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Taking Advantage of NSF Funding Opportunities

Daniel UdovicProgram Director, Division of

Undergraduate Education

National Science Foundation

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Presentation Outline

NSF Organization DUE Programs The Proposal Review Process Using the NSF Web Page (nsf.gov)

Tips for Writing Successful Proposals

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

With an annual budget of over $6.0 billion, NSF is the funding source for about 20 percent of all federally supported basic

research conducted by U.S. colleges and universities.(NSF at a Glance – NSF Home page – FY 2008)

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The NSF Structure

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Organization ofEducation & Human Resources

Division of Graduate Education(DGE)

Division of Undergraduate Education(DUE)

Division of Research on Learning inFormal & Informal Settings (DRL)

Division of Human ResourceDevelopment (HRD)

Directorate ofEducation & Human Resorces

(EHR)

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Stimulating students throughInquiry-based learning

Strengthening teacher preparation

NSF-wide Education Themes

Directorate for Education and Human Resources FY 2009 Budget Rollout

Broadening participation in the S&E workforce

Integrating research and education

Reaching a broader public through informal education

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The Division ofUndergraduate Education

and its Programs

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DUE Mission:

To promote excellence in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for all students.

DUE is an agent of change that leads the NSF efforts to achieve excellent STEM undergraduate education for all students.

It creates, develops, and manages programs that enable institutions to expand the professional Science and Engineering workforce and to strengthen the scientific literacy for citizens through undergraduate curricula and related activities.

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Some DUE Programs

Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Course, Curriculum, & Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) Interdisciplinary Training for Undergraduates in Biological &

Mathematical Sciences (UBM): EHR, BIO, MPS Math and Science Partnership (MSP) NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Mathematics (S-STEM) Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent

Expansion Program (STEP) Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and

Engineering Mentoring

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Course, Curriculum & Laboratory Improvement

(CCLI)

VisionExcellent STEM education for all undergraduate

students

GoalStimulate, evaluate, and disseminate innovative

developments in STEM education through the production of knowledge about learning and the improvement of practice.

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Supports efforts to:

Create new learning materials and teaching strategies

Develop faculty expertise

Implement educational innovations

Assess learning and evaluate innovations

Conduct research on STEM teaching and learning

Course, Curriculum & Laboratory Improvement (CCLI)

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Projects should address a recognized need and describe exemplary work addressing at least one component of this cycle:

Research on Teaching and

Learning

Implementing Innovations

Producing New Learning

Materials

Developing Faculty

Expertise

Assessing Learning

Course, Curriculum & Laboratory Improvement (CCLI)

Projects vary in scope and scale

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Phase 1: Exploratory ProjectsInvolves exploratory, initial investigation or adaptation in one of the component areas

Phase 2: Expansion ProjectsBuilds on small scale projects with proven innovations, refine and test innovations on diverse users

Phase 3: Comprehensive ProjectsSeveral diverse institutions, evaluation or assessment activities, deep and broad, combine proven results and mature innovations from several component areas, sustainablity, national dissemination, etc.

Course, Curriculum & Laboratory Improvement (CCLI)

-- Three “Phases”

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Phase 1 (exploratory projects) ****

Course, Curriculum & Laboratory Improvement (CCLI)

Total budget up to $150 K (1-3 years) or $200K when 4-year schools collaborate with 2-year schools

893 proposals submitted in 2007, representing 829 projects (down slightly in 2008)

About 100 biology proposals per year Expected funding rate for 2008: 10-15% Dates:

Due: May 2009 (but see below!)

**** PLEASE NOTE -- There may be some significant changes in next year’s solicitation!! Look for it in January or February 2009!!

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Institutional Awards and Group Awards Student involvement in innovative research at

the forefront of the biological and mathematical sciences Students working and learning together in

interdisciplinary teams Long-term involvement of each student with project

activities to provide: intense involvement in research mutual reinforcement between research and classroom

activities;

Interdisciplinary Training for Undergraduates in Biological and

Mathematical Sciences (UBM)

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Required for All Projects: Extensive, interdisciplinary mentoring from senior

faculty in both disciplines; A diversity of students with attention to ethnic and

gender diversity;

For Institutional Projects: Use of program models to motivate curriculum

changes and faculty development; The ability to affect programs and students beyond

those directly involved in the project.

Interdisciplinary Training for Undergraduates in Biological and

Mathematical Sciences (UBM)

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Group Projects: Up to 3 years; Budget: Average <= $80,000 per year

Institutional Projects: Up to 5 years; Budget: Average <= $200,000 per year

Proposal Deadline: February 12, 2009 (2nd Thursday in Feb)

Interdisciplinary Training for Undergraduates in Biological and

Mathematical Sciences (UBM)

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UBM: Undergraduate Research in Metapopulation Ecology

College of William and Mary

Establishes an undergraduate training program in mathematical biology based on a core of 6 faculty (3 math, 3 biology)

Uses paired undergraduate mentoring with each student being mentored by a mathematician and a biologist on a multi-year research project studying dynamics and viability of animal metapopulations

Blends theoretical mathematical and field based biological techniques Develops new bio-math courses Hosts a regional bio-math conferences Partners with a local community college with a focus on recruiting

underrepresented minorities

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UBM: Research-Based Interdisciplinary Training for Mathematics and Biology

Majors

University of Vermont

Integrates interdisciplinary courses in mathematics and biology with multi-year research projects

Involves 8 faculty mentors from the Departments of Biology and Mathematics and Statistics

Involves equal number of math and biology (or joint math/biology) majors working on teams with joint mentors from both departments

Includes Calculus for Life Science Students, College Biology, Mathematical Biology and Ecology, and a Seminar series

Provides a capstone course that ensures students have the opportunity to analyze data, prepare manuscripts, and present papers at annual symposia

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NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Mathematics (S-STEM)

Goal: Provide scholarships to academically talented, financially needy students pursuing associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degrees

Deadlines: Letter of Intent: July 10, 2008 Full proposal: August 12, 2008 2009 dates should be around the same time; look for

new solicitation in Spring 2009

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S-STEM

Eligible disciplines include almost all NSF-supported areas

(see solicitation for guidance)

Maximum scholarships -- $10,000 (based on financial need)

Awards can be for up to 5 years

Grant size increased to $600,000 with 7% allowed for

administration and 8% for student support

Maximum of $225,000 in any one year, but can ramp up

One proposal per constituent school or college that awards

degrees (also schools within institutions)

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STEM Talent Expansion Program (STEP)

Type 1 projects Seek to increase the number of students (U.S. citizens or

permanent residents) receiving associate or baccalaureate degrees in established or emerging fields within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)

Awards up to $2.5 million (depending on size of the institution) over a 5-year period.

Type 2 projects Support educational research on associate or baccalaureate

degree attainment in STEM

Deadline: September 30, 2008Typical Funding Rate: ~15% (~140 proposals; ~20 awards)

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STEP Implementation Strategies

Efforts might include:

Bridge programs that enable additional preparation for students

Programs that focus on the quality of student learninghigh-caliber teaching in smaller classesnew pedagogical approachestraining of teaching assistants

Programs to encourage undergraduate research Programs that provide financial incentives to students Many others

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Proposals should include:

The specific strategies to be used during the grant period to increase the number of STEM graduates

An explanation of why the proposed activities are not expected to cause decreases in enrollments in other STEM fields

The benchmarks that will be used to measure progress as the project moves forward

A clear statement of which of the proposed activities, if successful, would be expected to be institutionalized by the end of the grant period

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The Proposal Review Process

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How the Proposal Review & Decision Process Works

Investigator/Institution

FastLane: Central

Processing

ProgramManager

DivisionDirector

Declination

Award(Via DGA)

Withdrawal

Mail Reviews

Panel Review

Not appropriate

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Merit Review

“NSF’s merit review process is the keystone for award selection … NSF uses merit review to select about 10,000 new awards each year from more than 35,000 competitive proposals submitted … annually …”

NSF Strategic Plan FY2003-08, p. 4, 21, 26

Credit: Garie Fordyce, National Science Foundation

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Navigating the NSF Web Page

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NSF web site (www.nsf.gov)

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Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR)

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Division of Undergraduate Education

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Searching the Awards Database

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Searching the Awards Database

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Tips for Writing

Successful Proposals

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The core of a successful proposalis a good idea (s)*

* But that is just the beginning

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What problem are you addressing? What do you intend to do? Why is the work important?

Intellectual MeritBroader Impact

What has already been done? How are you going to do the work? How will you know if it worked? How will you get the word out?

Questions for the Prospective PI

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Writing Effective Proposals

What Makes a Proposal Competitive?

Original and/or good ideas Succinct, focused project plan Realistic amount of work Sufficient detail provided Cost effective High impact Knowledge and experience Evidence of potential effectiveness Likelihood project will be sustained Solid evaluation plan

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Things to Remember

Read (and follow!) the Program Solicitation and the GPG (Grant Proposal Guide)!!!

Address both Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts

Address additional program criteria Solicit help of colleagues – e.g., mock review

panels Get started early!

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Final Thoughts

Start with a good idea: • Embed it within a larger context with measurable

objectives• Relate the idea to the literature• Evaluate progress and outcomes• Disseminate findings and results• Be persistent! Often it is the person who reworks and

resubmits that is funded.

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Ways for you to participate

Grant HolderPIProject Team Member, or Coalition, or

Advisory BoardTest Site

User of Products Workshop and Symposium Participant Review Proposals Rotating Program Officer

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Information and Inquiries

DUEo Email undergrad@nsf.govo Phone 703-292-8670 o Fax 703-292-9015o Snail Mail:

Division of Undergraduate Education, NSF 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 835 Arlington, VA 22230

DUE Project Information Resource System https://www.ehr.nsf.gov/pirs_prs_web/search/

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THANKS!

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