December 2012 Grants Office Newsletter

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY

PRELIMINARY PROPOSAL DUE: JAN 23
WEB: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503634

The Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) supports fundamental research on populations, species, communities, and ecosystems. Scientific emphases range across many evolutionary and ecological patterns and processes at all spatial and temporal scales. Areas of research include biodiversity, phylogenetic systematics, molecular evolution, life history evolution, natural selection, ecology, biogeography, ecosystem structure, function and services, conservation biology, global change, and biogeochemical cycles. Research on organismal origins, functions, relationships, interactions, and evolutionary history may incorporate field, laboratory, or collection-based approaches; observational or manipulative experiments; synthesis activities; as well as theoretical approaches involving analytical, statistical, or computational modeling.

NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR EURASIAN & EAST EUROPEAN RESEARCH

DUE: FEB 15
WEB: http://www.nceeer.org/programs/national-research-competition.html

The National Council for Eurasian and East European Research (NCEEER) invites proposals for its National Research Competition. This competition provides funds for both collaborative and individual research projects in the humanities and social sciences in or on any country of Eurasia or East-Central Europe. The primary scholar on either a collaborative or individual project must be a US citizen or permanent resident and hold a PhD degree.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: Research Contracts support collaborative projects involving multiple post-doctoral scholars, or individuals with comparable research skills who do not hold PhDs, including at least one U.S.-based scholar or researcher with a maximum award of $70,000. Research Grants support research projects conducted by individual U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with a maximum award of $40,000. Contracts provide funding to scholars or researchers via institutional awards, while Grants are awarded directly to the scholar or researcher.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

DUE: JAN 15
WEB: http://www.si.edu/ofg/Applications/MEFELL/MEFELLapp.htm

The Smithsonian Postdoctoral Fellowship in Molecular Evolution will be offered to support research on molecular evolution and analytical methods in evolution at the Smithsonian Institution.

Eligibility: Applicants must propose to conduct research in-residence for a period of 12 to 24 months. Applicants must have completed or be near completion of the Ph.D. Recipients who have not completed the Ph.D. at the time of application must provide proof of completion of the degree before the fellowship begins.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: The stipend for Molecular Evolution Fellows is based on $45,000 per year and is prorated for periods between 12 and 24 months. In addition to the stipend, a travel allowance to assist with the fellow's temporary relocation to the Smithsonian is offered. Research supplies will be provided by the host unit.

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS

DUE: SEP 30
WEB: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503419

The Chemical Synthesis program focuses on the development of new, efficient synthetic methodologies and on the synthesis of complex molecules and molecular ensembles. Typical synthetic targets involve novel structures, structures displaying unique properties, or structures providing pathways to discover and elucidate new phenomena.

Examples of supported research areas include the development of innovative reagents, catalysts for synthetic transformations, discovery of new synthetic methods, target-oriented synthesis, green synthesis, and synthesis of novel organic, organometallic, and inorganic structures. Research in this program will generate fundamental knowledge of chemical synthesis that enables the development of new avenues of basic chemical research and transformative technologies. The Chemical Synthesis program does not support projects whose main objective is on the property of the systems even though it may involve a large synthetic component.

ASSOCIATION FOR INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH IMPROVING INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

DUE: JAN 10
WEB: http://forum.airweb.org/2013/Pages/ParticipateAndLearn/CallForProposals.aspx

With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), and the National Postsecondary Education Cooperative (NPEC), the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) operates two grant programs that support research on a wide range of issues of critical importance to U.S. higher education. The program has two separate purposes: (a) NSF and NCES support grants aim to increase the number of researchers using national datasets and demonstrate the contribution that these datasets make to the national base of knowledge on higher education policy, theory, and practice; and (b) The NPEC funding supports grants that increase the understanding and knowledge of a specific issue area identified by NPEC. Eligibility: All grant recipients must be affiliated with a U.S. postsecondary institution or relevant non-profit higher education organization. Doctoral students are eligible for dissertation grants.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: Research grants of up to $40,000 for one year of independent research. (Note: These research grants are not available to students). Dissertation grants of up to $20,000 for one year to support dissertation research and writing under the guidance of a faculty dissertation advisor.

Budget and Project Period: The major portion of the research should be completed between May 1, 2013, and April 30, 2014

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION CHEMICAL THEORY, MODELS AND COMPUTATIONAL METHODS

DUE: SEP 30
WEB: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503420

The Chemical Theory, Models and Computational Methods program supports the discovery and development of theoretical and computational methods or models to address a range of chemical challenges, with emphasis on emerging areas of chemical research. Proposals that focus on established theoretical or computational approaches should involve innovative additions or modifications that substantially broaden their applicability. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, electronic structure, quantum reaction dynamics, statistical mechanics, molecular dynamics, and simulation and modeling techniques for molecular systems and systems in condensed phases. Areas of application span the full range of chemical systems from small molecules to mesoscopic aggregates, including single molecules, biological systems and materials in condensed phases.

Despite the diverse application areas, the goal of the program is to support the development of new theoretical and computational methodologies that have the potential of being broadly applicable to a range of challenging chemical problems. We are particularly interested in fundamental areas of chemical research that are difficult or impossible to address using current synthetic, experimental, and/or computational methodologies. We encourage the integration of innovative software development with methodological and algorithmic development, especially computational approaches that allow efficient utilization of the high end computers of the future. Proposals that utilize established theoretical and modeling approaches to solve problems in chemistry, biology or materials discovery and design may be more appropriate for other programs in either the Chemistry division or in other Divisions or Directorates.

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION SMALL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE PROGRAM

DUE: JAN 15 APR 15 JUL 15 OCT 15
WEB: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-11-310.html

The FDA recognizes the value of supporting high quality, small scientific conferences. A small scientific conference is defined as a symposium, seminar, workshop, or any formal meeting, whether conducted face-to-face or virtually to exchange information and explore a defined subject, issue, or area of concern impacts the public's health within the scope of the FDA's mission. Support of such meetings is contingent upon the fiscal and programmatic interests and priorities of the FDA's respective Offices and Centers. Therefore, each small scientific conference grant application must contain a cover letter. The cover letter must clearly state the primary objectives of the meeting, anticipated outcomes, and the FDA Office/Center that the application should be forwarded to for consideration.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: Small scientific conference grant budgets must reflect the total cost of the conference, the costs for which support is requested (not to exceed $50,000), and a list of anticipated funders (federal and nonfederal).

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION: ROBERT NOYCE TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

DUE: Late March (solicitation released in January; letters of intent are due about a month before the deadline).
WEB: https://www.cfda.gov/?s=program&mode=form&tab=step1&id=b60b8566c26d035b3d9ee82a2e3a478a

Funding process for this program likely will mirror last year's effort, with the solicitation released in early January on Grant.gov followed by a late March deadline. The program encourages talented science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors and professionals to become K-12 mathematics and science teachers. Colleges, universities and nonprofits receive the funding and use it to support scholarships, stipends and academic programs for undergraduate and graduate STEM students, who must commit to teaching in high-need K-12 school districts.

Eligibility: Public and private colleges and universities and nonprofits

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: $55 million for 45 awards ranging from $150,000 to $3.2 million

HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHMATICS (STEM) CAREER DEVELOPMENT GRANTS (CFDA 94.104)

DUE: Late March (solicitation is expected to be posted on Grants.gov in January)
WEB: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=60714&mode=VIEW

CDG funds help create early and ongoing interaction between the homeland security and scientific communities and students studying in HS-STEM fields, to encourage a steady flow of new homeland security professionals. Grantees award undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships to students who intend to pursue HS-STEM careers.

Eligibility: Public and private colleges and universities

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: Approximately $2.5 million for 10 awards

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION PERCEPTION, ACTION AND COGNITION

DUE: FEB 1
WEB: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5686

Supports research on perception, action and cognition including the development of these capacities. Emphasis is on research strongly grounded in theory. Research topics include vision, audition, haptics, attention, memory, reasoning, written and spoken discourse, motor control, and developmental issues in all topic areas. The program encompasses a wide range of theoretical perspectives, such as symbolic computation, connectionism, ecological, nonlinear dynamics, and complex systems, and a variety of methodologies including both experimental studies and modeling. Research involving acquired or developmental deficits is appropriate if the results speak to basic issues of perception, action, and cognition.

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION INTERDISCIPLINARY BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH (IBSS)

DUE: JAN 23
WEB: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504832

The Interdisciplinary Behavioral and Social Science Research (IBSS) competition promotes the conduct of interdisciplinary research by teams of investigators in the social and behavioral sciences. Emphasis is placed on support for research that involves researchers from multiple disciplinary fields, that integrates scientific theoretical approaches and methodologies from multiple disciplinary fields, and that is likely to yield generalizable insights and information that will advance basic knowledge and capabilities across multiple disciplinary fields.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: $10 million for 10-15 awards.

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS IN THE MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

DUE: Full proposal accepted anytime
WEB: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=11701&org=DMS&from=home

Conferences, workshops, and related events (including seasonal schools and international travel by groups) support research and training activities of the mathematical sciences community. Proposals for conferences, workshops, or conference-like activities may request funding of any amount and for durations of up to three years. Proposals under this solicitation must be submitted to the appropriate DMS programs at the deadline specified on the program webpage.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRADUATE ASSISTANCE IN AREAS OF NATIONAL NEED

DUE: JAN
WEB: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=134294
Colleges and universities use GAANN funds to provide fellowships in areas of national need. The FY 2013 areas haven't been offered. Last year's areas were: Area Studies; Biological Sciences/Life Sciences; Chemistry; Computer and Information Sciences; Engineering; Foreign Languages and Literatures; Mathematics; Nursing; Physics; and Educational Evaluation, Research and Statistics.

Eligibility: Public and private colleges and universities (a 25% match is required)

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: Grants are up to $60,000 over a two-year period, or $30,000/year. The Senate DoEd funding bill (S 3295) would provide full funding ($30 million) for this program. The House has offered a draft DoEd proposal, which doesn't mention GAANN funding. This program's solicitation generally is among the first to be released each fiscal year. Last year's version was released in December, with a January deadline.

WHITEHALL FOUNDATION GRANT PROGRAMS

DUE: JAN 15 APR 15 OCT 1
WEB: http://www.whitehall.org/

The Foundation offers Research Grants and Grants-in-Aid. Research grants in neurobiology are available to established scientists of all ages working at accredited institutions in the United States. Applications will be judged on the scientific merit and the innovative aspects of the proposal as well as the competence of the applicant. Research grants of up to three years will be provided. A renewal grant with a maximum of two years is possible, but it will be awarded on a competitive basis.

Research grants will not be awarded to investigators who have already received, or expect to receive, substantial support from other sources, even if it is for an unrelated purpose. The Grants-in-Aid program is designed for researchers at the assistant professor level who experience difficulty in competing for research funds because they have not yet become firmly established. Grants-in-Aid can also be made to senior scientists. All applications will be judged on the scientific merit and innovative aspects of the proposal, as well as on past performance and evidence of the applicant's continued productivity.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number or Awards: Research grants normally range from $30,000 to $75,000 per year. Grants-in-Aid are awarded for a one-year period and do not exceed $30,000.

COUNCIL OF AMERICAN OVERSEAS RESEARCH CENTERS

DUE: JAN 15
WEB: http://www.caorc.org/programs/multi.htm

The Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) Multi-Country Fellowship Program supports advanced regional or trans-regional research in the humanities, social sciences, or allied natural sciences for U.S. doctoral candidates and scholars who have already earned their Ph.D. Preference will be given to candidates examining comparative and/or cross-regional research. Applicants are eligible to apply as individuals or in teams. Scholars must carry out research in two or more countries outside the United States, at least one of which hosts a participating American overseas research center.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: Approximately nine awards of up to $10,500 each will be given.

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION SOCIAL, BEHAVIORAL AND ECONOMIC SCIENCES

WEB: http:www.nij.gov/nij/funding/forthcoming.htm

NSF is pleased to announce that on September 10th, NSF's Directorate for the Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences and the Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice, (NIJ) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines a framework for cooperation and collaboration in the social, behavioral, and forensic sciences. NSF and NIJ have distinct but complementary missions. NSF focuses on promoting the progress of science to advance the national health, prosperity and welfare and to secure the national defense, while NIJ seeks to provide objective and independent knowledge and tools to reduce crime and promote justice, particularly at the state and local levels.

By working together, the two agencies can build on one another's strengths and leverage resources to identify and support innovative, cutting-edge social and forensic science research on crime, violence and victimization. The Law & Social Sciences Program considers proposals that address social scientific studies of law and law-like systems of rules. The program is inherently interdisciplinary and multi-methodological. Successful proposals describe research that advances scientific theory and understanding of the connections between law or legal processes and human behavior. Social scientific studies of law often approach law as dynamic, made in multiple arenas, with the participation of multiple actors.

Fields of study include many disciplines, and often address problems including though not limited to: Crime, Violence and Punishment; Economic Issues; Governance; Legal Decisionmaking; Legal Mobilization and Conceptions of Justice; Litigation and the Legal Profession. LSS provides the following modes of support: Standard Research Grants and Grants for Collaborative Research; Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants; Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Fellowships; Workshop and Conference Proposals

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: The award size for IES projects is expected to award 75 grants up to $300,000.

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION SCIENCE OF ORGANIZATIONS

DUE: FEB 2
WEB: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504696

Organizations -- private and public, established and entrepreneurial, designed and emergent, formal and informal, profit and nonprofit -- are critical to the well-being of nations and their citizens. The Science of Organizations (SoO) program funds basic research that yields a scientific evidence base for improving the design and emergence, development and deployment, and management and ultimate effectiveness of organizations of all kinds. SoO funds research that advances our fundamental understanding of how organizations develop, form and operate. Successful SoO research proposals use scientific methods to develop and refine theories, to empirically test theories and frameworks, and to develop new measures and methods. Funded research is aimed at yielding generalizable insights that are of value to the business practitioner, policy-maker and research communities. SoO welcomes any and all rigorous, scientific approaches that illuminate aspects of organizations as systems of coordination, management and governance.

In considering whether a particular project might be a candidate for consideration by SoO, please note: Intellectual perspectives may involve (but are not limited to) organizational theory, behavior, sociology or economics, business policy and strategy, communication sciences, entrepreneurship, human resource management, information sciences, managerial and organizational cognition, operations management, public administration, social or industrial psychology, and technology and innovation management. Phenomena studied may include (but are not limited to) structures, routines, effectiveness, competitiveness, innovation, dynamics, change and evolution. Levels of analysis may include (but are not limited to) organizational, cross-organizational collaborations or relationships, and institutional and can address individuals, groups or teams. Research methods may be qualitative and quantitative and may include (but are not limited to) archival analyses, surveys, simulation studies, experiments, comparative case studies, and network analyses.

Consistent with NSF merit review criteria, each SoO proposal should discuss both the intellectual merit and the potential broader impacts of the proposed research. SoO values basic research that has the potential to provide broader societal benefits. However, the majority of space in any proposal will need to be dedicated to the explication of theory, methods, and specific contribution to the evidence base about organizational effectiveness. Projects that aim to implement and subsequently evaluate particular organizational training, effectiveness or change programs, rather than to advance fundamental, generalizable knowledge, are not appropriate for SoO. Researchers who seek to conduct SoO-appropriate research in an industrial site and/or via an industry-university collaboration are invited to also look at the Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaisons with Industry(GOALI) program web site.

COTTELL COLLEGE SCIENCE AWARDS

DUE: JAN 15, JUN 15
WEB: http://www.rescorp.org/grants-and-awards/cottrell-college-science-awards/multi-investigator

The MI-CCSA program is aimed at helping start sustainable, collaborative programs of research by cross-disciplinary teams of faculty from science departments in primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs). The program is focused on helping early career faculty jumpstart research programs that tackle complex scientific problems. The research project should be one that could not be effectively approached by an individual researcher or a group of researchers within the same discipline or sub-discipline. Rather, it is aimed at projects that, by their complexity and interdisciplinary nature, require a cross-disciplinary team approach to achieve significant progress and sustainability. In addition, the proposed research should help enhance interdisciplinary educational activities at the home institution.

Eligibility: The application process is initiated by taking an eligibility quiz to establish both institutional and team eligibility. Eligible teams will be directed to a webpage containing application forms and instructions for online submission. Applications will be accepted from teams of faculty members at public and private institutions of higher education in the United States. Applicants must hold tenure-track faculty appointments at departments that offer baccalaureate, but not doctoral, degrees, in the applicants' disciplines. Institutional commitment to research is an important consideration in evaluating the potential of the proposal. Applications will be accepted from teams of faculty with a demonstrated interdisciplinary constituency.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: The award amount is $75,000 for a two-investigator team and $100,000 for a three-investigator team. The award duration is two years with a single, one-year, no-cost extension available on request. An institutional match of $25,000 is required on all applications. Allowed budget categories include faculty summer stipends, student summer stipends, equipment, supplies and funds for travel needed to conduct the research.

AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION

DUE: FEB 4
WEB: http://www.apsanet.org/content_9222.cfm

The APSA Small Research Grant Program supports research in all fields of political science. The intent of these grants is to support the research and further the careers of political scientists who are not employed at Ph.D.-granting departments in the field. Prior grant recipients have been able to publish several books and book chapters, journal articles, working papers, and conference presentations as the result of the grants. They also report benefits to students, who have been able to serve as co-authors or research assistants on the grant-funded projects. Several recipients were also able to use the APSA grant as "seed money" to gain additional funding.

Eligibility: Applicants must be APSA members at the time of application and when the funds are dispersed. The principal investigator and any co-author must be one of the following: (1) A faculty member at a college or university that does not award a Ph.D. in political science, public administration, public policy, international relations, government, or politics, and whose primary appointment is in one of these departments; or (2) A political scientist not affiliated with an academic institution and is either (a) unemployed or (b) working in a research organization such as a think tank.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: A small number of these grants are awarded annually by the Council on the basis of a peer-review process. Individual grants may not exceed $2,500 and are not renewable.

CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND COOPERATION STANFORD UNIVERSITY CISAC FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

DUE: FEB 1
WEB: http://cisac.stanford.edu/fellowships/

Through the Center's annual fellowship competition, a small number of scholars are selected to spend the academic year engaged in research and writing on campus. Mentoring is a crucial part of the fellowship program. Fellows are encouraged and expected to participate in seminars, and to interact and collaborate with leading faculty and researchers. Natural scientists have the opportunity to conduct science-based research into the scientific and technical aspects of a security topic of their own choosing; they may also work in collaboration with a faculty member.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: Predoctoral fellows receive stipends comparable to those awarded by the Stanford Graduate Fellowships program. Postdoctoral fellows receive stipends determined by length of time passed since month and year of PhD completion and experience. Junior faculty and professional stipends are commensurate with experience. Past predoctoral fellows have received stipends in the range of $25,000 to $30,000; post-doctoral fellows have received stipends in the range of $48,000 to $65,000.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS THE BIG READ

DUE: FEB 5
WEB: http://www.neabigread.org/application_process.php

The Big Read is designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment. The Big Read provides organizations with grants and comprehensive resources that support their efforts to read and discuss a single book or the work of a poet. The Big Read is managed by Arts Midwest. The Big Read supports organizations across the country in developing community-wide reading programs which encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences. These programs include activities such as author readings, book discussions, art exhibits, lectures, film series, music or dance events, theatrical performances, panel discussions, and other events and activities related to the community's chosen book or poet. Organizations selected to participate in The Big Read receive a grant, access to online training resources and opportunities, and educational and promotional materials designed to support widespread community involvement.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants include such organizations as literary centers, libraries, museums, colleges and universities, art centers, historical societies, arts councils, tribal governments, humanities councils, literary festivals, and arts organizations. (b) Partner with a library (if the applicant organization itself is not a library). (c) Select one of the 30 available reading choices. (d) Have a DUNS number and be registered with the federal government's System for Award Management (SAM) in order to receive federal funds. Registration is free.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: Eligible organizations may apply for grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000. Grants must be matched 1 to 1 with nonfederal funds. Grant funds may be used for such expenses as book purchases, speaker fees and travel, salaries, advertising, and venue rental.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS OUR TOWN

DUE: JAN 14
WEB: http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/OurTown/index.html

Art works to improve the lives of America's citizens in many ways. Communities across our nation are engaging design and leveraging the arts to create livable, sustainable neighborhoods with enhanced quality of life, increased creative activity, distinct identities, a sense of place, and vibrant local economies that capitalize on existing local assets.

Eligibility: All applications must have partnerships that involve two primary partners: a nonprofit organization and a local governmental entity. One of the two primary partners must be a cultural (arts or design) organization. Additional partners are welcomed.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: Grant requests must be requested at one of the following levels: $25,000, $50,000, $75,000, $100,000, $150,000, or $200,000. Very few grants are made at the $200,000 level; these will be only for projects of significant scale and impact. All grants require a nonfederal match of at least 1 to 1.

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION EXPLOITING PARALLELISM AND SCALABILITY (XPS)

DUE: FEB 20
WEB: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/ pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504842
http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf13507

Computing systems have undergone a fundamental transformation from the single-processor devices of the turn of the century to today's ubiquitous and networked devices and warehouse-scale computing via the cloud. Parallelism has become ubiquitous at many levels. The proliferation of multi- and many-core processors, ever-increasing numbers of interconnected high performance and data intensive edge devices, and the data centers servicing them, is enabling a new set of global applications with large economic and social impact. At the same time, semiconductor technology is facing fundamental physical limits and single processor performance has plateaued. This means that the ability to achieve predictable performance improvements through improved processor technologies has ended.

The Exploiting Parallelism and Scalability (XPS) program aims to support groundbreaking research leading to a new era of parallel computing. XPS seeks research re-evaluating, and possibly re-designing, the traditional computer hardware and software stack for today's heterogeneous parallel and distributed systems and exploring new holistic approaches to parallelism and scalability. Achieving the needed breakthroughs will require a collaborative effort among researchers representing all areas-from the application layer down to the micro-architecture-- and will be built on new concepts and new foundational principles. New approaches to achieve scalable performance and usability need new abstract models and algorithms, programming models and languages, hardware architectures, compilers, operating systems and run-time systems, and exploit domain and application-specific knowledge. Research should also focus on energy- and communication-efficiency and on enabling the division of effort between edge devices and clouds

THE LEWIS AND CLARK FUND FOR EXPLORATION AND FIELD RESEARCH

DUE: FEB 1
WEB: http://www.amphilsoc.org/grants/lewisandclark

The Lewis and Clark Fund (initially supported by the Stanford Ascherman/Baruch Blumberg Fund for Basic Science, established by a benefaction from the late Stanford Ascherman, MD, of San Francisco) encourages exploratory field studies for the collection of specimens and data and to provide the imaginative stimulus that accompanies direct observation. Applications are invited from disciplines with a large dependence on field studies, such as archeology, anthropology, biology, ecology, geography, geology, linguistics, paleontology, and population genetics, but grants will not be restricted to these fields. Graduate students and postdoctoral and junior scientists wishing to pursue projects in astrobiological field studies should consult the program description and application forms for the Lewis and Clark Fund in Exploration and Field Research in Astrobiology.

CAMILLE DREYFUS TEACHER-SCHOLAR AWARDS PROGRAM
DUE: FEB 10
WEB: http://www.dreyfus.org/awards/camille_dreyfus_teacher_award.shtml

The Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program supports the research and teaching careers of talented young faculty in the chemical sciences. Based on institutional nominations, the program provides discretionary funding to faculty at an early stage in their careers. Criteria for selection include an independent body of scholarship attained within the first five years of their appointment as independent researchers, and a demonstrated commitment to education, signaling the promise of continuing outstanding contributions to both research and teaching.

Eligibility: The program is open to academic institutions in the States, Districts, and Territories of the United States of America that grant a bachelor's or higher degree in the chemical sciences, including biochemistry, materials chemistry, and chemical engineering. Nominees must hold a full-time tenure-track academic appointment, and are normally expected to have been appointed no earlier than mid-year 2007. Awardees are from Ph.D. granting departments in which scholarly research is a principal activity. Undergraduate education is an important component of the nominee's activities.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: The Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program provides an unrestricted research grant of $75,000.

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH & EXCHANGES BOARD

DUE: FEB 6
WEB: http://www.irex.org/application/short-term-travel-grants-stg-application

The Short-Term Travel Grants Program (STG) supports postdoctoral scholars and professionals to conduct independent or collaborative research in Eastern Europe and Eurasia. With its flexible format and quick turnaround time, this program meets an important need for the scholarly and policy communities, and makes a direct impact on the formation of U.S. foreign policy through the support of policy-relevant, "open-source" research on current regional issues of importance to the United States. STG is designed to allow scholars to conduct short, targeted projects without significantly affecting their teaching and work schedules. STG is sponsored by the Title VIII program through the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), U.S. Department of State.

Eligibility: STG applicants must have a graduate degree (PhD, MA, MD, MBA, MFA, MPA, MPH, MLIS, MS, JD) at the time of application and must be a U.S. citizens. STG applicants may not be pursuing a degree at the time of application. Eligible Countries of Research: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES (IMLS) MUSEUM GRANTS FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE

DUE: JAN 15
WEB: http://www.imls.gov/applicants/detail.aspx?GrantId=12

The mission of the Institute of Museum and Library Services is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. We provide leadership through research, policy development, and grant making. U.S. museums and libraries are at the forefront in the movement to create a nation of learners. As stewards of cultural heritage with rich, authentic content, libraries and museums provide learning experiences for everyone. IMLS has adopted a new strategic plan for 2012-2016, "Creating a Nation of Learners" . The goals focus on achieving positive public outcomes for communities and individuals; supporting the unique role of museums and libraries in preserving and providing access to collections and content; and promoting library, museum, and information service policies that ensure access to information for all Americans.

INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES (IMLS) SPARKS! IGNITION GRANTS FOR LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS

DUE: FEB 1
WEB: http://www.imls.gov/applicants/detail.aspx?GrantId=19

The Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries and Museums are a special funding opportunity within the IMLS National Leadership Grants program. These small grants encourage libraries, museums, and archives to test and evaluate specific innovations in the ways they operate and the services they provide. Sparks Grants support the deployment, testing, and evaluation of promising and groundbreaking new tools, products, or organizational practices. You may propose activities or approaches that involve risk, as long as the risk is balanced by significant potential for improvement in the ways libraries and museums serve their communities.

Eligibility: To maximize the public benefit from federal investments in these grants, the Sparks Grants will fund only projects with the following characteristics: Broad Potential Impact-Identify a specific problem that is relevant to many libraries, archives, and/ or museums, and propose a testable and measurable solution. Proposals must demonstrate a thorough understanding of current issues and practices in the project's focus area and discuss its potential impact within libraries, archives, and/or museums. Proposed innovations should be widely adoptable or adaptable. Significant Innovation-The proposed solution to the identified problem must offer strong potential for non-incremental, significant advancement in the operation of libraries, archives, and/or museums. You must explain how the proposed activity differs from current practices or takes advantage of an unexplored opportunity, and the potential benefit to be gained by this innovation

Web Conferencing with Program Staff: We invite you to participate in one of 2 pre-application web conferences to learn more about the program, ask questions, and listen to the questions and comments of other participants. The web conference schedule for the FY2013 Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries and Museums program are Wednesday, December 5, 2012, at 3:30 – 4:30 pm Eastern Time and Wednesday, January 9, 2013, at 3 – 4 pm Eastern Time. To participate in the web conference, a few minutes before it is scheduled to begin, log into: https://imls.megameeting.com/?page=guest&conid=Sparks_Applicant_Webinar Then, using any touchtone phone, call 1-866-299-7945. When prompted to enter a passcode, enter 7434925#.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: $10,000 to $25,000 is available for up to one year.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES (NEH) INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED TOPICS IN THE DIGITAL HUMANITIES

DUE: MAR 7
WEB: http://www.neh.gov/grants/odh/institutes-advanced-topics-in-the-digital-humanities

These NEH grants support national or regional (multistate) training programs for scholars and advanced graduate students to broaden and extend their knowledge of digital humanities. Through these programs, NEH seeks to increase the number of humanities scholars using digital technology in their research and to broadly disseminate knowledge about advanced technology tools and methodologies relevant to the humanities. The projects may be a single opportunity or offered multiple times to different audiences. Institutes may be as short as a few days and held at multiple locations or as long as six weeks at a single site. For example, training opportunities could be offered before or after regularly occurring scholarly meetings, during the summer months, or during appropriate times of the academic year. The duration of a program should allow for full and thorough treatment of the topic.

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION DIVISION OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOSCIENCES (MCB)

DUE: JAN 30, NOV 15
WEB: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13510/nsf13510.htm

Beginning in 2014, the program will have a single annual deadline of November 15. . There is no longer a limit on the number of proposals an investigator may submit, although applicants are strongly encouraged to serve as the lead investigator on only one proposal. MCB has also re-emphasized its interest in interdisciplinary, quantitative, and predictive research, resources, and methods while revising the clusters to which proposals may be submitted: molecular biophysics; cellular dynamics and function; genetic mechanisms; systems and synthetic biology.

MCB will continue to give high priority to research projects that use theory, methods, and technologies from physical sciences, mathematics, computational sciences, and engineering to address major biological questions. In vivo, in vitro, and in silico strategies may be used, and a broad spectrum of model and non-model organisms, especially microbes and plants, are eligible for support. It is important to note that human health and disease research are not appropriate and those proposals will be returned without review. Contact the program director for the appropriate cluster prior to submission to ensure the relevance of the proposed research to the MCB mission.

JAMES S. MCDONNELL FOUNDATION COLLABORATIVE ACTIVITY AWARDS

DUE: Anytime
WEB: http://www.jsmf.org/apply/collaborative/index.htm

The Foundation offers Collaborative Activity Awards to initiate interdisciplinary discussions on problems or issues, to help launch interdisciplinary research networks, or to fund communities of researchers/practitioners dedicated to developing new methods, tools, and applications of basic research to applied problems. In each case the focus of the collaborative activity must meet the program guidelines for one of the following program areas: (a) Studying Complex Systems; and (b) Understanding Human Cognition.

Eligibility: The 21st Century Collaborative Activity Awards are awards for multidisciplinary and multi-participant projects that address questions and topics relevant to the Foundation's core and complementary program areas. (1) Strong preference will be given to applications involving multi-institutional collaboration. (2) There are no geographic restrictions on these awards and the Foundation encourages international applications. (3) The lead applicant must be sponsored by a non-profit institution as defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. (4) The grantee institution must agree to administer the award and to waive all indirect and administrative costs.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: The budgets for collaborative activities will vary greatly depending on the scope of the proposed problem or project and on the number of people involved.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY FIELD RESEARCH

DUE: Anytime
WEB: http://nationalgeographic.com/field/ grants-programs/cre-application.html

The National Geographic Society awards grants or scientific field research and exploration through its Committee for Research and Exploration. All proposed projects must have both a geographical dimension and relevance to other scientific fields and be of broad scientific interest. Applications are generally limited to the following disciplines: anthropology, archaeology, astronomy, biology, botany, geography, geology, oceanography, paleontology, and zoology. In addition the committee is emphasizing multidisciplinary projects that address environmental issues (e.g., loss of biodiversity and habitat, effects of human-population pressures).

Eligibility: Applicants are expected to have advanced degrees (Ph.D. or equivalent) and be associated with an educational organization or institution. Independent researchers or those pursuing a Ph.D.-level degree may apply, but awards to non-Ph.D. applicants are rare. As a general rule, all applicants are expected to have published a minimum of three articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: While grant amounts vary greatly, most range from U.S. $15,000 to $20,000. There is no set quantity of grants awarded, but budget constraints keep the number to approximately 250 per year. As National Geographic Society funds are intended to function as complementary support, the committee strongly encourages applicants to seek additional, concurrent funding from other funding agencies. Committee grants tend to act as seed money and are given for one year's research.

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION ETHICS EDUCATION IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (EESE)

DUE: MAR 1
WEB: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13338

The Ethics Education in Science and Engineering (EESE) program funds research and educational projects that improve ethics education in all fields of science and engineering that NSF supports, with priority consideration given to interdisciplinary, interinstitutional, and international contexts. Although the primary focus is on improving ethics education for graduate students in NSFfunded fields, the proposed programs may benefit advanced undergraduates as well.

Eligibility: Only colleges and universities located and accredited in the U.S. or U.S.-based professional associations are eligible to apply to this program. Other types of organizations can be included only as non-lead collaborators or sub-awardees. In addition, accredited U.S. colleges and universities and U.S. professional associations can be non-lead collaborators or sub-awardees.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: $3 million for 6-10 awards.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES (NEH) SUMMER SEMINARS AND INSTITUTES

DUE: MAR 5
WEB: http://www.neh.gov/grants/education/summer-seminars-and-institutes

These grants support faculty development programs in the humanities for school teachers and for college and university teachers. NEH Summer Seminars and Institutes may be as short as two weeks or as long as five weeks.

NEH Summer Seminars and Institutes
- extend and deepen knowledge and understanding of the humanities by focusing on significant topics and texts;
- contribute to the intellectual vitality and professional development of participants;
- build communities of inquiry and provide models of civility and excellent scholarship and teaching; and
- effectively link teaching and research in the humanities.

An NEH Summer Seminar or Institute may be hosted by a college, university, learned society, center for advanced study, library or other repository, a cultural or professional organization, or a school or school system. The host site must be suitable for the project, providing facilities for scholarship and collegial interaction. These programs are designed for a national audience of teachers. Program Statistics In the last five competitions the Summer Seminars and Institutes program received an average of 145 applications. The program made an average of forty-eight awards per competition, for a funding ratio of 33 percent.

The number of applications to an NEH grant program can vary widely from competition to competition, as can the funding ratio. Information about the average number of applications and awards in recent competitions is meant only to provide historical context for the current competition.

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION PROMOTING RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN METHODOLOGIES FOR EVALUATION (PRIME)

DUE: FEB 20
WEB: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503586

The Promoting Research and Innovation in Methodologies for Evaluation (PRIME) program seeks to support research on evaluation with special emphasis on exploring innovative approaches for determining the impacts and usefulness of STEM education projects and programs; building on and expanding the theoretical foundations for evaluating STEM education and workforce development initiatives, including translating and adapting approaches from other fields; and growing the capacity and infrastructure of the evaluation field. Two types of proposals will be supported by the program: Exploratory Projects that include proof-of-concept and feasibility studies and more extensive Full-Scale Projects.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: $7 million for about 11-13 projects in FY 2013.

DIRKSEN CENTER CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH AWARDS

DUE: MAR 1
WEB: http://www.dirksencenter.org/print_grants_CRAs.htm

The Dirksen Congressional Center invites applications for grants to fund research on congressional leadership and the U.S. Congress. The Center, named for the late Senate Minority Leader Everett M. Dirksen, is a private, nonpartisan, nonprofit research and educational organization devoted to the study of Congress and its leaders. Since 1978, the Congressional Research Awards (formerly the Congressional Research Grants) program has invested more than $881,041 to support over 414 projects.

Eligibility: The competition is open to individuals with a serious interest in studying Congress. Political scientists, historians, biographers, scholars of public administration or American studies, and journalists are among those eligible. The Center encourages graduate students who have successfully defended their dissertation prospectus to apply and awards a significant portion of the funds for dissertation research. Applicants must be U.S. citizens who reside in the United States. The awards program does not fund undergraduate or pre-Ph.D. study. Organizations are not eligible. Research teams of two or more individuals are eligible. No institutional overhead or indirect costs may be claimed against a Congressional Research Award.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: A total of up to $35,000 will be available in 2013. Awards range from a few hundred dollars to $3,500.

ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION INVESTIGATOR AWARDS IN HEALTH POLICY RESEARCH

DUE: JAN 16, letter of intent
WEB: http://www.investigatorawards.org/

The RWJF Investigator Awards in Health Policy Research program supports researchers whose cross-cutting and innovative ideas promise to contribute meaningfully to improving health and health policy in America. The Foundation seeks a diverse mix of investigators to undertake studies that: (a) explore underlying values, historical evolution and interplay among the social, economic and political forces that shape health, health care and health policy in the United States; (b) apply new perspectives from a variety of disciplines to analyze the organization, delivery and financing of health care services, workforce issues and public health challenges; (c) develop innovative ideas that hold promise for contributing to better policy-making; (d) synthesize existing work in ways that expose its policy significance and advance the understanding of key issues; or (e) contribute importantly to implementation of health reform.

Eligibility: The Foundation welcomes applications from educational institutions or 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations located in the United States, or its territories, on behalf of investigators in fields such as anthropology, business, communications, demography, economics, engineering, ethics, genetics, health and social policy, health services research, history, journalism, law, medicine, nursing, political science, psychology, public health, science policy, social work, sociology and others who are affiliated with the applicant institution. Investigator candidates must be U.S. Citizens or permanent residents at the time of application.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: For this solicitation, the program will award up to $335,000 each to approximately eight investigators to complete projects that have national policy relevance. The awards last from 24-60 months. There will not be any extensions granted beyond 60 months.

TINKER FOUNDATION INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS

DUE: MAR 1 SEP 15
WEB: http://www.tinker.org/

The Foundation's Institutional Grants program has as its goal the creation of effective policy changes to improve the lives of Latin Americans. Taking into account developments that have taken place in Latin America over the last ten years, the Foundation recently embarked on an evaluation of its grantmaking efforts. As a result of this strategic planning process, the Board of Directors has identified five program areas in which focused, expert research and innovation has the potential to make significant positive impact. While they are similar in theme to the previous funding for environmental policy, economic policy and governance issues, each thematic program has been redefined and reoriented with respect to specific priorities. (1) Democratic Governance; (2) Education; (3) Sustainable Resource Management; (4) U.S. Policy toward Latin America; and (5) Antarctica Science and Policy. The latter two program areas have very limited funding.

SIGMA XI, THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SOCIETY GRANTS-IN-AID OF RESEARCH

DUE: MAR 15 OCT 15
WEB: http://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/giar/

The Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research (GIAR) program has been providing undergraduate and graduate students with valuable educational experiences for more than 80 years. By encouraging close working relationships between students and faculty, the program promotes scientific excellence and achievement through hands-on learning.

ELIGIBILITY: Only undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in degree seeking programs may apply. Undergraduates who are graduating seniors must plan to complete their research prior to graduation. While membership in Sigma Xi is not a requirement for application, 75% of funds are designated for use by individuals whose primary advisors are Sigma Xi members or who are Sigma Xi student members themselves. US Citizenship and residence not required. International applications are welcome.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards: The program awards grants of up to $1,000 to students from all areas of the sciences and engineering. Designated funds from the National Academy of Sciences allow for grants of up to $5,000 for astronomy research and $2,500 for vision related research. Students use the funding to pay for travel expenses to and from a research site, or for purchase of non-standard laboratory equipment necessary to complete a specific research project.