NSF TIP launches an international partnership to move discoveries from lab to marketplace on an international scale
The U.S.-Ireland Research Translation and Commercialization Initiative will help teams accelerate the translation of their science and engineering research into real-world solutions
The U.S. National Science Foundation announced a new trilateral partnership among its Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP), Research Ireland (Ireland) and the Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland) to advance research on emerging technologies along the pathway to market. Recognizing that commercializing technology on an international scale comes with both great opportunities and challenges, this initiative provides proven pathways and, where necessary, creates novel pathways for integrated, multi-country teams to develop translation roadmaps and act on them to accelerate innovation to impact. To support this effort, NSF TIP invites responses to a request for information (RFI).
The new trilateral U.S.-Ireland Research Translation and Commercialization Initiative expands on the broader U.S.-Ireland Research and Development Partnership, founded in 2006. For two decades, the NSF Office of International Science and Engineering has supported research through this partnership in fields like nanoscale science, sensors, telecommunications and cybersecurity. The initiative’s launch coincides with the 20th anniversary of the partnership and aims to build on its success by helping previously funded teams accelerate the translation of research outputs and innovations into market-ready products and viable businesses.
"The announcement of the U.S.-Ireland Research Translation and Commercialization Initiative represents a significant step forward in accelerating critical and emerging technology translation in coordination with our transatlantic partners," said Erwin Gianchandani, assistant director for TIP. "The effort signals a strong, shared commitment to help researchers and students across borders move their discoveries at speed and scale through lab-to-market pathways, powering market-ready technologies, economic growth and job creation."
The U.S.-Ireland Research Translation and Commercialization Initiative will identify research projects funded by NSF under the U.S.-Ireland R&D Partnership that demonstrate commercialization potential. Partnership-funded researchers will receive customized support to upskill and strengthen their capacity to accelerate research projects. Mentors with proven commercialization track records will guide teams in translating their research discoveries toward commercialization. Selected teams may also receive additional funding to launch startups based on research outcomes.
NSF seeks the support of a contractor with expertise in technology markets and research translation to develop, execute and oversee activities that translate research into economic and societal benefits and help international teams of researchers and innovators accelerate progress from innovation to impact. NSF invites interested parties to respond to an RFI by Monday, April 13, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. To learn more about this opportunity and the submission requirements, read the full RFI.
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