The National Science Foundation is sending a clear message to the research community: your discoveries belong in the world, not just in a journal. Over the last decade, programs like NSF I-Corps have revolutionized how we approach customer discovery, while the long-standing SBIR and STTR programs have provided the capital to scale startups. Yet, many teams still find themselves stuck in the notorious "valley of death." This is the gap where a laboratory proof-of-concept is too advanced for basic research funding, but not quite ready for a full-scale commercial launch. To bridge this divide, the NSF has introduced the Translation to Practice (TTP) program, a suite of three non-dilutive funding tracks designed to turn technical breakthroughs into real-world solutions.
In my recent post on the NSF I-Corps program, I explored how customer discovery helps researchers bridge the commercial gap. While I-Corps helps you find the market, TTP provides the non-dilutive funding to actually build the solution for that market within the university setting.
The Innovation Roadmap: Where TTP Fits
To understand TTP, it helps to look at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL). The NSF now offers a continuous pipeline of support from the first discovery to the launch of a startup.
| TRL | Stage | NSF Program | Your Goal |
| 1–2 | Discovery | Basic Research Grants | Prove the fundamental science. |
| 2–3 | Exploration | TTP-Explore (TTP-E) | Test if the science has a use-inspired application. |
| 3 | Validation | I-Corps | Talk to 100+ customers to find Market Fit. |
| 3–5 | Prototyping | TTP-Translate (TTP-T) | Build a functional, iterative prototype. |
| 5–7 | System Demo | TTP-Partner (TTP-P) | Test the tech in the field with a formal partner. |
| 3–7 | Commercial | SBIR/STTR | Launch a company and scale for profit. |
The Three Parts of TTP
The TTP program is divided into three distinct tracks based on the maturity of your project and your specific goals.
1. TTP-Explore (TTP-E)
This track is best for active NSF PIs who have a new idea for a practical application. The goal is technical feasibility. This is a two-year, $600,000 technical pivot from your core research. It allows you to explore the technical hurdles of a specific use case before you commit to full-scale commercialization. You must have an active or recently active NSF research award to apply.
2. TTP-Translate (TTP-T)
This track is for researchers ready to build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). With up to $1.2 million over three years, this track focuses on iterative design and de-risking the technology. Just as we discussed in our I-Corps post, customer discovery is vital here. TTP-T requires teams to participate in the I-Corps program because the NSF wants to ensure you are building something the market actually needs.
3. TTP-Partner (TTP-P)
This track is for projects that require real-world testing environments like a hospital, factory, or power grid. This $2 million track requires a formal partnership with an external organization such as a company, a government agency, or a non-profit. The partner helps you move the tech out of the lab and into their specific ecosystem for large-scale integration.
Official NSF Resources for PIs
If you are ready to dive deeper into the technical requirements and submission windows, the NSF provides several official channels to help you prepare your proposal. You can find the full program solicitation (NSF 25-540) and eligibility details on the official NSF Translation to Practice program page. For those who prefer a guided overview, the TIP Directorate recently hosted an informational webinars and maintains a library of past presentations and FAQ documents on their updates and resources portal. If you have specific questions about how your technology fits into a certain track, you can reach out directly to the program directors at translation@nsf.gov.
Final Thoughts for Researchers
The emergence of TTP signals the NSF’s commitment to impact. They are no longer just looking for papers and citations; they are looking for solutions that can be translated into practice. Whether you are just starting to think about a use case or you have a partner ready to test your prototype, the TIP Directorate has created a path for you. The TTP program gives you the financial runway to focus on the engineering and application of your science, which traditional research grants often will not cover.
How the Leslie Entrepreneurial Institute Can Help
Navigating these federal programs can be complex, but the Leslie Entrepreneurial Institute is here to support NYU faculty, postdocs, and PhDs through every step of this journey.
We offer Tech Venture Workshops which serve as the perfect first step to gain the lineage needed for NSF (National) I-Corps and TTP-T. You can also access 1:1 venture coaching to determine which TTP track aligns with your current research and how to craft a compelling impact narrative. Through our Tech Venture Program, we help you prepare for the high-stakes requirements of NSF TIP proposals.
Are you ready to translate your research into practice? Sign up for a coaching session at the Leslie eLab or learn more about our Tech Venture Program to start your journey from lab to life.
