Limited Submisions - NSF (N-Z)

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:

1. Exploring New Chemistries and Materials for Nanoelectronics
2. Exploring Alternative State Variables and Heterogeneous Integration for Nanoelectronic Devices and Systems
3. 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/2012/nsf12534/nsf12534.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: 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 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 27, 2012:

• Names and departments of the principal investigator and participating faculty;
• Topic Area (whether science-focused or societal/ethical issues)
• 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.  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 23, 2012

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 - 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:

1. Names and departments of the PI and project team.
2. 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.

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).

Deadlines:
Letter of Intent (required): January 4, 2012
Full Proposal: March 1, 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, e.g. biology, quantum information science, mathematical physics, condensed matter physics, and emerging areas of physics are also included. 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.

Program Page and Solicitation: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5305

NSF requires a preliminary proposal for this program and has an institutional limit of two preliminary proposals. As a result, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Researchers interested in submitting a preliminary 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 Monday, June 7, 2010:

Names of PI, Co-Investigators, and other key personnelOverview of the proposed center, including scientific focus, proposed educational, outreach and diversity activities, and broader impacts (1-2 pages)

A committee will be convened to review the material submitted and make recommendations. The deadline for the NSF preliminary proposal is August 11, 2010. NSF will invite selected applicants to submit full proposals by the January 25, 2011 deadline.

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 - 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:

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

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, 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

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 - 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 12-544

Description: The National Science Foundation (NSF) announces a second 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. This program is in response to and is a component of the National Nanotechnology Initiative Signature Initiative: Sustainable Nanomanufacturing - Creating the Industries of the Future (http://www.nano.gov/node/611). Although many nanofabrication techniques have demonstrated the ability to produce relatively small quantities of nanomaterials and devices, the emphasis of this program is research that supports the identification and demonstration of nanomanufacturing processes with high potential to scale to economically and industrially relevant production levels. 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 roadblocks to scale-up;
• Principles and design methods to produce machines and processes to manufacture nanoscale structures, devices and systems; and/or
• Long-term societal 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.

Amount: Awards will be in the range of $250,000-$375,000 per year for four years, depending on the scope of the work proposed. Grants may be awarded in a variety of sizes and durations. The total request for NSF funding for each project, for all investigators and all organizations, may not exceed $1,500,000.

Link to Funding Opportunity
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12544/nsf12544.htm

Because NSF limits an institution to one 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 vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, April 17, 2012:

• The names and departments of the Principal Investigator (PI), project personnel
• A list of all partner institutions, industry partners or collaborators and their roles in the project
• A project description including goals, activities and management plan (1-2 p. max.).

A committee will be convened to review the proposals and make a recommendation. 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: June 4, 2012

***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 fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. The program was established by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in accordance with the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-277) as modified by P.L. 106-313 and P.L.108-447 in 2004. The Act reflects the national need to increase substantially the number of American scientists and engineers.

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 14, 2012

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:

1. Title of the Project
2. Names and departments of the PI and project team;
3. Scientific and/or workforce areas of focus and a list of the disciplines, or interdisciplinary areas, providing the STEM foundations for the proposed project
4. 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)

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 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

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 Monday, October 3, 2011:

• 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)

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 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

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, November 9, 2011:

• 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)

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: 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.)