National Science Foundation Welcomes Entries for 2026 Idea Machine Competition

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is accepting submissions for the NSF 2026 Idea Machine, a competition seeking input on promising new directions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research and education. Psychological scientists, other experts, and members of the public alike are invited to submit a “Big Idea” to NSF, as an individual or in teams of up to five, identifying, according to NSF, “a new area of research that is important and exciting but not currently addressed by NSF.”

The competition is framed around the nation’s 250^th anniversary in 2026, and, accordingly, NSF is offering a $26,000 grand prize to those with the top innovative ideas for future NSF investment.

In 2016, NSF announced its original 10 Big Ideas, a collection of research challenges in fundamental scientific research that cross traditional scientific boundaries, fill research gaps, and identify new opportunities. NSF hopes that the next generation of Big Ideas will be broad in scope and encourage collaboration between sectors and industries, with the capacity for a long-term pursuit of at least 10 years.

The October deadline marks the end of Stage 1 of the competition. A panel of science, engineering, and education experts will select 30 Big Ideas to move on to Stage 2, where teams are asked to submit video pitches that elaborate on their idea. These videos will be open to the public for commenting on the Big Ideas’ potential impact, as well as offering suggestions for improving the ideas.

A blue-ribbon panel of experts will review the video pitches and public comments to invite up to 12 ideas for Stage 3: virtual interviews. Panelists will ask each team questions, providing an opportunity for authors to explain in detail why their Big Idea is important, what addressing the research challenge will look like, and why this is the right time to pursue the proposed Big Idea. By the end of Stage 3, the Panel will recommend around 6 Big Ideas for final consideration.

NSF will choose 1 winning Big Idea to receive the grand prize and attend a recognition event in Washington, DC. Entries selected for final consideration by the blue-ribbon Panel will receive an honorable mention at the event. Additionally, authors of entries selected for virtual interviews in Stage 3 will receive $1,000 and the top 100 Ideas will be posted on the Idea Machine website.

Visit the NSF 2026 Idea Machine website for more details on how to enter, eligibility and rules, and other resources.

Submissions are due to NSF by October 26, 2018.

To read more about NSF’s Big Ideas and the current competition, click here.