NSF invests $21M to tackle 2 complex societal challenges: the networked blue economy, and trust and authenticity in communication systems
The NSF is building upon basic research and discovery to accelerate solutions in two critical research areas: the Networked Blue Economy and Trust & Authenticity in Communications. With an investment of $21 million, NSF has selected 28 multidisciplinary teams for phase one of the Convergence Accelerator program 2021 cohort.
Each team, comprised of a wide range of disciplines and expertise from academia, industry, government, nonprofit, and other communities of practice, will begin in phase 1. Over the next nine months, each team will develop their initial idea into a proof of concept, identify new team members and partners, and participate in the innovation curriculum.
Convergence Accelerator research topics begin as an ideation process – gathering input from the community. Identified topics that meet the program's criteria are coordinated into community workshops to further develop and incorporate convergence research, and include a wide range of stakeholders. The workshop findings will then assist NSF in selecting the research topics. The Networked Blue Economy research track E includes 16 multidisciplinary teams. Projects and institutions from NSF EPSCoR jurisdictions include:
- Using Recycled Glass Sand to Promote Resilience and the Blue Economy in Coastal Communities, led by Tulane University (Louisiana)
- Data Interfacing of Human Use, Culture, Economics, and Environment within the Blue Economy for Underserved Populations, led by West Virginia University