Understanding National Science Foundation (NSF) Funding Opportunities

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Understanding National Science Foundation (NSF) Funding Opportunities

Susan WinterSusan WinterUniversity of MarylandUniversity of Maryland

[email protected]

NSF: A Federal Agency ““……promote the progress of science… advance promote the progress of science… advance

the national health, prosperity and welfare… the national health, prosperity and welfare… secure the national defense…secure the national defense…””

• National Science Foundation Act of 1950National Science Foundation Act of 1950

All fields of science/engineeringAll fields of science/engineering Discipline & cross-disciplineDiscipline & cross-discipline NOT NOT

Medical (NIH) Medical (NIH) ClassifiedClassified

Sources IdeasSources Ideas Science CommunityScience Community Executive PrioritiesExecutive Priorities

President’s Science & Technology Priorities for FY2015 Budget

Promote Economic Growth/Job Creation Improve Health of All Americans Move toward Clean Energy Address Global Climate Change Manage Environmental Resources Ensure National Security

NSF Facilitates Fund Extramural Research Fund Extramural Research Build Research Workforce CapabilityBuild Research Workforce Capability

Grad and UG, Junior FacultyGrad and UG, Junior Faculty Workforce DiversityWorkforce Diversity

Engage Academic Community Engage Academic Community WorkshopsWorkshops

Outreach to General PublicOutreach to General Public Increase International PartnershipsIncrease International Partnerships

Cannot Do Research!Cannot Do Research!

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NSF Impact

- Annual Budget of over $7.0 Annual Budget of over $7.0 BillionBillion

- Funding Source for Research by Funding Source for Research by US universities US universities

- 20% of all federally supported basic 20% of all federally supported basic researchresearch

- 80% of basic computer science research80% of basic computer science research

(NSF at a Glance – NSF Home page – FY 2010)(NSF at a Glance – NSF Home page – FY 2010)

NSF StructureNSF Structure

National Science

Board

Director Deputy Director

Comp & Info Sci & Eng

Engineerin

g

Geo-Sciences

Math &

Physical Sciences

Educ & Human

Resources

Bio

Sciences

Office of Internat’l

& Integrated Activities

Social, Behav

& Econ Sciences

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NSF Process Merit Review for Award SelectionMerit Review for Award Selection

ProcessProcess CriteriaCriteria

Select about 10,000 New Awards Select about 10,000 New Awards AnnuallyAnnually

About 45,000 Proposals SubmittedAbout 45,000 Proposals Submitted

Credit: Credit: Garie Fordyce, National Science FoundationGarie Fordyce, National Science Foundation

Research & Education

Communities

Proposal Preparation Time Proposal Preparation Time

Org. submitsvia:

FastLane

NNSSFF

NSFNSFProg.Prog.Off.Off.

Prog,Off.

Analysis.&

Recom.

DDConcur

ViaDGA

Organization

Min. 3

Revs.Req.

DGA Review & ProcessingDGA Review & Processing of Award of Award

Proposal Receipt to DivisionProposal Receipt to Division Director ConcurrenceDirector Concurrence

of Program Officer of Program Officer Recommendation Recommendation

GPGP.A.P.S

NSF Announces

Opportunity

Returned As Inappropriate/Withdrawn

Mail

Panel

Both

Award

NSF Proposal & Award Process & Timeline

Decline

90 Days 6 Months 30Days

Proposal Receiptat NSF

DD Concur Award

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Types of Review

‘‘Mail’ Reviewers plus Panel ReviewMail’ Reviewers plus Panel Review Panel Review (Standing vs. Ad-Hoc)Panel Review (Standing vs. Ad-Hoc) Internal Review OnlyInternal Review Only Sources of Reviewers:Sources of Reviewers:

Program Officer’s knowledgeProgram Officer’s knowledge References in proposalReferences in proposal Web of science; SSRN; Google Scholar, etc.Web of science; SSRN; Google Scholar, etc. Reviewer recommendationsReviewer recommendations Investigator’s suggestionsInvestigator’s suggestions VolunteersVolunteers

Things to Know About Panels

Proposal Pressure Proposal Pressure Dozens of Proposals Dozens of Proposals 1 ½ Days for Discussion 1 ½ Days for Discussion 10% to 20% Funded10% to 20% Funded

Write for:Write for: Scholar Serving as LeadScholar Serving as Lead

Will Present Positive and Negative AspectsWill Present Positive and Negative Aspects Another Scholar Serves as ScribeAnother Scholar Serves as Scribe

Captures Panel DeliberationsCaptures Panel Deliberations Full Panel Who Will Rank All the ProposalsFull Panel Who Will Rank All the Proposals PO Who will Consider Panel Discussion and PO Who will Consider Panel Discussion and

Ranking in Making Funding RecommendationRanking in Making Funding Recommendation

NSF Merit Review Criteria

Intellectual MeritIntellectual MeritAdvancing Knowledge in Some Field of StudyAdvancing Knowledge in Some Field of StudyDescribe How the Project is Specifically Advancing Describe How the Project is Specifically Advancing Science by Developing/Testing Novel Theories, Science by Developing/Testing Novel Theories, Algorithms, Methodology, Instrumentation, Analytic, Algorithms, Methodology, Instrumentation, Analytic, Visualization, … TechniquesVisualization, … Techniques

Broader impactsBroader impactsBenefiting Society – Be specific about Activities!Benefiting Society – Be specific about Activities!

Diversity: Involve, Train, and Mentor Undergrads, Women Diversity: Involve, Train, and Mentor Undergrads, Women & Minorities& Minorities

TrainingTraining Dissemination/Public Awareness/Education and OutreachDissemination/Public Awareness/Education and Outreach InfrastructureInfrastructure

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Merit Review Elements

1.1. Potential to Advance Knowledge or to Potential to Advance Knowledge or to Benefit SocietyBenefit Society

2.2. Creativity and Originality (“Potentially Creativity and Originality (“Potentially Transformative”)Transformative”)

3.3. Sound Plan for Achieving Goals Sound Plan for Achieving Goals (Including Evaluation of Outcomes)(Including Evaluation of Outcomes)

4.4. Qualifications of the ProposersQualifications of the Proposers5.5. Sufficient Access to ResourcesSufficient Access to Resources

Proposal Opportunities

SolicitedSolicited Core ProgramsCore Programs Special SolicitationsSpecial Solicitations

May Cross NSF BoundariesMay Cross NSF Boundaries

UnsolicitedUnsolicited ““Dear ColleagueDear Colleague”” Letters Letters EAGEREAGER RAPIDRAPID Supplements Supplements WorkshopsWorkshops

Proposal Rules: Grant Proposal Guide

Well-KnownWell-Known Submission: Electronic (Fastlane/grants.gov), SRO RoleSubmission: Electronic (Fastlane/grants.gov), SRO Role Page Limits, Font Size, Margins, etc.Page Limits, Font Size, Margins, etc. Components: Bio-Sketch, Current & Pending, Data Management Plan, Components: Bio-Sketch, Current & Pending, Data Management Plan,

Post-Doc Mentoring Plan, COI Lists…Post-Doc Mentoring Plan, COI Lists…

Lesser KnownLesser Known Letters: Support vs. CommitmentLetters: Support vs. Commitment Cost-Sharing Not AllowedCost-Sharing Not Allowed List of Potential Reviewers (or Non-Reviewers)List of Potential Reviewers (or Non-Reviewers) IRB Exempt or ApprovedIRB Exempt or Approved

Solicitation/Program Specific (Read Carefully!)Solicitation/Program Specific (Read Carefully!) Limits: Proposals per PI or per Institution Limits: Proposals per PI or per Institution Requirements for PartnershipsRequirements for Partnerships

Multiple Disciplines, Industry, InternationalMultiple Disciplines, Industry, International Management PlansManagement Plans

Post-Award Annual ReportsAnnual Reports

Due After 9 MonthsDue After 9 Months Overdue After 12 MonthsOverdue After 12 Months

Block Any Award Actions for You and For Co-PIsBlock Any Award Actions for You and For Co-PIs

Update POUpdate PO

Organize Events to Showcase Research to Academic Organize Events to Showcase Research to Academic AudiencesAudiences

Submit Submit ““Public InterestPublic Interest”” Science Highlights to NSF Science Highlights to NSF

Acknowledge Awards in Publications and PresentationsAcknowledge Awards in Publications and Presentations

Start Working on Future SubmissionsStart Working on Future Submissions

Award Activity and Perf. Eval. (Tenure and Promotion)Award Activity and Perf. Eval. (Tenure and Promotion)

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Some Tips in Seeking Funding: The Homework

Deductive, Top-down StrategyDeductive, Top-down Strategy www.nsf.gov Funding Opportunities

Find Funding OpportunitiesFind Funding Opportunities How to Prepare Your ProposalHow to Prepare Your Proposal

Read the Program or Solicitation Description Read the Program or Solicitation Description Content vs. BoilerplateContent vs. Boilerplate

Inductive, Bottom-up StrategyInductive, Bottom-up Strategy Search NSF awards for abstractsSearch NSF awards for abstracts Offer to review proposalsOffer to review proposals

Some tips in seeking funding

Discuss your idea with an NSF PO/PD/PM Discuss your idea with an NSF PO/PD/PM 1-2 pg written synopsis 1-2 pg written synopsis Need, Work Being Built Upon, Work to be Need, Work Being Built Upon, Work to be

Done, 5-10 Major ReferencesDone, 5-10 Major References

Get copies of previously funded proposalsGet copies of previously funded proposalsDirectly from the PIDirectly from the PIFrom NSF (FOI: takes much longer)From NSF (FOI: takes much longer)

Institutional Constraints

Like a Journal Editor, but DifferentLike a Journal Editor, but Different POs are Expatriate ScholarsPOs are Expatriate Scholars

Rotators and PermanentRotators and Permanent

Dual Institutional LogicsDual Institutional Logics Want to Fund High Quality Research (Academic) that Want to Fund High Quality Research (Academic) that Addresses Program Objectives (Bureaucratic Politics)Addresses Program Objectives (Bureaucratic Politics)

Funding Funding Rates Vary by Program (Usually 10-30%)Rates Vary by Program (Usually 10-30%) Don’t Like Rejecting Quality ProposalsDon’t Like Rejecting Quality Proposals Don’t Like Funding Dodgy ProposalsDon’t Like Funding Dodgy Proposals Must Spend Out Budget to the Penny Each YearMust Spend Out Budget to the Penny Each Year

Your Program Officer is Your Best Friend.

POs Help Manage Flow of Proposals

Translate the RFP into EnglishTranslate the RFP into English Critique your Conceptual 2-pagerCritique your Conceptual 2-pager Offer Developmental CommentsOffer Developmental Comments Give Candid Advice – Encouragement or Give Candid Advice – Encouragement or

RedirectionRedirection Meet with You in D.C., or at ConferencesMeet with You in D.C., or at Conferences Suggest FramingSuggest Framing

Pre-submission, your PO stands ready to:

POs Want you to Succeed

Communicate Often, Not Just in Annual Communicate Often, Not Just in Annual ReportsReports

Ask your PO’s Advice Ask your PO’s Advice Provide Updates on Progress and ChangesProvide Updates on Progress and Changes Invite your PO to Conference Presentations Invite your PO to Conference Presentations

Based on NSF AwardsBased on NSF Awards Ask your PO, What Could I Do That Would Ask your PO, What Could I Do That Would

Make you a Hero? Make you a Hero?

Post-award, treat your PO like a valued colleague:

Proposal Content Use Language from RFP Criteria as AppropriateUse Language from RFP Criteria as Appropriate Underscore PI Team Prior CollaborationUnderscore PI Team Prior Collaboration

Demonstrates Higher Potential of Success Demonstrates Higher Potential of Success Dispel Suspicion of Shotgun-Marriage of Dispel Suspicion of Shotgun-Marriage of

ConvenienceConvenience

Leverage/Extend Prior Funded ResearchLeverage/Extend Prior Funded Research Specifically Describe how the Proposed Research Specifically Describe how the Proposed Research

Adds Value Above and Beyond Previous ResearchAdds Value Above and Beyond Previous Research

Clear Roles and Expectations for PersonnelClear Roles and Expectations for Personnel Stay within Specified Funding LimitStay within Specified Funding Limit Budget Justification Aligned with Work Plan Budget Justification Aligned with Work Plan

and Timelineand Timeline

What’s in the Proposal? Write it Long, Then Tighten It UpWrite it Long, Then Tighten It Up

Write a Detailed Outline First Write a Detailed Outline First Headings/Subheadings; More Structure is BetterHeadings/Subheadings; More Structure is Better

Tables & Figures for Complex Information Tables & Figures for Complex Information Must be Self-Explanatory; Reference Them; Use for Must be Self-Explanatory; Reference Them; Use for

both Theory & Methodboth Theory & Method

Questions you MUST Directly Address:Questions you MUST Directly Address: What important problem (scientific, societal) will you What important problem (scientific, societal) will you

work on?work on? How is your team uniquely qualified to work on it?How is your team uniquely qualified to work on it? Exactly what “new” work will you do? Exactly what “new” work will you do?

Include a Gantt Chart; Who Does What, When, WhereInclude a Gantt Chart; Who Does What, When, Where

Who’s in the Proposal? Match the Ideas & Scope of WorkMatch the Ideas & Scope of Work

Explain the Alignment in the ProposalExplain the Alignment in the Proposal Choose Team Carefully Choose Team Carefully

Assemble the Smallest Team with all of the Expertise Assemble the Smallest Team with all of the Expertise & Resources You Need & Resources You Need

Multi-Disciplinary/Multi-University vs. Single-Multi-Disciplinary/Multi-University vs. Single-Discipline/Single-UniversityDiscipline/Single-University

Senior Collaborators: Senior Collaborators: Know How to Manage Funded Research Projects & Research Know How to Manage Funded Research Projects & Research

TeamsTeams Resources & InfrastructureResources & Infrastructure Can Be co-PIs or ConsultantsCan Be co-PIs or Consultants

Include Post-doc(s), Graduate Students, Include Post-doc(s), Graduate Students, Undergraduates Undergraduates

What’s in the Budget? Summer Salary (Up to 2 months) of FacultySummer Salary (Up to 2 months) of Faculty Salary (Full or Partial) for Post-Docs, Salary (Full or Partial) for Post-Docs,

Programmers, Support StaffProgrammers, Support Staff Stipend & Tuition for PhD StudentsStipend & Tuition for PhD Students Travel to Collect Data/Disseminate Travel to Collect Data/Disseminate

Findings Findings Equipment and SuppliesEquipment and Supplies OverheadOverhead

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Some Tips in Seeking Funding

Find a Partner, Colleague, or CollaboratorFind a Partner, Colleague, or Collaborator Get Colleagues to Get Colleagues to ““Pre-ReviewPre-Review”” your Proposal your Proposal Collaborate with Previously Successful PI Collaborate with Previously Successful PI

Adding your Dimension to their WorkAdding your Dimension to their Work Create Partnership for Interdisciplinary Create Partnership for Interdisciplinary

ResearchResearch

Colleague at a Predominantly Undergrad Colleague at a Predominantly Undergrad Institution:Institution: Submit a RUI ProposalSubmit a RUI Proposal

Questions?

• CHS supports research onCHS supports research on Creative ideas and novel theories for Creative ideas and novel theories for

understanding:understanding:• Human-computer and human-human Human-computer and human-human

interactions, collaboration, and competition.interactions, collaboration, and competition.• Role of computing in how humans Role of computing in how humans

communicate, work, learn, and play.communicate, work, learn, and play.• Systems that interact with people using Systems that interact with people using

various modalities.various modalities. Innovative technologies for: Innovative technologies for:

• Computer supported collaboration.Computer supported collaboration.• Human-Computer and human-robot Human-Computer and human-robot

interactions.interactions.• Social computing.Social computing.• Affective computing.Affective computing.• Universal access.Universal access.• Immersive environments.Immersive environments.

Types of Opportunitiess

CoreCore

SolicitedSolicited

Types of Types of IndividualsIndividuals

No External No External ReviewReview

Large Large CentersCenters

iCorpsiCorps

Cyber-Human Systems (CHS)

Applying to Core Programs

Program Solicitations:Program Solicitations: CCF:CCF: NSF 13-579NSF 13-579 CNS:CNS: NSF 13-581NSF 13-581 IIS:IIS: NSF 13-580NSF 13-580

Project Types:Project Types: Large:Large: $1,200,001 to $3,000,000; up to 5 years, collaborative teams$1,200,001 to $3,000,000; up to 5 years, collaborative teams• Medium:Medium: $500,001 to $1,200,000; up to 4 years, $500,001 to $1,200,000; up to 4 years, multi-investigator multi-investigator

teamsteams Small: Small: up to $500,000; up to 3 years, one or two investigator projectsup to $500,000; up to 3 years, one or two investigator projects

CISE-wide Submission Windows:CISE-wide Submission Windows: Large:Large: November 4–19, annuallyNovember 4–19, annually Medium:Medium: September 24–October 15 (2013 only)September 24–October 15 (2013 only) Small: Small: January 2–17, annuallyJanuary 2–17, annually

PI Limit: PI Limit: Participate in no more than 2 “core” proposals/yearParticipate in no more than 2 “core” proposals/year

Coordinated Solicitations

SBE Organization

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Types of Opportunities Key Social, Behavioral and Key Social, Behavioral and

Economics ProgramsEconomics ProgramsUnsolicitedUnsolicited

SolicitedSolicited




iCorpsiCorps

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Jan/Feb and Aug/Sept due dates annually

Science of Organizations

Decision, Risk & Management Science

Economics

Law and Social Science

Methodology, Measurement & Statistics

Social Psychology

Sociology

Science, Technology & Society

Geography and Spatial Sciences

Sept due date annually

Science of Science and Innovation Policy

Types of Opportunities Example Standing Opportunities in Example Standing Opportunities in

Other DirectoratesOther Directorates

ENGENG Service Enterprise Systems (SES)Service Enterprise Systems (SES) Systems Science (SYS) Systems Science (SYS) Infrastructure Management and Extreme Infrastructure Management and Extreme

Events (IMEE)Events (IMEE)

UnsolicitedUnsolicited

SolicitedSolicited




iCorpsiCorps

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Types of Opportunities Promising Current Solicitations for Promising Current Solicitations for

Management ScholarsManagement Scholars

Building Community and Capacity for Data-Building Community and Capacity for Data-Intensive Research in the Social, Behavioral Intensive Research in the Social, Behavioral and Economic and in Education and Human and Economic and in Education and Human Resources Resources

Catalyzing New International Collaborations Catalyzing New International Collaborations (contact the country expert in OISE)(contact the country expert in OISE)

Science, Engineering and Education for Science, Engineering and Education for SustainabilitySustainability

Research Coordination NetworksResearch Coordination Networks

Science Across Virtual Institutes Science Across Virtual Institutes


SolicitedSolicited




iCorpsiCorps

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Cross-DirectorateCross-Directorate Cyberlearning: Transforming Education (CTE) Cyberlearning: Transforming Education (CTE)

Designing and implementing technologies to aid and understand learning.Designing and implementing technologies to aid and understand learning.

Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC) Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC) Securing our Nation’s cyberspace from malicious behavior, while preserving privacy and promoting Securing our Nation’s cyberspace from malicious behavior, while preserving privacy and promoting usability.usability.

Cross-AgencyCross-Agency Smart and Connected Health (SCH)Smart and Connected Health (SCH)

Transforming healthcare knowledge and delivery, and improving quality of Transforming healthcare knowledge and delivery, and improving quality of life through IT.life through IT.

Core Techniques and Technologies for Advancing Big Core Techniques and Technologies for Advancing Big Data Science & Engineering (BIG DATA)Data Science & Engineering (BIG DATA)

Developing tools to manage and analyze data in order to extract knowledge from data. Developing tools to manage and analyze data in order to extract knowledge from data.

National Robotics Initiative (NRI) National Robotics Initiative (NRI) Developing and using robots that work alongside, or cooperatively with, peopleDeveloping and using robots that work alongside, or cooperatively with, people ..

Sample of CISE Cross-Cutting ProgramsTypes of

Opportunities

Unsolicited

Solicited

Types of Individuals

No External Review

Large Centers

iCorps

Types of Opportunities Grants for Particular Types of Grants for Particular Types of

IndividualsIndividuals

Graduate Research FellowshipsGraduate Research Fellowships

Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants (in SBE)Grants (in SBE)

SBE Postdoctoral Research SBE Postdoctoral Research Fellowship ProgramFellowship Program

CAREER AwardsCAREER Awards


SolicitedSolicited




iCorpsiCorps

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Faculty Early Career Development Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program(CAREER) Program

• The NSF’s most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through:

• outstanding research,• excellent education, and • the integration of education and

research within the context of the mission of their organizations.

Types of Opportunities


SolicitedSolicited




iCorpsiCorps

Types of Opportunities Grants with Only Internal ReviewGrants with Only Internal Review

RAPIDs: Grants for Rapid Response RAPIDs: Grants for Rapid Response ResearchResearch

EAGERs: Early concept Grants for EAGERs: Early concept Grants for Exploratory ResearchExploratory Research

INSPIREs: Integrated NSF Support INSPIREs: Integrated NSF Support Promoting Interdisciplinary Research and Promoting Interdisciplinary Research and EducationEducation

Workshops, doctoral consortiaWorkshops, doctoral consortia

REU SupplementsREU Supplements


SolicitedSolicited




iCorpsiCorps

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Types of Opportunities Large Center OpportunitiesLarge Center Opportunities

Science and Technology Centers: Integrative Science and Technology Centers: Integrative Partnerships (STC)Partnerships (STC)

Industry & University Cooperative Research Industry & University Cooperative Research Program (I/UCRC) Program (I/UCRC)

ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers Science and Engineering Careers (ADVANCE) (ADVANCE)


SolicitedSolicited




iCorpsiCorps

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Types of Opportunities NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps)NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps)

Supplements to current or recently expired Supplements to current or recently expired NSF grants to catalyze commercialization NSF grants to catalyze commercialization of research products.of research products.

Involves mentoring and funding to develop Involves mentoring and funding to develop commercialization optionscommercialization options

The lead can be a studentThe lead can be a student

Building capacity and capability for the long Building capacity and capability for the long runrun..


SolicitedSolicited




iCorpsiCorps

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Finding information: http://www.nsf.gov

Funding opportunities

Upcoming Due Dates

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CISE Updates and Announcements: http://www.cise.nsf.gov

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Understanding National Science Foundation (NSF) Funding Opportunities