Report on the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnership (TIP) and Its Role in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

In response to global technological competition and the imperative to accelerate innovation, the U.S. Congress authorized $81 billion to the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. Of this, $20 billion over five years was designated for the Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnership (TIP). TIP’s mission aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), by promoting use-inspired research, technology commercialization, and strengthening U.S. competitiveness in critical technologies.

Funding Challenges and Strategic Importance

Despite congressional authorization, TIP has received only $410 million in supplemental appropriations, significantly below the authorized funding. This underfunding hampers TIP’s ability to fulfill its mandate to accelerate technology development and commercialization, crucial for maintaining global competitiveness, particularly against China’s rapidly increasing research and development (R&D) investments.

TIP’s Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals

Technology Translation and Development

TIP focuses on translating federally funded research into market-ready technologies, emphasizing industry partnerships to ensure practical application and economic impact. This approach supports SDG 9 by fostering innovation and infrastructure development. Key programs include:

1. Use-Inspired Acceleration of Protein Design (USPRD): Leveraging artificial intelligence for protein and enzyme design.
2. Advancing Cell-Free Systems (CFIRE): Reducing costs and expanding applications in biochemical processes.
3. Breaking the Low Latency Barrier for Next-Generation Wireless Networks: Enhancing communication technologies for various industries.

All projects require collaboration between academia and industry, promoting SDG 17 through partnerships that accelerate innovation.

Regional Innovation and Economic Growth

TIP’s NSF Regional Innovation Engines program targets regional economic development by establishing innovation hubs in diverse U.S. regions. This initiative supports SDG 8 by fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth and SDG 9 by building resilient infrastructure and promoting innovation. Highlights include:

• Investment in nine regional engines focused on critical technologies such as semiconductors, energy transition, and regenerative medicine.
• Initial funding of $15 million per engine, with potential growth to $160 million over ten years.
• Successful leveraging of private and government investments, achieving a two-to-one match and a tenfold return on taxpayer dollars.

This targeted approach contrasts with less coordinated tech dispersion efforts, aiming instead to create self-sustaining innovation ecosystems.

Workforce Development

Addressing skill gaps in critical technology sectors, TIP invests in workforce development programs aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8. Key initiatives include:

• NSF Entrepreneurial Fellowship: Grants and resources to researchers translating discoveries into commercial products, resulting in numerous start-ups.
• Innovation Corps (I-Corps): Training researchers to develop start-ups, with significant funding raised since 2011.
• National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME): A $200 million initiative to train semiconductor and microelectronics industry workers nationwide.

These programs enhance human capital and support sustainable economic growth and innovation.

Enhancing TIP’s Impact Through Collaboration and Funding

Cross-Agency and International Partnerships

TIP has established memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with agencies such as the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and Economic Development Agency (EDA), fostering SDG 17 by promoting multi-sectoral partnerships. International collaboration initiatives like the Verticals-enabling Intelligent Network Systems (VINES) program involve partners from allied countries, reducing costs and enhancing knowledge sharing.

Recommendations for Strengthening TIP

1. Increase Appropriations: Congress should appropriate at least $1 billion for TIP in fiscal year 2026, with incremental increases to reach or exceed $4 billion annually, ensuring comprehensive funding across all 10 key technology focus areas.
2. Expand International Research Collaboration: Streamline diplomatic and congressional processes to facilitate partnerships with allied nations, enhancing innovation and secure information exchange.
3. Conduct Regular Performance Reviews: Implement biennial Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviews to assess TIP’s effectiveness and alignment with its mission.
4. Integrate Related Programs: Move the Engineering Research Centers (ERC) and Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) programs under TIP to consolidate translational research efforts and require industry financial commitments.
5. Lift Hiring Freeze: Address workforce reductions and enable TIP to expand its programmatic reach and impact.

Conclusions

TIP represents a strategic pivot for the NSF towards translational research and technology commercialization, directly supporting multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 9, SDG 8, and SDG 17. Despite limited funding, TIP has demonstrated measurable progress in advancing technology, regional innovation, and workforce development. Full and sustained funding is critical to enable TIP to fulfill its mandate and maintain U.S. competitiveness in the global technological landscape.

Failure to adequately fund TIP risks undermining U.S. leadership in critical technologies and jeopardizes progress towards sustainable economic growth and innovation. Congress’s commitment to TIP is essential to securing a resilient, innovative, and inclusive future aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article emphasizes strengthening U.S. competitiveness, fostering innovation, and supporting economic growth through technology commercialization and regional innovation hubs.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The focus on technology translation, innovation ecosystems, and development of critical technologies aligns with SDG 9’s aim to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Workforce development programs and training initiatives such as the NSF Entrepreneurial Fellowship and National Network for Microelectronics Education contribute to skills development and lifelong learning.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article highlights cross-agency collaboration, international partnerships, and cooperation between academia and industry, which are essential for achieving sustainable development through partnerships.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation.
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade technological capabilities of industrial sectors, and encourage innovation.
   • Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research, and innovation in developing countries and industrial sectors.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults with relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment and entrepreneurship.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South, and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology, and innovation.
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Research and Development (R&D) Investment Growth
   • Year-over-year growth rates in R&D investment in the U.S. compared to China (e.g., 4.7% vs. 8.9%).
2. Funding Appropriations and Utilization
   • Amount of funding appropriated to TIP compared to authorized amounts (e.g., $410 million appropriated vs. $20 billion authorized).
3. Technology Commercialization Metrics
   • Number of invention disclosures, licenses, patents, and start-ups launched through TIP programs (e.g., 36 researchers launching 28 start-ups).
   • Return on investment from programs such as NSF Engines (e.g., tenfold return reported).
4. Workforce Development Outcomes
   • Number of fellows supported, grants awarded, and workforce trained (e.g., $200 million allocated to semiconductor workforce training).
5. Partnerships and Collaboration
   • Number and scope of memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with other agencies and international partners.
   • Frequency and effectiveness of cross-agency and international collaborative projects (e.g., VINES program involving multiple countries and agencies).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: itif.org