Getting to Know NSF s Education Directorate: Relevant Grant Programs, Grant Writing, and the Proposal Review Process www.nsf.gov F. D. Rivera Program Director Knowledge Building Cluster NSF Division of Research on Learning (Associate Professor, Mathematics Department, SJSU)
NSF Strategic Goals Discovery Advance the frontiers of knowledge Learning Cultivate a world-class, inclusive science and engineering workforce Research infrastructure Build research capability via advanced instrumentation, facilities, cyberinfrastructure and experimental tools Stewardship Support excellence and ensure a capable and responsive organization
NSF Organizational Structure Discipline-based Directorates Biological Sciences Computer & Information Sciences & Engineering Education & Human Resources Engineering Geosciences Mathematical & Physical Sciences Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences Divisions within each Directorate Sections Programs within Sections Program Directors (permanent & IPAs)
EHR s Organizational Structure Division of Graduate Education (DGE) Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL) Office of the Assistant Director (OAD) Division of Human Resource Development (HRD) Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE)
Goals: EHR s Mission & Goals Mission: To enable excellence in U.S. STEM education at all levels and in all settings in order to support the development of a diverse and well-prepared workforce of scientists, technicians, engineers, mathematicians, and educators. To prepare the next generation of STEM professionals; To promote rigorous research and evaluation on STEM education and the workforce; To heighten the scientific literacy of the population; & To broaden participation in STEM.
Thematic Framework for NSF s Education and Human Resources Broadening Participation to Improve Workforce Development Enriching the Education of STEM Teachers Promoting Learning Through Research and Evaluation Furthering Public Understanding of Science and Advancing STEM Literacy Transforming STEM Education through Cyber-enabled Learning Strategies
Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL) DRL promotes innovative research, development, and evaluation of learning and teaching across all STEM disciplines by advancing cutting-edge knowledge and practices in both formal and informal settings.
DRL Core Programs Discovery Research K-12 (DR-K12) Informal Science Education (ISE) Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) Research and Evaluation on Education in Science and Engineering (REESE)
DRL---Discovery Research K-12 (DR-K12) Focuses on research, development and implementation of innovative resources, models and technologies for use by students, teachers, and policy makers Supports projects that either respond to immediate and pressing challenges facing K-12 STEM education or advances the frontier of STEM teaching and learning Elementary students collect data on birds. Program solicitation #: 08-502 Full proposal deadline: January 19, 2009
DRL---Informal Science Education (ISE) Increases interest, engagement, and understanding of STEM by individuals of all ages and backgrounds Advances knowledge and practice of informal science education Program solicitation #: 08-547 Letter of Intent deadline: September 18, 2008 Full proposal deadline: December 18, 2008
DRL----Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) Responds to the projections about the shortages of STEM professionals and information technology workers in the United States Supports the development, implementation, testing and scale-up of models, as well as research studies to address the shortage issues and to find solutions Program solicitation #: 08-526 Bering Strait School District uses numerical modeling software to infuse mathematical and physical science themes into studies of local climate change.
Program solicitation #: 08-585 Letter of Intent deadlines: October 17, 2008; October 09, 2009 Full proposal deadlines: November 21, 2008; November 12, 2009 National Science Foundation DRL---Research and Evaluation on Education in Science and Engineering (REESE) Supports three types of proposals: 1) Knowledge Diffusion; 2) Empirical Research; and 3) Large Empirical Research Catalyzes discovery and innovation at the frontiers of STEM learning and education Produces robust, high-quality research results Helps coordinate and transform advances in STEM education, research and evaluation
Division of Human Resource Development (HRD) HRD serves as a focal point for NSF s agency-wide commitment to enhancing the quality and excellence of STEM education and research through broadening participation of underrepresented groups and institutions.
HRD Core Programs Research in Disability Education (RDE) Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers Research on Gender in Science and Engineering (GSE) Centers for Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) Alliances for Broadening Participation in STEM (ABP) Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP)
Increases the participation of persons with disabilities in STEM education and careers. Three program tracks: HRD---Research in Disabilities Education (RDE) Demonstration, Enrichment, and Information Dissemination (RDE-DEI) Focused-research Initiative (RDE-FRI) Regional Alliances for persons with disabilities in STEM education. (RDE-RAD) Effective tools for visually impaired students in Chemistry Program solicitation #: 08-527
HRD---Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP) Sitting Bull College student is gathering up a net to capture animal data in environmental science research. Enhances the quality of STEM instructional and outreach programs at Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaskan Native-serving Institutions and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions Strengthens STEM teaching and learning to improve access to, retention within, and graduation from STEM programs Program Solicitation #: 08-533 Full Proposal Deadlines: October 20, 2008, annually thereafter for implementation projects
HRD---ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers Develops systematic approaches to increase the representation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers Supports systematic efforts to improve the climate for women in the U.S. academic institutions and to facilitate women s retention and advancement to the highest ranks of academic leadership The University of Michigan Ann Arbor established the Strategies and Tactics for Recruiting to Improve Diversity and Excellence (STRIDE) committee. Program Solicitation #: 07-582
HRD---Research on Gender in Science and Engineering (GSE) Broadens the participation of girls and women in all fields of STEM education by supporting research, the diffusion of research-based innovations, and extension services in education Girls received hands-on opportunities to engage in science activities through Bring Up the Girls in Science. Program Solicitation #: 07-578
HRD---Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) Enhances research capabilities of minority serving institutions through the establishment of centers that effectively integrate education and research Promotes the development of new knowledge, enhancements of the research productivity of individual faculty, and an expanded presence of students historically underrepresented in STEM disciplines Students work in one of 25 computer science laboratories at Florida International University. Program Solicitation #: 08-528
HRD---Alliances for Broadening Participation in STEM (ABP) Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) seeks to increase the quality and quantity of students receiving baccalaureate degrees in STEM fields. Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) provides significant financial support for matriculating candidates in STEM doctoral programs at eligible alliance sites. Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) furthers the graduate education of underrepresented students through the doctorate level, preparing them for pursuing careers as STEM faculty and research professionals. Program solicitation #: 08-545 Full proposal deadlines: October 10, 2008 (LSAMP); March 06, 2009 (BD) Dr. Carole Baldwin discusses some specimens of deep sea creatures with LSAMP participants. AGEP student, Victor Vega, graduated in 2007.
HRD---Historically Black Colleges and Universities-Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) Benedict College students work in the laboratory. Seeks to increase the quality of the STEM education at Historically Black Colleges and Universities Addresses HBCU s institutional STEM needs, long-term goals, and mission Supports Implementation Projects, Planning Grants, Education Research Projects, and Targeted Infusion Projects Program Solicitation #: 07-585
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), NSF 07-569 NSF-wide program that supports active research participation by undergraduate students Draws on the integration of research and education to attract a diversified pool of talented students into careers in science and engineering Projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program
Proactive Recruitment in Introductory Science and Mathematics (PRISM) New solicitation, NSF 08-596, developed in collaboration with DUE and OMA Genesis Our competitiveness depends upon education of the next generation scientific workforce. Science/engineering research is increasingly reliant on mathematical and statistical tools. Must inspire more undergraduates to be proficient in mathematics and statistics in preparation for modern scientific research and development work. Proposal deadline: February 16, 2009
Proactive Recruitment in Introductory Science and Mathematics (PRISM) Goal Strengthen the nation s scientific competitiveness by increasing the number of well-prepared, successful, US undergraduate majors & minors in science & mathematics
Proactive Recruitment in Introductory Science and Mathematics (PRISM) Mechanisms Improve the lower division (freshman & sophomore) experience to better prepare undergraduates to major in science and math Fund partnerships between mathematical science departments and other STEM departments
PRISM Project Requirements Partnership among academic units Mathematical sciences and science/engineering. At least one PI/Co-PI from each. Proactive recruitment Mechanisms to proactively identify and recruit capable lower division students. Proposal deadline: February 16, 2009
Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program Program Solicitation 08-557 Proposals to EHR due July 21, 2009 CAREER website Eligibility information Program description, especially integrated research and education plan Award amounts Proposal preparation Project Summary Intellectual Merit and Broader Impact Project Description Advisory Board Integrated Research and Education plan
Start EARLY Get acquainted with FASTLANE (www.fastlane.nsf.gov) Read the Program Solicitation and follow the guidelines. Spend a few minutes skimming the proposal and familiarizing yourself with its sections. Contact a program officer to discuss your idea; this provides useful information and often helps you to refine your idea; it may also prevent you from applying to the wrong program (e-mail is best). Become an NSF reviewer. The next slide is important. Getting Started
SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND It is not enough to write a good proposal. Sometimes it is not enough to write a competitive proposal. A highly competitive proposal always moves forward. An interesting high-risk or highly innovative project always gets our attention. A safe proposal is in limbo. Minimize jargon. Reviewers read 8 to 10 proposals each, so don t test their patience. Ideology minus Data = Annoying Ideology plus Data = Stronger. Next step: Make it interesting. No project is an island. All STEM education projects should have a strong evaluation plan and a strong Advisory Board. Do a literature review with a purpose. Provide details on methodolody (collection, analysis)
TRIAGE PRECIS Panel Procedure Default is not to discuss a proposal that receives ratings of Poor or Fair and none higher than Good. Discuss proposal if anyone wants to do so. Primary panelist summarizes proposal for benefit of rest of panel DISCUSSION Primary and secondary panelists, in turn, comment on proposal. All panelists then welcome to join in discussion Primary panelist (Scribe) writes panel summary of discussion OVERALL PANEL RANKING Panel places proposal into one of three discrete funding categories: Highly Competitive / Competitive / Not Competitive Proposals also ranked in analog fashion within category
Organization submits via FastLane Proposal Review Process and Timeline NSF Program Ad hoc Advise Panel Program Officers Recommend Division Director Concur Decline DGA Award Organization Proposal Receipt at NSF DD Concur 6 Months 30 Days DGA Award
NSF Merit Review Criteria Intellectual merit of proposed activity Important to advancing knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields? Qualifications of proposer? Sufficient access to resources? Proposed activity well conceived and organized? Suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?
Transformative Research Transformative Research involves ideas, discoveries, or tools that radically change our understanding of an important existing scientific or engineering concept or educational practice or leads to the creation of a new paradigm or field of science, engineering, or education. Such research challenges current understanding or provides pathways to new frontiers. Transformative research results often do not fit within established models or theories and may initially be unexpected or difficult to interpret: Their transformative nature and utility might not be recognized until years later. Characteristics of transformative research are that it: Challenges conventional wisdom; Leads to unexpected insights that enable new technologies or methodologies; or Redefines the boundaries of science, engineering, or education.
NSF Merit Review Criteria Broader impacts Promote teaching, training, and learning? Broaden the participation of underrepresented groups? Enhance the infrastructure for research and education? Disseminate results broadly? Benefit society?
What makes a proposal competitive? Do your homework Read the solicitation (more than once) Familiarize yourself with the NSF website, especially the Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) and FastLane Talk to NSF Program Officers about your ideas Ground the proposed project in relevant and appropriate literature Check the NSF Awards Search Page Getting appropriate expertise on advisory board (relevant high profile folks are great) Advisory board can be evaluators Budget for external evaluators (Don t be and do everything.)
Necessary conditions for competitive proposals STEM content clearly articulated (include examples!) Research design and methodology sufficiently discussed Strong arguments for importance of the problem Integration of research and education Local and global dissemination
Communicate and write clearly More Suggestions Research objectives and questions Focused STEM content Research design and methodology Plans for carrying out the proposed work Links to relevant literatures Addressing the two merit review criteria Ask colleagues to read and critique your proposal (presubmission review)
Follow the rules Musts Margins, font size, 15-page limit Allowances for letters of collaboration and other supporting documents Budgetary limitations Project Summary/Project Description Grant Proposal Guidelines: Make sure you are not in violation or risk RWR. GPG: Provision for postdocs GPG: Two-month (and beyond) rule
Common reasons for proposals rated noncompetitive Data collection strategies are typically well-articulated, but data analyses plans are thin. Not enough information given about the mathematical content. Relevant literatures not cited. Expertise not represented.
The PI receives NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 4201 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, Virginia 22230 Dear Dr. Doe, The National Science Foundation hereby awards a grant of... $ NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 4201 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, Virginia 22230 Dear Dr. Doe, I regret to inform you that the National Science Foundation is unable to support your proposal referenced above... Your reviews (verbatim & anonymous) Panel Summary (verbatim & anonymous) Context statement & award/declination letter
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