Accelerating Research through International Network-to-Network Collaborations | 21 511

Opportunity Information: Apply for 21 511

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Accelerating Research through International Network-to-Network Collaborations (AccelNet) program is designed to speed up scientific and engineering discovery by strengthening how U.S. research communities connect and collaborate with complementary research networks in other countries. The central idea is not to fund a single research project in the traditional sense, but to fund the coordination layer that helps multiple established networks work together more effectively across borders. By creating these "networks of networks," AccelNet aims to make it easier to align goals, share resources, identify gaps in knowledge, and organize multi-team efforts around complex problems that are too large or too interconnected for one group, institution, or nation to address alone.

A key focus of AccelNet is building the structure and relationships needed for sustained, high-impact international collaboration. Supported activities are meant to produce synergy across participating networks, meaning the combined effort should enable outcomes that would not happen if each network operated independently. Proposals are expected to revolve around a clearly defined grand challenge that the research community or NSF has identified as a priority. The solicitation explicitly points to alignment with NSF-wide priorities such as the NSF Big Ideas, or with research themes covered under active NSF program solicitations. In practical terms, this means the strongest proposals typically show a compelling community-driven need for international coordination, explain why international partners are essential, and outline how connecting existing networks will accelerate progress.

AccelNet also places strong emphasis on preparing the next generation of U.S. researchers for large, international, multi-team science. Each funded network of networks is expected to provide meaningful professional development opportunities for U.S. students, postdoctoral scholars, and early-career researchers. This can include activities that expose trainees to international research cultures and collaboration practices, help them build cross-network mentoring and peer connections, and develop skills needed to contribute to coordinated international efforts. The goal is workforce development as much as it is accelerating discovery: participants should come away better equipped to lead and participate in complex global collaborations.

The solicitation includes two proposal categories: Design and Implementation. While the text provided does not spell out the detailed distinctions, the structure generally implies that Design proposals focus on planning and building the collaboration framework (such as partner alignment, governance models, coordination mechanisms, and initial joint agendas), while Implementation proposals support executing a more mature, already well-scoped network-to-network collaboration plan. Across both categories, the program expectation is that funding supports the connective tissue of collaboration (coordination, integration, strategic linkage, shared activities, and community building) rather than funding fundamental research as the primary purpose.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary NSF grant opportunity in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category. The funding opportunity number is 21-511, and it is associated with multiple NSF CFDA numbers (47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, 47.083), reflecting its cross-disciplinary nature. The opportunity was created October 8, 2020, with an original closing date of January 4, 2021, and NSF anticipated making about 14 awards. The listing shows an award ceiling of 0, which typically indicates that a fixed cap is not presented in the summary field and applicants need to rely on the solicitation details for realistic budget ranges and expectations.

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with clarification in the solicitation, which is common for NSF programs that may allow proposals from a range of U.S.-based organizations depending on program rules. A practical and important feature of this solicitation is NSF's strong recommendation that prospective principal investigators contact the AccelNet Program Officer(s) before submitting. That guidance signals that program fit, scope, and budget alignment matter a lot, and early communication can help applicants confirm whether their planned coordination activities match what AccelNet intends to support.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Accelerating Research through International Network-to-Network Collaborations" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, 47.083.
• This funding opportunity was created on Oct 08, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 04, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 14 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for 21 511

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