THE NSF 2026
IDEA MACHINE

Finding "Big Ideas 2.0":
Identifying new directions for research.

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The NSF 2026 Idea Machine!

The NSF 2026 Idea Machine is your opportunity to help set the U.S. agenda for fundamental research in science and engineering. Participants are invited to tell us the pressing research questions that need to be answered in the coming decade, the next set of “Big Ideas” for future investment by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

It's a way for researchers, the public and other stakeholders to contribute to NSF's mission to support basic research and enable new discoveries that drive the U.S. economy, enhance national security and advance knowledge to sustain the country's global leadership in science and engineering.

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If you are a first time user, please click the button below to register.

What makes a good Big Idea?

A compelling research challenge in fundamental Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM), or STEM education
Has a worthwhile objective(s)
Ambitious & challenging; may require a paradigm shift in our thinking
Progress would have significant impact
Requires the talents of the research community
Will attract creative contributions from many researchers
Will benefit many stake holders, both inside and outside of the research community
Generates enthusiasm among the Judges, researchers, and the public.

The competition will open on

August 31, 2018

Winners will be announced in

Summer, 2019

Useful links

Contest Rules Resources

Contact

NSFIdeaMachine@skild.com

Competition Management Software Powered by Skild^®

The submission period has started for this phase.

If you change, add or remove elements from this entry form, previously submitted entries will be altered.

Please be sure to communicate these changes to your participants, so they can unsubmit their entries and edit them if necessary.

THE NSF 2026 IDEA MACHINE

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