel discussions. Hear firsthand from NSF Convergence Accelerator-funded teams in candid conversations about their projects and their experience in the program.    
• Dynamic networking opportunities. Connect with like-minded innovators, collaborators and thought leaders committed to addressing complex regional challenges. 

"These Southeast regional events are our opportunity to connect with stakeholders within the region, to share opportunities to engage with the NSF Regional Convergence Accelerator and to form collaborative partnerships to tackle the most pressing challenges in the Southeast," said NSF Convergence Accelerator Program Expansion Lead Shelby Smith. "The key focus of the Convergence Accelerator program is to bring together a wide range of stakeholders from across different disciplines, expertise and sectors to bolster the Southeast's innovation ecosystem and address challenges through use-inspired research."

Over the next three years, regional expansion events will take place, at least two per region, in each of the NSF Convergence Accelerator's 10 geographic regions. Additional events will be announced as locations are finalized but are anticipated to take place in the Northeast Region in October 2024, Southwest Region in January 2025, Mid-Atlantic Region in summer 2025, South Central Region in fall 2025, Northwest Region in winter 2026, Central Region in summer 2026, Mountain Region in fall 2026 and West Region in winter 2027.

Signup for NSF Convergence Accelerator Eventbrite updates

Register now for events in the Southeast Region. 

Jackson, Mississippi | Hilton Jackson | July 25, 2024, 12 – 5 p.m. CT  

Atlanta, Georgia | Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel & Conference Center | July 31, 2024, 12 – 5 p.m. ET  

For program expansion updates and future events, subscribe to the NSF Convergence Accelerator's GovDelivery email list and Eventbrite page.

About the NSF Convergence Accelerator

Launched in 2019, the NSF Convergence Accelerator—a TIP program—builds upon NSF’s investment in basic research and discovery to accelerate solutions toward societal and economic impact. The program’s multidisciplinary teams use convergence research fundamentals and innovation processes to stimulate innovative idea sharing and development of sustainable solutions. For more information about the program, visit new.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/convergence-accelerator.

About TIP

TIP harnesses the nation’s vast and diverse talent pool to accelerate critical and emerging technologies and address pressing societal and economic challenges. The directorate comprises three primary focus areas: fostering innovation and technology ecosystems; establishing translation pathways; and partnering across sectors to improve U.S. competitiveness, grow the U.S. economy and engage and train a diverse workforce for future, high-wage jobs. For more information about TIP, visit new.nsf.gov/tip/latest.