The National Science Foundation Translation to Practice (NSF TTP) program supports the translation of research to practice, ensuring that insights and innovations developed through scientific study have tangible, positive impacts for the Nation, including improving quality of life, promoting economic and job growth, ensuring national security, and maintaining global competitiveness. Administered by the U.S. NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP), the program partners across sectors to accelerate technology translation and development, foster regional innovation and economic growth, and prepare the American workforce for future high-wage jobs in STEM fields.

Overview

The NSF TTP program was developed to identify and support use-inspired research and translational activities, enabling a continuum from foundational research to practice. The program develops partnerships and collaborations between institutions of higher education and other entities such as industry, government agencies, philanthropies, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and international organizations. It promotes the education and training of students and postdoctoral researchers and encourages participation of all Americans in STEM, including innovation and entrepreneurship, while identifying future customer needs and bringing these to the forefront in the conduct of use-inspired research.

Tracks

The NSF TTP program offers three tracks representing different starting points or stages in moving discoveries and innovations from the laboratory to practice.

• NSF TTP-Explore (NSF TTP-E): A pilot track likely to be the first step for researchers seeking to translate basic research to practice. Proposers must have an active, eligible NSF research award. The track provides the opportunity to obtain an extension of the initial award period for up to two years to explore adventurous, high-risk, use-inspired research and initial translational activities not covered by the original award.
• NSF TTP-Translate (NSF TTP-T): Starts with use-inspired research and initial translational activities, further matures the ideas, iterates and improves solutions, and lowers barriers to effective translation of research from lab to practice.
• NSF TTP-Partner (NSF TTP-P): Supports translational efforts that require one or more partnerships for technology development and deployment. Requires an NSF-Catalyzed Partnership with an organization that will assist in the translation to practice. Proposals must include a co-PI or Senior/Key Personnel who is a member or employee of the NSF-Catalyzed Partner.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants: Non-profit, non-academic organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities, and institutions of higher education (IHEs), including two- and four-year IHEs and community colleges, accredited in and having a campus located in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty members.

Who May Serve as PI: By the submission deadline, a PI must hold either a tenured or tenure-track position, or a primary, full-time, paid appointment in a research or teaching position, as determined by the submitting institution.

Additional Eligibility: The NSF TTP-E track requires proposers to have an active, eligible NSF research award with at least one year remaining and at least one to two annual reports submitted and approved. EAGER, RAPID, or RAISE awards are not eligible to receive NSF TTP-E funds. For the NSF TTP-P track, proposals must include a co-PI or Senior/Key Personnel who is a member or employee of an NSF-Catalyzed Partner.

Award Information

• Program Funding: $30,000,000
• Award Minimum: $600,000
• Award Maximum: $2,000,000
• Funding Instrument: Grant
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No

Deadline

Closing: May 19, 2026 (NSF TTP-T and TTP-P Tracks). Proposals for the NSF TTP-E Track are accepted anytime.

Application Process

For the NSF TTP-E track, proposers must provide a three- to five-page description of future translational activities to their cognizant NSF Program Officer via email and receive approval before submitting a proposal. Applications are submitted through Grants.gov. For technical support, contact grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov. Additional information is available in NSF Publication 25-540.

Contact Information

NSF grants.gov support: grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov