CONVERGENCE RESEARCH
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 17, 2026
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This grant is for multidisciplinary research teams tackling complex scientific or societal challenges through convergence research. Eligible applicants include U.S. institutions of higher education (2- and 4-year colleges, including community colleges) and non-profit non-academic research organizations (museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies). PIs must hold full-time appointments in research or teaching positions at U.S.-based campuses or offices.
Convergence research integrates knowledge and methods across disciplines to address a specific, compelling problem. Projects must span NSF directorate or division boundaries and explore novel approaches not previously investigated. Proposals require a five-year plan split into two phases: Phase I (years 1-2, max $1.2M) and Phase II (years 3-5, max $2.4M). Initial funding covers Phase I; continuation to Phase II requires demonstrated exceptional progress.
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Program description
Convergence research is a means for solving vexing research problems, in particular, complex problems focusing on societal needs or deep scientific challenges. It entails integrating knowledge, methods, and expertise from different disciplines and developing novel paradigms that catalyze scientific discovery and innovation.
GCR identifiesConvergence Researchas having two primary characteristics:
- Research driven by a specific and compelling problem.Convergence research is generally inspired by the need to address a specific challenge or opportunity, whether it arises from deep scientific questions or pressing societal needs.
- Deep integration across disciplines.As experts from different disciplines pursue common research challenges, their knowledge, theories, methods, data, research communities andlanguages become increasingly intermingled or integrated. New frameworks, paradigms or even disciplines can form sustained interactions across multiple communities.
A distinct characteristic of convergence research, in contrast to other forms of multidisciplinary research, is that from the inception, the convergence paradigmintentionallybrings together intellectually diverse researchers and stakeholders to frame the research questions, adopt common frameworks for addressing them, and create and implement innovative scientific approaches for their solution. This includes, when appropriate, developing new integrated theories, methods, research tools, and ways of communicating across disciplines and sectors.Research teams practicing convergence aim to develop sustainable collaborations that may not only create solutions to the specific problem studied, but also develop novel ways of investigating related research questions and open new research vistas.
This GCR solicitation targets multidisciplinary teams who are embracing convergence research as a means of developing highly innovative solutions to complex research problems. GCR proposals are expected to be bold and address scientific or technical challenges and bottlenecks which if resolved have the potential to transform scientific understanding and solve vexing problems. Successful GCR projects are anticipated to lead to paradigm shifting approaches within disciplines, establishment of new scientific communities, or development of transformative technologies that have the potential for broad scientific or societal impact.
The aim of GCR is to cultivate and grow the earliest foundations of convergent approaches for addressing a specific and compelling problem. As such, proposals submitted to this solicitation are expected to explore novel avenues not previously investigated that are at the forefront of advancing science through deep integration. Proposers must make a convincing case that the research to be conducted is within NSF’s purview, integrates across NSF directorate or division boundaries, and is currently not supported by other NSF programs or solicitations.
The proposers must outline a five-year research plan delineated in two phases, Phase I: years 1-2, and Phase II: years 3-5.The total budget for Phase I may not exceed $1,200,000, and the total for Phase II may not exceed $2,400,000. Successful proposals will be funded initially for two years. Each team’s progress will be evaluated at a reverse site visit near the end of year 2; this will involve preparing a progress report and making a team presentation to a panel of reviewers/site visitors. Only teams that show exceptional progress according to the merit review and solicitation specific criteria during the first two years and that articulate plans for furthering advancements at the forefront of convergence research will be eligible for additional funding for up to three years pending availability of funds.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF cover sheet (SF-424 or equivalent)
- Project narrative
- Budget and budget justification
- Biographical sketches of all PIs and co-PIs
- Current and pending support statement
- Facilities, equipment, and other resources documentation
- Letters of commitment from partner institutions (if applicable)
- Data management plan
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.075 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$38,357,018
-
$18,499,999
-
$13,999,656
-
$10,999,998
-
$8,043,354
-
$7,998,747
-
$5,500,000
-
$5,237,549
-
$5,200,000
-
$5,047,151
Top States by Funding
- MI 9 awards $94.1M
- DC 6 awards $20.0M
- AZ 7 awards $19.6M
- NY 9 awards $17.0M
- IL 4 awards $16.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.075). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $292,390,000 | |
| 2025 | $219,410,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $92,200,000 |
FAQ
What types of organizations can submit proposals?
U.S. institutions of higher education and non-profit research organizations like museums, observatories, and research labs can apply. PIs must have full-time appointments at eligible U.S.-based organizations.
What is convergence research?
Research that solves specific, complex problems by deeply integrating knowledge and methods across multiple disciplines from the start. It aims to develop novel paradigms and create sustainable collaborations.
How long is the project and what are the funding limits?
Five years total, split into Phase I (years 1-2, max $1.2M) and Phase II (years 3-5, max $2.4M). Phase I funding is initial; Phase II requires approval based on year-2 progress review.
What makes a competitive proposal?
Bold, paradigm-shifting research addressing vexing problems through genuine integration across disciplines. Proposals must be novel, explore frontiers, and demonstrate why convergence is essential to solving the problem.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for this grant. The full project budget can come from NSF funding.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize deep integration across disciplines from the start, not just collaboration between separate research groups. Show how the team will develop shared frameworks and methods.
- Address a specific, compelling problem clearly. Explain why convergence research is the right approach and why traditional disciplinary funding won't work.
- Demonstrate that the research crosses NSF directorate or division boundaries. Clearly articulate which directorates are involved and why integration is essential.
- Plan for the Phase II progress review at the end of year 2. Identify concrete milestones and metrics that will demonstrate "exceptional progress" by reviewers.
- Be bold in scope and potential impact. Propose research that could lead to paradigm shifts, new scientific communities, or transformative technologies, not incremental advances.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals treating this as standard multidisciplinary research without genuine deep integration across disciplines. Applicants proposing projects that fit within existing NSF programs rather than demonstrating why convergence is essential. Teams failing to articulate a clear, compelling problem statement upfront or proposing solutions that don't require cross-disciplinary integration.
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