NSF Grant Writing Workshop: Funding Opportunities in Biology

1. Pepperdine University Sponsored National Science Foundation Grant Writing Workshop February 26, 2005

2. Funding Opportunities in Biology at the National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Integrative Organismal Biology Biological Infrastructure Environmental Biology Emerging Frontiers Directorate for Education and Human Resources Undergraduate Education

3. Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) Information and Automation Resources Unit (IAR) Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI) Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) Division of Integrative Organismal Biology (IOB) Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) HumanResources Ecological Biology BehavioralSystems Biomolecular Systems Developmental Systems Ecosystem Science Research Resources Cellular Systems Population & Evolutionary Processes Genes and Genome Systems Environmental &Structural Systems Plant Genome Research Program Systematic Biology &Biodiversity Inventories Functional & Regulatory Systems Emerging Frontiers (EF)

4. Keeping Abreast of NSF Opportunities My NSF News Service (set your own profile – weekly email update) http://www.nsf.gov/mynsf/

5. Division of Integrative Organismal Biology (IOB) Emphasizes systems critical to the form, function, development, and evolution of organisms • Behavioral Systems Cluster • Developmental Systems Cluster • Environmental & Structural Systems Cluster • Functional & Regulatory Systems Cluster

6. Behavioral Systems Cluster (IOB) The Behavioral Systems thematic area focuses on the development, function, mechanisms, and evolution of behavior, biological rhythms, and interactions between organisms including animals, plants, and microbes.

7. Developmental Systems Cluster (IOB) The Developmental Systems thematic area focuses on the nature, control, and evolution of those processes that comprise the life cycle of organisms.

8. Environmental and Structural Systems Cluster (IOB) The Environmental & Structural Systems thematic area focuses on the function and evolution of organisms in their physiochemical and biotic environments.

9. Functional and Regulatory Systems Cluster (IOB) The Functional & Regulatory Systems thematic area focuses on fundamental physiological mechanisms and how they have evolved, with emphasis on organisms as integrated systems.

10. Division of Molecularand Cellular Biology (MCB) • Biomolecular Systems Cluster • Cellular Systems Cluster • Genes and Genomes Systems Cluster Supports research and related activities that contribute to a fundamental understanding of life processes at the molecular, sub-cellular, and cellular levels

11. Biomolecular SystemsCluster (MCB) The Biomolecular Systems Cluster emphasizes the structure, function, dynamics, interactions, and interconversions of biological molecules.

12. Cellular SystemsCluster (MCB) The Cellular Systems Cluster focuses on the structure, function, and regulation of plant, animal and microbial cells, and their interactions with the environment and with one another.

13. Genes and GenomeSystems Cluster (MCB) The Genes and Genome Systems Cluster supports studies on genomes and genetic mechanisms in all organisms, whether prokaryote, eukaryote, phage, or virus.

14. Division ofEnvironmental Biology (DEB) • Ecological Biology Cluster • Ecosystem Science Cluster • Population and Evolutionary Processes Cluster • Systematic Biology and Biodiversity Inventories Cluster Supports fundamental research on populations, species, communities, and ecosystems

15. Ecological BiologyCluster (DEB) The Ecological Biology Cluster supports research on natural and managed ecological systems, primarily in terrestrial, wetland, and freshwater habitats.

16. Ecosystem ScienceCluster (DEB) The Ecosystem Science Cluster supports research on natural, managed, and disturbed ecosystems, including those in terrestrial, freshwater, and wetland (including salt marsh) environments.

17. Population and EvolutionaryProcesses Cluster (DEB) The Population and Evolutionary Processes Cluster focuses on population properties that lead to variation within and among populations.

18. Systematic Biology and Biodiversity Inventories Cluster (DEB) The Systematic Biology and Biodiversity Inventories Cluster supports the general science of systematics, whose three main missions are: to discover, describe, and inventory global species diversity; to analyze and synthesize the information derived from this global discovery effort into predictive classification systems that reflect the history of life; and to organize the information derived from this global program in efficiently retrievable forms that best meet the needs of science and society.

19. Division of BiologicalInfrastructure (DBI) • Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program (REU) • Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology (UMEB) • Multi-User Equipment Program (MUE) Program • The Instrument Development for Biological Research Program (IDBR) supports varied activities that provide infrastructure for contemporary research in biology including research resources and human resources

20. Research Experiencesfor Undergraduates The REU program provides opportunities for undergraduate students to experience hands-on participation in research or related scholarly activity. BIO provides support to grantees who involve students in either ongoing research (REU Supplements) or special training programs (REU Sites).

21. Undergraduate Mentoring inEnvironmental Biology The UMEB program is designed to enable institutions to create innovative programs that will encourage undergraduate students, especially those from under-represented groups, to pursue a career in environmental biology. UMEB supports projects designed to engage undergraduate students in year-round research activities and to provide sustained mentoring support.

22. Multi-User Biological Equipment and Instrumentation Resources (MUE) The MUE program provides support for the purchase of major items of instrumentation (funding ranging from $40,000 to $400,000) that will be shared by a number of investigators having actively-funded research projects in areas supported by the Directorate for Biological Sciences. It is expected that some of the identified users have active NSF support. The MUE program will give priority to proposals that involve multiple identified users with active NSF support. **RUI Proposals to MUE Program have fewer NSF support restrictions.

23. Instrument Development forBiological Research The Instrument Development for Biological Research (IDBR) Program supports the development of novel or of substantially improved instrumentation likely to have a significant impact on the study of biological systems at any level. The development of new, or substantial improvement of existing, software for the operation of instruments, analysis of data, or the analysis of images is also supported where these have the effect of improving instrument performance.

24. Emerging Frontiers (Cross Directorate) • Frontiers in Integrative Biological Research Large-scale integrative projects - up to $5 Million for up to five years • Research Coordination Networks Research efforts across disciplinary, organizational, institutional, and geographical boundaries • Nanoscale Science & Engineering Exploitation of physical, chemical, and biological properties of systems in the range of 01. - 100 nanometers; nanobiosensors • Other Programs – See EF homepage

25. What Other Funding OpportunitiesAre at NSF for Me?

26. Major ResearchInstrumentation Program(Office of Integrative Activities) • The MRI Program assists in the acquisition or development of major research instrumentation by U.S. institutions that is, in general, too costly for support through other NSF programs. The maintenance and technical support associated with these instruments are also supported. Proposals may be for a single instrument, a large system of instruments, or multiple instruments that share a common research focus. Deadline Date: Fourth Thursday in January Annually Program Solicitation: NSF 05-515

27. Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) • Supports teacher-scholars who will become the academic leaders of the 21st century • Supports plans that effectively integrate research and education • BIO minimum of $100,000 / year for 5 years Deadline: late July (check web site for 2005 date)

28. Research at Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) • Supports research by faculty with active involvement of undergraduate students • Strengthens the research environment in departments that are oriented primarily toward undergraduate instruction • Integrates research and education at predominantly undergraduate institutions Target Dates in January and July

29. Small Grants for Exploratory Research (SGER) • Small-scale, exploratory, high-risk/high-impact • Contact the NSF program officer(s) most germane to the proposal topic before submitting an SGER proposal • Project description 2 to 5 pages, $200,000 budget maximum

30. Opportunity for Increasing Participation of Underrepresented Groups ADVANCE Program For increasing the participation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers Check http://www.nsf.govfor a description of the 2005 program.

31. Opportunities for Supplementing Ongoing Awards • Research Experiences for Undergraduates supports undergraduate researchers • Research Opportunity Award for faculty at predominantly undergraduate institutions to participate in NSF-supported projects • Research Experiences for Teachers builds long term collaborative relationships between K-12 teachers of science and mathematics and the NSF research community

32. Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) • Division of Educational System Reform (ESR) • Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Informal Education (ESIE) • Division of Experimental Programs to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) • Division of Graduate Education (DGE) • Division of Human Resource Development (HRD) • Division of Research, Evaluation, and Communication (REC) • Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) (~$160M)

33. Directorate for Education and Human Resources Division of Undergraduate Education Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) Objective: To invigorate and improve the quality of STEM undergraduate education obtained by all students at all types of institutions. Tracks: • Educational Materials Development (EMD) • National Dissemination (ND) • Assessment of Student Achievement (ASA) • Adaptation and Implementation (A&I)

34. How Do I Get Started?

35. Getting Started • Take your best research ideas for which you have some preliminary data • Develop hypotheses and experiments to take the next step(s). • Consider feasibility in a 36 to 60 month window • Consider what assistance you will need given teaching and other time commitments • Prepare a plan of attack

36. Getting Started • Communicate with a program officer • Assist in program selection • Provide advice about how to proceed • Examine prior NSF awards in similar areas • Visit www.nsf.gov. • Link to award information through BIO Award Search • Search by subject, institution, PI name

37. Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) • GUIDANCE AND REGULATIONS - Preparing and submitting proposals • DESCRIBES PROCESS - for declinations, returns withdrawals, and awards; significant grant administrative highlights.

38. NSF Decision-making for Unsolicited Proposals INSTITUTION Proposal Submission via Fastlane Returned Without Review AWARD Assignment To Program Division of Grants and Agreements Merit Review Process Mail reviews Panel review Division Director Review DECLINE Program Officer Recommendation

39. What does ‘Merit Review’ really mean?

40. NSF invests in the great ideas from capable people as determined by competitive merit review. Merit Review Criteria Criterion 1:What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity? Criterion 2: What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity?

41. Criterion 1: Intellectual Merit • Potential to advance knowledge and understanding within and across fields • Creativity and originality of ideas • Conceptualization and organization • Qualifications of investigators • Access to resources • Established expertise or expert collaborations

42. Criterion 2: Broader Impacts • Advancement of discovery and understanding while promoting teaching, training and learning • Participation of underrepresented groups • Enhancement of infrastructure for research and education • Dissemination of results to enhance scientific and technological understanding • Benefits to society

43. How can I be successful in obtaining funding?

44. Tips for Success • Review proposals that have been funded • Contact PI’s • Have more than one person read your proposal prior to submission • Peers AND scientists not in your area. • If Rejected – Try Again • Talk with the Program Officer • Pay attention to Reviewer’s comments • Attend a Grant-writing workshop