The NSF Convergence Accelerator is expanding from a single national program to 10 regionally focused NSF Convergence Accelerators in the Northwest, West, Mountain, Southwest, Midwest, South Central, Central, Southeast, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. As part of this regional expansion, a series of events are scheduled to take place in three stages from spring 2024 to winter 2027. The events will raise awareness of NSF, the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) and the NSF Convergence Accelerator, while also providing insights into the roles and responsibilities of the regional NSF Convergence Accelerator lead, called a Regional Anchor, and how regional stakeholders can participate in the program.
The NSF Convergence Accelerator Regional Expansion Events offer attendees from academia, industry, nonprofits, government and other communities of practice the opportunity to learn more about the NSF Convergence Accelerator program model and the regional expansion. Event attendees will have the opportunity to network with and hear from NSF-funded teams on the results and impact of their projects. Additionally, they will be able to connect with NSF Convergence Accelerator leadership and likeminded professionals dedicated to developing use-inspired solutions to address complex challenges within the region.
Sample agenda:
- 12 p.m. Registration and Networking
- 1 p.m. Event Begins / Welcome Remarks
- 1:10 p.m. TIP: A New Directorate - Harnessing America's Innovation Potential
- 1:35 p.m. NSF Convergence Accelerator: National Program Overview
- 2:05 p.m. Panel Session: Convergence Accelerator Experiences
- 2:35 p.m. Break
- 2:50 p.m. Ignite Innovation in Your Region: NSF Convergence Accelerator Regional Expansion
- 3:30 p.m. NSF Other Transaction Authority – Regional Anchor Opportunity
- 3:50 p.m. Closing Remarks
- 4 p.m. Networking Session | Snacks & Beverages Break
- 5 p.m. Event Conclusion
Additional information about expansion events will be released as dates and locations are finalized, but interested stakeholders and organizations are encouraged to register and attend an event within their geographical region. Note: You may only register for one event within your region.
Register and subscribe
For updates on future events, subscribe to the NSF Convergence Accelerator's GovDelivery email list and Eventbrite page.
Stage 1
The NSF Convergence Accelerator program expansion rollout began in the Midwest region in May 2024, with the first Regional Expansion Events taking place in Minneapolis, Omaha and Chicago.
The Midwest region includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois.
The Midwest Regional Anchor Funding Opportunity opened on July 25, 2024, and closed on August 29, 2024. The awarded organization will be announced in Fall 2024 and will serve as a strategic representative of NSF at the regional level, supporting use-inspired research advancements to address complex regional challenges, shaping technology advancements and fueling the region's economic development and more.
The NSF Convergence Accelerator program expansion rollout to the Southeast began in July 2024, with Regional Expansion Events taking place in Jackson, Mississippi and Atlanta, Georgia.
The region includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Southeast Regional Anchor Funding Opportunity opened on October 10, 2024, and closed on November 21, 2024. The awarded organization will serve as a strategic representative of NSF at the regional level, supporting use-inspired research advancements to address complex regional challenges, shaping technology advancements, fueling the region's economic development and more.
The NSF Convergence Accelerator program expansion rollout to the Northeast Region began in November 2024, with Regional Expansion Events taking place in New York, New York and Providence, Rhode Island.
The region includes Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York.
Those interested in applying for the Northeast Regional Anchor Funding Opportunity should take the following steps to stay connected:
- Email the NSF Convergence Accelerator at convergence-accelerator@nsf.gov to be added to the Northeast Region's Contact List.
- Sign up for the NSF Convergence Accelerator email updates.
- Visit the Program Expansion Roles and Opportunities webpage for more information about roles.
The three Southwest Regional Expansion Events scheduled for February 2025 have been canceled.
The region includes Arizona, New Mexico, Hawaii, the U.S. Territories of Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and the following counties of California: Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego.
Once the events have been rescheduled, we will provide additional information.
CANCELED- Albuquerque
Tuesday, February 11 | 1 – 5 p.m. MST
The Clyde Hotel
330 Tijeras Ave NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
CANCELED- Phoenix
Thursday, February 13, 1-5 p.m. MST
Delta Hotels Phoenix Mesa
200 North Centennial Way
Mesa, AZ 85201
CANCELED- San Diego
Wednesday, February 19, 1-5 p.m. PST
Wyndham San Diego Bayside
1355 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
Stage 2
Two Mid-Atlantic Regional Expansion Events are tentatively scheduled for summer 2025.
This region includes Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey and District of Columbia.
Two South Central Regional Expansion Events are tentatively scheduled for fall 2025.
This region includes Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Kansas.
Two Northwest Regional Expansion Events are tentatively scheduled for winter 2026.
This region includes Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and the following counties of California: Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma and Trinity.
Stage 3
Two Central Regional Expansion Events are tentatively scheduled for summer 2026.
This region includes Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Two Mountain Regional Expansion Events are tentatively scheduled for fall 2026.
This region includes Montana, Idaho, Utah, Colorado and Wyoming.
Two West Regional Expansion Events are tentatively scheduled for winter 2027.
This region includes Nevada and the following counties of California: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lassen, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Shasta, Sierra, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, Yolo and Yuba.
