Please note for all proposals that must be submitted via Grants.gov,
the Office of University Research Services must have the final
complete proposal, with all required attachments, no later
than 48 hours prior to the agency deadline. Because of the
higher possibility of technical difficulties with this new
submission engine, the OURS cannot guarantee that proposals
received later than 48 hours prior to the deadline will be
submitted on time. Please direct any questions to the Office
of University Research Services, 4-2236 or ours@towson.edu.
|
Institutional, University-Wide, or Cross-Disciplinary Opportunities
Informal Science Education
Agency: National Science Foundation
Deadlines: June 25, 2009 and June 24, 2010 (for required preliminary proposals)
November 19, 2009 and November 18, 2010 (for full proposals)
The Informal Science Education (ISE) program supports projects that promote lifelong learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by the public through voluntary, self-directed engagement in STEM-rich informal learning environments and experiences. Core to the ISE program have been investment in models, resources, and programs for STEM learning in a range of informal environments. Proposals for the design and implementation of innovative exhibitions, films, multimedia learning resources, virtual learning environments, after-school programs, and other products, tools and programs for learning in informal settings are essential to the portfolio and are invited in this solicitation. Investigators should make a case for innovative and novel contributions of such products and tools. They should provide for systematic testing and evaluating their effectiveness. These projects must also contribute to knowledge about promising practices for engaging the public in STEM learning by applying appropriate research and/or evaluation methods to study the effects of their approaches.
The ISE program invests in five types of projects:
- Research projects contribute to the "hypothesize and clarify" and "synthesize and theorize" components of the Division of Research on Learning (DRL) cycle of innovation. Their primary goal is to advance knowledge in the informal STEM learning field rather than to develop specific deliverable for implementation. Research projects can be funded for up to $1.5 million and five years in duration.
- Pathways projects relate to the "design, develop, and test" component of the DRL cycle of innovation. They include planning activities, pilot studies, and feasibility studies, or, in general, work that is on a path toward a major project (Research, Full-Scale Development, or Broad Implementation) but that need to address critical issues or decisions before major projects can be formulated. Pathways proposals cannot request funds for upfront work normally required for submission of a major proposal. Not all of the Pathways projects will necessarily result in a subsequent proposal. However, for those that do, the results and implications of the Pathways work must be explicitly described. Pathways projects can be funded for up to $250,000 and two years in duration.
- Full-Scale Development projects relate to the "implement, study efficacy, and improve" component of the DRL cycle of innovation. The main purpose of these projects is to generate an innovative idea or approach to informal science education, create a version that can stand alone in the public or professional arena, and evaluate its effectiveness. Full-Scale Development proposals typically will be funded in the $1 million to $3 million dollar range and may be up to five years in duration.
- Broad Implementation projects relate to the "scale up and study effectiveness" component of the DRL cycle of innovation, proposing strategies for maximizing prior ISE program investments. Projects are expected to substantially broaden the reach of products or programs in the informal science education field that have demonstrated success with the audience they reach without sacrificing quality. Broad Implementation projects will normally be funded in the $1 million to $3 million dollar range and may be up to five years in duration. In order to encourage wide distribution, budgets may include up to $500,000 for making these products available to interested organizations and communities at no cost or with much reduced rental or similar costs.
- Communicating Research to Public Audiences (CRPA) projects relate to the "implement, study efficacy, and improve" component of the DRL cycle of innovation by proposing informal learning activities based on currently funded NSF research. CRPA projects must be based on active research projects in good standing in any NSF directorate or office. CRPA proposals can be a maximum of $150,000 and up to two years in duration. The award size, however, will be consistent with the project scope and the size of the original research award. They may be submitted at any time and do not require preliminary proposals.
Other Funding Opportunities
Like other NSF programs, the ISE program also funds Conferences, Symposia, and Workshops; EAGER and RAPID grants; and Grant Supplements for existing awards, as described in the Grant Proposal Guide (GPG),
NSF 09-29: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=papp. These proposals may be submitted at any time.
- Conferences, Symposia and Workshops
- Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER)
- Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID)
- Grant Supplements
The ISE program expects to make approximately 40 awards based on anticipated funding of $25 million each in FY 2010 and FY 2011 for new awards. It is anticipated that approximately 6 Research, 6 Pathways, 20 Full-Scale Development, 3 Broad Implementation, and 5 Communicating Research to Public Audiences awards will be made as Standard or Continuing Grants per year, pending availability of funds.
URL: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2009/nsf09553/nsf09553.htm
Go To Top
Small Research Grant Program
Agency: National Institutes of Health/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Deadlines: June 16, 2009, October 16, 2009, and February 16, 2010 (June 16, October 16, and February 16 annually thereafter through June 16, 2012)
The purpose of the Small Research Grant program is to develop an understanding of the risks and conditions that are associated with occupational diseases and injuries, to explore methods for reducing risks and for preventing or minimizing exposure to hazardous conditions in the workplace, and to translate significant scientific findings into prevention practices and products that will effectively reduce work-related illnesses and injuries.
This funding opportunity will use the R03 small research grants award mechanism. The Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) will be solely responsible for planning, directing, and executing the proposed project. The R03 grant mechanism supports different types of projects including pilot and feasibility studies; secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; and development of new research technology. The R03 is intended to support small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources. A project period of up to two years and a budget for direct costs of $50,000 per year may be requested (i.e., a maximum of $100,000 over two years).
URL: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-138.html
Go To Top
Human Nutrition and Obesity
Agency: US Department of Agriculture/Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES)
Deadlines:
June 15, 2009
This crosscutting program addresses the complex problem of obesity prevention. Projects funded by this program should lead to the development and evaluation of effective programs to prevent obesity. To meet the identified needs of agriculture, the long-term (10-year) goals for this program include identifying the behavioral factors that influence obesity to develop effective obesity prevention strategies; developing valid behavioral and environmental instruments for measuring progress in obesity prevention efforts; and promoting effective strategies for preventing overweight and obesity. The ultimate goal of the program is to stem the rising tide of obesity. Integrated projects incorporate at least two of the three components of the agricultural knowledge system (i.e., research, education, and extension) within a project, bringing them around a project or activity.
This is an integrated program. Integrated projects incorporate at least two of the three components of the agricultural knowledge system (i.e., research, education, and extension) within a project, bringing them around a project or activity. Proposed integrated project budget requests must not exceed $1,500,000 for project period of 2-4 years (including indirect costs).
FY 2009 Priority for Integrated Projects − Applicants must address the following priorities.
- Improve understanding of the behavioral (not metabolic) factors that influence obesity. Additionally, use this new information to develop effective programs for preventing overweight and obesity or to help prepare the next generation of researchers and educators to address the complex problem of obesity. Potential study areas for factors influencing obesity may include social and psychological factors, the role of lifestyle, including physical activity, as well as the influence of family, peers, and community, the influence of economic factors, and agricultural and public policy issues. Because food is an integral part of the development of obesity, all projects should address some aspect of food from production to consumption.
- Develop and implement behavioral and environmental instruments to measure progress in obesity prevention efforts, for example, develop impact indicators for Cooperative Extension System education programs. This activity may necessitate the development of new instruments or the modification and validation of existing ones.
High priority will be given to projects involving population groups at risk for obesity, such as those served by USDA programs (e.g., Expanded Food and Nutrition Education program, Cooperative Extension, nutrition assistance programs).
URL: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/humannutritionobesityafri.cfm
Go To Top
| |
 |
|
