National Robotics Initiative 3.0: Innovations in Integration of Robotics (NRI-3.0) | 21 559

Opportunity Information: Apply for 21 559

The National Robotics Initiative 3.0: Innovations in Integration of Robotics (NRI-3.0) is a federal research grant opportunity led by the National Science Foundation that funds fundamental robotics research in the United States, with a specific emphasis on the science and engineering of robot integration. In practical terms, the program is looking for work that goes beyond building isolated robot capabilities and instead focuses on how robotic systems are combined with other technologies, environments, tasks, and especially people in ways that are reliable, useful, and beneficial. A central theme is integrating robots so they can operate effectively in real-world contexts while improving outcomes for humans, including stronger human safety and greater human independence.

A defining feature of NRI-3.0 is its focus on human-centered benefits. The solicitation highlights research that helps robots work alongside, assist, or otherwise support people, with clear attention to reducing risk and expanding access and autonomy. That can include robotics that make workplaces safer, assist individuals with mobility or daily activities, support health-related needs, or enable people to do tasks they otherwise could not do independently. The word "integration" is doing a lot of work here: projects are expected to address the challenges that arise when robots move out of controlled lab settings and into complex settings where they must interact with humans, infrastructure, and dynamic conditions.

The program strongly encourages collaboration across sectors, including academic institutions, industry, nonprofits, and other organizations. The purpose of this emphasis is to tighten the connection between foundational science and engineering research and downstream technology development, deployment, and use. In other words, NRI-3.0 is not just interested in theory for its own sake; it is interested in fundamental advances that are informed by real needs and that can more readily translate into practical robotic systems. Partnerships can help ensure research questions are grounded in deployment realities, and that resulting methods and systems are positioned for adoption or further development.

NRI-3.0 is notable for being multi-agency supported, reflecting how broadly robotics impacts national priorities. Alongside NSF, participating federal partners include the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). This structure signals that proposed work can align with a range of application domains such as agriculture, space and aeronautics, transportation systems, healthcare and biomedical contexts, and occupational safety. Because each agency has its own mission and interests, the solicitation directs applicants to communicate with the relevant agency point of contact to confirm fit, direction, and relevance for a given project idea.

From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity is a discretionary grant program (Funding Opportunity Number 21-559) in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category. The opportunity was posted with a creation date of February 3, 2021, and an original closing date of May 3, 2021. The award ceiling listed is $1,500,000, and the program expected to make about 30 awards, indicating a competitive national competition with mid-to-large research project budgets. Eligibility is listed as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," implying eligibility may extend beyond a single institution type and may include various organizational categories depending on the solicitation details and federal funding rules.

The opportunity is also associated with multiple CFDA numbers (now often referred to under Assistance Listings), reflecting the multi-agency nature of the program and the different statutory funding streams that may support awards. Overall, NRI-3.0 is designed to advance the foundational knowledge and methods needed to integrate robotic systems into human environments in ways that measurably improve safety, independence, and real-world utility, while leveraging cross-sector partnerships and multi-agency priorities to strengthen the pathway from research to impact.

• The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Robotics Initiative 3.0: Innovations in Integration of Robotics (NRI-3.0)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.310, 20.200, 43.001, 47.041, 47.070, 47.075, 47.076, 93.262, 93.286, 93.350, 93.361, 93.866, 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 03, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 03, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for 21 559

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