Activities

Activities and Other Opportunities

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellows
See the AAAS/NSF website for detailed information. AAAS Fellows "spend one year at the National Science Foundation ... learning how NSF funds science, while providing scientific, engineering, and educational input on issues relating to NSF's mission to support fundamental science and engineering research and education. AAAS/NSF Science and Engineering Fellows will be placed at offices throughout the Foundation working with staff involved in the planning, development and oversight of agency programs. The programs include all fields of fundamental research including biological, computer and information, mathematical and physical, social/behavioral/economic, and geosciences as well as engineering and technology, education, or public, legal and legislative affairs." Contact: Sherrie Green.

Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER)
CAREER is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the NSF's most prestigious awards for new faculty members. The CAREER program recognizes and supports the early career-development activities of those teacher-scholars who are most likely to become the academic leaders of the 21st century. CAREER awardees will be selected on the basis of creative, career-development plans that effectively integrate research and education within the context of the mission of their institution. NSF encourages submission of CAREER proposals from new faculty at all CAREER eligible institutions. Such plans should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of integrated contributions to research and education. See the CAREER website for more information. Contact: Amanda Roberts .

Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering (CEOSE)
CEOSE, a Congressionally mandated advisory committee, consists of approximately 15 members who are appointed by the NSF Director. Members are broadly representative of the science and engineering research and education communities (including federal agencies, private sector firms, and scientific and engineering organizations). CEOSE members meet three times a year to provide advice to NSF concerning the implementation of the provisions of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act and other policies and activities of NSF to encourage full participation of women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities in scientific, engineering, and professional fields. Contact: Margaret Tolbert.

Committee of Visitors (COV)
NSF relies on the judgment of external experts to maintain high standards of program management, to provide advice for continuous improvement of NSF performance, and to ensure openness to the research and education community served by the Foundation. COV reviews provide NSF with external expert judgments in two areas: (1) assessments of the quality and integrity of program operations and program-level technical and managerial matters pertaining to proposal decisions; and (2) comments on how the results generated by awardees have contributed to the attainment of NSF's mission and goals. Contact: James Lightbourne.

Summer Scholars Internship Program
The internship program brings to NSF a group of about twenty-five students who are in the process of attaining an undergraduate or graduate degree. The program focuses on providing enriching opportunities to students, particularly those from populations under-represented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Each intern works in an NSF division or office for the summer, learning about NSF in a very hands-on manner. Supplemental trips are planned, with a focus on continuing education. Contact: Sherrie Green.

Neuroscience
Various aspects of neuroscience are supported in many different divisions of NSF. New opportunities may take advantage of advances in each of these areas, as well as
leading-edge developments in other fields that NSF supports, which may both contribute to and benefit from advances in neuroscience. NSF is particularly interested in high-risk, high-impact, transformative research opportunities that will trigger major new scientific and technological advances, both in neuroscience and in the physical sciences.

Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)
Each year NSF selects nominees for PECASE from among the most meritorious new CAREER awardees. The PECASE program recognizes outstanding scientists and engineers who, early in their careers, show exceptional potential for leadership at the frontiers of knowledge. This Presidential Award is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government on scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers. Contact: Amanda Roberts .