OVERVIEW OF FY08 NSF/CISE PROGRAMS

December 6, 2007

Dear Colleague,

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