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April 07, 2008 Newsletter

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Reminder: Faculty Development and Research Committee’s Research Monetary Awards and Teaching Innovation Grants for Fall 2008

Agency:        Towson University Institute for Teaching and Research on Women
Deadline:     May 1, 2008

The Faculty Development and Research Committee is pleased to announce its call for applications for Research Monetary Awards and Teaching Innovation Grants for use during the fall semester 2008. Applications will be accepted through 5:00 pm Thursday, May 1, 2008

Research Monetary Awards of up to $5,000 will be made for projects leading to a scholarly product, such as a proposal to an external funding source, or a publication, presentation, invention, composition, performance, or exhibition. Funds may be used for project-related expenses such as research assistants, supplies, and travel, and will be made available upon approval of awards. All funds awarded under this application round must be expended within 12 months of the award date, though requests for extensions may be considered by the Committee.

Full program guidelines for both the Research Monetary Awards and Teaching Innovation Grant programs are available on the Office of University Research Services’ Web page, http://grad.towson.edu/ours/index.asp.  Application forms for both programs are available in hard copy or as Word documents from the Office of University Research Services (extension 4-2236 or by email, mhealy@towson.edu) or on the Web at the above address. An original and eight copies of completed application forms and accompanying documentation as described in the application form should be submitted to the Office of University Research Services, 7800 York Road, Room 225.

URL:http://grad.towson.edu/ours/index.asp

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Reminder:Faculty Mini-Grants

Agency:        Towson University Institute for Teaching and Research on Women
Deadline:     April 15, 2008 for summer grants

The Towson University Institute for Teaching and Research on Women (ITROW) seeks to promote scholarship, course development and programming on issues related to women/gender, including the intersections of gender with race/ethnicity, nation, class, disability, and/or sexuality.  To this end, ITROW is initiating a faculty mini-grants award program.  Awards will range from $100 to $500, are limited in number, and will be awarded on a competitive basis.  ITROW seeks to sponsor activities such as:

  • New course development within the faculty member’s department/discipline which will produce a course to be cross-listed (counted toward) the Women’s Studies major.  Substantial restructuring/transformation of a current course with the goal of integrating women/gender topics throughout the syllabus will also be considered. Faculty receiving course development awards will consult with the Director of ITROW in the development or restructuring of a course and will be expected to offer the new or transformed course within a year of having received the grant.
  • Scholarship focused on women/gender issues, or scholarship which contains a significant women/gender component.  Faculty receiving awards for scholarship will be required to present their research/artistic creation in ITROW’s Women and Gender Faculty Colloquy series.  Travel funds for presentation of such scholarship at conferences will also be considered.
  • Campus-wide or departmental events focused on women/gender issues such as speakers, film series, and conferences.  

During summer monetary awards can be granted (application deadline April 15, 2008)

For further information contact Karen Dugger (kdugger@towson.edu).  Application forms can be found on the ITROW website as shown below.

URL:   http://www.towson.edu/itrow

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    Institutional, University-Wide, or Cross-Disciplinary Opportunities

    Science, Technology, and Society (STS)

Agency:       National Science Foundation
Deadline:     August 1, 2008 

Science, Technology and Society (STS) considers proposals that examine historical, philosophical, and sociological questions that arise in connection with science, engineering, and technology, and their respective interactions with society. STS has four components:

  1. Ethics and Values in Science, Engineering and Technology (EVS) examine normative issues in the conduct of science and the development and implementation of technology. Proposals focus on how ethical issues and values interconnect with science and technology, and how norms and values institutionalized in science and technology engage with society. Proposals in this area of STS may examine how ethics in scientific and technological research are defined, and by whom.

  2. History and Philosophy of Science, Engineering and Technology (HPS) use the traditions and tools of history and philosophy to examine intellectual, theoretical, socio-cultural, and material dimensions of science and technology. Proposals in this area of STS engage in analytical, critical, reflective, and interpretive modes of study of the scientific and technological enterprises both past and present. History is broadly conceived to include social, cultural, institutional, and personal contexts. Philosophy may focus on a variety of modes such as providing epistemological, methodological, conceptual, or metaphysical perspectives on a particular theory or conceptual or technological innovation, or on science or technology more broadly.

  3. Social Studies of Science, Engineering and Technology (SSS) draw upon the social and behavioral sciences including anthropology, sociology, economics, political science, and science and technology studies. Proposals in this area examine the interconnections of science, technology, and society. Supported research will bring the tools and theories of the social sciences to bear on such issues as how science and technology function in different societies, and how culture and society and science, technology, and engineering shape each other. A variety of methodologies are supported including ethnography, surveys, network analysis, interviews, modeling and theorizing, content analysis, and archival exploration.

  4. Studies of Policy, Science, Engineering and Technology (SPS) include research on social and strategic choices, especially policy choices, that influence knowledge production and innovation and their effects, and on the influences of scientific and technical knowledge and innovation on policy. Proposals in this area typically draw upon methodologies of the social sciences including qualitative, interpretive, and quantitative approaches.

The components overlap, but are distinguished by the different scientific and scholarly orientations they take to the subject matter, as well as by different focuses within the subject area. STS encourages the submission of hybrid proposals that strive to integrate research involving two or more of these core areas. Ordinarily, these programs do not consider proposals focused on historical, philosophical, ethical, or social aspects of medical or public health research or practice.

Support for projects funded by this program is by one of eight modes. Individual investigators are strongly encouraged to discuss their proposals with the cognizant program officer(s) in advance of submission to determine that the proposal is being presented positively and that the appropriate mode of support is being requested. Note that the modes of support most appropriate to Towson University investigators are highlighted below.

  1. Scholars Awards, for individual investigators who are undertaking research projects and need full-time release for an academic year or an academic year and a summer. The maximum award is normally $180,000 exclusive of facilities and administrative costs and project duration is up to three years.

  2. Standard Research Grants and Grants for Collaborative Research, to fund proposals for research, infrastructure, or education projects. These grants may also support projects that require several investigators, advisors, or collaboration among principal investigators, including investigators at different institutions. Generally, the maximum award, excluding facilities and administrative costs, is $400,000 for a project of two to three years’ duration.

  3. Professional Development Fellowships, for researchers trained in all areas of Science and Society who wish to improve and expand their skills in the areas of science or engineering, and conversely for physical and natural scientists and engineers who desire training in S&S disciplines. For example, historians, philosophers, ethicists, and others in fields of the social, behavioral and economic sciences may use this award to work with a scientist or engineer to learn the technical aspects of research in their area. Alternatively, scientists or engineers may use this award to work with a historian, philosopher, or social scientist to learn the research methods, analytical tools and approaches current in S&S fields. These awards provide an annual stipend of $50,000 - $90,000 and $5,000 for travel and research expenses.

URL: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08553/nsf08553.htm

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Prescription Drug Abuse

Agency: National Institutes of Health
Deadline: June 16, 2008, October 16, 2008, February 16, 2008 (annually thereafter)

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health (NIH), encourages research aimed at reducing prescription drug misuse while supporting appropriate medical use of therapeutic agents with abuse liability.  To promote the Nation’s health, research is needed to understand the factors contributing to prescription drug abuse, to characterize the adverse medical, mental health and social consequences associated with this abuse, and to develop effective prevention and service delivery approaches and behavioral and pharmacological treatments.  Applications to address this issue are encouraged across a broad range of experimental approaches including basic, clinical, epidemiological, and economic studies.  
 
A range of research is needed to combat prescription drug abuse--from specifying the extent and nature of the problem (including health, behavioral, and social consequences) to developing, evaluating, and disseminating effective prevention and treatment approaches. 

Areas of interest to the Towson faculty include:

Epidemiology and Prevention Research

  • Research on the factors that influence temporal trends in abuse of  prescription drugs such as changes in the health care system, prescriptive  practices, and sources of prescription medications (local pharmacy, mail  order, internet, other) and in the training of health care providers  regarding prescribing medications with abuse liability.
  • Studies on the role of the internet as both a source of prescription drugs  and a source of information about these drugs.  Studies on the role of the Internet and direct-to-consumer advertising in shaping attitudes and in influencing beliefs about the risks associated with prescription drugs.
  • Studies of the factors that predispose an individual to over-rely on and to misuse psychoactive prescription and over-the-counter drugs (e.g., health beliefs and practices, health promotion behaviors, reliance on media, family and cultural practices).
  • Studies of the adverse behavioral, social and economic consequences associated with  prescription drug misuse, abuse, and dependence, such as impairment in school  performance, driving, parenting, job performance, independent living for the elderly, etc.
  • Studies to identify, design, and evaluate prevention interventions for those adolescents and college-age youth at increased risk for prescription drug misuse and abuse.  Types of prescription misuse and abuse among youth  include: 1) the mixing of prescription drugs with other drugs of abuse (e.g.,  marijuana, alcohol), which places them at risk for drug interactions and  overdose; 2) misuse and abuse of prescribed stimulants and providing these  drugs to their peers; 3) abuse of dextromethorphan (DXM), an over-the-counter  drug, alone and in combination with other drugs of abuse; 4) use of  stimulants on college campuses for appetite suppression, wakefulness,  increased attention, and euphoria.
  • Studies to design and evaluate prevention interventions for individuals who  may be at increased risk for prescription misuse and abuse in the following  populations: 1) individuals with illnesses, such as arthritis, back pain,  insomnia, fatigue, obesity, anxiety, eating disorders, etc., who are  prescribed abusable prescription drugs; 2) health care professionals; and 3)  the elderly.
  • Studies that theoretically and empirically explore the impact of existing evidence-based drug abuse prevention approaches, or variants of existing approaches, on prescription drug abuse patterns.

Treatment and Services Research

  • Studies to develop and evaluate treatment approaches that maintain abstinence from prescription drug abuse and prevent relapse.
  • Studies of brief behavioral treatment interventions for prescription drug misuse and abuse in primary care settings.
  • Studies to develop, test, and economically evaluate age-appropriate, gender-sensitive, and culturally-relevant treatment approaches for prescription drug abusing individuals.
  • Studies to adapt existing treatments for other drugs of abuse, or for other conditions, for use with individuals who abuse prescription drugs.
  • Studies to develop and evaluate new and innovative therapies to treat prescription drug abuse that are based on promising findings from basic behavioral and cognitive research.
  • Studies to develop and test, or to adapt, developmentally-appropriate behavioral treatments for adolescents who abuse prescription drugs, with particular attention to the types and patterns of drug use among adolescents and the challenges to engaging adolescents in treatment.
  • Studies to develop and evaluate therapies for individuals who abuse prescription drugs and have comorbid mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders or comorbid physical disorders such as sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, musculoskeletal disease, etc. associated with chronic pain.
  • Studies which utilize e-health tools such as computers and portable digital and wireless devices to improve access to treatment for prescription drug abuse and/or augment provision of treatment by health care providers.
  • Studies to improve the screening, assessment, and recognition of prescription drug misuse, abuse, and dependence among patients being treated in health care settings for medical and/or psychiatric illnesses, especially those which are chronic in nature.
  • Studies to improve the recognition and referral for intervention of employee prescription drug misuse and abuse in the workplace to ensure timely and appropriate referral for treatment. Research is needed on educational approaches to increase workforce awareness of prescription drug misuse and abuse.
  • Studies to determine the factors that may affect access to treatment for  prescription drug abuse and addiction, including treatment entry, readiness  for treatment, retention in treatment, compliance with treatment, and  treatment outcomes among prescription drug abusing women, adolescents, older  adults, and racial/ethnic minorities.
  • Studies to identify organizational characteristics (e.g., climate, culture, age, and size), financing, and managerial approaches to providing the most accessible and effective treatment for prescription drug abuse and addiction, including factors that enhance motivation to participate and remain in treatment, compliance with treatment, and relapse avoidance.  Research to identify the value added by linkages to relevant treatment services such as psychiatric, wellness, and social services is also welcome.
  • Research to develop and evaluate effective strategies/approaches for disseminating science-based information on the recognition, prevention, and treatment of prescription drug abuse to health professionals and community- based health care providers.  Research to determine the most effective approaches for enhancing utilization of science-based information and whether these approaches actually change practice behaviors.
  • Research to develop and evaluate innovative health professional prescription drug education programs using new technologies, e.g. palm pilot, interactive computer based programs, virtual reality, etc. 

This FOA will utilize the NIH Small Research Grant (R03) award mechanism. Budgets for direct costs of up to $50,000 per year and a project duration of up to two years may be requested for a maximum of $100,000 direct costs over a two-year project period.

URL: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-08-129.html

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    Lindbergh Grant Program

Agency: The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation
Deadline(s):  June 12, 2008

Over the last 29 years, the Lindbergh Foundation has endeavored to honor the Lindberghs’ legacy by funding innovative projects that foster the environment and keep the planet in balance. These projects should demonstrate balance between technological advancements and environmental preservation. Each year, the Lindbergh Foundation awards grants in amounts up to $10,580 each (the cost of building the Spirit of St. Louis in 1927). Over the years, Lindbergh Grants have become increasingly well known, supporting innovative ideas often at an early stage in their development and establishing pilot projects that subsequently receive significant additional funding from other sources.

Proposals should clearly reveal how the project and its future results will demonstrate a balance between the advancement of technology and the preservation of the human/natural environment. In some instances, current technology used in a new field or new use of existing technology or even limiting or reversing advancements can bring balance to a particular issue. If this is true, an application should clearly identify that concept within the balance statement. Projects that are most often selected for funding by the Lindbergh Foundation Board of Directors have concise and clearly stated objectives and procedures, and include language that even the non-scientist or the non-medical person can easily understand.

Candidates for grants are not required to hold any graduate or post-graduate academic degrees. The Foundation does not support overhead costs of organizations, tuition, or scholarships.

URL: http://www.lindberghfoundation.org/grants.html

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