Funding Opportunities at the National Science Foundation

Sally OSally O’’Connor and Diane OkamuroConnor and Diane Okamuro

Strategies for Success

BIO/DBIBIO/DBI703-292-8470703-292-8470

Presentation Overview of NSFOverview of NSF

Competitive Proposals and Competitive Proposals and the Review Processthe Review Process

Programs of InterestPrograms of Interest

NSF Mission

““To promote the progress of science; to To promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national and welfare; to secure the national defensedefense””

--NSF Act of 1950--NSF Act of 1950

THE NSF Structure

Population & Evolutionary Processes

Directorate for Biological Sciences(BIO)

Dr. Mary Clutter, Asst. Director

Information and Automation Resources Unit

(IAR)

Division of Environmental

Biology(DEB)

Ecological Biology

EcosystemScience

Division of Integrative

Organismal Biology(IOB)

BehavioralSystems

Developmental Systems

Environmental &Structural Systems

ResearchResources

HumanResources

Division ofBiological

Infrastructure(DBI)

Division of Molecular and

Cellular Biosciences

(MCB)

BiomolecularSystems

Cellular Systems

Genes and GenomeSystems

Emerging Frontiers (EF)

Plant GenomeResearch Program

National Ecological Observatory Network

Systematic Biology &Biodiversity Inventories

Functional & Regulatory Systems

Division of Molecularand Cellular Biosciences

(MCB)

Biomolecular Systems ClusterBiomolecular Systems Cluster Cellular Systems ClusterCellular Systems Cluster Genes and Genomes Systems ClusterGenes and Genomes Systems Cluster

Supports research and related activities that contribute to a fundamental understanding of life processes at the molecular, sub-cellular, and cellular levels

Division of Integrative Organismal Biology (IOB)

Behavioral Systems Cluster Developmental Systems Cluster Environmental & Structural Systems Cluster Functional & Regulatory Systems Cluster

Emphasizes systems critical to the form, function,development, and evolution of organisms

Division ofEnvironmental Biology

(DEB)

Ecological Biology Cluster Ecological Biology Cluster Ecosystem Science Cluster Ecosystem Science Cluster Population and Evolutionary Processes Cluster Population and Evolutionary Processes Cluster Systematic Biology and Biodiversity Systematic Biology and Biodiversity

Inventories ClusterInventories Cluster

Supports fundamental research on populations, species, communities, and ecosystems

Division of BiologicalInfrastructure (DBI)

Human Resources ClusterHuman Resources Cluster Research Resources ClusterResearch Resources Cluster Plant Genome Research ProgramPlant Genome Research Program National Ecological Observatory NetworkNational Ecological Observatory Network

supports varied activities that provide infrastructure for contemporary research in biology including research resources and human resources

Frontiers in Integrative Biological Research (FIBR)Large-scale integrative projects - up to $5 Million for up to five years

Research Coordination Networks (RCN)Research efforts across disciplinary, organizational, institutional, and geographical boundaries

Nanoscale Science & Engineering (NANO)Exploitation of physical, chemical, and biological properties of systems in the range of 0.1 - 100 nanometers; nanobiosensors

Other Programs – See EF homepage

Emerging Frontiers

(Cross Directorate)

Types of Proposal SubmissionTypes of Proposal Submission

No deadlines No deadlines (e.g. workshops, SGERs)(e.g. workshops, SGERs)

DeadlinesDeadlines

Target datesTarget dates

Submission Submission WindowsWindows

Preliminary Preliminary proposalsproposals

Solicited vs. Unsolicited

•Solicited proposals have a published Program Solicitation / Program Announcement•Unsolicited proposals are associated with regular research programs (check websites and GTP)

Where do you submit your ideas?

http://www.nsf.gov

Directorate Division Programs Information on NSF contacts, award

abstract, program description, deadlines

Guide to Programs (GTP)

Grant Proposal Guide (GPG)

Sign up for “My NSF”

Preparing a Preparing a CompetitiveCompetitive Proposal Proposal

andand

The Review ProcessThe Review Process

A Good ProposalA Good ProposalA good proposal is a good idea, well A good proposal is a good idea, well expressed, with a clear indication of expressed, with a clear indication of

methods for pursuing the idea, methods for pursuing the idea, evaluating the findings, and making evaluating the findings, and making

them known to all who need to know.them known to all who need to know.

A A CompetitiveCompetitive Proposal is… Proposal is…

Responsive to the Program AnnouncementAppropriate for the Program

All of the above

What to Look for in a What to Look for in a Program AnnouncementProgram Announcement

Goal of programGoal of program EligibilityEligibility Special requirementsSpecial requirements

Read the Program Announcement Carefully

Pay special attention to:

For any questions… call your Program Officer

NSF Review Criteria

Criterion 1 - What is the Criterion 1 - What is the intellectual meritintellectual merit of the proposed activity? of the proposed activity?

This criterion addresses the overall quality of the This criterion addresses the overall quality of the proposed activity to advance science and engineering proposed activity to advance science and engineering through research and education.through research and education.

Criterion 2 - What are the Criterion 2 - What are the broader impactsbroader impacts of the proposed activity? of the proposed activity?

This criterion addresses the overall impact of the proposed This criterion addresses the overall impact of the proposed activity.activity.

Obtain a copy of a successful proposal. Check AwardAbstracts search page. Things change, get a recent award.

Getting Started Take your best research ideas for which you Take your best research ideas for which you

have some preliminary datahave some preliminary data Develop hypotheses and experiments to Develop hypotheses and experiments to

take the next step(s).take the next step(s). Consider feasibility in a 36 to 60 month Consider feasibility in a 36 to 60 month

windowwindow Consider what assistance you will need Consider what assistance you will need

given teaching and other time commitmentsgiven teaching and other time commitments Prepare a plan of attackPrepare a plan of attack

Getting Started Communicate with a program officerCommunicate with a program officer

Assist in program selectionAssist in program selection Provide advice about how to proceedProvide advice about how to proceed

Examine prior NSF awards in similar Examine prior NSF awards in similar areasareas Visit Visit www.nsf.gov.. Link to award information through Link to award information through

BIO Award SearchBIO Award SearchSearch by subject, institution, PI Search by subject, institution, PI

namename

Grant Proposal Guide (GPG)

GUIDANCE AND REGULATIONS GUIDANCE AND REGULATIONS - - Preparing and submitting proposalsPreparing and submitting proposals

DESCRIBES PROCESSDESCRIBES PROCESS - - for for declinations, returns withdrawals, and declinations, returns withdrawals, and awards; significant grant awards; significant grant administrative highlights.administrative highlights.

Research & Education Communities

Proposal Preparation Time

Org. submitsviaFastLane N

SF

NSFProg.Off.

Prog,Off.

Anal.&

Recom..

DDConcur

ViaDGA

Organization

MERITREVIEW

DGA Review & Processingof Award

Proposal Receipt to DivisionDirector Concurrence of Program Officer Recommendation

GPGAnnouncement

Solicitation

NSF AnnouncesOpportunit

y Returned Without Review/Withdrawn

Mail

Panel

Both

Award

NSF Proposal & Award Process & TimelineNSF Proposal & Award Process & Timeline

Decline

90 Days 6 Months 30 Days

Proposal Receiptat NSF

DD Concur Award

NSF Decision-making for Unsolicited ProposalsINSTITUTION

AssignmentTo

Program

Merit Review Process

Program OfficerRecommendation

DivisionDirectorReview

Division ofGrants andAgreements

Mail reviews

Panel review

Proposal Submission via

Fastlane AWARD

DECLINE

Returned Without Review

What does ‘Merit Review’ really mean?

NSF invests in the great ideas from capable people as

determined by competitive merit review.

Merit Review Criteria

Criterion 1: What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity?

Criterion 2: What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity?

Criterion 1: Intellectual Merit

Potential to Potential to advance knowledgeadvance knowledge and and understanding within and across fieldsunderstanding within and across fields

CreativityCreativity and and originalityoriginality of ideas of ideas Conceptualization and Conceptualization and organizationorganization Qualifications Qualifications of investigators of investigators Access to Access to resourcesresources Established Established expertiseexpertise or expert or expert

collaborationscollaborations

Criterion 2: Broader Impacts

Advancement of discovery and Advancement of discovery and understanding while understanding while promoting promoting teaching, training and learningteaching, training and learning

Participation of Participation of underrepresented underrepresented groupsgroups

Enhancement of Enhancement of infrastructureinfrastructure for for research and educationresearch and education

Dissemination of resultsDissemination of results to enhance to enhance scientific and technological understandingscientific and technological understanding

Benefits to societyBenefits to society

How can I be successful in obtaining

funding?

Tips for Success Review proposals that have been fundedReview proposals that have been funded

Contact PIContact PI’’ss Have more than one person read your Have more than one person read your

proposal prior to submission proposal prior to submission Peers AND scientists not in your area.Peers AND scientists not in your area.

If Rejected – Try AgainIf Rejected – Try Again Talk with the Program OfficerTalk with the Program Officer Pay attention to ReviewerPay attention to Reviewer’’s comments s comments Attend a Grant-writing workshop Attend a Grant-writing workshop

Proposals may be reviewed in Proposals may be reviewed in panel, using mail review (ad hocs), panel, using mail review (ad hocs), or a combination of bothor a combination of both

The review process usually takes The review process usually takes about six months to a decision about six months to a decision

Understand Review Process

NSF Panel Review(most research divisions)

The panel is an advisory committee composedof ~10-20 people depending on # of proposals

Each proposal must receive at least 3 reviews

In panel, each reviewer describes his/her viewsof the proposal to the rest of the panel

The panel as a whole then discusses the proposal

The proposal is then placed in a funding recommendation category (e.g. Fund, Fund if Possible, Do not fund)

Proposal Funding Recommendations

The Program Director makes funding recommendations to the Division Director based on:

The advice of the panel

Budgetary constraints

Other programmatic considerations (geographic distribution, type of institution, PI demographics, potential high payoff, etc.

Getting on a Panel

Contact your program directorContact your program director E-mail your CV to your program directorE-mail your CV to your program director Include your contact informationInclude your contact information Indicate your areas of expertiseIndicate your areas of expertise Follow up with a phone callFollow up with a phone call Be polite, pleasant, and persistent (donBe polite, pleasant, and persistent (don’’t t

give up)give up)

Additional Funding Strategies

Determine if the main emphasis of the proposed work is research or teaching

Consult the NSF website and Guide to Programs tolocate a likely program (“home” for your project)

Call the Program Director to determine if your project is appropriate

Awards Abstracts Search Page

Programs of InterestB I OB I OE H RE H R

Cross-CuttingCross-CuttingFoundation-WideFoundation-Wide

EHR Directorate Division of Undergraduate

Education Advanced Technological Education Due Oct 18, 2005Emphasis on 2-yr collegeSupports curriculum development, faculty developmentPathways from secondary schools to 2-yr colleges, and 2-yr to 4-yr institutionsImprovement of instruction and better preparation of students for entry into high-tech jobs and into

4-yr institutions

EHR Directorate Division of Undergraduate

EducationCourse, Curriculum, and Laboratory

Improvement (CCLI)Due Jan 24, 2006

Research on STEM teaching and learning

Educational innovations – developing and disseminating materials

Small exploratory projects comprehensive projects

EHR Directorate Division of Undergraduate

EducationInterdisciplinary Training for

Undergraduates in Biological and Mathematical Sciences

Due Mar 29, 2006

“enhance undergraduate education and training at the intersection of the biological and mathematical sciences and to better prepare undergraduate biology or mathematics students to pursue graduate study and careers in fields that integrate the mathematical and biological sciences”

EHR Directorate Human Resource Development

(HRD)Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU UP)Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST)Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUP)Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP)Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP)Model Institutions for Excellence (MIE)

Broaden the Participation of Scientists from Under-represented Groups

Assist members to become actively engaged in research as independent investigators

Estimated Awards (15 - 25) – about $3 Million annually

Research Initiation Grants (RIG)

In Biological Sciences

Solicitation 05-581Due Date: July 5, 2005

Broaden the Participation of Scientists from Under-represented Groups

Targets Scientists other than Beginning Investigators to Enhance Career Development

Improve Competitiveness for Research FundsAcquire New Skills/Tools for Contemporary Research

Estimated Awards (15 - 25) – about $3 Million annually

Career Advancement Awards (CAA)

In Biological Sciences

Solicitation 05-581Due Date: July 5, 2005

Research Opportunity Awards (ROA)

Provide support for faculty from PUIs to participate in Provide support for faculty from PUIs to participate in ongoing, NSF-funded research projects for ongoing, NSF-funded research projects for

limited periods, usually a summerlimited periods, usually a summerGoal -- Provide research experience for faculty to Goal -- Provide research experience for faculty to enhance research at home institution and host lab, enhance research at home institution and host lab, improve research & teachingimprove research & teachingFunded as supplements to active NSF grantsFunded as supplements to active NSF grants

Salary or stipend for undergraduate faculty Salary or stipend for undergraduate faculty Travel to host lab and/or to attend a meetingTravel to host lab and/or to attend a meeting Research suppliesResearch supplies

Making connections with an NSF grantee:Making connections with an NSF grantee: Network at scientific meetingsNetwork at scientific meetings Consult NSF FastLane list of awards in relevant programConsult NSF FastLane list of awards in relevant program Contact NSF Program Director in your area of interest Contact NSF Program Director in your area of interest

(Consult the NSF web site for contact information)(Consult the NSF web site for contact information)

Research at Undergraduate Institutions (RUI)

Designed to support Research in Predominantly Undergraduate Institutions (PUI) RUI is a mechanism, not a separate funding stream ~ 10% of proposals submitted to BIO research programs are RUIs “RUI” should be designated in the title of the proposal Five page (max) “RUI impact statement” must accompany proposal Check http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm for announcement (NSF-wide)

Research at Undergraduate Institutions (RUI)

Supports research by faculty with active involvement of undergraduate students

Strengthens the research environment in departments that are oriented primarily toward undergraduate instruction

Integrates research and education at predominantly undergraduate institutions

Target Dates in January and July

Cross-disciplinary Research at Undergraduate Institution

(CRUI) Research program involving teams of Research program involving teams of

investigators (bio and non-bio)investigators (bio and non-bio) Investigating biological questions from Investigating biological questions from multi-multi- disciplinary perspectivedisciplinary perspective Training of undergrads included in plansTraining of undergrads included in plans Four-year awards, approx $1-1.5 MFour-year awards, approx $1-1.5 M

Solicitation to be postedDue Date: about Mar 2006

Two programs in the BIO directorate

Run in alternate years

UMEB: Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology

C-RUI: Cross-Disciplinary Research at Undergraduate Institutions

Contact is Sally O’Connor (soconnor@nsf.gov)

UMEB and CRUI

Undergraduate Mentoring in

Environmental Biology (UMEB)

Research training program for under-Research training program for under-represented minority studentsrepresented minority students

Strong research component, preferably Strong research component, preferably field field basedbased

Year-round mentoring and enhancement Year-round mentoring and enhancement activitiesactivities

Four-year awards, $600,000Four-year awards, $600,000Solicitation 05-558

Due Date: May 18, 2005

Supports teacher-scholars who will become the academic leaders of the 21st century

Supports plans that effectively integrate research and education

BIO minimum of $100,000/year for 5 years

Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER)

Solicitation 05-579Due Date: July 19, 2005

Major ResearchInstrumentation (MRI)

Acquisition or development of major research Acquisition or development of major research instrumentation instrumentation

Maintenance and technical support associated Maintenance and technical support associated with these instrumentswith these instruments

Proposals may be for a single instrument, a large Proposals may be for a single instrument, a large system of instruments, or multiple instruments system of instruments, or multiple instruments that share a common research focusthat share a common research focus

Coordinated thru the Office of Integrative Coordinated thru the Office of Integrative Activities (NSF-Activities (NSF-wide)

Emphasis must be on research

Deadline Date: Fourth Thursday in January Annually Program Solicitation: NSF 05-515

Research Experiences

for Undergraduates (REU)

Two mechanisms: Sites and SupplementsTwo mechanisms: Sites and SupplementsResearch training program for undergradsResearch training program for undergradsSites: Usually 10 weeks in summer for 10 Sites: Usually 10 weeks in summer for 10 studentsstudentsHands-on participation in research leading Hands-on participation in research leading to presentations and publicationsto presentations and publications

Solicitation NSF 05-592Due Date: ~ Aug 15 annualy

Small-scale, exploratory, high-risk/high-impact

Contact the NSF program officer(s) most germane to the proposal topic before submitting a SGER proposal

Project description 2 to 5 pages, $200,000 budget maximum

Small Grants for Exploratory Research (SGER)

Opportunities for Supplementing Ongoing Awards

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)supports undergraduate researchers

Research Opportunity Award (ROA)for faculty at predominantly undergraduate

institutions to participate in NSF-supported projects Research Experiences for Teachers (RET)

builds long term collaborative relationships between K-12 teachers of science and mathematics and the NSF research community

Research Apprenticeship for Minority High School Students (RAMHSS) supports HS student research

Funding StrategiesVisit NSF

Types of people that visit NSF- Researchers/Science Educators- Office of sponsored research personnel- Deans/Administrators

If you anticipate being in the DC area, call your Program Director(s) and make an appointment(s)

Investigate setting up a special group visit

Getting Support

NSF PublicationsNSF Publications Program Program

AnnouncementsAnnouncements Grant Proposal Grant Proposal

GuideGuide Web PagesWeb Pages Funded Project Funded Project

AbstractsAbstracts Reports, Special Reports, Special

PublicationsPublications

Successful Colleagues - on Successful Colleagues - on campus or at similar campus or at similar institutioninstitution

Mentors on CampusMentors on Campus Previous PanelistsPrevious Panelists Serve As ReviewerServe As Reviewer Sponsored Research OfficeSponsored Research Office Successful ProposalsSuccessful Proposals Program OfficersProgram Officers

IncumbentIncumbent Former RotatorsFormer Rotators

A DeclinationHow to Gain from the Experience

Success rate for most programs is ~30%Success rate for most programs is ~30%

Read the written Reviews and the Panel SummaryRead the written Reviews and the Panel Summary •What guidance was provided for improvements?What guidance was provided for improvements?•Did reviewers misunderstand your intentions?Did reviewers misunderstand your intentions?•Were reviewers from outside your field confused?Were reviewers from outside your field confused?•Was proposal submitted to the wrong NSF program?Was proposal submitted to the wrong NSF program?•Remember reviews were tempered by panel discussionRemember reviews were tempered by panel discussion•Your Program Director or faculty mentors Your Program Director or faculty mentors can help you interpret the reviewscan help you interpret the reviews

Call the Program Director for guidance and interpretation

Summary Start early – give yourself enough timeStart early – give yourself enough time and follow rules in GPGand follow rules in GPG Proposals should be cogent, appropriate, and Proposals should be cogent, appropriate, and

justifiedjustified Study reviews carefully (award or declination)Study reviews carefully (award or declination) Anticipate some frustration (and remember 3Ps)Anticipate some frustration (and remember 3Ps) If declined - after reading If declined - after reading

your reviews (take some time to think about them)your reviews (take some time to think about them) If awarded - follow up on reporting and find out about If awarded - follow up on reporting and find out about

supplemental funding (stay in touch with PD)supplemental funding (stay in touch with PD)

Anticipate criticisms (better –Anticipate criticisms (better – invite criticisminvite criticism ))

Read the PARead the PA

Call your Program DirectorCall your Program Director

Get feedback on your proposal from your colleaguesGet feedback on your proposal from your colleagues

http://www.nsf.gov/mynsf/

Keeping Abreast of NSF Opportunities

“My NSF” Custom News(set your own profile – weekly email update)