(1) The document discusses framing projects around NSF's five elements of collaborative infrastructure and developing systems change approaches while creating project proposals. It describes NJIT submitting an NSF proposal using a Strategic Alignment Map and Convergence Collaboration Pyramid model to identify strengths and needs. (2) Key aspects of convergence research from NSF are described, including being driven by specific challenges and requiring deep integration across disciplines. Different levels of collaboration and conceptual integration are shown from disciplinary to trans-disciplinary. (3) Michael Porter's theory of national competitiveness is discussed, stating prosperity is created not inherited and does not depend on natural resources but how they are utilized.