NSF Convergence Accelerator Regional Expansion Event | Southwest – Phoenix

Join us on February 13 for the NSF Convergence Accelerator Regional Expansion Event | Southwest – Phoenix.
As part of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Convergence Accelerator’s expansion to 10 regionally focused NSF Convergence Accelerators, NSF will host an in-person expansion event in Phoenix.
The NSF Convergence Accelerator Southwest Regional Expansion Event in Phoenix will share with attendees how we plan to expand from a single national program to 10 regionally focused NSF Convergence Accelerators that aim to enhance and promote regional competitiveness in research and innovation. We welcome our colleagues, partners and stakeholders from academia, industry, nonprofits, government and other communities of practice to join us in Phoenix for this Southwest Regional Expansion Event.
The Convergence Accelerator program builds on foundational research by bringing together researchers, practitioners and stakeholders from a wide array of sectors and domains to accelerate use-inspired solutions to complex challenges that benefit from multidisciplinary perspectives. These 10 NSF Regional Convergence Accelerators will harness the full geography of innovation throughout the U.S., increasing NSF's reach by engaging more researchers as well as NSF's impact by scaling the delivery of tangible solutions for all Americans.

Program and expansion overview. Gain a comprehensive understanding of NSF, the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), the NSF Convergence Accelerator program model, and plans for the regional expansion.
Regional Anchor opportunity. Explore the pivotal role of a Regional Anchor, designed to execute the NSF Convergence Accelerator’s program model at the regional level and ensure the overall experience is consistent with the existing program.
Regional Consortium opportunities. Learn about the opportunities that the Southwest Regional Convergence Accelerator will offer to partners within the region. Discover how Consortium Members will collaborate to solve the region’s most complex challenges, from ideation to research delivery.
Panel discussions. Hear firsthand from NSF Convergence Accelerator-funded teams in candid conversations about their projects and their experience in the program.
Dynamic networking opportunities. Connect with likeminded innovators, collaborators and thought leaders committed to addressing complex regional challenges.

The NSF Convergence Accelerator Southwest Regional Expansion Events in Albuquerque, N. Mex., Phoenix and San Diego are open to interested individuals and organizations from Arizona, New Mexico, Hawaii, the U.S. Territories of Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and the following counties of California: Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego. Register now to be part of this unique opportunity. We invite you to share this information with colleagues who may be interested.

The NSF Convergence Accelerator Southwest Regional Expansion Events aim to bring individuals and organizations together from diverse professional backgrounds. Please choose which sector you are representing from the list below:

Academia: Faculty, employee, student or representative of an academic institution.

Accelerator / Incubator: Representative of a high-tech hub, startup incubator, research park or accelerator supporting your region’s innovation ecosystem.

Association / Non-profit: Representative of an association, trade organization, coalition, advocacy group, think tank, philanthropic organization or non-profit.

Government: Representative of a local, regional, state or federal governmental agency.

Industry: Representative of a for profit organization such as a startup, small business, midsized enterprise or large enterprise.

Media: Member of the press.

Other: Please specify.

Phoenix, Ariz.
Delta Hotels Phoenix Mesa
200 North Cetennial Way
Mesa, AZ 85201
February 13, 2025
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. MST
Registation - Arizona Ballroom Foyer
Event Space - Arizona Ballroom
Cost: Free
Agenda
12 – 1:00 p.m. Registration and Networking
1:00 p.m. Event Begins / Welcome Remarks
1:10 p.m. Harnessing America’s Innovation Potential: A Fireside Chat with Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP)
1:35 p.m. NSF Convergence Accelerator: National Program Overview
2:05 p.m. Panel Session: Convergence Accelerator Experiences
2:35 p.m. Break
2:50 p.m. Ignite Innovation in Your Region: NSF Convergence Accelerator Regional Expansion
3:30 p.m. Other Transaction Authority – Regional Anchor Opportunity
3:50 p.m. Closing Remarks
4:00 p.m. Networking Session | Snacks & Beverages Break (bring plenty of business cards to share)
5:00 p.m. Event Conclusion
Parking
Complimentary self-parking is available. Valet parking is not available.
Transportation
Transportation to and from the hotel is at the attendee’s own expense. For public transportation options, please access the Valley Metro Public Transportation trip planner. Airport shuttles from the hotel are not available.

We strive to make our events accessible to all. For accessibility accommodations, please email [email protected] and copy [email protected] as soon as possible, but before Thursday, January 30, 2025.

As part of our registration process for the upcoming regional events, we will be collecting some personal information from attendees, including names, job titles, institutions, email addresses, city, and state. The purpose of this collection is to facilitate registration for the NSF Convergence Accelerator regional expansion events. Additionally, with the express consent of the attendee, the information can be used to provide the attendee with updates and information about the NSF Convergence Accelerator and/or to facilitate networking and collaboration among participants by sharing this information with other attendees who have registered for an NSF Convergence Accelerator event within the Northeast region and with the identified NSF Regional Anchor.
This information will be used solely for these purposes and will be maintained only as long as necessary. We will not use it for any other undisclosed purpose.
Providing personal information to register for an NSF Convergence Accelerator regional expansion event is optional; however, failure to provide information designated with an asterisk will mean you will not be able to register for the event. Consenting to your information being shared with other attendees is also optional, and failure to consent will mean that your information will not be shared with other attendees. If you choose to receive program updates and information, your information will also be used by NSF to contact you with additional information regarding the Convergence Accelerator program.
If you have questions about how your information will be used, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Please contact [email protected] for event-specific questions.
Subscribe for NSF Convergence Accelerator program expansion updates and future events.
Please contact [email protected] or visit our website for information regarding the NSF Convergence Accelerator program, including our expansion efforts.

The NSF Convergence Accelerator’s expansion to 10 NSF Regional Convergence Accelerators will increase the program’s ability to promote convergence research and innovation across the country. The NSF Regional Convergence Accelerators will support regional networks of researchers, practitioners and stakeholders from various domains and sectors, stimulating innovation, discovery and research acceleration through collaboration and knowledge exchange. Further, the NSF Regional Convergence Accelerators will foster positive societal and economic change by funding multidisciplinary teams developing use-inspired solutions to address complex regional challenges through the NSF Convergence Accelerator’s unique approach to research and innovation.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Delta Hotels Phoenix Mesa, 200 North Centennial Way, Mesa, United States