PROJECT DIRECTORS & PROJECT ADMINISTRATORS MEETING

1. PROJECT DIRECTORS&PROJECT ADMINISTRATORSMEETING Dr. Sherry O. FarwellHead of NSF EPSCoR Office May 10, 20061:00-5:00 pm DoubleTree HotelNashville, Tennessee

2. AGENDA FOR PD/PA MEETING • Welcome (1:00 pm) • ACI & NSF (1:05-1:15 pm) • EPSCoR 2020 • New NSF Funding Opportunities (1:15-1:35 pm) • EPSCoR Responses • Proactive Outreach • Collaborations • NSF & Evaluation (1:35-1:45 pm) • Agency Perspective • EPSCoR Evaluation Steering Committee Report • COV Recommendation (1:45-2:00 pm) A. Project Monitoring via Reverse Site Visits

3. AGENDA (continued) VI. EPSCoR News (2:00-2:30 pm) • RII Solicitation • PIO Workshops • PA Meeting Plan • National Conference Plan VII. Break (2:30-2:45 pm) VIII. PD Session (2:45-4:30 pm) IX. PD Report To NSF (4:30-4:45 pm) X. Discussion & Wrap-Up (4:45-5:00 pm) XI. Adjourn (5:00 pm)

4. INTRODUCTION “Don’t Look Back, Something Might Be Gaining On You.” Leroy “Satchel” Paige(June 1948)

5. RECENT STIMULI FOR CHANGES IN NATIONAL S&E ENTERPRISE

6. American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) & Protecting America’s Competitive Edge (PACE) • GOALS • Increase Federal investment in critical research • Ensure that the U.S. continues to lead the world in opportunity and innovation • Provide U.S. children with a strong STEM foundation • FY 2007 FUNDING = + $910 million (9.3% above FY 2006) for: • NSF, DoE/OS, NIST • ACI/PACE plan to double investments in innovation-enabling S&E research

7. INVITATION FOR EPSCoR PARTICIPATION National Academies Convocation •  "Rising Above the Gathering Storm:  Energizing & Employing Regions, States, & Cities for a Brighter Economic Future” • National Academies Building • Washington, DC on Sept. 12, 2006 Focus:  Research, STEM Education, & Innovation Environments Purpose:  Convene Leaders Of Academic, Industry, Research, & Government From All States To Discuss National Proposals For Responding To Competitiveness Challenges & Their Implications For States & Regions.

8. HOUSE SCIENCE COMMITTEE CHAIR’S ADVICE TO DIRECTOR BEMENT Think big and different New ideas that DO NOT simply make a minor change or difference in R&D Transformative for NSF as well as its S&E funding programs What completely new investment programs would you build?

9. Dr. Kathie Olsen • Deputy Director • Chief Operating Officer • National Science Foundation

10. EPSCoR 2020 PLANNING PROCESS • Concept Developed In Partnership With Dr. Kathie Olsen • Employ One Or More Community-Based Workshops During CY 2006 To Obtain Input On EPSCoR 2020 Vision Plan • Workshop Participants Should Include Diversity Of Representatives From EPSCoR & non-EPSCoR Jurisdictions • Pending Proposal from USC-RF To Organize Initial Workshop In Washington, DC On June 15/16, 2006 • For Further Information About Plans For June 15/16 Workshop, Contact Either Dr. Jerry Odom (USC) or Dr. Nat Pitts (NSF-OIA)

11. NSF’s ROLE IN ACI:FUNDING SCIENCE ACROSS BOUNDARIES

12. “Discovery increasingly requires the expertise of individuals from different disciplines and with diverse perspectives, working together, to accommodate the extraordinary complexity of today’s science and engineering challenges. Cooperation is often essential to meeting the grand scientific challenges of our era.” Dr. Arden Bement, 2006

13. EPSCoR OPPORTUNITY REPORT Dr. Jim Gosz - Senior Program Director & Reporter • NSF Funding Priorities & Programs In FY 2007 • Related Opportunities For EPSCoR Collaborations • Proposed Partnership Plan For Proactive Outreach Program

14. Jim Collins, Biological Sciences AD “the key (to understanding biological problems) is an integrative approach…intersection of biology and the social sciences…of biology and physics,…of biology and mathematics…of biology and the geological sciences…of biology and education, biology and engineering, biology and humanities. We need to push forward on the edges in some of these interdisciplinary areas.” BioScience 56:108

15. BIO Budget Request by Division Note: Totals may not add due to rounding

16. BIO FY 2007 Budget Priorities • Advancing the Frontier • Frontiers in Integrative Biological Research program (FIBR) (+$5.0 million) • Plant Genome Research Program (+$2.5 million) • Long-Term Ecological Research program (+$1.2 million) • New Theoretical Biology program ($3.6 million) • New Biology and Society program ($0.5 million)

17. The goal of the FIBR Program is to support research that: • Identifies a major, unanswered or understudied question in biology • Engages integrative researchers utilizing an effective range of concepts and tools from all areas of science and engineering • Is not limited by conceptual, disciplinary or organizational boundaries • Integrates education and research, providing young scientists with training in a strong, interdisciplinary environment • Involves effective partnering with minority serving and primarily undergraduate institutions • Awards Up to 5 million over 5 years • New FIBR solicitation in 2008

18. Ecology of Infectious Diseases (EID) • Joint NSF and NIH initiative • How large-scale environmental events alter the risks of emergence of viral, parasitic, or bacterial diseases Any environment (marine, terrestrial, freshwater, organismal) 2008 NSF/NIH Neurobiology effort

19. Environmental Observing Systems (EOS) Proposed new large infrastructure support and tools for the environmental sciences in various development stages NEON EarthScope CLEANER, CUAHSI

20. Margaret Leinen, Geosciences AD “Major NSF programs (e.g., observing systems) create a vastly enriched context for individual scientists, teams, and multi-institutional science efforts. They serve as ‘attractors’ for other scientific and education efforts” (including other agency efforts).

21. NEON is designed as a research platform to advance ecological theory and provide a fundamental understanding of the earth’s life support system on which we all depend. National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON)

22. EPSCoR Jurisdictions overlaid with NEON Climate Domains

23. WATERS Network MISSION STATEMENT: A bold initiative in NSF’s Engineering and Geosciences Directorates To transform understanding of the Earth’s water and related cycles across spatial and temporal scales to enable forecasting of critical water-related processes that affect and are affected by human activities… and develop scientific and engineering tools to enable more effective adaptive management of large-scale, human-impacted environments.

24. The Idea: The WATERS Network will: 1. Consist of (a) teams of investigators studying human-stressed landscapes, with an emphasis on water problems and questions; (b) a national network of interacting field sites; (c) specialized supportpersonnel, facilities, and technology; and (d) integrative cyberinfrastructure to provide a shared-use network as the framework for collaborative analysis 2. Transform environmental engineering and hydrologic science research and education by: (i) providing advanced sensor systems for data collection and state-of- the-art informatics tools for data mining, analysis, visualization, and modeling of large-scale environmental issues; and (ii) engaging academics and others in collaborative, interdisciplinary studies of real-world problems 3. Enable more effective adaptive management of human-dominated, environments based on observation, experimentation, modeling, engineering analysis, and design

25. OVERARCHING QUESTION How do changes in human populations and their behavior, climate variation, altered biogeochemical cycles, and biotic structure interact to affect ecosystem structure and function and their services to society? • Changes in human population density • Redistribution of population nationally and locally • Increased availability and distribution of limiting resources • Altered biotic composition and structure • Increased variability in environmental drivers (e.g. climate, sea level rise)

26. Dynamics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems (CNH) This topical area focuses on the complex interactions among human and natural systems at diverse spatial, temporal, and organizational scales. To be competitive for support, teams of investigators drawn from natural, social, and mathematical sciences, engineering, and education must examine the dynamics of appropriate natural and human systems as well as the interactions that link those human and natural systems.

27. Directorate for Geosciences

28. Carbon and Water in Earth Systems This solicitation invites proposals aimed at closing significant gaps in our understanding of the complex relationships between and within the global water and carbon cycles. In particular, we seek proposals that cross the interfaces of land, atmosphere and oceans. Proposals should span traditional interdisciplinary boundaries… • Estimated Number of Awards: 14 to 25 • Anticipated Funding Amount: $32,000,000 pending availability of funds.

29. Coupled Biogeochemical Cycles (CBC) Intersections of the hydrological and ecological sciences, for example, climate alteration by terrestrial vegetation, ecosystem and hydrological functions of riparian zones, hydrological controls on aquatic ecosystems, and ecosystem vulnerability and resilience to extreme hydrological events.  ·         The effect of soil physical and chemical properties on rhizosphere functioning, alteration of the rhizosphere by changes in land use, and the responses of soil processes to global change.   ·        Innovative investigations into the coupling of chemical and physical processes or the kinetics and mechanisms of complex chemical reaction pathways important to achieving a quantitative, mechanistic understanding of a biogeochemical system.

30. Proposals may be submitted by single investigators or by teams, but must be highly interdisciplinary. Proposals may be submitted for projects up to 5-year duration. No project will be supported for more than $2 million.

31. New 2008 program focused on integrative modeling efforts among researchers in: water cycle science hydrologic science watershed science ~ 8 million

35. Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI) • Biology in Engineering • Complexity in Engineered and Natural systems • Critical Infrastructure Systems • Manufacturing Frontiers • New Frontiers in Nanotechnology programs coming with the 2007 funding request

36. Math and Physical Sciences Funding Increase ($M) Astronomical Sciences 15.46 7.7% Chemistry 10.32 5.7% Materials Research 14.54 6.0% Mathematical Sciences 6.44 3.2% Physics 15.37 6.6% Multidisciplinary Activities 2.72 9.2%

37. Cyberinfrastructure is ever-increasing (Bement, Apr. 2006) • Data mining • Big iron • Networking • Large sensor arrays • Observing systems $600 M for CI NSF-wide in 2007 request; $180 M (43.5% increase) in the new Office of Cyberinfrastructure (OCI)

38. NSF EPSCoR PROGRAM

39. NSF/EPSCoR In-Outreach efforts; • Increase NSF staff member visits to jurisdictions to inform administrators, scientists, jurisdiction leaders, students and the general public about NSF programs, priorities, policies, and procedures, and educate NSF about successes in EPSCoR • Internal efforts to educate NSF staff about the resources, capabilities and potential in EPSCoR jurisdictions (in-reach!) • Work with coordinators in each of the NSF Directorates and Programs in identifying and initiating contacts with NSF staff who can best respond to specific requests related to NSF programs • Cooperate with OLPA in NSF Day events held in EPSCoR jurisdictions • Work with jurisdictions on potential workshops of relevance to regions and the nation, including other NSF Directorate support

40. EPSCoR Workshops Discussion Topic • Increase communication and opportunities between and among jurisdictions and the NSF EPSCoR Office on S&E strengths and needs. These topics can be the basis for funded workshops. • Develop leadership in jurisdictions to identify and organize S&E workshops of value to jurisdictions, regions, and the nation. These workshops can range from S&E issues to management needs for large or complex programs. Proposals requesting workshop funding can come from the jurisdictions

41. COLLABORATION DISCUSSION TOPIC ADDING CAPABILITY THROUGH INCREASED FUNDING, DEMONSTRATING THE ROLE EPSCoR CAN PLAY IN ACI AND IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS BEING DEVELOPED AT NSF Focused Scientific Themes of Regional Relevance & National Importance Utilizes Entire Gamut of Jurisdiction’s Talent & Infrastructure for Thematic Research in Areas of Physical Sciences and Engineering Catalyze Formation Of Quality Research Collaborations/Collaboratories Expands Talent & Infrastructure Base Via Intra/Inter-Jurisdiction Partnerships Uses Cyber-Infrastructure Integrates R&E and Diversity

43. AMERICAN COMPETITIVENESS INITIATIVE (ACI) Four major elements: • Double the Federal investment in basic research programs in the physical sciences and engineering at NSF, Energy and NIST over 10 years • Make the Research and Development tax credit permanent • Invest $380 million in new Federal support for K-12 programs to improve the quality of math, science, and technological education at the Department of Education • Evaluate STEM programs across Federal Agencies to determine which are effective in meeting their stated goals

44. EPSCoR & CE-PART PurposeIdentify Program's Strengths/Weaknesses & Inform OMB Funding Decision & NSF Priorities CE Elements (Ideas) EPSCoR, SBIR/STTR, CREST, I/UCRC, RUI/ROA Format Answers to 30 Questions (Purpose, Planning, Management, Results) + Propose Metrics For Future Reporting Schedule Dec-Mar: Team Meetings and Prepare Draft Document April: Meet with BFA & OMB Examiner to Review Responses May: Final Draft to NSF SMART For Review June: Official Document to OMB for Review/Rating Sept: Rating Used In OMB/NSF FY-08 Budget Request 

45. FURTHER EVALUATION EMPHASIS AT NSF ONGOING GPRA & PART WITH NEW INITIATIVE VIA NSF FY-2007 BUDGET REQUEST THAT STATES AGENCY WILL: • "RELIABLY EVALUATE RETURNS RECEIVED FROM PAST R&D INVESTMENTS AND FORECAST LIKELY RETURNS FROM FUTURE INVESTMENTS.” AS NOTED IN SCIENCE (APRIL 21, 2006, P. 347) ARTICLE ENTITLED: "NSF BEGINS A PUSH TO MEASURE SOCIETAL IMPACTS OF RESEARCH": • “THE WHITE HOUSE IS ALSO FORMING AN INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE TO OVERSEE THE EVALUATION INITIATIVE.”

46. “Doubling the budget will be based on yearly evidence of improving each year. Next year’s money depends on showing that or how we have done more than last year.” Dr. Arden BementEHRAC Meeting, May 2006

47. EPSCoR Evaluation Steering Committee Doug MacTaggart Rose Shaw Norman Webb Paul Hill (Chair) Steve Borleske Fred Choobineh Barbara Kimball Jean’ne Shreeve Brad Weiner

48. 2005 COV RECOMMENDATIONS & OFFICE RESPONSES • ASSESSMENT OF LARGE RII-TYPE PROPOSAL WILL BE MORE RIGEROUS VIA COMBINATION OF AD HOC & PANEL REVIEWS. • USE OF REVERSE SITE VISITS DURING MIDDLE YEAR OF RII AWARDS AS PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOL. • OFFICE WILL WORK WITH JURISDICTIONS TO INCREASE OVERALL CAPACITY FOR PROGRAM/PROJECT EVALUATION USING EVIDENCE-BASED OUTPUTS & OUTCOMES. • OFFICE WILL INITIATE NEW PROGRAMMATIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAPABILITY ENHANCEMENT & RELATED JURSIDICTIONAL COMPETITIVENESS.

49. EPSCOR 2006 REVERSE SITE VISIT STRATEGY Concept and Implementation Plan PD discussion requested on need, process for implementation, and scheduling of proposed efforts.

50. CONCEPT • A component of EPSCoR’s oversight, management, assistance to awardees, and EPSCoR funding promotion strategy consisting of presentations to a panel at NSF’s headquarters. • This was a strong recommendation of the EPSCoR COV review