The U.S. National Science Foundation is accepting proposals under NSF 25-540, National Science Foundation Translation to Practice (NSF TTP), supporting the movement of research discoveries and innovations from the laboratory into practical products, processes, services, standards, open-source ecosystems, startups, and other real-world applications.
Deadline
For NSF TTP-T and NSF TTP-P, the next full proposal deadline is November 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM in the submitting organization’s local time. NSF TTP-E proposals are accepted anytime from qualifying current NSF awardees, subject to the solicitation’s eligibility and NSF Program Officer process.
Award Tracks and Funding
NSF TTP-E: approximately $600,000 per award for up to 24 months. NSF TTP-T: up to $1,200,000 per award for up to 36 months. NSF TTP-P: up to $2,000,000 per award for up to 48 months. NSF anticipates approximately 29 awards and $30 million in total program funding, subject to availability of funds.
Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.
Eligibility
Prime proposals may be submitted by accredited U.S. two-year and four-year institutions of higher education and qualifying U.S. nonprofit, non-academic research or education organizations. For-profit organizations are not eligible prime applicants under this solicitation.
The NSF TTP-P track requires an NSF-Catalyzed Partner represented by a co-PI or Senior/Key Personnel member or employee of that partner. Eligible partners may include industry, small businesses and other for-profit organizations, government entities, philanthropies, international organizations, academic institutions, and other organizations positioned to help translate research into practice.
Key Program Controls
TTP-E requires an active eligible NSF research award and prior NSF Program Officer approval. TTP-T and TTP-P recipients must complete NSF I-Corps Teams training unless the solicitation’s recent-training exception is satisfied. A PI or co-PI may have only one NSF TTP proposal under consideration at a time. Medical research, including clinical trials, is not responsive to this solicitation.
Submission
Full proposals may be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov, subject to the solicitation and the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide in effect on the due date. Separately submitted collaborative proposals must use Research.gov.
Atlas Fit
This is a strong national STEM translation and education-related opportunity for eligible universities and nonprofit research or education organizations. Dr. Miltie is not an eligible direct prime applicant, but a legitimate role may exist as a substantive technology-translation, commercialization, deployment, or other NSF-Catalyzed Partner when an eligible prime has a responsive non-medical project. Preferred posture: Partner-Led.