Most recent content update: September 24, 2024
Note: This page will be updated as new information is available. Please check back frequently.
Science and Technology Centers: Integrative Partnerships
The NSF Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships program supports exceptionally innovative, complex research and education projects that require large-scale, long-term awards.
STCs focus on creating new scientific paradigms, establishing entirely new scientific disciplines, and developing transformative technologies that have the potential for broad scientific or societal impact. STCs conduct world-class research through partnerships among institutions of higher education, national laboratories, industrial organizations, other public and private entities, and via international collaborations, as appropriate.
The STC program supports potentially groundbreaking investigations at the interfaces of disciplines or highly innovative approaches within disciplines. STCs may involve any area of science and engineering that NSF supports. STCs exploit opportunities in science, engineering and technology where the complexity of the research agenda requires the duration, scope, scale, flexibility, and facilities that center support can provide. Centers offer the science and engineering community a venue for developing effective mechanisms to integrate scientific and technological research and education activities; to explore better and more effective ways to educate students; to broaden participation of underrepresented groups and under resourced institutions; and to ensure the timely transfer of research and education advances made in service to society.
Funding level is up to $6M/year for 5 years with option for renewal.
Timeline
- September 17, 2024: Internal proposal due to VPDoR Limited Submissions
- November 20, 2024: Required preliminary proposal due to NSF
- June 2, 2025: Full proposal due to NSF, by invitation only
Eligibility
- NSF limits the number of proposals submitted by each organization to three (further details in the Limited Submissions process section below).
- PIs or Co-PIs (see NSF personnel definitions) may only participate in one NSF STC proposal at a time. If a proposal is declined at any stage of the review process, a PI or co-PI on the declined proposal may then participate in another STC proposal. This eligibility constraint is strictly enforced by NSF.
Limited Submissions process
This is a Limited Submission funding opportunity. A university-wide internal selection process is required prior to proposal submission to NSF. No more than three preliminary proposals are permitted from Stanford as the lead institution.
You can find more information on the selection process and submit internal applications through the STC competition page, available from the Limited Submissions portal page.
If you have any questions about the limited submissions process, please email limitedsubmissions@stanford.edu.
Resources
Program information
- NSF Program Page
- NSF Program Solicitation (NSF 24-594)
- NSF Webinar hosted Thursday September 19, 2024. Includes highlights from the STC solicitation, a presentation on common challenges experienced by Center Directors, and a panel discussion with current STC Directors with audience Q&A.
- NSF list of active and past STCs
- RDO's synopsis of key NSF STC program features and proposal requirements
- RDO's Checklist for NSF STC Preliminary Proposal: This document covers the components, sections, and content that must be included in an STC Preliminary Proposal, as well as relevant guidance on formatting and submission mechanisms. It was created by RDO for Stanford affiliates (with SUNet login) to be in compliance with the NSF Proposal Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and the solicitation NSF 24-594.
- RDO's Outline for NSF STC Pre-proposal Project Description: This outline is provided for the convenience of Stanford affiliates (with SUNet login) to facilitate creating a Project Summary and Project Description that are in compliance with the NSF PAPPG and the specific program solicitation NSF 24-594. To work within the outline, you must first download it as a Word document.
Stanford support for proposals
The Stanford Research Development Office (RDO) provides proposal development support, including writing, editing and project management for collaborative, complex, and strategic proposals. Please contact Kim Baeten for more information.
RDO supports NSF STC proposals in collaboration with:
- Blythe Nobleman, School of Engineering Senior Research Development Manager; Engineering Research Administration (See FAQs for details)
- Kyle Cole, Director of Education and STEM Outreach; Office of Community Engagement