# National Science Foundation
*Also known as NSF*

- Website: https://www.nsf.gov
- Location: Alexandria, VA, United States
- Agent profile: https://directory.haycion.ai/agents/nsf-gov

> NSF funds and promotes science and engineering across the United States through directorates, partnerships, and initiatives.

National Science Foundation (NSF) is a United States federal agency that funds and promotes science and engineering across the nation. An independent agency, NSF supports basic and applied research across a broad range of disciplines, funds universities, national laboratories, centers, and partnerships, and fosters education and workforce development to strengthen the country's innovation ecosystem. By engaging with researchers, educators, industry, and the public, NSF advances discoveries, accelerates technology transfer, and expands access to STEM opportunities for students, teachers, and researchers. The agency conducts merit-reviewed funding programs, supports research infrastructure, and promotes the responsible conduct and dissemination of knowledge. Through its directorates and cross-cutting initiatives, NSF addresses national priorities in areas such as computing, education, health, environment, and security, while maintaining a commitment to broad participation, public accountability, and the dissemination of results. NSF also provides resources for applicants and awardees, including guidance on proposal preparation, budgets, and compliance with policy requirements. By supporting a diverse ecosystem of universities, research centers, and industry partners, NSF aims to strengthen the nation's scientific excellence, competitiveness, and capacity to solve complex problems.

**Mission:** The U.S. National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories.

## Products & Services

### [America's Seed Fund (SBIR/STTR)](https://seedfund.nsf.gov/)
*Service*
Provides funding for startups to turn research into viable products, driving innovation.

- **SBIR and STTR programs** — Utilizes SBIR/STTR Framework
- **Startup and small business funding** — Funds Early-Stage Startups
- **Biotech focus** — Supports Biotech Innovations
- **No equity taken** — No Equity Requirement

### [Convergence Accelerator](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/convergence-accelerator)
*Service*
Empowers researchers to tackle societal challenges through transdisciplinary technology development.

- **Commercialization Expertise** — Guides Research Translation
- **Funding Amount** — Provides Significant Funding
- **Innovation Teams** — Encourages Collaborative Innovation
- **Lab-to-Market Acceleration** — Facilitates Research Transition
- **Entrepreneurial Resources** — Supports Entrepreneurial Growth
- **Strategic Partnerships** — Enhances Collaborative Networks

### [NSF Regional Innovation Engines](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/regional-innovation-engines)
*Platform*
Catalyzes innovation ecosystems to drive economic growth and societal solutions.

- **Cross‑sector collaboration** — Forge Key Partnerships
- **Focus on use‑inspired research and workforce** — Enhance Workforce Development
- **Funding level** — Secure Significant Funding
- **Regional ecosystems** — Build Regional Networks
- **Technology Translation** — Accelerate Tech Transfer

### [Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT)](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/exlent-experiential-learning-emerging-novel-technologies)
*Service*
Facilitates hands-on learning in emerging technologies for diverse audiences.

- **Hands-On Learning** — Facilitate Practical Learning
- **Funding Level** — Receive Up To $1 Million
- **Workforce Preparation** — Equip for Tech Careers
- **Diverse Participants** — Engages Diverse Learners

### [Pathways to Enable Open-Source Ecosystems (POSE)](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/pathways-enable-open-source-ecosystems)
*Service*
Supports the establishment and sustainability of open-source ecosystems to meet critical challenges.

- **Open-Source Ecosystem Funding** — Provides Financial Support
- **Governance and Sustainability** — Ensures Longevity
- **Security and CI** — Integrates Safe Practices
- **Community Engagement** — Increases Participation
- **National Impact Focus** — Targets Key Issues

### [National AI Research Resource Pilot (NAIRR)](https://www.nsf.gov/focus-areas/ai/nairr)
*Platform*
Provides essential AI resources and tools to researchers for accelerated scientific discovery.

- **Access to AI data and computing** — Provides Data and Resources
- **Research infrastructure** — Enables Advanced Experiments
- **Workforce development** — Enhances AI Workforce Skills
- **National Coordination and Collaborative Platforms** — Facilitates Collaboration

### [National AI Research Institutes](https://www.nsf.gov/focus-areas/ai/institutes)
*Platform*
Accelerates AI research through collaboration and workforce development.

- **AI Workforce Development** — Enhances AI Skills
- **Cross-Sector Collaboration** — Fosters Partnerships
- **Nationwide AI Institutes** — Promotes Collaborative Research
- **AI-Ready America Initiative** — Builds AI Literacy
- **Integrated AI Research Resources** — Enhances Research Access

### [Engineering Research Centers (ERC)](https://www.nsf.gov/eng/engineering-research-centers)
*Platform*
ERC promotes transformative engineering research and education through collaboration.

- **Cross‑sector partnerships** — Enhances Research Through Collaboration
- **High‑risk, high‑payoff research** — Supports Innovative Research
- **Education and workforce development** — Prepares Future Engineers
- **Enhanced Research Infrastructure** — Access to Cutting-edge Facilities
- **Interdisciplinary Collaboration** — Fosters Diverse Expertise

### [Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC)](https://iucrc.nsf.gov/)
*Platform*
Facilitates transformative research through collaboration between industry and academia.

- **Industry–university partnerships** — Drives Sustainable Research Initiatives
- **Cross-sector collaboration** — Enhances Collaborative Opportunities
- **Pre-competitive research** — Supports Advancements Prior to Market
- **Knowledge Transfer** — Ensures Practical Application of Research
- **Diverse Funding Opportunities** — Access to Multiple Funding Programs

### [Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC)](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/mrsec-materials-research-science-engineering-centers)
*Platform*
MRSEC fosters collaboration, innovation, and training in materials science through interdisciplinary research and partnerships.

- **Education and workforce development** — Enhances Workforce Skills
- **Multidisciplinary materials research** — Promotes Cross-Disciplinary Innovation
- **Industry collaboration** — Facilitates Industrial Partnerships
- **Frontier research investment** — Supports Cutting-Edge Discoveries

### [Science and Technology Centers (STCs)](https://www.nsf.gov/od/oia/ia/stc)
*Platform*
Enables transformative research through collaborative partnerships in science and technology.

- **Cross‑sector partnerships** — Foster Collaboration Across Sectors
- **World‑class center research** — Conduct Advanced and Diverse Research
- **Global collaboration** — Promote International Research Initiatives
- **Education and Workforce Development** — Strengthen STEM Education

### [NSF Public Access Repository (PAR)](https://par.nsf.gov)
*Platform*
Facilitates open access to NSF-funded research outputs for public benefit.

- **Deposit of Scholarly Works** — Mandates Depositing Publications
- **Open Access Repository** — Provides Open Access
- **Public Availability** — Promotes Public Engagement
- **Support for Data Management** — Enhances Research Integrity

## Market Segments

- **Startup funding and grant marketplaces** (market size $2.0B, CAGR 15%): Marketplaces that connect startups with non-dilutive funding, grants, contracts, and programmatic funding opportunities and support application discovery and submission.
- **University research partnerships** (market size $8.5B, CAGR 12.9%): Collaborative sponsored and contract research with industry and government, including joint development, applied research projects, and technology transfer.
- **Regional startup ecosystem development** (market size $6.0B, CAGR 8.5%): Programs and events that strengthen local and regional startup ecosystems by connecting stakeholders, running job fairs and local events, and centralizing resources to support economic development.
- **Workforce development and curriculum design** (market size $42.7B, CAGR 8.9%): Curriculum, gamified training, and experiential programs aligned to workforce outcomes and integrated with emerging technology learning.
- **Open access, open-source and national research infrastructure** (market size $8.3B, CAGR 8.5%): Programs that support open-source ecosystem stewardship, public access to research outputs, and shared data and computing infrastructure for collaborative scientific research.