Unveil the mystery of research grant: Helpful hints for seeking funding from the National Science Foundation Chu-Hsiang (Daisy) Chang, Science of Organizations Social, Behavioral, & Economic Sciences Directorate Clemson U Oct 2017
National Science Foundation • Created by Congress in 1950 • “to promote the progress of science, to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense. . .” • Annual budget of about $7 billion
National Science Foundation • Under increasing pressure to provide quality research when using taxpayer dollars • “NSF must focus research funding on areas most likely to strengthen the economy, national security, and other national priorities.” --Rep. Lamar Smith R-Texas
Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate • 1 of 7 NSF Directorates • Annual budget of approximately $254 million • Funds more than 50% of federally funded basic research in SBE fields in academic institutions • Most of the funds go to peer-reviewed grants to individuals and small groups • Also provides funding to major surveys; collect data on the science and engineering enterprise
Office of the Director Directorate for Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences National Center for Science Social and Economic Behavioral and Cognitive and Engineering Statistics Sciences Sciences
Social and Economic Sciences Division • Decision, Risk, and Management Science (DRMS) • Economics • Law and Social Sciences (LSS) • Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics (MMS) • Political Science • Science of Organizations (SoO) • Science, Technology, and Society (STS) • Sociology
Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences Division • Archaeology • Biological Anthropology • Cultural Anthropology • Cognitive Neuroscience • Developmental Sciences • Science of Learning • Documenting Endangered Languages • Geography and Spatial Sciences (GSS) • Linguistics • Perception, Action, and Cognition (PAC) • Social Psychology • And cross-directorate initiatives/activities…
Where to start with writing a proposal? • A basic idea • Research questions/ hypotheses • Methods • Check to see what awards have been previously funded (www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/) • Think about scale and budget and be sure these are within the scale of the program you are applying to.
What is in a proposal? • Project summary: 1 page • Project description: up to 15 pages • References • Biosketches • Budget and budget justification • Current and pending support • Facilities, equipment and other Resources • Special information and supplementary documentation
Be sure to pay attention to ... • Data Management Plan (DMP) • All proposals must describe plans for data management and sharing • Sharing data, coding schemes, analysis strategies; archiving to assure replication of findings • Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan • If request money for a postdoc, must have plan as supplementary doc (1 page) • IRB (Human Subjects) Clearance • No award involving human subject can be made without IRB approval or exemption. • This approval is not needed at the time of proposal application, but PIs are urged to have their approval pending.
Proposal Tips • Give yourself plenty of time – Do not expect to be successful by “throwing something together at the last minute” – Proposal writing is a craft • Focus on theoretical foundations and prospective theoretical contributions of the project. • Build in a strong case for societal benefits • Make sure the budget is well justified.
Merit Review • Intellectual Merit – Potential to advance knowledge • Broader Impacts – Potential to benefit society and contribute to specific, desired societal outcomes
Be engaged with NSF • Communicate with your program directors via email – Prior to submitting your proposal to make sure that the topic fits – Get their feedback about the fit between your proposed research with the program’s funding scope • Consider serving as an ad hoc reviewer – Contact the program director(s) with a list of keywords • Sign up for NSF weekly digest
Life of a Proposal NSF Returned as Inappropriate/Withdrawn Proposal Generating Award via Document DGA Organizatio n Program Minimum Officer submits Proposal of 3 Division Analysis via Processing Reviews Director & FastLane Unit Required Concur Recom- Ad hoc mendation *Panel NSF Program Decline Officer *Co-reviews with Organization other panels Research & Education Communities Proposal received by NSF Div. Dir. Concur Award 4-5 months 30 days DGA Review & Proposal Preparation Time Review of Proposal P.O. Recommend Processing of Award
Beyond the Standard Research proposals CAREER Solicitation (NSF 17-537) • Available in all NSF programs • Untenured faculty (or comparable) • Single scholar award • ~ $400,000 - $450,000, 5-years minimum award • Three CAREER proposal submissions lifetime limit • Mid to late July deadline (varies by discipline and year) • High Prestige/High Expectations • Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)
Beyond the Standard Research proposals RAPID • Rapid response research • “…severe urgency with regard to availability of, or access to, data, facilities or specialized equipment, including quick-response research on natural or anthropogenic disasters and similar unanticipated events.” • Can be initiated by the PI or by NSF (in the form of a Dear Colleague Letter) • Need to check in with the program directors to see if a RAPID proposal is appropriate • Budget is under $200K for one year
Beyond the Standard Research proposals EAGER • EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research • “…exploratory work in its early stages on untested, but potentially transformative, research ideas or approaches.” • Can be initiated by the PI or by NSF (in the form of a Dear Colleague Letter) • Need to check in with the program directors to see if a EAGER proposal is appropriate • Budget is under $300K for two years
Beyond the Standard Research proposals Workshop or conference grant • Designed to bring experts together to discuss recent research or education findings or to expose other researchers or students to new research and education techniques • A good mechanism to get a small pot of money to support the initial establishment of a research network or collaboration • PI needs to work with program director to refine the workshop theme/invited experts • Suggested budget is $50K
QUESTIONS? Search the website, www.nsf.gov , then feel free to contact a program officer in a program that you feel you are interested in for further information. Email communication is generally preferred.
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