NSF Solicitations

The Cyber-Enabled Discovery and Innovation (CDI)– initiative has been designed to yield revolutionary science and engineering research outcomes made possible by innovations and advances in computational thinking. Computational thinking is defined comprehensively to encompass computational concepts, methods, models, algorithms, and tools. Applied in challenging and compelling science and engineering research and education contexts, computational thinking promises a profound impact on the Nation’s ability to generate and apply new knowledge. In addition, the challenge of applying computational thinking to very difficult problems in science and engineering will stimulate further advances in computational thinking. Type I awards require efforts up to a level roughly comparable to: summer support for two investigators with complementary expertise; two graduate students; and their collective research needs (e.g. materials, supplies, travel) for three years. Type II awards require larger (than Type I) efforts up to a level roughly comparable to: summer support for three investigators with complementary expertise; three graduate students; one or two senior personnel (including post-doctoral researchers and staff); and their collective research needs (e.g. materials, supplies, travel) for four years. The integrative contributions of the Type II team should clearly be greater than the sum of the contributions of each member of the team. Type III awards require the engagement of larger (than Type II) multidisciplinary teams, roughly comparable to multiple senior investigators with complementary expertise, multiple graduate students, several senior personnel, and their collective research needs (e.g. materials, supplies, travel) for up to five years. As for Type II awards, the integrative contributions ofthe Type III team should be clearly greater than the sum of the contributions of each member of the team. In FY 2009, the number of Type I and Type II awards will be determined based on the results of separate review processes; there will be no Type III awards. In FY 2010 and beyond, subject to availability of funds, awards of Type I, II and III will be made based on the results of separate review processes. Full Proposal Window:  April 20, 2009 – May 20, 2009. Go to 08-604 0 for more information.

The Instrumentation for Materials Research – Major Instrumentation Projects (IMR-MIP) Program supports the design and construction only; operation of the instruments built with these funds is to be provided from other sources (i.e., other programs within NSF or non-NSF funds). Staffing and operating the instrument will remain the responsibility of the proposing institution. The IMR-MIP program will consider two different types of proposals: 1. Conceptual and Engineering Design (CED) proposals may request support to develop concepts for mid-scale projects to a level of maturity sufficient to determine whether such a project is ready for construction. Research and development associated with technical issues that are on the critical path of the engineering design may be included in the CED. Projects for which detailed engineering designs are needed are those with subsequent construction costs greater than about $5million. A successful CED proposal does not guarantee that the subsequent construction of the instrument will be funded. 2. Construction (CNST) proposals may request support for the construction of the instruments. In order to be considered for possible funding, CNST proposals must include a detailed engineering design, with a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to level 4 [see section V.A.c. below for definitions], together with a detailed cost estimate. This level of detail can be provided by a previous CED award or by a similar study funded through other sources. The IMR-MIP Program accepts proposals from university researchers for the design and construction of mid-scale tools for materials research – including equipment for materials characterization or preparation, such as detectors. The Instrumentation for Materials Research