Science and Technology Centers: Integrative Partnerships

The Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships program funds exceptionally innovative, interdisciplinary research and education initiatives that require large, multi‑year awards. Centers must be led by a U.S. doctoral‑granting university and involve partnerships with other higher‑education institutions, national labs, industry, and possibly international collaborators. The program emphasizes creation of new scientific paradigms, transformative technologies, broad societal impact, and broadening participation of under‑represented groups. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements with a floor of $1.5 M and a ceiling of $6 M per award, and the total anticipated funding pool is $30 M. • Open to U.S. research universities (doctoral‑granting) that can form multi‑institutional consortia. • Requires a full‑time faculty PI with a strong research leadership record. • Supports any NSF‑eligible science or engineering discipline. • Emphasizes education integration, knowledge transfer, and inclusion of under‑represented groups. • Cooperative‑agreement instrument (NSF “CA”). • Expected application count: ~250 proposals; size: ~50 pages. • Submission window: 09/30/2026 – 10/01/2026 (now archived).