A finished sample from Branch Technology LLC of a complex shape 3-D printed like nature.
Technology topic
Advanced Manufacturing (M)
The Advanced Manufacturing topic aims to support emerging innovations in manufacturing with the potential to stimulate the nation’s manufacturing sector by improving efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability. Proposals should be driven by a foundational technology that significantly advances the way products are made. This can include, but is not exclusive to, technologies in new manufacturing processes, equipment, automation, modeling, and materials/minerals.
Sub-Topics
M1. Building and Infrastructure
M2. Carbon Sequestration
M3. Cybermanufacturing
M4. Distributed Manufacturing
M5. Ecomanufacturing
M6. Modeling and Simulation
M7. Natural Resources and Critical Minerals
M8. Quantum Device Manufacturing
M9. Sustainable Chemical Manufacturing
M10. Other Manufacturing Technologies
Application process for Advanced Manufacturing (M) funding
Eligibility for Advanced Manufacturing (M) funding +
- Your company must be a small business (fewer than 500 employees) located in the United States.
- At least 50% of your company’s equity must be owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. NSF does not fund companies that are majority-owned by multiple venture capital firms, private equity firms, or hedge funds, to participate in SBIR and STTR.
- All funded work, including work done by consultants and contractors, needs to take place in the United States.
- The project’s principal investigator (tech lead) must be legally employed at least 20 hours a week by the company seeking funding. The principal investigator doesn’t need any advanced degrees.
- The principal investigator needs to commit to at least one month (173 hours) of work on a funded project per six months of project duration.
Evaluation Criteria: What We Look for When Evaluating Advanced Manufacturing (M) proposals +
- Technological Innovation
- Broader Impacts
- Commercial Potential
- Read more about our criteria
Take our project assessment to see if your work might be a good fit for NSF funding.
Featured Companies
3D Printing Like Nature
Branch Technology combines 3D printing, industrial robotics, and conventional building materials to enable a new way to build.
To learn more visit: https://www.branch.technology/
From plastic trash to 3D printing
re:3D makes large-scale, industrial 3D printers that can print from plastic waste. The company’s open-source and affordable printers can grind, dry, and feed plastic waste into the 3D printer, Gigabot X (GBX). The company hopes to address local needs by creating a circular economy.
To learn more visit: https://re3d.org/