Materials World Network: Cooperative Activity in Materials Research between U.S. Investigators and their Counterparts Abroad
Continued progress in fundamental materials and condensed matter research is increasingly dependent upon collaborative efforts among different disciplines, as well as closer coordination among funding agencies and effective partnerships involving universities, industry, and national laboratories. In addition, because of the growing interdependence of the world's economies, partnerships are important not only at the national level but from an international point of view as well. The National Science Foundation is working jointly with counterpart national, regional and multinational funding organizations worldwide to enhance opportunities for collaborative activities in materials research and education between US investigators and their colleagues abroad. This solicitation describes an activity to foster opportunities for such collaborations. It includes joint activities between NSF and funding organizations in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Website: http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09600
ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers (ADVANCE)
ADVANCE projects should focus on activities that encourage the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women faculty and academic administrators in STEM. Complementary activities that enhance the participation of women students and postdoctoral researchers in science and engineering and non-STEM faculty should be supported by the institution.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09504
Graduate Research Fellowship Program
The purpose of the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to ensure the vitality of the scientific and technological workforce in the United States and to reinforce its diversity. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in the relevant science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines who are pursuing research-based masters and doctoral degrees. NSF Fellows are expected to become knowledge experts who can contribute significantly to research, teaching, and innovations in science and engineering. These individuals will be crucial to maintaining and advancing the nation's technological infrastructure and national security as well as contributing to the economic well being of society at large. The Graduate Research Fellowship Program is designed to provide opportunities for advanced education that prepares students for a broad range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary careers through its strategic investments in intellectual capital. Applicants, therefore, are urged to visit the NSF web page at http://www.nsf.gov for more information and guidance about current and emerging themes for the NSF directorates and offices.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09603
Research and Evaluation on Education in Science and Engineering
The goals of the REESE program are: (1) to catalyze discovery and innovation at the frontiers of STEM learning, education, and evaluation; (2) to stimulate the field to produce high quality and robust research results through the progress of theory, method, and human resources; and (3) to coordinate and transform advances in education, learning research, and evaluation efforts. REESE pursues its mission by developing an interdisciplinary research portfolio focusing on core scientific questions of STEM learning in current and emerging learning contexts, both formal and informal, from childhood through adulthood, and from before school through to graduate school and beyond into the workforce. REESE places particular importance upon the involvement of young investigators in the projects, at doctoral, postdoctoral, and early career stages, as well as the involvement of STEM disciplinary experts. In addition, research questions related to educational research methodology and evaluation are central to the REESE activity. This solicitation calls for four types of proposals: Pathways, Knowledge Diffusion, Empirical, and Large Empirical.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09601
Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation 2010
The Directorate for Engineering at the National Science Foundation has established the Office of Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI) to serve a critical role in focusing on important emerging areas in a timely manner. The EFRI Office is launching a new funding opportunity for interdisciplinary teams of researchers to embark on rapidly advancing frontiers of fundamental engineering research. For this solicitation, we will consider proposals that aim to investigate emerging frontiers in the following two specific research areas: (1) Renewable Energy Storage (RESTOR), and (2) Science in Energy and Environmental Design (SEED): Engineering Sustainable Buildings. This solicitation will be coordinated with NSF Directorates listed above, the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EFRI seeks proposals with transformative ideas that represent an opportunity for a significant shift in fundamental engineering knowledge with a strong potential for long term impact on national needs or a grand challenge. The proposals must also meet the detailed requirements delineated in this solicitation.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09606
Applied Mathematics
Supports mathematics research motivated by or having an effect on problems arising in science and engineering. Mathematical merit and novelty, as well as breadth and quality of impact on applications, are important factors. Proposals to develop critical mathematical techniques from individual investigators as well as interdisciplinary teams are encouraged.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5664&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Grants
The Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Grants (AAG) Program provides a flexible, coordinated and inclusive funding opportunity for disciplinary, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research in the astronomical sciences. The AAG Program provides individual investigator and collaborative research grants for observational, theoretical, laboratory and archival data studies in all areas of astronomy and astrophysics.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf05608
Continental Dynamics
An effective organizational schema for the mobilization of scientific creativity and project implementation for continental dynamics research involves the concept of a field laboratory. Each field area would become an outdoor laboratory, in which techniques such as sampling, mapping, geophysical studies, and drilling are combined, over a number of years and a number of investigators. Data and samples that originate in the field laboratory then go indoors where many participating investigators engaged in sample analysis, computer modeling, and data processing work together to develop quantitative synthesis.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf04512
Oceanographic Centers and Facilities
NSF supports construction, conversion, acquisition, and operation of major shared-use oceanographic facilities. The University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) schedules these facilities and expeditionary programs. This program supports expensive facilities that are necessary for NSF-funded research and training of oceanographers. Examples of these facilities are ships, submersibles, large shipboard equipment, and shared-use instruments to collect and analyze data. NSF encourages local contributions from nonfederal funds; however, there is no fixed requirement for institutional contributions.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12725&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) in Engineering - Supplements and Sites
The RET program encourages the active participation of both in-service and pre-service (education majors who are still pursuing their degrees) K-12 teachers and community college faculty in ongoing NSF supported engineering research through supplements and sites. Encouraging active participation of teachers in NSF projects is an excellent way to reach broadly into the teacher talent pool of the U.S. so that they can teach engineering concepts to K-12 students to encourage and stimulate them to pursue engineering careers.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf07557
Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience (CRCNS)
Two classes of proposals will be considered in response to this solicitation:
- research proposals describing new collaborative research projects, and
- data sharing proposals to enable sharing of data and other resources.
In general, appropriate scientific areas of investigations may be related to any of the participating funding organizations. Some specific examples are given below. Questions concerning a particular project's focus, direction and relevance to a participating funding organization should be addressed to the appropriate person in the list of agency contacts. Each of the funding organizations participating in this program has a commitment to developing and supporting computational neuroscience research for the purpose of advancing the understanding of the questions relevant to the missions of the organizations. Proposals selected for funding must be responsive to the mission of a participating funding organization.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf08514
Small Business Technology Transfer Program Phase I Solicitation FY-2010
The primary objective of the STTR Program is to increase the incentive and opportunity for small firms to undertake cutting-edge, high risk, high quality scientific, engineering, or science and engineering education research that would have a high potential economic payoff if the research is successful. The STTR program expands the public and private partnership to include collaborative opportunities for small businesses and non-profit research institutions. A team approach is required in an STTR project where at least one research investigator is employed by the small business concern and at least one investigator is employed by a collaborating research institution.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09605
EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: Track-2
The RII Track-2 program supports projects that promote, leverage and utilize cyber infrastructure to address issues of regional, thematic, or technological importance to consortia of EPSCoR jurisdictions. The consortium-based science and engineering research that will be facilitated by the proposed cyber infrastructure improvements and the appropriateness of the proposed cyber infrastructure to the consortium's research efforts will be the primary drivers for RII Track-2 investments. The project description should include a strong rationale for the establishment of the consortium and should describe how the cyber infrastructure-enabled activities will advance the research goals of the consortium. The project should be of sufficient scope and complexity that the combined resources of the consortium are required to facilitate discovery and innovation, and enable the development of a diverse science and engineering workforce that has the knowledge and skills necessary to design and deploy as well as to adopt and apply cyber-based tools and services. Over the long term, RII Track-2 investments are expected to result in lasting improvements in the jurisdictions' abilities to more successfully pursue significant jurisdictional and regional opportunities in science and engineering having national and international importance. The RII Track-2 award is expected to add specific value to the consortium's academic cyber infrastructure not generally available through other funding.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09571
Informal Science Education (ISE)
The Informal Science Education (ISE) program supports projects that promote lifelong learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by the public through voluntary, self-directed engagement in STEM-rich informal learning environments and experiences. The ISE program invests in projects that advance knowledge through research and evaluation about STEM learning in informal environments; design, implement, and study models, resources, and programs for STEM learning in informal environments; and/or expand the capacity of professionals engaged in the work of informal STEM education programs.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09553
Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants in the Directorate for Biological Sciences (DDIG)
Proposals whose focus falls within the scope of any cluster in the Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) or in the scientific area of animal behavior supported by the Behavioral Systems Cluster in the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS) are eligible. Please note that DEB programs generally do not support research in marine ecology. The duration and grant amount are flexible but must be justified by the scope of work and documented in the proposal. Grants are typically awarded for periods up to 24 months and for amounts up to $15,000.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf08564
Science Master's Program (SMP)
Proposals submitted to the Science Master's Program should describe a STEM based Master's graduate education curriculum broadened with education that provides additional skills, such as through specially tailored courses in business and management that prepare students to work in business, industry, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations. The fields and training activities should be in areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics where there is high or emerging (anticipated) need. Proposals must demonstrate that the proposed programs meet the needs of the intended workplace and that careful market research and collaboration have led to the proposed model. The proposed Science Master's Program should involve a diverse group of faculty members and other investigators with appropriate expertise in research and teaching in STEM fields, and should include instructors who have expertise specific to the workforce preparation features of the program to provide additional practical skills training. The coupling of STEM education with practical skills training provides a framework for meeting the needs of employers. Strong proposals will feature partnerships between academic institutions and potential employers to determine jointly what constitute high need areas as well as the kinds of training needed for careers in these areas.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09607
Chemical Catalysis (CAT)
The Chemical Catalysis Program supports fundamental experimental and theoretical research directed towards the synthesis and characterization of catalysts and pre-catalysts. This Program accepts proposals on catalytic approaches which facilitate, direct, and accelerate efficient chemical transformations and include, but are not limited to: the design and synthesis of organic, inorganic and hybrid catalytic and pre-catalytic species on the molecular, supramolecular, and nanometer scales; kinetic, mechanistic, and dynamic studies of homogeneous, heterogeneous, biomimetic and biologically-inspired catalytic reactions; characterization of chemical and biochemical catalytic reactions occurring at solid surfaces and/or interfaces; polymerization catalysis; single site catalysis; electrocatalysis (such as water splitting), photocatalysis (such as solar energy conversion); catalytic conversions of fossil fuel feedstocks, biomass conversions, CO2 activation and other energy-related, catalytic processes; combinatorial catalysis approaches; environmentally-friendly catalytic processes; and applications of modeling, theory, and simulation to catalytic reactions.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503418&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Chemical Measurement and Imaging (CMI)
The Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program supports research focusing on chemically-relevant measurement science and imaging, targeting both improved understanding of new and existing methods and development of innovative approaches and instruments. Research areas include but are not limited to sampling and separation science; electrochemistry; spectrometry; frequency- and time-domain spectroscopy; sensors and bioassays; and microscopy. Imaging and measurement tools probing chemical and physical properties and processes across a wide range of spatial scales - from macroscopic structures down to single molecules - are supported, as are innovations enabling the monitoring and imaging of rapid chemical and electronic processes and new approaches to data analysis and interpretation, including chemometrics. Proposals addressing established techniques must seek improved understanding and/or innovative approaches to substantially broaden applicability.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503413&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Chemical Structure, Dynamics and Mechanisms (CSDM)
The Chemical Structure, Dynamics, and Mechanisms Program supports basic, transformative experimental and theoretical research directed toward elucidating electronic and molecular structure, structure-activity relationships, dynamic interactions at the molecular level and chemical reaction mechanisms. The program is particularly interested in hypothesis-driven or exploratory research projects that address grand challenges in the field of chemistry including, for example, understanding the principles of chemical reactivity in homogeneous, heterogeneous and interfacial systems and the use of advanced computational and spectroscopic techniques to address chemical systems at the limits of temporal and spatial resolution. The program supports studies that focus on the dynamic behavior and chemical reactions of molecules and atomic and molecular clusters, in the gas, liquid, and solid phases. Specific examples include studies of the dynamics of photochemical reactions and charge transfer processes and studies aiming to understand and control light-matter interactions at the molecular level. The program also supports the use of experimental, modeling and computational techniques to probe the orientation, interactions and reaction mechanisms of molecular species on surfaces and at other interfaces.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503415&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Chemical Synthesis (SYN)
The Chemical Synthesis program focuses on the development of new, efficient synthetic methodologies and on the synthesis of complex molecules and molecular ensembles. Typical synthetic targets involve novel structures, structures displaying unique properties, or structures providing pathways to discover and elucidate new phenomena. Examples of supported research areas include the development of innovative reagents, catalysts for synthetic transformations, discovery of new synthetic methods, target-oriented synthesis, green synthesis, and synthesis of novel organic, organometallic, and inorganic structures. Research in this program will generate fundamental knowledge of chemical synthesis that enables the development of new avenues of basic chemical research and transformative technologies.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503419&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Chemistry of Life Processes (CLP)
The Chemistry of Life Processes program deals with the investigation of novel chemistry in biological systems and the advancement of basic chemical research and transformative technologies through creative applications that address important aspects of life processes. Research of interest to the program includes fundamental chemistry-centered projects at the interface with biology. The program also welcomes projects that integrate experimental and theoretical approaches, as well as inter- and multi-disciplinary research efforts at the chemistry-biology interface. Some examples include but are not limited to: synthetic methods for site-specific modifications of macromolecules; the application of advanced spectroscopic techniques to study energy transformations in biological systems; metal speciation, coordination and function; chemical ("bottom-up") synthetic biology; chemical basis of ligand-macromolecule recognition; studies of enzyme and ribozyme catalysis that focus on the chemistry; and the design and synthesis of riboswitches and small molecules that modulate biological systems. The program also encourages research projects that exploit biological systems to advance fundamental and enabling aspects of chemistry. Proposals that are compatible with the program are those that advance the knowledge and practice of chemistry. Proposals that focus mainly on addressing a biological question are more appropriate for the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB). Proposals that address biomedical problems may be more appropriate for the National Institutes of Health.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503417&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Environmental Chemical Sciences (ECS)
The Environmental Chemical Sciences (ECS) Program supports basic research in chemistry that promotes the understanding of natural and anthropogenic chemical processes in our environment. Projects supported by this program enable fundamentally new avenues of basic research and transformative technologies. The program is particularly interested in studying molecular phenomena on surfaces and interfaces in order to understand the inherently complex and heterogeneous environment. Projects utilize advanced experimental, modeling and computational approaches, as well as developing new approaches. Topics include studies of environmental surfaces and interfaces under laboratory conditions, the fundamental properties of water and water solutions important in environmental processes, dissolution, composition, origin and behavior of molecular scale systems under a variety of naturally occurring environmental conditions, chemical reactivity of synthetic nanoparticles and their molecular level interactions with the environment, and application of theoretical models and computational approaches to discover and predict environmental phenomena at the molecular scale.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503416&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN)
The Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN) Program focuses on basic research in chemistry that addresses interactions leading to the assembly of macromolecular, supramolecular and nanoscopic species and other organized structures that show unique chemical and physical properties and reactivities. Research of interest to this program includes: the study of forces which are responsible for spatial organization in organic, inorganic or hybrid systems; novel synthesis relevant to the program topics; innovative surface functionalization chemistry; and the formation of clusters, aggregates, nanoparticles and large molecular architectures. Interactions that give rise to molecular self assembly, metal organic frameworks, template-directed syntheses, and chemically dynamic systems like molecular machines are also appropriate for this Program. Investigations may utilize experimental and/or computational methods to predict and/or understand the chemical structure, properties and reactivities of these unique structures.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503422&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Theory, Models and Computational Methods (TMC)
The Theory, Models and Computational Methods program supports the discovery and development of theoretical and computational methods to address a range of chemical challenges, with emphasis on emerging areas of chemical research. Proposals that focus on established methods should involve innovative approaches that substantially broaden their applicability. Methods of interest include, but are not limited to, those addressing electronic structure, quantum reaction dynamics, statistical mechanics, molecular dynamics, and simulation techniques for molecular or supramolecular systems. Areas of application span the full range of chemical systems from small molecules to macromolecules and degrees of aggregation from single molecules or small clusters to nanoscopic and even larger systems. While application areas may involve any chemical system, including biological systems or materials, the goal of the program is to support the development of new theoretical and computational methodologies that will be broadly applicable to a range of challenging problems. We are particularly interested in fundamental areas of research that are difficult or impossible to address using current synthetic, experimental, and/or computational methodologies.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503420&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Archaeology and Archaeometry
The Archaeology Program provides support for anthropologically relevant archaeological research at both a "senior" and doctoral dissertation level. It also funds anthropologically significant archaeometric research. High risk exploratory research proposals are accepted for consideration and a description of these competitions is provided in the Archaeology Program Overview.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=11690&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Hydrologic Sciences
Hydrologic Sciences focuses on terrestrial processes within the hydrologic cycle including precipitation, infiltration, overland and stream flow, subsurface percolation and the transport of solutes, nutrients, and particles by these fluxes. This program encourages studies probing the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of water and chemical fluxes and storages from local to global scales, coupling for simulating residence times, interfacial fluxes, pathways among system compartments; and pursuing topics in ecohydrology, geolimnology, and hydrologic impacts on microbial communities. Hydrologic Sciences also supports research in aqueous geochemistry directly connected to hydrologic processes and the physical, chemical, and biological processes taking place as water bodies change. Since the study of hydrologic processes requires expertise from many basic sciences and mathematics, Hydrologic Sciences encourages interdisciplinary proposals and provides joint review with related programs.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09538
CHE-DMR-DMS Solar Energy Initiative (SOLAR)
The purpose of the CHE-DMR-DMS Solar Energy Initiative is to support potentially catalytic interdisciplinary work by groups of researchers to address the scientific challenges of efficient harvesting, conversion, and storage of solar energy. The intent is to encourage new collaborations in which the mathematical sciences are linked in a synergistic way with the chemical and materials sciences to develop novel, potentially transformative approaches in an area of much activity but largely incremental advances. Since the chemistry and materials communities have already been working jointly, this initiative aims to bring novel mathematical concepts and approaches as a new and central component to this area. This is a way for the MPS chemistry, materials, and mathematics communities to contribute to the broad national portfolio on energy in a unique approach. In pursuit of this goal, each group must include three or more principal investigators, one of whom must be a researcher in chemistry, a second in materials, and a third in mathematical sciences in areas supported by the NSF Divisions of Chemistry, Materials Research, and Mathematical Sciences, respectively.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09604
East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students (EAPSI)
The East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI) provide U.S. graduate students in science and engineering: 1) first-hand research experiences in Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore or Taiwan; 2) an introduction to the science, science policy, and scientific infrastructure of the respective location; and 3) an orientation to the society, culture and language. The primary goals of EAPSI are to introduce students to East Asia and Pacific science and engineering in the context of a research setting, and to help students initiate scientific relationships that will better enable future collaboration with foreign counterparts. All institutes, except Japan, last approximately eight weeks from June to August. Japan lasts approximately ten weeks from June to August.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf08603
Geophysics
The Geophysics Program supports basic research in the physics of the solid earth to explore its composition, structure, and processes. Laboratory, field, theoretical, and computational studies are supported. Topics include seismicity, seismic wave propagation, and the nature and occurrence of earthquakes; the earth's magnetic, gravity, and electrical fields; the earth's thermal structure; and geodynamics. Supported research also includes geophysical studies of active deformation, including geodesy, and studies of the properties and behavior of earth materials in support of geophysical observation and theory.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09539
Ecology of Infectious Diseases (EID)
The goal of the Ecology of Infectious Diseases (EID) activity is to encourage development of predictive models and discovery of general principles governing the transmission dynamics and evolution of infectious agents. To that end, research should focus on understanding the ecological and socio-ecological determinants of transmission by vectors or abiotic agents, the population and evolutionary dynamics of reservoir species, the dynamics of social and economic systems, and transmission to humans or other hosts. The most competitive proposals are those that advance broad, conceptual knowledge that reaches beyond the specific system under study and that may lead to public health, economic or management policy usage. Funded research should aim beyond description to achieve mechanistic insights into disease dynamics. While the aim of this activity is to produce predictive or explanatory models, such models could be analytic, simulations, or statistical. Any such model, though, should provide general understanding beyond the specific system under study. In addition, for complex systems the model should serve as the central organizing principle. Models must include estimates of uncertainty and, when appropriate and possible, experiments should be designed to attain a high level of precision. Proposals should indicate how they will validate or verify any model and how the model will advance our conceptual understanding of disease dynamics. Proposals should identify which individual(s) will oversee the quantitative approaches and provide evidence of their demonstrated expertise in data collection, mathematical modeling, and/or data analysis.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf08601
Organization of Projects on Environmental Research in the Arctic
Scientific leadership is needed to aid in implementing SEARCH's broad science agenda with its many connections - existing and potential - to partner agencies and programs. This solicitation seeks proposals for activities that would actively foster collaboration and interdisciplinary synthesis among the suite of arctic environmental change projects funded by NSF but could also contribute to the arctic environmental change research effort across US agencies. Many of these projects are currently affiliated with SEARCH, but it is likely that it will be necessary to reach beyond what is generally considered SEARCH. The major outcomes of the collective activities are expected to be: Improved linkages among projects and components of the overall research effort. A framework for research activities of an integrated nature that explore knowledge from disparate sources to achieve new insight. Implementation of improved data discovery tools and approaches. Science workshops, meetings and conferences that target a level of understanding that goes beyond what individual projects can achieve on their own. A forum for the discussion of scientifically priorities based on a rigorous analysis of research results. Communication, using appropriate means, with stakeholder groups, including the research community, policy makers, educators and students, the general public and providing research results that inform policy decisions.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09599
Computational Mathematics
Supports mathematical research in areas of science where computing plays a central and essential role, emphasizing algorithms design, numerical methods and their analysis, and symbolic methods. The prominence of computation in the research is a hallmark of the program. Proposals ranging from single-investigator projects that develop and analyze innovative computational methods to interdisciplinary team projects that not only create new mathematical and computational techniques but use them to model, study, and solve important application problems are encouraged.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5390&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
Postdoctoral Fellowships in Polar Regions Research
The Postdoctoral Fellowships in Polar Regions Research program supports training and research for recent doctoral degree recipients in any aspect of scientific study of the Antarctic and/or the Arctic; research projects that address the occurrence, causes, and/or responses to changes in the polar environment are particularly encouraged. The program also provides travel awards for persons otherwise eligible to apply for the fellowships to visit prospective sponsoring scientists at their organizations, to facilitate the establishment of professional collaborations and mentor-candidate relationships. See "Travel Grants" section below for specific information.
These Fellowships are intended to promote career development of recent Ph.D's, to advance scientific knowledge and understanding, and to attract new technologies and expertise to polar regions research. In collaboration with sponsoring scientists, fellowship candidates should propose research and training plans that outline opportunities relevant to their career goals, such as developing novel conceptual approaches, enhancing technical skills, gaining field or teaching experience, participating in education and outreach activities, or forming industry partnerships. It is not expected that each fellowship candidate will propose a research and training plan that meets all of the fellowship program goals; rather, candidates should identify activities that contribute their knowledge and skills to the scientific study of polar regions, that foster their research interests and talents, that promote the development of skills and competencies appropriate to their career goals, and that address the merit review criteria identified in this solicitation.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09612
Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers Program (I/UCRC)
A comprehensive range of disciplines and skills is often necessary to address research issues of interest to industry, and thus it is often necessary to form a consortium of universities to achieve a critical mass of interdisciplinary research capabilities for the formation of a center. In that case, one of the universities acts as the administrative lead for the center and each university partner research site is expected to attract industrial support for the center.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09565
Petrology and Geochemistry
The Petrology and Geochemistry program supports basic research on the history of formation and evolution of the chemical composition of solid materials in the Earth's crust, mantle, and core. Proposals in this program cover deep Earth processes that lead to the formation and geochemical evolution of igneous and metamorphic rocks, including ore genesis and all aspects of volcanology. This program also supports projects that study chemical properties of natural minerals at high pressures and temperatures. Most projects will use methods such as major and trace element geochemistry; stable and radiogenic isotope geochemistry and geochronology; experimental mineralogy, petrology, and volcanology; thermodynamic modeling of high temperature geochemical and mineral-forming processes; spectroscopy and crystallography; physical and chemical volcanology. Proposals to study extraterrestrial materials will be considered only if applicable to understanding processes that led to the formation and evolution of Planet Earth. Analytical method development in geochemistry, and disciplinary-focused or research based GeoInformatics proposals may be considered by this program or co-reviewed with the Instrumentation and Facilities program. Proposals in solid earth petrology and high-T geochemistry that focus on research across the ocean-continent waterline may be considered jointly with the Marine Geology and Geophysics program (in the Division of Ocean Sciences). The Petrology and Geochemistry Program is committed to supporting the most meritorious research in any relevant area, including interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research, as well as research involving international collaboration. The Program is especially interested in proposals in emerging fields. Where appropriate, proposals may be considered for joint support with other programs in EAR or with other Divisions at the National Science Foundation. In some cases, proposals may be transferred to other programs within EAR or to other Divisions within the National Science Foundation when it is deemed appropriate by Program Officers from the respective programs or divisions. Principal Investigators are encouraged to contact the cognizant program officers regarding proposals that may cross disciplinary boundaries before submission.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09543
Tectonics
The Tectonics Program supports a broad range of field, laboratory, computational, and theoretical investigations aimed at understanding the formation, evolution, and deformation of continental lithosphere through time. Proposals to elucidate the processes that act on the lithosphere at various time-scales and length-scales, either at depth or the surface, are encouraged. Because understanding such large-scale phenomena commonly requires a variety of expertise and methods, the program supports integrated research involving the disciplines of structural geology, petrology, geochronology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, geomorphology, rock mechanics, paleomagnetics, geodesy, and other geophysical techniques. The Tectonics Program is committed to supporting the most meritorious research in any relevant area, including interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research, as well as research involving international collaboration. The Program is especially interested in proposals in emerging fields. Where appropriate, proposals may be considered for joint support with other programs in EAR or with other Divisions at the National Science Foundation. In some cases, proposals may be transferred to other programs within EAR or to other Divisions within the National Science Foundation when it is deemed appropriate by Program Officers from the respective programs or divisions. Principal Investigators are encouraged to contact the cognizant program officers regarding proposals that may cross disciplinary boundaries before submission.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09542
Ecosystem Science
The Ecosystem Science Cluster supports projects within two programs (see descriptions below): the Ecosystem Studies Program and the Long-Term Ecological Research Program (LTER). Other relevant funding opportunities are listed below and on DEB Home (see link on left). The Ecosystem Studies Program supports investigations of whole-system ecological processes and relationships across a diversity of spatial and temporal (including paleo) scales in order to advance understanding of: 1) material and energy fluxes and transformations within and among ecosystems, 2) the relationships between structure, including complexity, and functioning of ecosystems, 3) ecosystem dynamics and trajectories of ecosystem development through time, and 4) linkages among ecosystems at different spatial and temporal scales.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12822&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Evolutionary Processes
The Evolutionary Processes Cluster supports research on microevolutionary processes and their macroevolutionary consequences. Topics include mutation, gene flow, recombination, natural selection, genetic drift, assortative mating acting within species, speciation, and long-term features of evolution. These investigations attempt to explain causes and consequences of genetically-based change in the properties of groups of organisms (at the population level or higher) over the course of generations as well as large-scale patterns of evolutionary change, phylogeography, origin and maintenance of genetic variation, and molecular signatures of evolution at the population or species level. The cluster seeks to fund projects that are transformative -- that is, those that will change the conceptual bases of evolutionary biology and have broad implications for future research. Both empirical and theoretical approaches are encouraged. The Cluster is comprised of two programs, Evolutionary Genetics and Evolutionary Ecology (described below); proposals should be submitted to one of these programs. The Evolutionary Genetics Program: The Evolutionary Genetics Program supports research that investigates the genetic bases of micro- and macroevolutionary processes and their effects on the evolution of genotypes and phenotypes. Both adaptive and non-adaptive processes and their effects will be considered. Within this context, appropriate topics of investigation include (but are not limited to) population and quantitative genetic examination of the processes responsible for the evolution of complex phenotypes; processes maintaining genetic variation; how the properties of genes (number, arrangement, and pattern) and their interactions influence evolutionary processes at the population level or above; the evolution of genetic architecture; and multi-species comparisons of aspects of development. The Evolutionary Ecology Program supports research on the evolutionary causes and consequences of ecological interactions (intra-specific, interspecific, and with the abiotic environment). Appropriate topics of investigation include the selective pressures imposed by abiotic or biotic environments and the evolutionary responses to these pressures; the causes and consequences of phenotypic plasticity; life-history evolution; the evolution of interspecific relations (predator-prey, competition, cooperation, mutualism, parasitism, symbiosis); the ongoing evolution of biodiversity; dynamics of natural and sexual selection; and the phylogenetic bases of community assembly.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503421&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Long Term Research in Environmental Biology
The NSF seeks to stimulate and enhance long-term perspectives on problems in environmental biology. Long-term environmental research is funded through two NSF programs - Long-term Ecological Research (LTER) and LTREB. The two programs are different. LTER projects are funded in response to calls for specific proposals, are evaluated by a special panel, and are characterized by multiple investigators conducting multi-disciplinary investigations at large temporal and spatial scales. In contrast, LTREB projects are submitted at semi-annual target dates, evaluated by appropriate programmatic panels (Population and Evolutionary Processes, Ecology, Ecosystem Studies) and are initiated by one or a few investigators.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf07588
Population and Community Ecology
The Population and Community Ecology Cluster supports research that advances the conceptual or theoretical understanding of population ecology, species interactions and community dynamics in terrestrial, wetland and freshwater habitats. We encourage projects that integrate theoretical, modeling, and empirical approaches, or that promote synthesis across spatial and temporal scales. The cluster seeks to fund projects that are transformative -- that is, those that will change the conceptual bases of population and community ecology and have broad implications for future research. Proposals that develop research questions within the context of existing theory, consider alternate mechanisms, and design critical tests to distinguish among mechanisms are particularly encouraged, together with those that use contemporary approaches to develop new paradigms. Inter- and multi-disciplinary proposals that cross traditional programmatic boundaries are welcomed in the Population and Community Ecology Cluster; such proposals may be co-reviewed with other programs in DEB, in other Divisions in the Biology Directorate, or in other Directorates. Studies that focus on the ecology of marine organisms should be directed to the Biological Oceanography Program in the Division of Ocean Sciences. Research focused on human disease or health is not supported. The Population and Community Ecology Cluster funds projects within the Population and Community Ecology Program as well as LTREB, OPUS, and CAREER.
Population and Community Ecology Program: This program supports fundamental studies in the broadly defined areas of population and community ecology. Topics include the population dynamics of individual species, demography, and fundamental ecological interactions affecting populations, communities, and their environments. Themes include, but are not limited to: population regulation; food-web structure and trophic dynamics; competition, predation, mutualism and parasitism; mechanisms of coexistence and the maintenance of species diversity; community assembly; paleoecology; landscape ecology; conservation and restoration biology; behavioral ecology; and macroecology. The Program particularly encourages studies that can be applied to a wide range of habitats and taxa across multiple spatial and temporal scales.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503414&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Research Initiation Grants to Broaden Participation in Biology (RIG BP)
RIG awards are for beginning investigators (see Additional Eligibility Information below) to undertake activities, such as acquisition of preliminary data or development of collaborations that will lead to formulation of competitive grant applications to NSF at the conclusion of the RIG award. The purpose of the RIG award is to broaden the participation of and to increase opportunities for all competitively engaged in research as independent investigators. A specific goal of this program is to make BIO programs more inclusive in the future. Thus, one measure of success of these programs will be the number of future proposals received by BIO from awardees of RIG awards and from members of under-represented groups influenced or mentored by RIG awardees.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09501
Behavioral Systems
The Behavioral Systems Cluster supports research on the development, function, mechanisms, and evolutionary history of behavior, with emphasis on a vertically integrated understanding of the behavioral phenotype in nature. To foster this integrative goal, the Cluster specifically encourages projects that seek to understand how combinations of neural, hormonal, physiological, and developmental mechanisms act synergistically as a system from which behavior emerges. Laboratory work or the study of animals in captivity is encouraged, to the extent that it contributes to the understanding of behavior in natural systems.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=501086&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Biomolecular Systems Cluster
The Biomolecular Systems Cluster, one of three thematic areas within the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, supports fundamental research in the areas of molecular biophysics, molecular biochemistry, and metabolic biochemistry. The cluster emphasizes the relationships between structure, function, and dynamics in studies of individual macromolecules, macromolecular complexes, and metabolic pathways. Research of interest to the cluster includes novel and creative projects addressing protein folding and dynamics, natively unfolded proteins, protein design, molecular recognition, enzymology, energy transformations in living systems, and the components, architecture and flux in metabolic pathways. The cluster encourages research projects integrating theoretical, computational, and experimental approaches to discover and define basic molecular mechanisms, as well as projects developing cutting-edge technologies in the context of biological questions relevant to the cluster. The cluster also encourages multi-disciplinary research at the interface of biology with physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and engineering.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12771&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Cellular Systems Cluster
The Cellular Systems Cluster, one of three thematic areas within the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, supports research, across all taxa, into the structure and organization of cells and the dynamics of cellular processes. Cell Biology is at a juncture where powerful new techniques in microscopy and biophysics (including live cell imaging, and the ability to study molecular function and behavior in the cell at high resolution, down to the single molecule level) are advancing rapidly. At the same time, modeling and computational approaches have developed to the point where they can, in concert with accurate and informative experimental datasets, generate predictive models that can be tested experimentally. The Cellular Systems cluster is interested not only in traditional areas of cell biology (such as the organization, function, and dynamics of membranes, organelles and other subcellular compartments, and intracellular and transmembrane signal transduction mechanisms and cell-cell signaling processes) but also in the development of quantitative, theory-driven approaches to cell biology that integrate experimental studies at the molecular genetics, biochemical, biophysical, transcriptomic and proteomic levels. Network theory (e.g., as applied to signal transduction) and molecular dynamic modeling (e.g., as applied to the structure/function relationships of cellular structures) are also of particular interest. While proposals using approaches and model systems traditional in the field of cell biology are welcome, studies focused on novel, unique approaches and on non-traditional model organisms are encouraged.
Website: http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12772&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Developmental Systems
The Developmental Systems Cluster supports research aimed at understanding how interacting developmental processes give rise to the emergent properties of organisms. A systems level approach to understanding these processes, at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels of organization, requires the use of molecular, genetic, biochemical, and physiological techniques as well as techniques from outside biology. The Developmental Systems Cluster is also particularly interested in understanding how emergent properties result in the development of complex phenotypes and lead to the evolution of developmental mechanisms.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=501087&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Genes and Genome Systems Cluster
The Genes and Genome Systems Cluster, one of three thematic areas within the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, supports studies on the structure, function and evolution of genes and genomes in prokaryotes, eukaryotes, phages, and viruses. Areas of interest include the following: (i) mechanisms of genome maintenance including replication, repair and recombination; (ii) nuclear and extra-nuclear inheritance, horizontal gene transfer and other mechanisms leading to diversity and novel adaptive strategies in the biosphere; (iii) genetic and epigenetic mechanisms including chromatin modification and remodeling; (iv) mechanisms and regulation of gene expression including transcription, RNA processing, translation, turnover and RNA interference; (vi) structure, function and dynamics of nucleic acids and nucleic acid-protein complexes and machines; and (vii) molecular evolution and the origin of life. Research on multi-component genetic processes is encouraged, including projects with direct relevance to climate change and energy sustainability. The cluster welcomes "bottom-up" synthetic biology projects and "top-down" systems biology projects that integrate computational strategies with high-throughput, comparative genome-wide approaches and other experimental strategies to investigate complex gene networks and their outputs. The development and use of innovative in vivo and in vitro approaches, including biochemical, biophysical, computational, genetic, genomic, and metagenomic methods are encouraged, as is research at the interfaces between biology and other disciplines such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and engineering.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12780&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Neural Systems
The Neural Systems Cluster focuses on how complex functions arise from communication among the cellular elements of the nervous system and from interactions with other physiological systems and the environment. The Cluster encourages a systems biology approach to understand how emergent neural properties such as robustness, adaptability and resilience arise in the context of environmental, genetic and evolutionary influences. Investigations may range over time scales from the physiological to the evolutionary. Studies may range in complexity from molecular and cellular processes to the behaviors that emerge from these processes and the feedback that these behaviors exert on the system. The use of comparative and evolutionary studies, as well as the development of novel theoretical, computational, and transdisciplinary approaches to guide and instruct experimental design, are particularly encouraged.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=501089&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Physiological and Structural Systems
The Physiological and Structural Systems Cluster supports research aimed at furthering the understanding of organisms as integrated units of biological organization. The Cluster considers proposals focused on interacting physiological and structural systems, their environmental and evolutionary contexts, and how these components are constrained by their integration into the whole organism. Projects that use systems approaches to understand why particular patterns of architecture and regulatory control have emerged as general organismal properties are particularly encouraged. Understanding how and why emergent organismal properties such as robustness, adaptability and resilience arise in the context of environmental, genetic, biochemical and morphological variation are of interest. The Cluster encourages model building to augment traditional experimental approaches in order to guide research on complex functional networks.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=501090&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from
Mathematical Biology
The Mathematical Biology Program supports research in areas of applied and computational mathematics with relevance to the biological sciences. Successful proposals are mathematically innovative and address challenging problems of interest to members of the biological community. Projects may include development of mathematical concepts and tools traditionally seen in other disciplinary programs within the Division of Mathematical Sciences, e.g., topology, probability, statistics, and computation, etc. To receive appropriate and timely review, such proposals should be submitted directly to the relevant disciplinary program, but will be considered for co-review by the Mathematical Biology program which may be selected as a secondary program. Note that proposals that use established mathematical, statistical and computational tools to address problems in the biological sciences are typically not appropriate for consideration by the disciplinary programs within DMS. For further details on other disciplinary programs within the division, see the details of the program descriptions.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5690&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
Planetary Biodiversity Inventories (PBI)
Proposals are invited from teams of investigators to conduct a worldwide, species-level systematic inventory of a major group of organisms. Each project will be expected to conduct fieldwork necessary to fill gaps in existing collections; produce descriptions, revisions, web pages, and interactive keys (or other automated identification tools) for all new and known species in the targeted group; analyze their phylogenetic relationships; and establish predictive classifications for the group. Proposals may target any particular group of organisms, from terrestrial, fresh-water, or marine habitats, at any feasible level in the taxonomic hierarchy, but must be global in scope.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf06500
Cultural Anthropology
The Cultural Anthropology Program supports basic scientific research about the causes, consequences, and complexities of human social and cultural variability. Cultural anthropologists analyze human social and cultural behavior holistically, This integrated approach makes anthropology a valuable research tool for understanding the modern world. Because cultural patterns are emergent over time and space, there is no single natural scale for ethnographic and ethnological analysis. In some cases, cultural patterns may emerge from the collective behavior of large ensembles of smaller scale units; in others, they may be imposed by larger scale constraints. The origins of social and cultural variability may be remote from the scale at which they are observed. Therefore, research may target any appropriate scale or scales from local to regional to global. The Program encourages innovative research that contributes to building spatially and temporally specific theory that extends understanding beyond individual case studies.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5388&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
Developmental and Learning Sciences (DLS)
DLS supports fundamental research that increases our understanding of cognitive, linguistic, social, cultural, and biological processes related to children's and adolescents' development and learning. Research supported by this program will add to our basic knowledge of how people learn and the underlying developmental processes that support learning, with the objective of leading to better educated children and adolescents who grow up to take productive roles as workers and as citizens. Among the many research topics supported by DLS are: developmental cognitive neuroscience; development of higher-order cognitive processes; transfer of knowledge from one domain or situation to another; use of molecular genetics to study continuities and discontinuities in development; development of peer relations and family interactions; multiple influences on development, including the impact of family, school, community, social institutions, and the media; adolescents' preparation for entry into the workforce; cross-cultural research on development and learning; and the role of cultural influences and demographic characteristics on development. Additional priorities include research that: incorporates multidisciplinary, multi-method, microgenetic, and longitudinal approaches; develops new methods, models, and theories for studying learning and development; and integrates different processes (e.g., learning, memory, emotion), levels of analysis (e.g., behavioral, social, neural), and time scales (e.g. infancy, middle childhood, adolescence).
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=8671&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
Geography and Spatial Sciences (GSS)
The Geography and Spatial Sciences Program sponsors research on the geographic distributions and interactions of human, physical, and biotic systems on the Earth's surface. Investigations are encouraged into the nature, causes, and consequences of human activity and natural environmental processes across a range of scales. Projects on a variety of topics (both domestic and international) qualify for support if they offer promise of contributing to scholarship by enhancing geographical knowledge, concepts, theories, methods, and their application to societal problems and concerns. GSS encourages projects that explicitly integrate undergraduate and graduate education into the overall research agenda.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5410&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
Law and Social Sciences
The Law and Social Science Program at the National Science Foundation supports social scientific studies of law and law-like systems of rules, institutions, processes, and behaviors. These can include, but are not limited to, research designed to enhance the scientific understanding of the impact of law; human behavior and interactions as these relate to law; the dynamics of legal decision making; and the nature, sources, and consequences of variations and changes in legal institutions. The primary consideration is that the research shows promise of advancing a scientific understanding of law and legal process. Within this framework, the Program has an "open window" for diverse theoretical perspectives, methods and contexts for study. For example, research on social control, crime causation, violence, victimization, legal and social change, patterns of discretion, procedural justice, compliance and deterrence, and regulatory enforcement are among the many areas that have recently received program support. In addition to standard proposals, planning grant proposals, travel support requests to lay the foundation for research, and proposals for improving doctoral dissertation research are welcome.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5422&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
Linguistics
Supports scientific research of all types that focus on human language as an object of investigation. The program supports research on the syntactic, semantic, phonetic, and phonological properties of individual languages and of language in general; the psychological processes involved in the use of language; the development of linguistic capacities in children; social and cultural factors in language use, variation, and change; the acoustics of speech and the physiological and psychological processes involved in the production and perception of speech; and the biological bases of language in the brain.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5408&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
Pan-American Advanced Studies Institutes Program (PASI)
Approximately 6 to 8 awards will be made yearly to U.S. research institutions or professional societies for the purpose of organizing PASI. The Principal Investigator (PI) shall be the designated contact person for the Institute and is expected to provide leadership in fully coordinating and integrating its activities. The PI is responsible for (a) the preparation of the scientific and/or engineering program, (b) provision for the selection of lecturers and students, (c) the administration of the meeting, and (d) the publication of lectures and proceedings from the meeting.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf03506
Political Science
The Political Science Program supports scientific research that advances knowledge and understanding of citizenship, government, and politics. Research proposals are expected to be theoretically motivated, conceptually precise, methodologically rigorous, and empirically oriented. Substantive areas include, but are not limited to, American government and politics, comparative government and politics, international relations, political behavior, political economy, and political institutions. In recent years, program awards have supported research projects on bargaining processes; campaigns and elections, electoral choice, and electoral systems; citizen support in emerging and established democracies; democratization, political change, and regime transitions; domestic and international conflict; international political economy; party activism; political psychology and political tolerance. The Program also has supported research experiences for undergraduate students and infrastructural activities, including methodological innovations, in the discipline.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5418&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
Social Psychology
The Social Psychology Program at NSF supports basic research on human social behavior, including cultural differences and development over the life span. Among the many research topics supported are: attitude formation and change, social cognition, personality processes, interpersonal relations and group processes, the self, emotion, social comparison and social influence, and the psychophysiological and neurophysiological bases of social behavior. The scientific merit of a proposal depends on four important factors: (1) The problems investigated must be theoretically grounded. (2) The research should be based on empirical observation or be subject to empirical validation. (3) The research design must be appropriate to the questions asked. (4) The proposed research must advance basic understanding of social behavior.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5712&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
Sociology
The Sociology Program supports basic research on all forms of human social organization -- societies, institutions, groups and demography -- and processes of individual and institutional change. The Program encourages theoretically focused empirical investigations aimed at improving the explanation of fundamental social processes. Included is research on organizations and organizational behavior, population dynamics, social movements, social groups, labor force participation, stratification and mobility, family, social networks, socialization, gender roles, and the sociology of science and technology. The Program supports both original data collections and secondary data analysis that use the full range of quantitative and qualitative methodological tools. Theoretically grounded projects that offer methodological innovations and improvements for data collection and analysis are also welcomed. Click here for information on Strengthening Qualitative Research through Methodological Innovation and Integration. The Sociology Program also funds doctoral dissertation research to defray direct costs associated with conducting research, for example, dataset acquisition, additional statistical or methodological training, meeting with scholars associated with original datasets, and fieldwork away from the student's home campus. Please click here for additional information on the Sociology Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5369&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
Cultural Anthropology Scholars Awards
The National Science Foundation announces an opportunity for methodological training by cultural anthropologists who are active researchers. The purpose is to help cultural anthropologists upgrade their methodological skills by learning a specific analytical technique which will improve their research abilities.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5321&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
Geobiology and Low-Temperature Geochemistry
The Geobiology and Low-Temperature Geochemistry Program supports research on 1) the interactions between biological and geological systems at all scales of space and time; 2) geomicrobiology and biomineralization processes; 3) the role of life in the transformation and evolution of the Earth's geochemical cycles; 4) inorganic and organic geochemical processes occurring at or near the Earth's surface now and in the past, and at the broad spectrum of interfaces ranging in scale from planetary and regional to mineral-surface and supramolecular; 5) mineralogy and chemistry of soils and sediments; 6) surficial chemical and biogeochemical systems and cycles and their modification through natural and anthropogenic change; and 7) development of tools, methods, and models for low-temperature geochemistry and geobiological research - such as those emerging from molecular biology - in the study of the terrestrial environment.
Website: http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09552
Geomorphology and Land Use Dynamics
Geomorphology and Land-Use Dynamics supports innovative research into processes that shape and modify landscapes over a variety of length and time scales. The program encourages research that investigates quantitatively the coupling and feedback among such processes, their rates, and their relative roles, especially in the contexts of variation in climatic and tectonic influences and in light of changes due to human impact.
The Geomorphology and Land-Use Dynamics Program is committed to supporting the most meritorious research in any relevant area, including interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research, as well as research involving international collaboration. The Program is especially interested in proposals in emerging fields. Where appropriate, proposals may be considered for joint support with other programs in EAR or with other Divisions at the National Science Foundation. In some cases, proposals may be transferred to other programs within EAR or to other Divisions within the National Science Foundation when it is deemed appropriate by Program Officers from the respective programs or divisions. Principal Investigators are encouraged to contact the cognizant program officers regarding proposals that may cross disciplinary boundaries before submission.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09537
Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics
The Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics Program (MMS) is an interdisciplinary program that supports the development of innovative methods and models for the social and behavioral sciences. The MMS Program interacts with the other programs in the Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE), as well as other programs in the Foundation, most notably the Statistics and Probability Program in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS).
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf04504
Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology
Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology supports studies of: (1) the changing aspects of life, ecology, environments, and biogeography in past geologic time based on fossil plants, animals, and microbes; (2) all aspects of the Earth's sedimentary crust --insights into geological processes recorded in its historical records and rich organic and inorganic resources locked in rock sequences; (3) the science of dating and measuring the time sequence of events and rates of geological processes of the Earth's past sedimentary and biological (fossil) record; (4) the geologic record of the production, transportation, and deposition of physical and chemical sediments; and (5) understanding the complexities of Earth's deep time (pre-Holocene) climate systems. The Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology Program especially encourages integrative studies at the national and international levels that seek to link sub- disciplines, such as geochronology, paleoclimatology, paleogeography, paleoenvironments, and paleoecology.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09560
Decision, Risk and Management Sciences (DRMS)
The Decision, Risk and Management Sciences program supports scientific research directed at increasing the understanding and effectiveness of decision making by individuals, groups, organizations, and society. Disciplinary and interdisciplinary research, doctoral dissertation research, and workshops are funded in the areas of judgment and decision making; decision analysis and decision aids; risk analysis, perception, and communication; societal and public policy decision making; management science and organizational design. The program also supports small grants that are time-critical and small grants that are high-risk and of a potentially transformative nature.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5423&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
Economics
The Economics program supports research designed to improve the understanding of the processes and institutions of the U.S. economy and of the world system of which it is a part. This program also strengthens both empirical and theoretical economic analysis as well as the methods for rigorous research on economic behavior. It supports research in almost every area of economics, including econometrics, economic history, environmental economics, finance, industrial organization, international economics, labor economics, macroeconomics, mathematical economics, and public finance.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5437&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
Foundations of Data and Visual Analytics (FODAVA)
The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are both interested in the science that underlies the ability to extract knowledge from large structured and unstructured data sets using data and visual analytics. Accordingly, the two organizations have initiated a five-year research program focused on the Foundations of Data and Visual Analytics (FODAVA) and will co-fund the research sought in this solicitation. DHS interests in Data and Visual Analytics are motivated by homeland security applications, while NSF interests are motivated by the broader applications of data and visual analytics to science, engineering, medicine, commerce, and other societal areas.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09525
Physical Anthropology
The Physical Anthropology Program supports basic research in areas related to human evolution and contemporary human biological variation. Research areas supported by the program include, but are not limited to, human genetic variation, human adaptation, human osteology and bone biology, human and nonhuman primate paleontology, functional anatomy, and primate socioecology. Grants supported in these areas are united by an underlying evolutionary framework, and often a consideration of adaptation as a central theoretical theme. Many proposals also have a biocultural orientation. The program frequently serves as a bridge within NSF between the social and behavioral sciences and the natural and physical sciences, and proposals are commonly jointly reviewed and funded with other programs.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5407&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
Collaboration in Mathematical Geosciences (CMG)
The primary purposes of the CMG activity are to promote cutting-edge research in areas that require the collaboration of experts in both the geosciences and the mathematical sciences, and to promote the training of researchers with skills in both the mathematical sciences and geosciences. We are particularly interested in supporting collaborations in areas where such interdisciplinary collaboration is presently uncommon, and to support the initiation of new collaborations. Proposals that develop new approaches to modeling and analyzing complex geosystems, especially those related to global change and sustainability are strongly encouraged. Successful interdisciplinary research proposals should address at least one of the following: (i) research with a single coherent goal that significantly advances the understanding of an important phenomenon in the geosciences and at the same time requires significant research in one or more areas of the mathematical sciences to provide these advances, (ii) research on an important phenomenon in a domain of geosciences that involves the use of more sophisticated mathematical or statistical approaches than are currently used in that domain, or (iii) research in an area of mathematics or statistics that is prompted by a problem in the geosciences.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09520
Cognitive Neuroscience
The Cognitive Neuroscience program seeks highly innovative proposals aimed at advancing a rigorous understanding of how the human brain supports thought, perception, affect, action, social processes, and other aspects of cognition and behavior. Topics may bear on core functions such as sensory, learning, language, reasoning, emotion, and executive processes, or more specialized processes such as empathy, creativity, representation of self and other, or intentionality, among many other possibilities. Topics may also include how such processes develop and change in the brain.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09563
Plant Genome Research Program (PGRP)
The overarching goal of the NPGI is to develop a basic knowledge of the structures and functions of plant genomes and translate this knowledge to a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of economically important plants and plant processes of potential economic value. By bridging basic research and plant performance in the field, the NPGI will accelerate basic discovery and innovation in economically important plants and enable enhanced management of agriculture, natural resources, and the environment to meet societal needs. In the twelve years since the NPGI began, a wealth of genomic resources have been developed for plant biology. Given these resources and the advances that have been made in technology development and bioinformatics, it should be possible to begin to address major unanswered questions in plant biology. In addition, advances made using model systems can now be transferred into plants of agronomic importance. New tools and methodologies are also needed to advance the field of plant biology as well as to tackle questions that are intractable using current approaches. This Program Solicitation has been developed taking those objectives and the NSF's mission and strengths into consideration.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09611
International Collaboration in Chemistry between US Investigators and their Counterparts Abroad (ICC)
The National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks to enhance opportunities for collaborative activities between US and foreign investigators. To realize this goal, the Division of Chemistry at NSF has partnered with the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG;German Research Foundation), the Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung (FWF; Austrian Science Fund) of Austria, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) of the United Kingdom, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR; National Research Agency) of France, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR), Poland Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MSHE), the Fonds National de la Recherche of Luxembourg (FNR) and Spain Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (MICINN, Ministry of Science and Innovation) to establish new bilateral collaborations between US investigators and their counterparts abroad. The proposals will be written in English.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf09608
CEDAR, GEM, and SHINE Postdoctoral Research
The Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions (CEDAR) program, the Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) program, and the Solar, Heliosphere and Interplanetary Environment (SHINE) program are special programs within the Aeronomy, Magnetospheric Physics and Solar-Terrestrial Research programs in the Atmospheric Sciences Division of the Geosciences Directorate. These three programs each involve specific regions of the space environment and the way these regions interact. Each of the programs has its own Program Solicitation, but they also have a common commitment to support researchers who have recently received their Ph.D. degree, allowing them to request limited support for CEDAR/GEM/SHINE research activities of their own devising.
Website: http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf06584
Perception, Action & Cognition
Supports research on perception, action and cognition including the development of these capacities. Emphasis is on research strongly grounded in theory. Research topics include vision, audition, haptics, attention, memory, reasoning, written and spoken discourse, motor control, and developmental issues in all topic areas. The program encompasses a wide range of theoretical perspectives, such as symbolic computation, connectionism, ecological, nonlinear dynamics, and complex systems, and a variety of methodologies including both experimental studies and modeling. Research involving acquired or developmental deficits is appropriate if the results speak to basic issues of perception, action, and cognition.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5686&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
SBE Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants
SBE Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants provide supplemental funds for items not usually available from the student's U.S. academic institution. The awards are not intended to provide the full costs of a student's doctoral dissertation research. Funds may be used for valid research expenses which include, but are not limited to, conducting field research in settings away from campus that would not otherwise be possible, data collection and sample survey costs, payments to subjects or informants, specialized research equipment, analysis and services not otherwise available, supplies, travel to archives, travel to specialized collections and facilities or field research locations, and partial living expenses for conducting necessary research away from the student's U.S. academic institution. While the Foundation provides support for doctoral dissertation research, the student (Co-PI) is solely responsible for the conduct of such research and preparation of results for publication. The Foundation, therefore, does not assume responsibility for such findings and their interpretation. This program does not support research with disease-related goals, including research on the etiology, diagnosis, or treatment of physical or mental disease, abnormality, or malfunction of human beings, animals or plants.
Website:http://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?org=NSF&ods_key=nsf06605
Science of Learning Centers (SLC)
The Science of Learning Centers program (SLC) offers awards for large-scale, long-term Centers that create the intellectual, organizational and physical infrastructure needed for the long-term advancement of Science of Learning research. It supports research that harnesses and integrates knowledge across multiple disciplines to create a common groundwork of conceptualization, experimentation and explanation that anchor new lines of thinking and inquiry towards a deeper understanding of learning. The goals of the Science of Learning Centers Program are to advance the frontiers of all the sciences of learning through integrated research; to connect the research to specific scientific, technological, educational, and workforce challenges; to enable research communities to capitalize on new opportunities and discoveries; and to respond to new challenges.
Website:http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5567&org=NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=f
