Previously, NSF invited the scientific community, industry, nonprofits and the public at large to participate in the NSF 2026 Idea Machine, a competition to help set the U.S. agenda for fundamental research in science and engineering.
NSF received 800 ideas from nearly every state, with the potential to address grand challenges in fundamental research or in STEM education. All entries were reviewed by experts and 33 ideas were selected for their timeliness, ambition, potential scientific and societal impacts, and potential for interagency, international and public-private partnerships.
Some of the themes that emerged include:
- How to design a resilient environment that will adapt to a rapidly changing world
- How to reduce waste and harness it for energy
- How to design new materials that mimic properties of living things
- How to expand artificial intelligence to incorporate empathy
- How to empower K-12 and other educators to engage all members of society in STEM literacy and to become the problem-solvers of tomorrow
Further information on the NSF 2026 Idea Machine and the list of awards is available at nsf.gov.
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