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National Science Foundation - Nanoelectronics for 2020 and Beyond (NEB) - NSF 10-614

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Directorates for Engineering, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and Computer & Information Science & Engineering, together with the semiconductor industry’s Nanoelectronics Research Initiative (NRI) plan to jointly support innovative research and education activities on the topic of Nanoelectronics for 2020 and Beyond (NEB). These activities will be supported as interdisciplinary research team awards. The goal of this solicitation is to advance the forefront of computation, information processing, sensor technologies, and communications infrastructure beyond the physical and conceptual limitations of current technologies. Continuing evolution of electronics beyond the scaling limits of Moore’s Law will require broad thinking across multiple disciplines.

The program is intended to support proposals by interdisciplinary teams of investigators committed to exploring innovative research concepts in nanoelectronics involving fundamental challenges from novel materials, chemistry, and logic devices, to circuit designs and systems architectures, algorithms, and perhaps entirely new paradigms of computation, sensing, and processing of information. Proposals may also address additional challenges arising from increasing functionality through heterogeneous integration of novel devices and technologies. Proposals should discuss effective ways in which education of the workforce and broadening participation are integrated within the proposed research activities.

Proposals must involve interdisciplinary collaborations by three or more investigators and address aspects of at least two of the research themes:

Exploring New Chemistries and Materials for Nanoelectronics
Exploring Alternative State Variables and Heterogeneous Integration for Nanoelectronic Devices and Systems
Exploring Novel Paradigms of Computing

See program page for more information and solicitation: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503577

Because NSF limits an institution to 2 proposals, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Researchers interested in submitting a proposal are to submit the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Thursday, November 11, 2010:

The names and departments of the principal investigator and project personnel
A list of all partner institutions, industry partners or collaborators and their roles on the project
A project description: include research themes, goals, activities and management plans (1-2 p. max.)

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicants. The NSF deadline is January 19, 2011. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

***National Science Foundation - Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education (NUE)***

Purpose: This solicitation aims at introducing nanoscale science, engineering, and technology through a variety of interdisciplinary approaches into undergraduate engineering education. The focus of this year's competition is on nanoscale engineering education with relevance to devices and systems and/or on the societal, ethical, economic and/or environmental issues relevant to nanotechnology.

Solicitation: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13541/nsf13541.htm

Eligibility: The lead PI must hold a faculty appointment within a College/Department of Engineering or College/Department of Engineering Technology within the submitting US academic institution.

Institutional Limit: Only one (1) proposal may be submitted by a US academic institution, College/Department of Engineering or College/Department of Engineering Technology as the lead institution with the following exception: A US academic institution may submit a second proposal as the lead institution, only if it is focused on the societal, ethical, economic and/or environmental issues relevant to nanotechnology.

***Internal Competition: Interested applicants should contact Dr. Eric Grulke, Associate Dean for Engineering, for details on the College of Engineering’s procedure and deadlines for this solicitation.***

NSF deadline: May 22, 2013

National Science Foundation - A National Repository for Geological Cores Collected in the Polar Regions (13-532)

Description: The Antarctic Earth Science Program in the Antarctic Sciences Section of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Division of Polar Programs provides support for the curation and long-term storage of core material collected on the Antarctic continent and its margins. Currently, the Antarctic Marine Geology Research Facility (AMGRF) at Florida State University is fulfilling this role. The AMGRF was established in 1963 and is housed in a single-story, 10,000 sq. ft. building on the Florida State University campus. The AMGRF houses approximately 21,000 meters of deep-sea sediment cores collected from over 90 United States Antarctic Program (USAP) research cruises. In addition, the AMGRF is also a repository for nearly 3,000 meters of core collected during NSF supported drilling programs in the Antarctic. These projects include: the Dry Valleys Drilling Project, Cape Roberts Project, SHALDRIL 1 and 2, and ANDRILL 1 and 2.

In accordance with NSF policy that all facility awards must be re-competed after an appropriate period of operation (NSB-08-12 and NSB-08-16), this solicitation seeks the services of a qualified organization to provide a core curation facility and services for geological cores collected in the polar regions. The award will be administered as a Cooperative Agreement and will cover a five-year operating period beginning June 1, 2014. A programmatic review will be held prior to the completion of the initial period of support and the results will guide the decision whether to renew the Cooperative Agreement for another five-year period.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1

See the complete solicitation for additional details and requirements: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13532/nsf13532.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click#elig

Because NSF limits an institution to one proposal under this competition, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Researchers interested in submitting a proposal are to submit the following materials electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu by Monday, February 18, 2013:

Names and departments of the PI and Senior Project Personnel
Project description (1-2 page maximum) including the proposed management structure and a plan for carrying out the principal tasks for the facility.

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

NSF Deadline: April 16, 2013

National Science Foundation/Environmental Protection Agency - Networks for Characterizing Chemical Life Cycle (NCCLCs) (NSF 13-524)

This solicitation is jointly sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Chemistry (CHE) to encourage synergy and enhance cooperation in examining the life cycles of synthetic chemicals and materials as they relate to their manufacture, use, transport, and disposal or recycle. The Networks for Characterizing Chemical Life Cycle (NCCLCs) will promote development of trans-disciplinary, systems- and molecular-level understanding of the life cycle of important (relevant) synthetic chemicals and materials (including nanomaterials) as these distribute and are potentially altered through use in society and interaction with the built and natural environments. Successful NCCLCs will build the scientific basis and evaluation tools required to understand and predict potential for manufactured chemicals and materials to impact health and the environment across the chemical life cycle. Elucidating key aspects of the chemical/material life cycle and the mechanisms associated with important changes will require close collaboration from a broad range of scientific disciplines including: chemistry, toxicology, exposure science, engineering, material science, geosciences, mathematics, and computer science. Education, workforce development, and the translation or transfer of basic research results into social or economic benefits are critical aspects of NCCLC projects. Networks will develop strong mentoring and training activities (which include broadening participation elements) for undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral associates.

See the complete solicitation for additional details and requirements: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13524/nsf13524.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1

Internal Competition: Because NSF limits an institution to only one NSMDS proposal, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting a proposal are to submit the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, January 28, 2013:

The names and departments of the Principal Investigator, project personnel, partners, and collaborators;
Title the proposal EPA/NSF Networks for Characterizing Chemical Life Cycle and provide a brief summary of the proposed network, including the research and education objectives, and the management structure (1-2 p. max).

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. The NSF deadline is March 18, 2013.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

National Science Foundation/Environmental Protection Agency - Networks for Sustainable Molecular Design and Synthesis (NSMDS) (NSF 13-523)

This solicitation is jointly sponsored between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Divisions of Chemistry and Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET) to encourage synergistic research activities and to enhance cooperation among the chemical sciences, materials research, geosciences, engineering, and biomedical and public health communities. The agencies jointly issue the solicitation, but will separately fund the awards. Networks for Sustainable Molecular Design and Synthesis are groups of two or more researchers working in trans-disciplinary fields to promote the development of safe and sustainable chemicals as well as safe and sustainable synthetic procedures. For this solicitation, "chemicals" refers broadly to any and all materials, inorganic and organic compounds, and individual chemicals or mixtures of chemicals (e.g., endocrine disruptors, chlorofluorocarbons, transition metal-based catalysts, macromolecules, and nanomaterials). Advances resulting from these Networks are expected to result in chemicals that are safer and more sustainable throughout their life cycle and thus, the replacement of rare, toxic, and expensive chemicals with earth abundant, benign, and renewable alternatives is anticipated. The Networks will facilitate safe design strategies, processes, and pathways (including catalytic pathways) that consume less fresh water, generate less waste, and use less energy than current practice. These new approaches will minimize hazards that arise not only from chemical structure and intended use, but also from their synthesis, production, consumption, reuse, and disposal. Education, workforce development, and the translation or transfer of basic research results into social or economic benefits are critical aspects of NSMDS projects. Networks will develop strong mentoring and training activities for undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral associates. Other educational activities, such as informal science communication and the education of K-12 students or the public, are encouraged. Where appropriate, intellectual property protection and a proactive plan to engage industry in technology transfer is encouraged.

See the complete solicitation for additional details and requirements: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13523/nsf13523.htm

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1

The names and departments of the Principal Investigator, project personnel, partners, and collaborators;
Title the proposal EPS/NSF Networks for Sustainable Molecular Design and Synthesis and provide a brief summary of the proposed network, including the research and education objectives, and the management structure (1-2 p. max).

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. The NSF deadline is March 18, 2013.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

National Science Foundation - Next-Generation National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NG NNIN) (NSF 13-521)

The National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN) will reach its ten year authorized award life at the end of Fiscal Year 2013. Under this open competition, NSF will establish a Next-Generation National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NG NNIN) for Fiscal Years 2014-2018. A proposed university-based facilities/network should provide users access not only to the specialized tools, processes, and expertise for designing, simulating, and fabricating nano- and micro-scale structures, materials, devices, and systems, but also to the specialized instrumentation for analysis, characterization, probing, and manipulation of objects at these dimensions. The proposed network should also emphasize advanced educational opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students, technicians, postdoctoral associates, scientists, and engineers across a broad spectrum of disciplines.

See the complete solicitation for additional details and requirements: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13521/nsf13521.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1

An institution may not be included in more than one proposal submitted in response to this solicitation.

Internal Competition: Because NSF limits an institution to inclusion in only one proposal as the lead organization or a partner site, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting a proposal are to submit the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, February 4, 2013:

Project title and UK’s role in the project (Lead Organization or Partner Site)
Project Team: PI/Network Director at the lead institution, and other participating institutions with designated Site Directors;
A project description (1-2 p. max.) – A brief summary of the proposed network, with a clear description of the goals and UK’s role and responsibilities.

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. The NSF deadline for the required Letter of Intent is April 1, 2013 and the full proposal is due May 13, 2013.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

National Science Foundation - Network for Computational Nanotechnology (NCN): A Competition to Reconfigure the NCN (NSF 12-504)

Purpose: NSF established the Network for Computational Nanotechnology (NCN) in 2002 at Purdue University as part of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). Through this solicitation, NSF provides an opportunity for the broader community to compete to reconfigure the NCN. The configuration of the new Network for Computational Nanotechnology will be restructured as a stand alone Cyber Platform awardee, which will provide computation, simulation and educational services to the nanoscience and engineering communities, including the current nanoHUB tools and educational materials. This platform will be funded by one award to a single university. Linked to that platform will be three new Nodes that will develop new tools and content that will be delivered to Cyber Platform for worldwide dissemination. NSF will fund the Cyber Platform and these new Nodes through four separate awards, which will be joined through their respective cooperative agreements to constitute the new reconfigured NCN.

The goals of the reconfigured NCN will continue to be those of the original NCN to: 1) engage an ever-larger and more diverse cyber community sharing novel, high-quality nanoscale computation and simulation research and educational resources; 2) accelerate the transformation of nanoscience to nanotechnology through the integration of simulation with experimentation; 3) develop open-source software to stimulate data sharing; and 4) inspire and educate the next generation workforce.

The new content development Nodes will combine theory and experimentation to develop the computation and simulation tools, and educational materials for delivery on the Cyber Platform. The new content development Node areas will be:

NanoBIO - Create integrated computational tools to simulate biological phenomena across length scales, for the design of devices and systems;
NanoMFG - Computation and simulation software to address the challenges of scaling up nanoscale in manufacturing;
Nano-Engineered Electronic Device Simulation Node (NEEDS) - Computation and simulation tools to facilitate the development of nanoelectronic-based circuits, devices, and systems.

There will be one award per Node and the configuration of each Node may involve more than one university. By linking these NCN Nodes to the NCN Cyber Platform, the result will be a comprehensive and integrated service delivery system, which links theory, simulation, and experimentation to continue to strengthen and support nanoscience and nanoengineering research and education.

Program solicitation: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12504/nsf12504.htm

PI Limit: The PI of the Cyber Platform proposal and the Node proposals must be tenured faculty members at the lead university of each proposal. The PI and co-PI(s) on the full proposal must be the same as those named in the Letter of Intent.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 4 total
One Cyber Platform proposal and up to three Node proposals may be submitted.

A university may submit only one Cyber Platform proposal. A university may submit only one proposal per Node request in this solicitation. Therefore, one university might submit one Cyber Platform proposal and up to three separate Node proposals, but only one to each Node.

Because NSF limits the number of applications per institution, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Prospective applicants interested in responding to this program are asked to send the following information to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, November 21, 2011:

The names and departments of the principal investigator and participating faculty and collaborators;
Specify type of proposal – Cyber Platform, NanoBIO Node, NanoMFG Node, or Nano-Engineered Electronic Device Simulation Node (NEEDS)
A statement of the project goals and a description of planned training and support activities (1-2 pages max.)

A committee will be convened to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s submissions. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan2@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

NSF deadline for applications
Letter of Intent (Required) – December 16, 2011
Full Proposal – January 17, 2012

National Science Foundation - Online Resource Center for Ethics Education in Science and Engineering (ORCEESE) NSF 13-558

Description: NSF expects to support the development of an online resource center containing research findings, pedagogical materials, and promising practices regarding the ethics and social justice dimensions of research and practice in all of the fields NSF supports. The development and evolution of the center will be informed by the research communities that NSF supports (e.g. engineering, social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, computer sciences, physical sciences), and it will serve as a living resource of multimedia materials that may be used to train current and future generations of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers in responsible conduct of research (RCR). The center will also assist practicing scientists, mathematicians, and engineers to identify and explore ethical and social justice issues as they arise.

Audiences for the proposed ethics resource center may include but are not limited to:

instructors who want to incorporate an ethics or social justice module into classes;
administrators and/or instructors who seek scholarly evaluation of ethics curricula;
undergraduate and graduate students who seek to understand ethical or social justice issues in science, mathematics, and engineering;
practicing scientists and engineers who seek to explore ethical reasoning and social justice issues as they arise in their work;
researchers who create original scholarship on ethics and social justice in science, mathematics, and/or engineering.

NSF anticipates funding one five-year award of up to $300,000 annually. See the full program solicitation for more information: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13558/nsf13558.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1

Because NSF limits an institution to 1 ORCEESE proposal, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Researchers interested in submitting a proposal are to submit the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissons@uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, May 14, 2013:

Names and departments of the PI, senior project personnel, and key staff
Project description (2 page maximum) including the project goals, target audience(s), statement of need, and dissemination.

NSF Deadline: August 7, 2013

National Science Foundation - Opportunities for Enhancing Diversity in the Geosciences (OEDG) NSF 10-599 (Planning Grant Proposals)

The NSF Opportunities for Enhancing Diversity in the Geosciences (OEDG) Program is designed to address the fact that certain groups are underrepresented in the geosciences relative to their proportions in the general population. The primary goal of this program is to increase participation in the geosciences by African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans (American Indians and Alaskan Natives), Native Pacific Islanders (Polynesians or Micronesians), and persons with disabilities. A secondary goal of the program is to increase the perceived relevance of the geosciences among broad and diverse segments of the population. The OEDG Program supports activities that will increase the number of members of underrepresented groups who:

Are involved in formal pre-college geoscience education programs;
Pursue and earn associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in the geosciences;
Enter geoscience careers; and
Participate in informal geoscience education programs.

OEDG Planning Grants- This Track supports planning workshops, conferences, symposia and related short-term activities that facilitate either: 1) development of new strategic plans to implement systemic, community-wide programs to broaden participation in the geosciences; or, 2) development of new partnerships or collaborations between multiple institutions seeking to establish sustainable projects that address the goals of the OEDG program.

Program details can be found at: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12726

Internal Selection: Because NSF limits the number of Planning Grant proposals to one per institution, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Prospective applicants interested in responding to this program should send a pre-proposal with the following information to Ms. Kris Hobson (hobson@email.uky.edu), Office of the Provost, 105 Main Building and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, August 23, 2011:

Names and departments of the PI and project team.
Proposal narrative (1-2 pages max.) that includes: goals, objectives and planned activities

A committee will be convened to review the proposals and make a recommendation. The NSF deadline is October 5, 2011.

National Science Foundation - Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) NSF 12-511

Description: The Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) program solicitation is pursuant to two separate program solicitations: NSF 10-581, Partnerships for Innovation (PFI), and NSF 10-608, Accelerating Innovation Research (AIR). It combines these two programs into a single solicitation that consists of: 1) Building Innovation Capacity (BIC), based on NSF 10-581; and 2) Accelerating Innovation Research (AIR option 2: Research Alliance Competition), based on NSF 10-608. Thus, the NSF Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) program is now an umbrella for two complementary subprograms, one of which involves an earlier stage that focuses on building innovation capacity, and the other which involves a later stage that focuses on the acceleration of innovation research. The former emphasizes the transformation of knowledge into market-accepted innovations created by the research and education enterprise; while the latter emphasizes the translation of research to commercialization by NSF-funded research alliances. A research alliance is defined as a research partnership formed for mutual benefit, and funded by NSF, between/amongst universities and other entities. In the final analysis, both programs, while focusing on different stages, are concerned with the movement of academic research into the marketplace.

PI Limit:

The PI cannot be a PI on a Partnership for Innovation award that will be active after June 1, 2012.
One of the Co-PIs must be a Senior Administrator (at the level of dean or above), who has a demonstrated commitment to knowledge transfer of university research. The senior administrator must have an active role that is explicitly described, along with a specification of a time commitment on the project.

Program solicitation: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12511/nsf12511.htm

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:

BIC - Lead academic institutions are limited to participation in only one proposal.
AIR - No limit

Because NSF limits the number of BIC proposals to one per institution, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Researchers interested in submitting a proposal are to submit the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, December 14, 2011:

Names and departments of PI, key personnel, and project partners (at least two small business concerns)
Project narrative – 1-2 page maximum – provide the rationale for the focus or research platform and a summary of the project activities and expected outcomes.

Deadlines:
Letter of Intent (required): January 4, 2012
Full Proposal: March 1, 2012

National Science Foundation - Partnerships for Innovation: Building Innovation Capacity (PFI: BIC) NSF 12-578

Description: The goal of the Partnerships for Innovation: Building Innovation Capacity (PFI: BIC) program is to build innovation capacity through partnerships between academe and small businesses by moving existing academic research discoveries to potentially market-valued solutions that ultimately could create new wealth and contribute to U.S. competitiveness or provide a solution to a problem of national and/or global importance.

The funds will provide support to an academic institution to partner with at least two small technology-based businesses that are not in competition with each other to translate existing science and/or engineering-based research discoveries into knowledge and paradigm shifts enhanced by both the perspectives of academia and business. Each project also may have a broader network of partnerships which may include state and local government entities, international partners or others. The primary aims of the activities of this partnership are three-fold: (1) to build the innovation capacity of the individual participants from academe and from business; (2) to increase the viability of the small business concerns; and (3) to develop the next-generation workforce by providing opportunities for students at different levels to effectively learn from, participate in, and be profoundly changed by exposure to the process of building innovation capacity that occurs in BIC projects.

PI Limit:

The PI cannot already be a PI on a Partnership for Innovation award that will be active after September 30, 2013.

A PI who submits a proposal in response to this program solicitation may not also submit a proposal to the Partnerships for Innovation: Accelerating Innovation Research (PFI: AIR) program (NSF 12-571).

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1

Lead academic institutions are limited to participation on one proposal as a lead institution. A lead academic institution may NOT participate as a subawardee on any other proposal submitted under this solicitation. A lead academic institution, however, may be a partner (not receiving funding) on another proposal or may provide consultants to another proposal submitted under this solicitation.

See the full program solicitation for more information: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12578/nsf12578.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click

Because NSF limits the number of PFI: BIC proposals to one per lead institution, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Researchers interested in submitting a proposal are to submit the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, August 21, 2012:

Names and departments of PI and Senior Project Personnel
Project description (1-2 page maximum) including: 1) the research discovery/ findings that the project will be based on and its significance; 2) the small technology-based business partners including their mission and expertise; 3) translational research activities that will be undertaken to build the innovation capacity of the partners.

NSF Deadlines:
Letter of Intent (required): September 26, 2012
Full Proposal: December 12, 2012

National Science Foundation - Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE) NSF 11-564

Description: Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE) is an NSF-wide program that supports international activities across all NSF supported disciplines. The primary goal of PIRE is to support high quality projects in which advances in research and education could not occur without international collaboration. PIRE seeks to catalyze a higher level of international engagement in the U.S. science and engineering community. PIRE promotes excellence in science and engineering through international collaboration and facilitates development of a diverse, globally-engaged, U.S. science and engineering workforce.

This PIRE competition will focus exclusively on the NSF-wide investment area of Science, Engineering, and Education for Sustainability (SEES). The SEES effort focuses on interdisciplinary topics that will advance sustainability science, engineering and education as an integrative approach to the challenges of adapting to environmental, social and cultural changes associated with growth and development of human populations, and attaining a sustainable energy future.

Program Information: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12819

Webinar: NSF’s Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE) hosted a Webinar on July 28 to share PIRE information and answer questions.The webinar will be archived for 3 months. To view it, click on the following link (http://www.tvworldwide.com/events/nsf/110728) and register your email address for access to the next appropriate screen.

NSF requires a pre-proposal from all applicants and will accept no more than one preliminary-proposal from an institution; therefore, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Researchers interested in submitting a proposal are to submit the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, August 31, 2011:

Names and Departments of Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators and other key personnel;

Names and affiliations of international partners and activities sites;
Project Description to include program goals, activities and management plan (2 p. max.).

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review this information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. The individual selected to be UK's applicant will be notified in sufficient time to prepare the proposal for electronic submission via FastLane or Grants.gov for the October 19, 2011 preliminary proposal deadline. NSF will review applications and invite a select number to submit a full proposal which will be due May 15, 2012.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Science Foundation - Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC)

The Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC) program supports university-based centers and institutes where the collective efforts of a larger group of individuals can enable transformational advances in the most promising research areas. The program is designed to foster major breakthroughs at the intellectual frontiers of physics by providing needed resources such as combinations of talents, skills, disciplines, and/or specialized infrastructure, not usually available to individual investigators or small groups, in an environment in which the collective efforts of the larger group can be shown to be seminal to promoting significant progress in the science and the education of students. Activities supported through the program are in all sub-fields of physics within the purview of the Division of Physics: atomic, molecular, optical, plasma, elementary particle, nuclear, astro-, gravitational, and biological physics. Interdisciplinary projects at the interface between these physics areas and other disciplines and physics sub-fields are also included, although the bulk of the effort should fall within one of those areas within the purview of the Physics Division. The successful PFC activity will demonstrate: (1) the potential for a profound advance in physics; (2) creative, substantive activities aimed at enhancing education, diversity, and public outreach; (3) potential for broader impacts, e.g., impacts on other field(s) and benefits to society; (4) a synergy or value-added rationale that justifies a center- or institute-like approach.

See the full program solicitation for more information: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13559/nsf13559.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 2

No more than two preliminary proposals may be submitted by any one institution. The same limitation applies to full proposals.

Because NSF limits an institution to two PFC preliminary proposals, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Researchers interested in submitting a preliminary proposal are to submit the following materials electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and a copy to their associate dean for research by Monday, May 20, 2013:

The names and departments of the principal investigator and key personnel,
Project description (2 pages maximum) including the Major Activities, proposed activities in education and human resource development, and broader impacts.

The Vice President for Research will appoint a committee to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s applicants. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

The NSF deadline for required preliminary proposals is August 5, 2013. Full PFC proposals may be submitted by invitation only and will have a January 27, 2014 deadline.

National Science Foundation - Planning a Partnership Model for a Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope - NSF 12-526

Description: Two major survey reports carried out by the National Academy of Sciences have identified the need for a Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope (GSMT) to address frontier astrophysical research questions in a wide array of subfields. This solicitation invites proposals to establish an initial framework for a U.S. community partnership in a proposed GSMT deriving from past, current, or potential future NSF support for design work, construction, instrumentation, and/or operations. Based on a detailed competitive review of the resulting proposals, an award will be made for further development of a public/private/international partnership model under a cooperative agreement between a GSMT project and NSF. During the award period, GSMT project management and representatives from NSF and the U.S. astronomical community are expected to refine the roles of NSF and the community in project development, engage in planning science and engineering operations, prepare for potential future Federal funding opportunities after the start of the next decade.

Program solicitation: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12526/nsf12526.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1

Internal Competition: Because NSF limits the number of proposals to one per institution as the lead organization, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Prospective applicants interested in responding to this program are asked to send a pre-proposal (1-2 pages max.) with the following information to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, February 20, 2012:

Names and departments of the PI, project team, and partner organization(s);
Description of project goals and activities, including the role of UK participants and partnership organizations;

NSF Deadline: April 16, 2012

National Science Foundation - Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM)

New guidelines have been recently issued for the National Science Foundation Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) program. A major change affecting this program eliminates restrictions on the number of applicants nominated for this award. Therefore, the University of Kentucky will not hold an internal competition for this program. Multiple programs or individuals may be nominated, however each program or individual may be nominated only one time.

Program Summary: The PAESMEM Program seeks to identify outstanding mentoring efforts that enhance the participation of groups (i.e., women, minorities, and persons with disabilities) that are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The awardees serve as leaders in the national effort to develop fully the Nation's human resources in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Program Information/solicitation

http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5473

New due dates:

March 23, 2010

October 06, 2010

First Wednesday in October, Annually Thereafter

National Science Foundation - Recovery and Reinvestment Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI-R2)

The NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) serves to increase access to shared scientific and engineering instruments for research and research training in our Nation's institutions of higher education, museums and science centers, and not-for-profit organizations. This program especially seeks to improve the quality and expand the scope of research and research training in science and engineering, by providing shared instrumentation that fosters the integration of research and education in research-intensive learning environments. Development and acquisition of research instrumentation for shared inter- and/or intra-organization use are encouraged, as are development efforts that leverage the strengths of private sector partners to build instrument development capacity at academic institutions.

To accomplish these goals, the MRI program assists with the acquisition or development of shared research instrumentation that is, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs. For the purposes of the MRI Program, proposals must be for either acquisition or development. Instruments are expected to be operational for regular research use by the end of the award period. A key recommendation of a 2006 National Academies report on “Advanced Research Instrumentation and Facilities” (ARIF) was that the NSF should expand the MRI program so that it includes “mid-scale” instrumentation whose capital costs are greater than $2 million, but with costs that are not appropriate for NSF’s Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction account.

As a result of the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, NSF is holding a competition that is separate from the regular MRI competition. For this MRI-R2 competition only, proposals will be accepted for instrument development or for acquisition of a single instrument or a system of related instruments that share a common or specific research focus in the range $100,000 - $6 million from Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education and non-degree-granting organizations; up to $6 million (there is no minimum request) from non-Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education or the disciplines of mathematical sciences or social, behavioral, and economic sciences at any eligible organization.

Proposals that wholly or substantially duplicate MRI proposalsthat were submitted under NSF 09-502, and were accepted for review, will not be accepted for this MRI-R2 competition.

Link to Program Page and Solicitation:

NSF 09-561 - http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5260

Cost Sharing: The University of Kentucky is required to provide 30 percent cost-sharing. (Effective FY 2009, cost-sharing for both acquisition and development proposals will be calculated based on the total proposal project costs.) The Vice President for Research will provide the required 30% match and the institutional letter documenting it.

Institutional Limits: To promote instrumentation development, the MRI-R2competition requires that if an organization submits or is included as a significantly funded2 subawardee/subcontractor in three MRI-R2 proposals, at least one of the three proposals must be for instrument development.

Most recent internal deadline: June 8, 2009.

Most recent external deadline: August 10, 2009.

National Science Foundation - NSF Research in Disabilities Education (RDE) 2009

The Research in Disabilities Education (RDE) program seeks to broaden the participation and achievement of people with disabilities in all fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and associated professional careers. The RDE program has been funding this objective since 1994 under the prior name "Program for Persons with Disabilities." Particular emphasis is placed on contributing to the knowledge base by addressing disability related differences in secondary and post-secondary STEM learning and in the educational, social and pre-professional experiences that influence student interest, academic performance, retention in STEM degree programs, STEM degree completion, and career choices. Projects also investigate effective practices for transitioning students with disabilities across critical academic junctures, retaining students in undergraduate and graduate STEM degree programs, and graduating students with STEM associate, baccalaureate and graduate degrees. Research project results inform the delivery of innovative, transformative and successful practices employed by the Alliances for Students with Disabilities in STEM to increase the number of students with disabilities completing associate, undergraduate and graduate degrees in STEM and to increase the number of students with disabilities entering our nation's science and engineering workforce. RDE projects contribute to closing the gaps occurring for people with disabilities in STEM fields by successfully disseminating findings, project evaluation results, and proven good practices and products to the public.

Program Website: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5482

This program has one track with an institutional limit: Innovation through Institutional Integration or I cubed (I3).

Innovation through Institutional Integration or I cubed (I3) is an integrative, cross-cutting effort that enables faculty, administrators, and others in institutions to think and act strategically about the creative integration of NSF-funded awards, with particular emphasis on awards managed through programs in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR), but not limited to those awards. This effort has the following interrelated goals:

Increase synergy and collaboration across NSF-funded projects and within/between institutions, towards an educational environment where artificial boundaries are significantly reduced and the student experience is more fully integrated;
Expand and deepen the impact of NSF-funded projects and enhance their sustainability;
Provide additional avenues to broaden participation through workforce development, especially for those underrepresented in STEM research and education; attend to seamless transitions across critical educational junctures; and/or provide more effectively for a globally engaged workforce;
Promote innovative programming, policies, and practices to encourage the integration of STEM research and education; and
Encourage STEM educational or related research in domains that hold promise for promoting intra- or inter-institutional integration and broader impacts.

Proposals that facilitate either (a) inter-institutional or (b) intra-institutional efforts are encouraged. Proposals may be submitted by (a) a single institution to address intra-institutional goals only or (b) an institution acting on behalf of an institutional partnership to address inter-institutional goals.

Proposals are expected to incorporate a depth and quality of creative, coherent, and strategic actions that extend beyond commonplace approaches to normal institutional operations. Proposals may also be submitted for research on institutional integration or other closely related themes articulated in the goals above.

For additional information see the I-Cubed FAQ: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08027/nsf08027.jsp

Most recent internal deadline: January 20, 2009.

Most recent external deadline: February 24, 2009.

***National Science Foundation - Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering and Computer Science NSF 11-509***

***UK College of Engineering faculty interested in this program should contact Eric Grulke, ADR, for internal deadlines and application procedures.***

The Directorate for Engineering (ENG) and the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering and Computer Science program supports the active involvement of K-12 science, technology, engineering, computer and information science, and mathematics (STEM) teachers and community college faculty in engineering and computer science research in order to bring knowledge of engineering, computer science, and technological innovation into their classrooms. The goal is to help build long-term collaborative partnerships between K-12 STEM teachers, community college faculty, and the NSF university research community by involving the teachers and community college faculty in engineering and computer science research and helping them translate their research experiences and new knowledge into classroom activities. Partnerships with inner city schools or other high needs schools are especially encouraged, as is participation by underrepresented minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

This announcement features two mechanisms for support of in-service and pre-service K-12 STEM teachers and community college faculty: RET supplements to ongoing ENG or CISE awards and new RET Site awards. RET supplements may be included in proposals for new or renewed NSF Directorate for Engineering (ENG) or CISE grants or as supplements to ongoing NSF ENG or CISE funded projects. RET in Engineering and Computer Science Sites are based on independent proposals from engineering or computer and information science departments, schools or colleges to initiate and conduct research participation projects for a number of K-12 STEM teachers and/or community college faculty.

For more information see: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5736

Deadlines: October 3, 2011; First Monday in October, Annually Thereafter

PI Limit: The principal investigator ofa RET in Engineering and Computer ScienceSite proposal must have a faculty appointment, within a College/Department of Engineering or Engineering Technology or a College/Department of Computer and Information Science broadly defined (e.g., including HCI, Software Engineering, Networking Science, Informatics) within the submitting U.S. academic institution.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 3

Three site proposals may be submitted per competition by a U.S. academic institution, College/Department of Engineering, Engineering Technology, or Computer and Information Science as the lead institution.

National Science Foundation - Research on Gender in Science and Engineering Program 2009

The Research on Gender in Science and Engineering program supports efforts to understand and address gender-based differences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and workforce participation through research, the diffusion of research-based innovations, and extension services in education that will lead to a larger and more diverse domestic science and engineering workforce. Typical projects will contribute to the knowledge base addressing gender-related differences in learning and in the educational experiences that affect student interest, performance, and choice of careers; how pedagogical approaches and teaching styles, curriculum, student services, and institutional culture contribute to causing or closing gender gaps that persist in certain fields. Projects will communicate and apply findings, evaluation results, and proven good practices and products to a wider community.

This program has one track with an institutional limit: Innovation through Institutional Integration or I cubed (I3).

Although there is no institutional limit on Research and Extension Services proposals, they do require a Letter of Intent which is due in early February, 2009. See program guidelines for details.

Program Website: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5475

Increase synergy and collaboration across NSF-funded projects and within/between institutions, towards an educational environment where artificial boundaries are significantly reduced and the student experience is more fully integrated;
Expand and deepen the impact of NSF-funded projects and enhance their sustainability;
Provide additional avenues to broaden participation through workforce development, especially for those underrepresented in STEM research and education; attend to seamless transitions across critical educational junctures; and/or provide more effectively for a globally engaged workforce;
Promote innovative programming, policies, and practices to encourage the integration of STEM research and education; and
Encourage STEM educational or related research in domains that hold promise for promoting intra- or inter-institutional integration and broader impacts.

For additional information see the I-Cubed FAQ: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08027/nsf08027.jsp

Most recent internal deadline: January 20, 2009.

Most recent external deadline: February 24, 2009.

National Science Foundation - Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program

The NSF Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program seeks to encourage talented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors and professionals to become K-12 mathematics and science teachers. The Noyce Scholarship Trackprovides funds to institutions of higher education to support scholarships, stipends, and academic programs for undergraduate STEM majors and post-baccalaureate students holding STEM degrees who earn a teaching credential and commit to teaching in high-need K-12 school districts.The NSF Teaching Fellowship/Master Teaching Fellowship Track supports STEM professionals who enroll as NSF Teaching Fellows in master's degree programs leading to teacher certification by providing academic courses, professional development, and salary supplements while they are fulfilling a four-year teaching commitment in a high need school district. This track also supports the development of NSF Master Teaching Fellows by providing professional development and salary supplements for exemplary mathematics and science teachers to become Master Teachers in high need school districts.

Program Website: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5733

Because an institution may submit only one application per track, UK has implemented an internal selection process. Interested faculty and staff are asked to send the following information electronically to Kris Hobson (hobson@email.uky.edu) in the Office of the Provost and a copy to their Dean by Wednesday, January 27, 2010:

Names and departments of principal investigator and team members
Brief project description (2 pages max.)

I-Cubed track: Note that an upcoming memo will provide information regarding this program/track as a separate internal competition.

A committee will be convened to review this information and make recommendations as to the University’s selected applicant in time for electronic submission to NSF for the March 10, 2010 deadline.

National Science Foundation - Scalable Nanomanufacturing (SNM) (NSF 13-545)

Description: NSF announces a third year of a program on collaborative research and education in the area of scalable nanomanufacturing, including the long-term societal implications of the large-scale implementation of nanomanufacturing innovations. Although many nanofabrication techniques have demonstrated the ability to fabricate small quantities of nanomaterials and devices for characterization and evaluation purposes, the emphasis of this program is on research to overcome the key impediments that prevent the low cost production of useful nanomaterials, devices and systems at industrially relevant scale. Therefore, competitive proposals will incorporate three elements in their research plans:

A persuasive argument that the nanomaterials, devices or systems to be produced have or are likely to have sufficient demand to justify eventual scale-up;
A clearly identified and arguably complete set of research issues that must be addressed to enable the low cost production of high quality products; and
A compelling research plan with clear objectives to overcome the identified research issues that is supported by preliminary results relevant to scale-up.

The mode of support is Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT). Proposals submitted to this program must address at least one, and preferably more than one, of the following interconnected themes:

Novel processes and techniques for continuous and scalable nanomanufacturing;
Directed (e.g. physical/chemical/biological) self-assembly processes leading to heterogeneous nanostructures with the potential for high-rate production;
Fundamental scientific research in well-defined areas that are compellingly justified as critical impediments to scale-up;
Principles and design methods to produce machines and processes to manufacture nanoscale structures, devices and systems; and/or
Societal, environmental and educational implications of the large-scale production and use of nanomaterials, devices and systems, including the life-cycle analysis of such nanomaterials, devices and systems.

Other research and education projects in nanoscale science and engineering will continue to be supported in the relevant programs and divisions.

Eligibility: Principal Investigators must be at the faculty level or equivalent.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: An academic may submit no more than one (1) proposal as the lead organization. The same organization may be a collaborative partner in any number of other multi-organization group proposals in which it is not the lead.

See the complete solicitation for additional details and requirements: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13545/nsf13545.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click

Because NSF limits the number of applications per institution, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Researchers interested in submitting a proposal with UK as the lead institution are to submit the following materials electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.eduand to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, March 26, 2013:

Names and departments of the PI, senior project personnel, and any project partners
Project description (2 p. maximum) including the priority theme(s) to be addressed, the management plan, and the education and outreach aspects of the project.

NSF Deadline: June 3, 2013

***National Science Foundation - Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) - NSF 12-529***

Description: The NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program provides institutions with funds for student scholarships to encourage and enable academically talented but financially needy students to enter the workforce following completion of an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree in the following disciplines:

biological sciences (except medicine and other clinical fields);
physical sciences, including physics, chemistry, astronomy, and materials science;
mathematical sciences;
computer and information sciences;
geosciences;
engineering;
technology areas associated with the preceding fields (for example, biotechnology, chemical technology, engineering technology, information technology, etc.)

Link to Solicitation: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12529/nsf12529.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click

PI Limit: The Principal Investigator must be a faculty member currently teaching in one of the S-STEM disciplines who can provide the leadership required to ensure the success of the project. Projects involving more than one department within an institution are eligible, but a single Principal Investigator must accept overall management responsibility. Other members of the S-STEM project management team may be listed as Co-Principal Investigators.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: An institution may submit one proposal from each constituent college or school that awards eligible degrees. (For example, a university with a College of Engineering, a School of Life Sciences, and a College of Arts and Sciences could submit one proposal from each for a total of three. However, within a College of Engineering, if the Department of Electrical Engineering were submitting a proposal, a proposal from the Department of Mechanical Engineering could be submitted only in a subsequent year. The two departments could also submit a proposal jointly.)

***Internal Competition/Selection Process: Interested faculty should contact their Associate Dean for Research for information on internal procedures and deadlines.***

Deadline: August 13, 2013

National Science Foundation - Science Master's Program

The NSF Science Master's Program prepares graduate students for careers in business, industry, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies by providing them not onlywith a strong foundation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, but also with research experiences, internship experiences,and the skills to succeed in those careers. The program is intended to catalyze the creation of institution-based efforts that can be sustained without additional federal funding. This program is also intended to encourage diversity in student participation so as to contribute to a broadly inclusive, well-trained science and engineering workforce.

Estimated Number of Awards: 21 new awards, up to $700,000 per award, depending on the quality of awards

PI Eligibility: The Principal Investigator (PI) shall be a member of the STEM faculty at the lead academic institution.

Program details can be found at:

http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503428

Institutional Limit: Because NSF limits the number of proposals to one per institution, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Prospective applicants interested in responding to this program should send a pre-proposal with the following information to Ms. Kris Hobson (hobson@email.uky.edu), Office of the Provost, and a copy to their Dean by Thursday, September 17, 2009:

Title of the Project
Names and departments of the PI and project team;
Scientific and/or workforce areas of focus and a list of the disciplines, or interdisciplinary areas, providing the STEM foundations for the proposed project
Project overview (2 pages maximum): a summary of the project goals and objectives, the intellectual merit, and the broader impacts of the proposed.

A committee will be convened to review the proposals and make a recommendation. The selected applicant will be notified in time for submission of the required letter of intent to NSF by October 5, 2009 and a full proposal via FastLane by November 20, 2009 (due by 5 p.m. proposer’s local time).

National Science Foundation - Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships (NSF 11-522)

Purpose: The Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships program supports innovative, potentially transformative, complex research and education projects that require large-scale, long-term awards. STCs conduct world-class research through partnerships among academic institutions, national laboratories, industrial organizations, and/or other public/private entities, and via international collaborations, as appropriate. They provide a means to undertake significant investigations at the interfaces of disciplines and/or fresh approaches within disciplines. STCs may involveany areasof science and engineering that NSF supports. STC investments support the NSF vision of advancing discovery, innovation and education beyond the frontiers of current knowledge, and empowering future generations in science and engineering.

Program information and funding opportunity announcement: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5541

Internal Competition: Because NSF limits the number of proposals to 3 per institution as the lead organization, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Prospective applicants interested in responding to this program are asked to send the following information to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, March 30, 2011:

Names and departments of Project Director and team members
Names of partner organizations/institutions and their major contribution to the proposed Center
A brief description of the proposed Center - its vision, mission, and goals. Also, state the long range plans for the proposed Center, indicate how research and education are to be integrated, provide knowledge transfer strategies, and indicate diversity goals of the Center. (maximum 3 pages)

NSF Deadlines:
Preliminary proposal (required) May 30, 2011
Full Proposal February 3, 2012

National Science Foundation - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP) 11-550

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP) seeks to increase the number of students (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) receiving associate or baccalaureate degrees in established or emerging fields within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Type 1 proposals are solicited that provide for full implementation efforts at academic institutions. Type 2 proposals are solicited that support educational research projects on associate or baccalaureate degree attainment in STEM.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:Because the University of Kentucky has previously been the lead institution on a STEP Type 1 award, it is currently eligible to submit only one Type 1b proposal in this current cycle. Contact the Appalachian & Minority Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics Majors (AMSTEMM) Office (AMSTEMM@uky.edu) for data on UK’s previous STEP award.

There are no restrictions on the number of Type 2 proposals that an individual or organization may submit.

Program Information and Solicitation: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5488

Because NSF limits an institution to one Type 1b application per year, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Prospective applicants interested in submitting a proposal to this program should submit the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, June 25, 2012:

Names and departments of key personnel and any non-UK team members and/or collaborators
Brief description of the project including the rationale, goals, activities, and STEM area(s) of focus (1-2 pages)

A committee will be convened to review the proposals and make a recommendation as to UK’s applicant. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

STEP deadlines:
Full Proposal September 25, 2012 (letter of intent is no longer requested)

National Science Foundation - Sustainability Research Networks Competition (SRN) NSF 11-574

Purpose: Sustainability Research Networks will engage and explore fundamental theoretical issues and empirical questions in sustainability science, engineering, and education that will increase our understanding of the ultimate sustainability challenge - maintaining and improving the quality of life for the nation within a healthy Earth system. The goal of the Sustainability Research Networks (SRN) competition is to support the development and coalescence of entities to advance collaborative research that addresses questions and challenges in sustainability science, engineering, and education. SRNs will link scientists, engineers, and educators, at existing institutions, centers, networks, and also develop new research efforts and collaborations.

Each SRN network will be built upon an ambitious and nationally important sustainability theme. Proposers will be tasked with choosing a specific theme for their network, identifying the research already being done in this area, proposing methods for linking existing research efforts, and then proposing research needed to advance their specific research theme. Examples of possible SRN themes are provided in the "Program Description" section of this solicitation (Section II.B.). SRNs will foster new knowledge and tools at a frontier of research that significantly crosses and melds the boundaries of diverse disciplines, and creates the integrated science and engineering disciplines of the future. SRNs will pursue new opportunities in science, engineering and educational research that truly require the scale, scope, and facilities enabled by such a network.

Program information and funding opportunity announcement: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11574/nsf11574.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click

Names and departments of Project Director and team members
Names of partner organizations/institutions and major contributors
A brief description of the proposed project- vision, goals, and activities. (maximum 2 pages)

NSF Deadlines:
Preliminary proposal (required) December 1, 2011
Full Proposal (by NSF invitation only) April 1, 2012

National Science Foundation - Sustainable Energy Pathways (SEP) NSF 11-590

Purpose: Sustainable Energy Pathways is part of the NSF-wide initiative on Science, Engineering, and Education for Sustainability (SEES). The Sustainable Energy Pathways solicitation calls for innovative, interdisciplinary basic research in science, engineering, and education by teams of researchers for developing systems approaches to sustainable energy pathways based on a comprehensive understanding of the scientific, technical, environmental, economic, and societal issues.

The SEP solicitation considers scalable approaches for sustainable energy conversion to useful forms, as well as its storage, transmission, distribution, and use. The following Topic Areas illustrate the broad scope of sustainable energy interest areas of this solicitation: Energy Harvesting & Conversion from Renewable Resources; Sustainable Energy Storage Solutions; Critical Elements & Materials for Sustainable Energy; Nature-Inspired Processes for Sustainable Energy Solutions; Reducing Carbon Intensity from Energy Conversion & Use; Sustainable Energy Transmission & Distribution; Energy Efficiency & Management.

Funding opportunity announcement: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11590/nsf11590.htm

Names and departments of Project Director and team members
Names of partner organizations/institutions and major contributors
A brief description of the proposed project to include vision, integration and collaboration. (maximum 2 pages)

NSF Deadline: February 1, 2012

National Science Foundation - TeraGrid Phase III: eXtreme Digital Resources for Science and Engineering (XD)

In recent years, the research community, with support from NSF, has developed the TeraGrid as a way of providing wide access to resources related to working with extremely large quantities of information. The need for such widely shared, national resources continues to grow and as the currently funded phase of TeraGrid operations approaches its close, NSF is inviting innovative proposals for a new infrastructure to deliver the next generation of high-end digital services, as national resources, that will provide researchers and educators with the capability to work with extremely large amounts of digitally represented information.

This specific solicitation (http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08571/nsf08571.htm) seeks two types of proposals.

Integrating Services. Proposals for Integrating Services are submitted in two phases – detailed preliminary due November 4, 2008 and full proposal by invitation only due June 15, 2009. This component has an institutional limit: A proposing organization may submit (or be a sub-awardee on) either a proposal for a single one of the four services listed in the Integrating Services section, or a proposal for the XD Coordination and Management Service (CMS) and one or more of the other three Integrating Services:.

XD Coordination and Management Service
Technology Audit and Insertion Service
Advanced User Support Service
Training, Education and Outreach Service

High-Performance Remote Visualization and Data Analysis Services. Proposals are requested for providers of remote visualization and data analysis services, as part of the XD infrastructure. Full proposals are due November 4, 2008. There is no institutional limit.

Funds Available: NSF expects to offer 3-6 awards with $32M available in the first year.

See the complete program solicitation for additional details: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08571/nsf08571.htm

Most recent internal deadline: September 15, 2008.

Most recent external deadline: November 4, 2008.

National Science Foundation - Undergraduate Research Collaboratives (URC) Program

The National Science Foundation’s Undergraduate Research Collaboratives (URC) Program seeks new models and partnerships to (1) broaden undergraduate research opportunities in the chemical sciences and allied disciplines to include first and second year students; (2) expand collaborations across disciplines; and (3) enhance the research capacity, infrastructure, and commitment to excellence in undergraduate education in the chemical sciences and related disciplines. NSF anticipates funding 1 to 5 Undergraduate Research Collaboratives at $500,000 annually for five years plus an additional $200,000 in the first year for equipment. The complete guidelines and application information are available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2006/nsf06521/nsf06521.htm.

Most recent internal deadline: February 13, 2006.

Most recent external deadline: March 21, 2006.

National Science Foundation - Undergraduate Research and Mentoring in the Biological Sciences

Description: The goal of the Undergraduate Research and Mentoring in the Biological Sciences program is to increase the number and diversity of individuals pursuing graduate studies in all areas of biological research supported by the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences. Support will be provided to academic institutions to establish innovative programs to engage undergraduates in a year-round research and mentoring activity. Particular emphasis will be placed on broadening participation of members of groups historically underrepresented in science and engineering: African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians, Hispanic Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, and persons with disabilities.

Program Solicitation and Details: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=500036

Limited Submission/Internal Competition: Because NSF limits an institution to one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to send the following information electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Wednesday, January 19, 2011:

Names and departments of the principal investigator and participating faculty;
A statement of the project goals and expected impact on the undergraduate curriculum;
A project description (1-2 pages max.) including proposed plan, role and expertise of participating faculty, and criteria for evaluating quality and impact of the project.

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission. NSF deadline: March 1, 2011.

Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663.)

National Science Foundation - Widening Implementation & Demonstration of Evidence-Based Reforms (WIDER)

The chief goal of WIDER is to transform institutions of higher education into supportive environments for STEM faculty members to substantially increase their use of evidence-based teaching and learning practices. WIDER seeks to substantially increase the scale of application of highly effective methods of STEM teaching and learning in institutions of higher education, by employing instructional materials and methods that have a convincing evidentiary basis of effectiveness. In particular WIDER seeks this transformation for high enrollment, lower division courses required for many STEM majors and taken by many other students to fulfill general education distribution requirements. Included in the broad definition of effective STEM teaching and learning are not only instructional practices in traditional learning environments, but also modern laboratory methods and field research, proven distance education methods (or hybrid designs incorporating both face-to-face and distance methods), and improved approaches to motivating student interest in STEM. In all cases, the primary goal of WIDER is to increase substantially the scale of these improvements within and across the higher education sector.

WIDER invites four kinds of proposals:

Planning grants - designed to facilitate institutional planning for transition to a much higher commitment to evidence-based teaching and learning practices.
Institutional Implementation grants - awarded to institutions that have made a commitment and are ready to implement substantive changes to support evidence-based teaching and learning practices.
Community Implementation grants - awarded to consortia and/or professional organizations that propose to marshal their combined resources towards the goals of WIDER. Consortia would have the advantage of providing specialized resources, perspectives, and influences from its members that would not be available in a single institution of higher education. Potential also exists for scientific societies, other professional societies, college and university associations, and accrediting organizations to contribute to the goal of WIDER, and proposals are welcomed from these organizations as well.
Research projects- contributions to our broader understanding of how single institutions or types of institutions can successfully encourage greater use of evidence-based teaching and learning practices in STEM disciplines.

Program solicitation: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13552/nsf13552.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: An organization may submit only one Planning or one Institutional Implementation proposal for a given deadline. There are no restrictions on the number of Community Implementation or Research proposals that an individual or organization may submit.

Internal Competition: Because NSF limits the number of WIDER Planning and Institutional Implementation proposals to one per institution, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Researchers interested in submitting a proposal are to submit the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Thursday, May 7, 2013:

Names and departments of PI, key personnel, and any project partners.
Specify proposal type: Planning Grant or Institutional Implementation Grant
Project description (2 pages max.) – including the STEM education background, contribution to STEM community building, dissemination plan, evaluation plan, and involvement of (or need for involvement of) UK administrative officials.

NSF Deadline: July 3, 2013

University of Kentucky - UK Research
Updated 05/06/13 by Jennifer Hill