What is the real per-recipient economic value?

USD 5,000,000 maximum. Award minimum: not published. Dilution/equity: none.

Which jurisdictions and applicants are eligible?

Applications are made by eligible organizations under the applicable NSF solicitation. Teams are expected to mix disciplines and sectors; international collaboration is allowed only under the solicitation and NSF policy. Phase 2 is restricted to Phase-1 award teams.

Use-inspired convergence research; Named end users and transition partners; A credible path from proof of concept to a sustainable societal-scale solution

What burden or follow-on should I expect?

Cooperative-agreement oversight, curriculum deliverables, milestones, a formal Phase-1 pitch, and Phase-2 progress reviews; exact requirements are solicitation-specific. Competitive progression from Phase 1 (up to $750k) to Phase 2 (up to $5m), not automatic renewal.

NSF Convergence Accelerator

USD 5,000,000 maximum; see notes for structure · National Science Foundation (NSF)

NSF's Convergence Accelerator funds use-inspired, multidisciplinary teams to translate research into deployable solutions for national-scale challenges, organized into annual thematic 'tracks.' Two-phase, cohort-based program with a strong product/partnership and commercialization emphasis. Current status: unknown; Track solicitations are released periodically; no live universal 2026 founder call was posted on the checked program page. Award economics: USD 5,000,000 maximum; dilution/equity: none.

Tier 1 · ranked #8nsfconvergence-acceleratortranslationcohort

Apply Official site Open in the live directory

Key facts

Funder	National Science Foundation (NSF)
Amount	USD 5,000,000 maximum; see notes for structure
Decision time	Phase 1 is a nine-month effort; Phase 2 selection follows an NSF pitch and proposal evaluation.
Eligibility	Applications are made by eligible organizations under the applicable NSF solicitation. Teams are expected to mix disciplines and sectors; international collaboration is allowed only under the solicitation and NSF policy. Phase 2 is restricted to Phase-1 award teams.
Restrictions	Cooperative-agreement oversight, curriculum deliverables, milestones, a formal Phase-1 pitch, and Phase-2 progress reviews; exact requirements are solicitation-specific. Dilution/equity: none.
Status	unknown

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

Form a multidisciplinary, multi-organization team aligned to a published track
Submit through the applicable NSF solicitation
Complete nine-month Phase 1 proof-of-concept and innovation curriculum
Pitch and submit for competitive Phase 2 selection
Selected teams execute up to three years of prototype and sustainability work

Background

National Science Foundation (NSF) operates NSF Convergence Accelerator. The official-source pass separates the currently actionable opportunity from historical cohorts and separates per-recipient value from headline program envelopes. The official program model reports Phase 1 awards up to $750,000 and Phase 2 awards up to $5 million.

How the application really works

Form a multidisciplinary, multi-organization team aligned to a published track → Submit through the applicable NSF solicitation → Complete nine-month Phase 1 proof-of-concept and innovation curriculum → Pitch and submit for competitive Phase 2 selection → Selected teams execute up to three years of prototype and sustainability work

Tips

Demonstrate: Use-inspired convergence research
Demonstrate: Named end users and transition partners
Demonstrate: A credible path from proof of concept to a sustainable societal-scale solution

Watch out for

Current status is unknown; do not use an archived form.
Dilution/equity treatment: none.
Cooperative-agreement oversight, curriculum deliverables, milestones, a formal Phase-1 pitch, and Phase-2 progress reviews; exact requirements are solicitation-specific.

Track record

The official program model reports Phase 1 awards up to $750,000 and Phase 2 awards up to $5 million.

A cited cohort solicitation anticipated up to 48 Phase-1 awards and up to six Phase-2 awards per topic; rates vary by track.

Frequently asked questions

Is this opportunity actionable now?: unknown. Track solicitations are released periodically; no live universal 2026 founder call was posted on the checked program page.
What is the real per-recipient economic value?: USD 5,000,000 maximum. Award minimum: not published. Dilution/equity: none.
Which jurisdictions and applicants are eligible?: Applications are made by eligible organizations under the applicable NSF solicitation. Teams are expected to mix disciplines and sectors; international collaboration is allowed only under the solicitation and NSF policy. Phase 2 is restricted to Phase-1 award teams.
How does selection work?: Form a multidisciplinary, multi-organization team aligned to a published track; Submit through the applicable NSF solicitation; Complete nine-month Phase 1 proof-of-concept and innovation curriculum; Pitch and submit for competitive Phase 2 selection; Selected teams execute up to three years of prototype and sustainability work. Phase 1 is a nine-month effort; Phase 2 selection follows an NSF pitch and proposal evaluation.
What appears to win?: Use-inspired convergence research; Named end users and transition partners; A credible path from proof of concept to a sustainable societal-scale solution
What burden or follow-on should I expect?: Cooperative-agreement oversight, curriculum deliverables, milestones, a formal Phase-1 pitch, and Phase-2 progress reviews; exact requirements are solicitation-specific. Competitive progression from Phase 1 (up to $750k) to Phase 2 (up to $5m), not automatic renewal.

Sources

www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/convergence-accelerator/program-model — Official two-phase model, amounts, curriculum and Phase-2 pitch (checked 2026-08-10)
www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/convergence-accelerator — Official team composition, partnerships and current funding-opportunity index (checked 2026-08-10)
www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/nsf-convergence-accelerator-phases-1-2-2025-cohort/506015/nsf23-590/solicitation — Official solicitation evidence for award counts, eligibility and reporting (checked 2026-08-10)