OVERVIEW OF FY08 NSF/CISE PROGRAMS
December 6, 2007
Dear Colleague,
This letter describes NSF programs planned for FY 2008 that will make investments in
computing education or in computing research infrastructure. It is a sequel to my letter of
October 2, 2007 which described research-focused programs. You can find this letter at
http://www.nsf.gov/cise/funding/2007_12_edu_overview_pgm.jsp and my previous letter at
http://www.nsf.gov/cise/funding/2007_10_dcl_overview_pgm.jsp.
Computing education at all levels and computing research infrastructure are
strategically important to the progress of our field, as we strive to cultivate a world-class
and broadly inclusive science and engineering workforce and to build the nation's research
capacity through investments in advanced instrumentation and facilities. I hope that the
following overview of our education and research infrastructure programs helps you in your
proposal planning and provides you with a more complete picture of the scope of available
funding opportunities.
Many of the funding opportunities we list are conducted jointly across NSF directorates
and offices. Some are offered exclusively by an NSF organization other than CISE, such as
the Directorate for Education and Human Resources or the Office of International Science and
Engineering. I encourage you to remember these programs in the future as you peruse the NSF
website for education and research infrastructure funding opportunities.
One important program is the Graduate Research Fellowship Program, targeted at
undergraduates and first year graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Your commitment to mentoring bright students will help them develop strong Graduate Research
Fellowship applications in computer and information science and engineering. We depend on
their success to strengthen our own community and to create a world-class, highly-skilled
computing workforce.
When applying for funding opportunities, please also remember that NSF employs both
intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria in the merit review of proposals. Through the
broader impacts criterion, reviewers are looking for ways in which researchers propose to
influence the training and education of a diverse workforce, enhance research infrastructure,
or benefit society. You will find helpful examples of the kinds of activities that can be
incorporated into project descriptions at
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/gpg/broaderimpacts.pdf.
I would like to reiterate that the continued excellence in our field relies on your
active participation in the community—not just through your research and teaching, but also
through your service to the community.
Thank you for your attention and good luck in FY 2008’s competitions!
Sincerely,
Jeannette M. Wing
Assistant Director for CISE
Program Announcements and Solicitations
We list below the education and research infrastructure opportunities that may be of
interest to you. This list previews the announcements or solicitations currently active or
under development. Please refer to the NSF website for a complete list of
activities. In addition to the CISE funding page, you may wish to peruse the funding pages
of other NSF organizations, including the: Directorate for Education and Human Resources;
Directorate for Engineering; Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences; Office of
Cyberinfrastructure; Office of Integrative Activities; and Office of International Science
and Engineering.
I. EDUCATION
ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science
and Engineering Careers (joint with other NSF directorates)
Program Synopsis: This program develops systemic approaches to increase the
representation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers,
contributing to the development of a more diverse science and engineering workforce.)
Proposal Deadline: December 6, 2007 (Institutional Transformation and Institutional
Transformation Planning Grants); January 17, 2008 (Partnerships for Adaptation,
Implementation and Dissemination)
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5383&org=CISE&sel_org=CISE&from=fund
Advanced Technological Education (ATE) (Directorate for Education and Human
Resources)
Program Synopsis: With an emphasis on two-year colleges, the ATE program focuses on
the preparation of technicians for high technology fields, including: biotechnology;
engineering technology; information technology; telecommunications; and cyber security.
The program involves partnerships between academic institutions and employers to promote
improvement in the education of science and engineering technicians at the undergraduate
and secondary school levels.
Preliminary Proposal Deadline: April 24, 2008
Full Proposal Deadline: October 16, 2008
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5464
Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC)
Program Synopsis: The BPC program strives to increase significantly the number of
U.S. citizens and permanent residents receiving post secondary degrees in the computing
disciplines, with an emphasis on students from communities with longstanding under
representation in computing: minorities, persons with disabilities, and women.
Proposal Deadline: May 21, 2008
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13510&org=CISE&sel_org=CISE&from=fund
CISE Pathways to Revitalized Undergraduate Computing Education (CPATH)
Program Synopsis: CPATH challenges colleges and universities to work together, and
with others with a stake in undergraduate computing education, including industry,
professional societies and other types of organizations, to formulate and implement plans to
transform undergraduate computing education to meet the challenges and opportunities of our
21st century world.
Proposal Deadline: Winter 2008
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=500025&org=CISE&sel_org=CISE&from=fund
Computational Science Training for Undergraduates in the Mathematical Sciences
(CSUMS) (Directorate for Education and Human Resources and Directorate for the Mathematical
and Physical Sciences)
Program Synopsis: CSUMS seeks to enhance computational aspects of the education and
training of undergraduate students in the mathematical sciences and to better prepare these
students to pursue careers and graduate study in fields that require integrated strengths in
computation and the mathematical sciences. The program encourages collaborations that bring
together mathematical scientists from baccalaureate, master’s, or Ph.D. granting
institutions.
Proposal Deadline: October 17, 2008
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13655&org=EHR&sel_org=EHR&from=fund
Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) (Directorate for
Education and Human Resources)
Program Synopsis: CCLI seeks to improve the quality of science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics (STEM) education for all undergraduate students. The program supports efforts
to create new learning materials and teaching strategies, develop faculty expertise, implement
educational innovations, assess learning and evaluate innovations, and conduct research on STEM
teaching and learning. The program supports three types of projects representing three different
phases of development, ranging from small, exploratory investigations to large, comprehensive
projects.
Full Proposal Deadline: January 10, 2008 (for Phase 2 and 3 proposals)
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5741&org=EHR&sel_org=EHR&from=fund
Developing Global Scientists and Engineers [International Research Experiences for
Students (IRES) and Doctoral Dissertation Enhancement Projects (DDEP)] (Office of International
Science and Engineering)
Program Synopsis: The IRES program supports groups of U.S. undergraduate or graduate
students conducting research abroad in collaboration with foreign investigators. The DDEP program
supports dissertation research abroad in which U.S. doctoral students work individually in
collaborations with foreign investigators. Proposals may be submitted by a U.S. institution,
organization, or professional society.
DDEP Proposal Deadline: Full proposals accepted at anytime.
IRES Proposal Target Dates: February 15, 2008 and September 15, 2008; IRES proposals for
activities beginning at least six months after the target date.
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12831&org=CISE&sel_org=CISE&from=fund
Discovery Research K-12 (DR-K12) (Directorate for Education and Human
Resources)
Program Synopsis: This program seeks to enable significant advances in K-12 student
and teacher learning of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
disciplines through research about, and development and implementation of, innovative
resources, models, and technologies for use by students, teachers, and policy makers. For
example, DR-K12 provides an opportunity to explore computational thinking in K-12 education.
Proposal Deadline: January 28, 2008
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=500047&org=EHR&sel_org=EHR&from=fund
Ethics Education in Science and Engineering (joint with other NSF
directorates)
Program Synopsis: Our technology and research advances have enabled new ways of
conducting science and engineering that raise brand new ethical questions. This program
supports graduate ethics education in science and engineering, with a particular focus on
issues involving an international or cultural context. Areas of interest may also include
intellectual property, authorship, and privacy. Proposals from U.S. colleges and universities
or U.S. professional associations are welcome.
Proposal Deadline: Winter 2007-2008
http://nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13338&org=CISE&sel_org=CISE&from=fund
Federal Cyber Service: Scholarship for Service (SFS) (Directorate for
Education and Human Resources)
Program Synopsis: The SFS program seeks to increase the number of qualified students
entering the fields of information assurance and computer security and to increase the
capacity of the United States higher education enterprise to continue to produce
professionals in these fields to meet the needs of our increasingly technological society.
Scholarships support students pursuing baccalaureate, master's, or Ph.D. degrees providing
technical competence in the area of information assurance and security. Proposals may be
submitted by organizations (U.S. colleges and universities or a consortium) with special
technical designations in the information assurance fields. Please follow the link below
for more information on eligibility requirements.
Proposal Deadline: February 2008
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5228
Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) (Directorate for Education and Human
Resources)
Program Synopsis: Approximately 1,100 graduate fellowships are awarded annually in this
competition which provides three years of support for graduate study leading to research-based
master's or doctoral degrees and is intended for students in the early stages of their graduate
studies. Applicants must be affiliated with a U.S. university, college, or non-profit academic
institution or appropriate international institution of higher education offering advanced degrees
in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Three GRFP eligibility requirements
(citizenship, degree requirements, and field of study) are described in detail using the link
below.
Proposal Deadlines: November 1, 2007 (Interdisciplinary Fields of Study); November 2,
2007 (Mathematical Sciences; Computer and Information Science and Engineering); November 6, 2007
(Social Sciences; Psychology; Geosciences); November 7, 2007 (Life Sciences); November 8, 2007
(Engineering); November 9, 2007 (Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy)
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=6201
Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program (IGERT) (joint with
other NSF directorates)
Program Synopsis: This program is intended to catalyze a cultural change in graduate
education, for students, faculty, and institutions, by establishing innovative new models for
graduate education and training. Proposals submitted to the IGERT program must describe integrative,
research-based, graduate education and training activities in emerging areas of science and
engineering. An IGERT project should be organized around an interdisciplinary theme involving a
diverse group of faculty members and other investigators with appropriate expertise in research and
teaching. U.S. academic institutions granting Ph.D. degrees in the sciences and engineering may
submit proposals.
Preliminary Proposal Deadline: Spring 2008
Full Proposal Deadline: Fall 2008
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12759&org=CISE&sel_org=CISE&from=fund
International Research Fellowship Program (IRFP) (Office of International Science and
Engineering)
Program Synopsis: The IRFP program introduces scientists and engineers in the early stages
of their careers to international collaborative research opportunities, thereby furthering their
research capacities and global perspectives and forging long-term relationships with scientists,
technologists and engineers abroad. Awards are available in any field of science and engineering
research and education supported by NSF. Priority is given to those applicants who have not yet
secured tenure-track positions and have not had previous international experiences. Individual
researchers submit applications directly. Successful applicants who wish to have their awards
administered by their U.S. institutions may make this modification upon award.
Proposal Deadline: September 9, 2008
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5179&org=CISE&sel_org=CISE&from=fund
Information Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) (Directorate for
Education and Human Resources)
Program Synopsis: ITEST responds to concerns about shortages of information technology
workers in the U.S. and is designed to increase the opportunities for students and teachers to
learn about, experience, and use information technologies within the context of science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including Information Technology (IT) courses. Supported
projects are intended to provide opportunities for middle and high school children and teachers
to build the skills and knowledge needed to advance their studies, and to function and contribute
in a technologically rich society. Proposals targeting minorities, persons with disabilities and
women are especially encouraged.
Proposal Deadline: Solicitation will be posted early in 2008. Principal Investigators will
then have at least 90 days to prepare and submit proposals for the new deadline. Proposals may not
be submitted under the previous ITEST solicitation (NSF 07- 514).
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5467&org=EHR&sel_org=EHR&from=fund
NSF Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education (GK-12) (joint with other NSF
directorates)
Program Synopsis: This program provides funding to institutions of higher education to
support graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
disciplines so they may acquire additional skills that will broadly prepare them for professional
and scientific careers in the 21st century. Graduate students improve communication, teaching,
collaboration, and team building skills while enriching STEM learning and instruction in K-12
schools.
Letter of Intent Deadline: Spring 2008
Proposal Deadline: Summer 2008
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5472&org=CISE&sel_org=CISE&from=fund
NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM)
(Directorate for Education and Human Resources)
Program Synopsis: This program makes grants to institutions of higher education to support
scholarships for academically talented, financially needy students, enabling them to enter the
workforce following completion of an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate level degree in science
and engineering disciplines. Grantee institutions are responsible for selecting scholarship
recipients, reporting student demographic information, and managing the S-STEM project at the
institution.
Letter of Intent Deadline: July 10, 2008
Proposal Deadline: August 12, 2008
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5257&org=EHR&sel_org=EHR&from=fund
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP)
(Directorate for Education and Human Resources)
Program Synopsis: The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion
Program (STEP) seeks to increase the number of students receiving associate or baccalaureate degrees
in established or emerging fields within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Type 1 STEP proposal goals must be to increase the total graduation numbers of STEM students at the
institution(s) and must include specific numerical targets for these increases. Type 2 proposals
may focus on educational research on factors affecting associate or baccalaureate degree attainment
in STEM. Proposals are invited from academic institutions, individuals, and organizations. Projects
may involve a single institution, collaboration with business and industrial partners, or
collaboration among several institutions. Please see the link below for more detailed information
on proposal types.
Letter of Intent (optional): August 2008
Proposal Deadline: September 2008
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5488&org=EHR&sel_org=EHR&from=fund
II. RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE
CISE Computing Research Infrastructure (CRI)
Program Synopsis: The CISE CRI program invests in research infrastructure that
enables high-quality computing research and education and extends the set of individuals and
departments that are able to conduct such activities. CRI is designed to complement the
funding available in CISE research programs and makes two types of awards. Infrastructure
Acquisition/Development awards support infrastructure that is used for a proposing team's
research. Community Resource Development awards support the development of resources that
serve broad research communities.
Full Proposal Deadline: August 5, 2008
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12810&org=CISE&sel_org=CISE&from=fund
EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Grant Program (Office of Integrative
Activities)
Program Synopsis: The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
(EPSCoR) is a program designed to fulfill NSF’s mandate to promote scientific progress
nationwide. NSF establishes partnerships with government, higher education and industry that
are designed to effect lasting improvements in a state's or region's research infrastructure,
R&D capacity and hence, its national R&D competitiveness. The EPSCoR program is directed at
those jurisdictions that have historically received lesser amounts of NSF Research and
Development (R&D) funding. Twenty-five states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U. S.
Virgin Islands currently participate in EPSCoR.
Proposal Deadline: January 4, 2008
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5672&org=CISE&sel_org=CISE&from=fund
Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) (joint with other NSF
directorates)
Program Synopsis: The MRI program is designed to increase access to equipment for
research and training in U.S. colleges and universities, research museums, and other
non-profit research organizations. The program supports acquisition through purchase,
upgrade, or development of state-of-the-art instrumentation for research and fosters the
development of the next generation instrumentation for research and research training. The
program also encourages the development and acquisition of research instrumentation for
shared inter- and/or intra-organizational use and in concert with private sector partners.
MRI assists in the acquisition or development of major research instrumentation that are
often too costly for support through other NSF programs. Proposals may be for a single
instrument, a large system of instruments, or multiple instruments that share a common or
specific research focus.
Letter of Intent Deadline: December 21, 2007 (Required only for acquisition requests
between $2 million and $4 million. Please see solicitation for more information.)
Proposal Deadline: January 24, 2008
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5260&org=CISE&sel_org=CISE&from=fund
Strategic Technologies for Cyberinfrastructure (STCI) (Office of
Cyberinfrastructure)
Program Synopsis: STCI supports work leading to the development and/or demonstration
of innovative cyberinfrastructure services for science and engineering research and education
that fill gaps left by more targeted funding opportunities. In addition, it will consider
highly innovative cyberinfrastructure education, outreach and training proposals that lie
outside the scope of targeted solicitations. Investigators are highly encouraged to discuss
their ideas with program officers associated with STCI to ensure that there are not targeted
solicitations in development for which their projects would be a better fit.
Full Proposal Target Date: August 14, 2008
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=500066&org=OCI&sel_org=OCI&from=fund
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