Limited Submission: NSF Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) - Research Partnership Track
NOTE: As of September 2024, the PFI funding opportunity is not accepting submissions at this time because the solicitation has been retired.
The NSF Research Partnerships (PFI-RP) track seeks to achieve the same goals as the PFI-TT track by supporting instead complex, multi-faceted technology development projects that are typically beyond the scope of a single researcher or institution and require a multi-organizational, interdisciplinary, synergistic collaboration. A PFI-RP project requires the creation of partnerships between academic researchers and third-party organizations such as industry, non-academic research organizations, federal laboratories, public or non-profit technology transfer organizations or other universities. Such partnerships are needed to conduct applied research on a stand-alone larger project toward commercialization and societal impact. In the absence of such synergistic partnership, the project’s likelihood for success would be minimal.
Eligibility
This solicitation offers two broad tracks for proposals in pursuit of the aforementioned goals:
The Technology Translation (PFI-TT) track offers the opportunity to translate prior NSF-funded research results in any field of science or engineering into technological innovations with promising commercial potential and societal impact. PFI-TT supports commercial potential demonstration projects for academic research outputs in any NSF-funded science and engineering discipline. This demonstration is achieved through proof-of-concept, prototyping, technology development and/or scale-up work. Concurrently, students and postdoctoral researchers who participate in PFI-TT projects receive education and leadership training in innovation and entrepreneurship. Successful PFI-TT projects generate technology-driven commercialization outcomes that address societal needs.
The Research Partnerships (PFI-RP) track seeks to achieve the same goals as the PFI-TT track by supporting instead complex, multi-faceted technology development projects that are typically beyond the scope of a single researcher or institution and require a multi-organizational, interdisciplinary, synergistic collaboration. A PFI-RP project requires the creation of partnerships between academic researchers and third-party organizations such as industry, non-academic research organizations, federal laboratories, public or non-profit technology transfer organizations or other universities. Such partnerships are needed to conduct use-inspired research on a stand-alone larger project toward commercialization and societal impact. In the absence of such synergistic partnership, the project’s likelihood for success would be minimal.
The intended outcomes of both PFI-TT and PFI-RP tracks are: a) the commercialization of new intellectual property derived from NSF-funded research outputs; b) the creation of new or broader collaborations with industry (including increased corporate sponsored research); c) the licensing of NSF-funded research outputs to third party corporations or to start-up companies funded by a PFI team; and d) the training of future innovation and entrepreneurship leaders.
There is no limit on the number of PFI-TT proposals an organization may submit to the deadlines of this solicitation. However, an organization may not submit more than one (1) new or resubmitted PFI-RP proposal to a deadline of this solicitation. This eligibility constraint will be strictly enforced. If an organization exceeds this limit, the first PFI-RP proposal received will be accepted, and the remainder will be returned without review. An organization may not receive more than two (2) awards from a submission deadline of this solicitation.
Award description
- PFI-TT projects will be funded for up to $550,000 for 18-24 months per award; approximately 15-35 awards are anticipated.
- PFI-RP projects will be funded for up to $1,000,000 for 36 months; approximately 10-20 awards are anticipated.
Timeline for the SIUE Internal Competition Submission
- Notice of Intent submitted via Kuali Build Application by the first Wednesday in November by 4:30 pm (for the January due date) or the first Wednesday in May by 4:30 pm (for the July due date).
- Pre-submission materials uploaded through Kuali Build Application by the third Wednesday in November by 4:30 pm (for the January due date) or the third Wednesday in May by 4:30 pm (for the July due date) (if an internal competition is required).
- Internal submissions will be reviewed by an ad hoc committee of experts. Only successful SIUE internal applicants will be invited by the the fourth Wednesday in November by 4:30 pm (for the January due date) or the fourth Wednesday in May by 4:30 pm (for the July due date) to prepare and submit a full proposal to the NSF.
Selection Criteria for the SIUE Internal Competition
In order to coordinate the selection of SIUE's one institutional proposal, the Office of Research and Projects asks interested faculty members to do the following. Pre-submission materials uploaded through Kuali Build Application by the third Wednesday in November (for the January due date) or the third Wednesday in May (for the July due date) (if an internal competition is required)
- Pre-submission Materials: Project Summary (max 3 - 5 pages) that addresses (1) identifying and supporting NSF-sponsored research and technologies that have the potential for accelerated commercialization; (2) supporting prior or current NSF-sponsored investigators, institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations that partner with an institution of higher education in undertaking proof-of-concept work, including the development of technology prototypes that are derived from NSF-sponsored research and have potential market value; (3) promoting sustainable partnerships between NSF-funded institutions, industry, and other organizations within academia and the private sector with the purpose of accelerating the transfer of technology; (4) developing multi-disciplinary innovation ecosystems which involve and are responsive to the specific needs of academia and industry; (5) providing professional development, mentoring, and advice in entrepreneurship, project management, and technology and business development to innovators.
*These must be submitted in a single pdf in the order indicated on the application form.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, including minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans. Faculty with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application process should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (618) 650-2333.
Stronger applicants to the SIUE competition will have carefully reviewed the program and prepared their materials in answer to these guidelines.
Internal submissions will be reviewed by an ad hoc committee of experts. Only one successful SIUE internal applicants will be invited to prepare and submit full proposals to NSF for consideration.
The one successful nominee will work with the SIUE Office of Research and Projects to revise and prepare materials for the external grant submission to NSF. The applicant will revise materials according to the internal reviewers' suggestions.
Timeline for Full Submission to NSF PFI-RP Track
- By the fourth Tuesday in November (for the January date) and by the fourth Tuesday in May (for the July date), proposal to be created in Kuali.
- Full application to be routed in Kuali Research (10 business days) by the last business Wednesday in December (for the January due date) or the last Wednesday in June (for the July due date).
- Full submission to NSF by the first Tuesday in January (for the January due date) or the second Wednesday in July (for the July due date). Proposal is fully routed through Kuali Research and submitted in Research.gov with the assistance of the SIUE Office of Research and Projects.
Other Resources
View the webinar on the Introduction to PFI
For further information or questions regarding the competition, please contact siueresearch@siue.edu.
