The journey from innovative research to real-world impact can be challenging, but for graduates of the NSF I-Corps program, the NSF Translation to Practice (TTP) initiative represents a natural and highly valuable next step. Designed to bridge the gap between foundational research and societal application, TTP offers targeted funding and a structured pathway for researchers ready to take their ideas further.
What is the NSF TTP Program?
The Translation to Practice (TTP) program is a new $30 million initiative from the U.S. National Science Foundation aimed at accelerating research discoveries from the lab to the marketplace. Its mission is to bridge the gap between groundbreaking research and real-world applications.
Funding Pathways and Eligibility
TTP provides three main pathways, each designed to support projects at different stages of translation:
TTP-Explore (TTP-E)
- Purpose: Pilot for early exploration, extending existing NSF awards to investigate high-risk, use-inspired research and preliminary translational activities.
- Funding: Up to $600,000 per award
- Duration: Up to 24 months
- Eligibility: Requires an active, eligible NSF research award with at least one year remaining. Although I-Corps training is not required, completion of a local or regional I-Corps program is recommended.
TTP-Translation (TTP-T)
- Purpose: Matures use-inspired ideas by developing solutions, reducing barriers, and facilitating lab-to-practice transitions.
- Funding: Up to $1,200,000 per award
- Duration: Up to 36 months
- Eligibility: NSF I-Corps Teams training is mandatory. Proposals may be based upon federally funded research; however, prior federal funding is not a requirement for submission.
TTP-Partnerships (TTP-P)
- Purpose: Supports complex efforts that require strategic collaborations with partners beyond academia (such as industry, government, and nonprofits).
- Funding: Up to $2,000,000 per award
- Duration: Up to 36 months
- Eligibility: Requires a co-PI or senior personnel from an NSF-catalyzed partner (non-academic partner) and NSF I-Corps Teams training. Proposals may be based upon federally funded research; however, prior federal funding is not a requirement for submission.
I-Corps Alumni Are Well-Positioned for TTP
Because TTP-Translation and TTP-Partnerships require NSF I-Corps Teams training as a prerequisite, alumni are uniquely qualified to compete for TTP funding. The skills developed in I-Corps—customer discovery, value proposition design, business model development—directly align with TTP’s goals to mature ideas and reduce the barriers to market deployment. Furthermore, the entrepreneurial mindset developed in I-Corps prepares alumni to forge the cross-sector partnerships TTP prioritizes.
Tips for Approaching the TTP Opportunity
- Complete an I-Corps Program: I-Corps experience can greatly enhance your application to TTP. Even if you are planning on applying for TTP-Explore, consider completing a local or regional I-Corps program with the Great Lakes I-Corps Hub. Note that NSF I-Corps Teams completion is required for TTP-Translation and TTP-Partnerships.
- Leverage Your I-Corps Experience: Highlight your I-Corps training and the skills you’ve gained in your TTP application. Show how your market insights will help translate your research into real-world impact.
- Build Strategic Partnerships: Consider forming collaborations with partners in industry or government, especially if applying for the Partnerships track.
- Align With TTP Goals: Ensure your proposal follows TTP’s use-inspired and solution-focused intent.
For more on the program, visit the NSF TTP webpage: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/nsf-ttp-national-science-foundation-translation-practice
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NSF I-Corps Hub: Great Lakes Region, 2025
