Some of the biggest questions in science — climate resilience and the transition to sustainable energy, advanced materials and quantum information science, next-generation semiconductors, and the physical foundations of biological processes, just to name a few — are too big for any one lab to answer alone. They call for “team science” – a collaborative approach to research that leverages the strengths and expertise of professionals trained in different fields to address a scientific challenge.
Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA) is accepting Letters of Intent for its Team Science Accelerator, a two-year pilot program designed to help early- and mid-career scientists develop and lead interdisciplinary research teams.
RCSA will select three to four teams pursuing high-risk, high-reward basic research in the physical sciences and adjacent fields. Each team can receive up to $1 million in total costs over two years, along with facilitated workshops, mentoring from team science experts and professional team coaching.
Teams should include three to five early- or mid-career scientists with complementary expertise needed to address a shared scientific challenge. Eligible investigators must hold full-time independent positions at U.S. or Canadian institutions of higher education, national laboratories or appropriate research institutes.
Research areas may include chemistry, physics, materials science, Earth and planetary science, astronomy and related fields.
The program is intended for teams tackling a specific, important scientific challenge that cannot be effectively addressed by a single laboratory. Strong proposals will demonstrate why the team is uniquely positioned to address the problem, how members will work together rather than independently, and what measurable milestones will demonstrate progress.
RCSA also wants teams to establish clear approaches to team governance, communication, decision-making and shared accountability, with the goal of positioning the team for larger-scale federal or philanthropic funding.
Key dates
- Nov. 9, 2026: LOI due
- Early February 2027: Finalists announced
- June 21–23, 2027: Mandatory team workshop in Tucson
- July 1, 2027: Full application due
- Aug. 1, 2027: Final teams selected
- Sept. 15, 2027: Grants begin