Accelerating Research Translation

The Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program, administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), aims to increase the pace and scale at which academic research is translated into tangible societal and economic benefits. The ART program is part of NSF’s broader strategy to reinforce U.S. leadership in science and technology by cultivating strong, sustainable research translation ecosystems at institutions of higher education (IHEs). With leadership from NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships and collaboration with other directorates, ART supports projects that bridge fundamental research and real-world application across diverse disciplines and geographic regions. ART is structured into five interrelated tracks, each tailored to a specific institutional readiness level for research translation. Track 1 (ACT) supports IHEs with low to medium research translation readiness levels (RTRL), providing up to $3 million over three years for institutions to build foundational infrastructure, processes, and capabilities for innovation evaluation, intellectual property (IP) protection, and technology pipeline development. Track 2 (GROW) targets IHEs with high research activity but underdeveloped translation infrastructure. These proposals must include a partnership with a high-RTRL mentoring institution and may receive up to $6 million over four years. Track 3 (RESOURCE) funds regional centers, led by high-RTRL IHEs or nonprofits, to provide shared services and expertise to surrounding low-RTRL institutions; each award may total up to $8 million over four years. Track 4 (ET) supports national educational and training resource development in entrepreneurship and technology transfer, with awards up to $3 million. Track 5 (CART) funds a coordinating center to manage integration and evaluation across the ART program tracks, with awards up to $3 million over five years. Proposals must address core elements such as institutional strategy, infrastructure-building plans, stakeholder engagement (including students, faculty, and postdocs), measurable outcomes, evaluation and sustainability plans, and detailed timelines. Track-specific requirements include the inclusion of ART Ambassadors, seed translational research projects (Track 2), and defined roles for mentoring institutions or coordinating bodies (Tracks 2 and 5). Each proposal must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov in accordance with NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), and must include supplemental materials such as a statement from IHE leadership on RTRL, mentoring plans, and a consolidated personnel list. Deadlines vary by track: January 15, 2026, for Tracks 2 and 5, and March 12, 2026, for Tracks 1, 3, and 4. ART awards may be issued as standard grants, continuing grants, or cooperative agreements, depending on the project scope. Approximately 40 awards are anticipated under this solicitation, with a total estimated budget of $178 million, subject to funding availability and proposal quality. Eligibility is limited to accredited U.S.-based institutions of higher education and non-academic nonprofits directly engaged in research or education. Specific track requirements may restrict eligibility further (e.g., mentoring institution for Track 2 must have high RTRL). Organizations may submit only one proposal per track and may not apply to Tracks 3–5 if applying to Track 1 or 2, and vice versa. PI and co-PI eligibility requires U.S. appointments; foreign collaborators may participate without receiving direct NSF funding. Applications must adhere to strict budgetary and structural guidelines, including caps on patenting costs, staff hiring expectations, and subaward limitations. A key emphasis is placed on sustainability, both financial and institutional, beyond the NSF funding period. The ART program also aligns with broader federal mandates such as Build America, Buy America, and compliance with the CHIPS and Science Act. Evaluation criteria include intellectual merit, broader impacts, alignment with track-specific goals, and potential for regional and national scale-up. Contact for the program includes Pradeep Fulay and Hina Mehta via [email protected].

Proposals must demonstrate strong alignment with track objectives, institutional commitment, and include a measurable evaluation and sustainability plan. Avoid vague or narrowly scoped strategies.