Unsolicited proposals to the Division of Chemistry relevant to
cyber-enabled chemistry
Dear Colleague:
The National Science Foundation, its Directorate for Mathematical
and Physical Sciences (MPS), and the Division of Chemistry within
the MPS Directorate, have recognized the transformational potential
of cyber-based tools. As articulated in the Atkins report (http://www.nsf.gov/cise/sci/reports/atkins.pdf)
and a recent Division of Chemistry workshop report on cyber-enabled
chemistry (http://bioeng.berkeley.edu/faculty/cyber_workshop/),
cyberinfrastructure can enable our community to address scientific
problems of unprecedented complexity; leverage resources by facilitating
the sharing of instrumentation, data, and expertise; and broaden
participation by creating a national and international community
that permits investigators to collaborate with anyone, anywhere,
anytime on projects of mutual interest in basic research and education.
The most recent Committee of Visitors report urges the Division
of Chemistry “…to energize the community to take part
in the nascent NSF programs in cyber-technology” (http://www.nsf.gov/od/oia/activities/cov/mps/2004/CHEcov.pdf).
A description of cyber-enabled chemistry and some examples of current
awards and nuggets may be found at http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13603&org=CHE&from=home.
The Division of Chemistry will continue to update its instrumentation
and multi-investigator programs (see http://www.nsf.gov/chem for
a complete listing) to encourage projects that contribute to the
development of cyber-enabled chemistry. However, the Division recognizes
that its core traditional source of bold transformative ideas – individual
investigators – has much to contribute to this important
effort. Therefore, unsolicited research proposals to the Division
that include innovative uses of cyber-based tools that can impact
chemistry broadly are strongly encouraged. As is standard practice,
these proposals should be submitted to divisional programs (Analytical & Surface
Chemistry; Inorganic, Bioinorganic & Organometallic Chemistry;
Organic & Macromolecular Chemistry; Physical Chemistry) during
the proposal window that opens the second Monday of July and closes
the second Friday of January (http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2000/nsf0076/nsf0076.htm).
Support for both research and cyber-infrastructure innovation can
be requested in the budget.
Primary Contact:
Dr. Celeste M. Rohlfing
Division of Chemistry
crohlfin@nsf.gov; tel. 703-292-4962
Sincerely,
Arthur B. Ellis
Director, Division of Chemistry
aellis@nsf.gov; tel 703-292-4960
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