funding opportunities in sbe - csgs.org · funded in sbe through regular programs, standard merit...

Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Directorate March 3, 2017

Funding Opportunities in SBE

PRESENTED BY

Kwabena Gyimah-BrempongEconomics Program Director, SBE

National Science Foundation

NSF IN A NUTSHELL

Independent federal agency 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 $7.0 billion

Currently about 11,000 new awards per year, with an average duration of three years

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Annual budget of about $7.0 billion – funds approximately 20 percent of all federally supported basic research conducted by America’s colleges and universities Most of the funds support peer reviewed grants to individuals or small groups of investigators – currently about 11,000 new awards per year, with an average duration of three years NSF also provides funding for research centers, instruments, surveys and facilities

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Information & Resource

Management

Social, Behavioral, &

Economic Sciences

Office of Inspector General

National Science Board

Offices• International Activities• Integrative Activities• Legislative & Public Affairs• General Counsel• Diversity & Inclusion

Computer & Info. Science

& Engineering Engineering Geosciences

Mathematical & Physical Sciences

Education & Human

Resources

Budget,Finance &

Award ManagementBiological Sciences

Office of the Director

NSF SBE OVERVIEW$272 MILLION ANNUAL BUDGET (FY 2015 ENACTED)

Division of Social and Economic Sciences

Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences

National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics

Directorate for Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences

Dr. Fay Lomax Cook, Assistant Director Dr. Kellina Craig-Henderson, Deputy Assistant Director

SBE Office of Multidisciplinary Activities

SBE’S MISSION Promote the understanding of people and their lives by

supporting research that: Reveals basic facets of human behavior and Helps provide answers to important societal questions and problems

Work with other disciplines to ensure that basic research and solutions to problems build upon the best multidisciplinary science

Provide mission-critical statistical information about science and engineering in the U.S. and the world

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The mission of SBE is described here.

SBE FUNDING BREAKDOWN Peer-reviewed grants to individuals and small groups

Approximately 5,000 proposals and 1,000 awards in a typical year

Including research grants, doctoral dissertation research improvement grants, research experiences for undergraduates, workshops and supplements

Major surveys to collect data on the science and engineering enterprise Through the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics and grants to the research

community

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This is our funding breakdown: Peer reviewed grants of different types to individuals and groups of researchers Major surveys to track the Science and Engineering Enterprise

BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE SCIENCES (BCS)

Supports research to develop and advance scientific knowledge on: Human cognition Language Social behaviorCulture Interactions between human societies and the physical

environment

BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE SCIENCES

Archaeology and Archaeometry Biological Anthropology Cultural Anthropology Cognitive Neuroscience Developmental and Learning

Sciences

Documenting Endangered Languages

Geography and Spatial Sciences Linguistics Perception, Action, & Cognition Social Psychology

Programs:

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SCIENCES (SES)SEEKS TO ENHANCE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN, SOCIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL

BEHAVIOR BY SUPPORTING DISCIPLINARY AND INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH THAT ADVANCES KNOWLEDGE IN THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SCIENCES, AND BY BUILDING

SOCIAL SCIENCE INFRASTRUCTURE

Disciplinary programs: Economics Political Science Sociology

Interdisciplinary programs: Decision, Risk, and Management

Sciences Science of Organizations Methodology, Measurement, and

Statistics Science, Technology, and Society Law and Social Sciences

OVERVIEW OF STEM DATA AVAILABLE FROM THE NATIONAL CENTER OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

STATISTICS (NCSES) NCSES is a federal statistical agency within the SBE Directorate.

NCSES provides data users with objective, high-quality statistical information on U.S. and international science, engineering, technology, and R&D, and fosters research that improves the measurement and understanding of the science and engineering enterprise.

Five surveys collect data from or about universities and students:

Higher Education Research and Development Survey

Survey of Science & Engineering Research Facilities

Survey of Earned Doctorates

Survey of Federal Science and Engineering Support to Universities, Colleges and Nonprofit Institutions

Survey of Graduate Students and Post doctorates in Science and Engineering

NCSES DATA OF INTEREST Detailed Statistical Tables or eTables by survey:

http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/tables-by-survey.cfm

Institution level ranking tables for measures such as R&D expenditures, research space, number of S&E graduate students, S&E doctorates awarded.

Academic Institution Profiles: http://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/profiles/

Selected data for individual institutions on doctorates, graduate students, research funding and expenditures from four NCSES surveys.

WebCASPAR: https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/webcaspar/

Online table generator for NCSES data. Can choose data from several NCSES surveys by selected institutions and years to create custom tables.

For more information contact Ronda Britt, [email protected].

INFRASTRUCTURE American National Election Survey (ANES) –

Time-series surveys of voting, public opinion, and political participation (1948-2012)

General Social Survey (GSS) –Time series surveys that monitor changes in social characteristics and attitudes in the United States (1972-2014)

International Social Survey Programme (ISSP)-53 nation survey collaboration covering social science research topics

Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) –Longest running longitudinal household survey in the world on socio-economics and health over time and across generations (1968 – 2013)

INFRASTRUCTURE, CONTD.

Integrated Public Use Microdata Series, International (IPUMS-I) -Collects and distributes census data from around the world - currently 614 million person records from 277 censuses in 82 countries

Luxembourg Income Data Center (LIS) -Harmonizes datasets with income, wealth, employment, and demographic data from a large number of countries.

Federal Statistical Research Data Center (RDC)-Access to restricted-use microdata from a variety of statistical agencies, US Census Bureau Headquarters University of MD, College Park.

ON THE HORIZON…Newly established (2015) “Diversity and Inclusion in

Government Council” (OPM, OMB, & EEOC)SBE outreach to Minority Serving InstitutionsWomen and Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2016

(2017-2021) (pending approval)Broadening participation in HBCUs NSF 17-027

Contacts: [email protected], [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

PROPOSAL MECHANICS Standard research grants CAREER awards High risk awards (EAGER, RAPID) Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement grants* Training programs

Graduate Research Fellowships Post-doctoral Fellowships Research Experiences for Undergraduates

Workshops Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Awards Research Coordination Nks (RCNs)

ACCESS TO NSF FUNDING Submit a proposal to a standing program or submit a proposal to a

special competition.Merit Review by advisory panel or ad hoc reviewers or

combination of the two.NSF Review Criteria

Intellectual merit – “highest quality” and have the potential to advance, if not transform, the frontiers of knowledge.

Broader impacts… should contribute more broadly to achieving societal goals.

INFORMATION ABOUT FUNDINGRegular Program Announcements: Usually have target

datesSpecial Program Initiatives. May come once in a whileDear Colleague Letters (DCLs)

NSF 16-143 (Foundation-wide, congressional mandate) NSF 17- 027 (already referred to)

Funding information available at NSF website https://www.nsf.gov/funding/aboutfunding.jsp

WHAT TO CONSULT AND WHO TO CONTACT Documents to read before you prepare a proposal:

The solicitation or program announcement for the specific competition (and maybe an FAQ sheet).

The NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG; NSF 16-001), which usually is updated annually.

If there are disagreements between PAPPG and the solicitation, the solicitation takes precedence.

If you have questions or need help, contact:

The relevant program officer(s) if you have questions re: appropriateness of a proposal or interpretation of proposal-preparation guidelines and rules. (E-mail usually is better for initial contact, and it's best to make contact well before the proposal-submission deadline.)

The FastLane user-support desk if you have technical or procedural questions or problems. (Call 800-673-6188 between 7 AM and 9 PM ET M-F.)

MANAGING AWARDS SUCCESSFULLY Documents to read after you have received an award

The award letter from NSF (and all references cited in it).

The NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide.

Note that these documents give awardees considerable responsibility subject to some limitations

If you have questions or need help, contact:

The managing NSF program officer (who will be named in the award letter, with updates visible on research.gov).

The NSF grants officer (also named in the award letter or accessible via http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dga/docs/liaison.pdf).

Become aware of critical issues and processes for managing awards

Examples include reporting requirements for PIs, no-cost extension procedures, pre-award spending, transferring an award to a different organization, managing subawards, redirecting funds across budget lines.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRIMARILY UNDERGRAD INSTITUTIONS (PUI)

What’s a PUI? Funded in SBE through regular programs, standard merit review

process.Research in Undergraduate Institutions Awards (RUI): work on

your campus.Research Opportunity Awards (ROA): working with an NSF-

funded PI at the campus of a research university. Solicitation 14-579 has details about special info to include in

proposal.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE SBE SCIENTISTS

Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP).Research Assistantships funded by NSF research awards.Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIG).NSF-funded mentoring programs in SBE fields Political Science: Ralph Bunche Summer Institute Economics: AEA Summer Training Program

RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATES (REU)

Regular NSF proposals can put undergraduate students in the budget, or ask for REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) Supplements. Contact the Program Director for your existing grant or for the grant that you are planning to submit, to find out how that program handles REU Supplements.

REU Sites are standalone projects; every NSF directorate has an annual REU Site competition. See NSF REU program page at http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5517&from=fund. Deadline 4th

Wednesday in August, annually. More specific details on the SBE REU Sites program can be found here:

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503644

All REU Site proposals are reviewed in multi-disciplinary panels. There is one competition for the entire SBE Directorate.

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DCLs are Official requests for research proposals on specific topics and are often cross-disciplinary, applicable to a number of programs. Special solicitation are funding opportunities in target areas

http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5517&from=fund

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503644

SBE POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS (SPRF)

The SPRF program has two separate tracks

**Applicants must choose one**

1. Broadening Participation, SPRF-BP

To promote diversity in the scientific workforce

Previously called the SBE Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

2. Interdisciplinary Research in Behavioral and Social Sciences, SPRF-IBSS

To promote research in emerging interdisciplinary fields

Submission Deadline: Last Monday in October, Annually

SPRF Program Page for details, link to full solicitation, and FAQs: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504810

http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504810

FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN SBE SCIENCE

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SBE SCIENCES IN THE 21ST CENTURY: 2020 THEMES/REBUILDING THE MOSAIC

Future research will be: Interdisciplinary Data intensive Collaborative

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What are the opportunities for SBE Sciences? This is just what we asked the research community with the SBE 2020 activity. In 2010 Myron Gutmann, my predecessor as SBE Assistant Director, invited members of our research communities to submit white papers outlining the future of their sciences on a decadal scale in a project named “SBE 2020: Future Research in the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences”. 252 papers were submitted with over 500 authors represented. What ultimately emerged from this exercise was the report, Rebuilding the Mosaic. Fostering Research in the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences at the National Science Foundation in the Next Decade, published in 2011. The input we received addressed both the nature of future research in the SBE sciences, as well as content areas. The vision for future research in the SBE sciences is that it would be interdisciplinary, data intensive and collaborative. This vision is not unique to the SBE sciences; these themes have emerged across all of the scientific disciplines and engineering supported by NSF.

FUTURE RESEARCH WILL BE: 1) INTERDISCIPLINARY, 2) DATA INTENSIVE, AND 3) COLLABORATIVE

Interdisciplinary Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (IBSS) SBE Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (SPRF; IBSS track)Resource Implementations for Data Intensive Research in the

Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (RIDIR) Science of Learning: Collaborative Networks (SL:CN)

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Here are examples of SBE-led initiatives that address the nature of future SBE research: Initiated in September 2012, The Interdisciplinary Behavioral and Social Science Research (IBSS) competition invites research that involves research proposals that integrate theoretical approaches and methodologies from multiple disciplines. Although not required, researchers are especially encouraged to submit proposals for research on these topics, which were highlighted in the SBE Mosaic Report as important cross-cutting research areas for the future: Population Change; Sources and Consequences of Disparities; and Technology, New Media, and Social Networks. Our SBE Postdoctoral Research Fellowship program has a specific track for Interdisciplinary Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (SPRF-IBSS). It aims to support interdisciplinary training where at least one of the disciplinary components is an SBE science. The other track in this postdoctoral research fellowship program is broadening participation. It is an effort to increase the diversity of researchers who participate in NSF programs in the SBE sciences and thereby increase the participation of scientists from under-represented groups in selected areas of science in the United States. Resource Implementations for Data Intensive Research in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (RIDIR) is a solicitation that has just had its first round of competition, and has just been reissued for its second round. It supports the development of user-friendly large-scale next-generation data resources and analytic techniques to advance fundamental SBE science. RIDIR is part of NSF’s larger Cyberinfrastructure Framework for 21st Century Science, Engineering, and Education activity. Science of Learning: Collaborative Networks: Last year we funded 8 new collaborative networks for the Science of Learning. The Directorates for Education and Human Resources, Engineering, and Computer and Information Science and Engineering are our partners in this solicitation. This solicitation follows on our highly successful Science of Learning Centers program. The 6 Centers are graduating from 10 years of NSF support. Each collaborative network project includes partnership-building activities as well as exploratory, interdisciplinary research on a specific question in the Science of Learning. The research can be basic or translational. We construe the Science of Learning quite broadly and think about translating findings from basic research on learning to applications in education policy and practice, and also into the development of technology like robots.

UNDERSTANDING THE BRAIN

Cross-directorate activity to enable the scientific understanding of the full complexity of the brain in action and in context

SBE focus is to understand the dynamic relationship between brain structure and activity and human cognition and behavior.

2015 solicitation, Integrative Strategies for Understanding Neural and Cognitive Systems

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In 2016 SBE anticipates investing $25 million in Understanding the Brain, to support of the President’s BRAIN initiative and Congressional priorities in cognitive science and neuroscience. SBE’s aim is to advance the understanding of the dynamic relationship between brain structure and activity and human cognition and behavior, in areas like learning, memory, emotions, social judgment, and economic decision-making. We can support research that asks questions such as: What are the social and biological influences on brain plasticity and cognitive development? How are thoughts, feelings, memories and meaning represented in patterns of brain activity? How did the human brain evolve the capacities for language, learning, and tool use (e.g., those characteristics that make us human)? In 2015, four NSF directorates (SBE, CISE, ENG, EHR) jointly issued a solicitation, Integrated Strategies for Understanding Neural and Cognitive Systems. This solicitation invited proposals on two themes: Neuroengineering and brain-inspired concepts and designs Individuality and Variation

CYBERINFRASTRUCTURE FRAMEWORK FOR 21ST CENTURY SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND EDUCATION (CIF21)

Support development of user-friendly, large-scale, next-generation data resources and analytical techniques through the Resource Implementations for Data Intensive Research in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (RIDIR) program

Support innovative SBE big data applications through the BIGDATA program

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A 2nd cross directorate priority for SBE is creating a Cyberinfrastructure Framework for 21st Century Science, Engineering and Education – CIF21. SBE is planning to invest $7.26 million in FY 2016 in this. These days, data come from many sources: text, images, audio and emails; streaming data from weblogs, videos, financial/commercial transactions; information from social networking sites; hospital, government, and school records; or scientific data from large-scale surveys, brain imaging, and computational models. SBE scientists are developing the data analytic and management methods and techniques that will be needed to take advantage of these resources. We will do so through our RIDIR program, to support the development of new large scale databases, and improvements and merging of existing databases. And SBE will participate in the BIGDATA program to study how the collection, aggregation, and analysis of "big data" improve understanding of significant questions in the social, behavioral, and economic sciences.

SECURE AND TRUSTWORTHY CYBERSPACE (SATC)

Support research at the interstices of the social and computer sciences to achieve secure practices through both market mechanisms and behavioral incentives

Continue to support research on Privacy in Today’s Networked World

“Cybersecurity is a socio-technical problem — technology alone is not going to solve the problem. . . . The social dimension of security is important.”

- CISE AD Jim Kurose, 1/27/2015

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SBE anticipates investing $4 million in FY 2016 in NSF’s Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SatC) initiative. SaTC funding broadens the cybersecurity research portfolio through support for projects that bring together researchers with expertise in computer, computational, statistical, mathematical, social, behavioral, and economic sciences. We can, for example, investigate the motivations and incentives of individuals and institutions, both as attackers and defenders of cybersecurity. We can support investigations of: The relationship between technical and psychological conceptualizations of privacy and trust; Factors that encourage attention or inattention to privacy; The psychological or social consequences of privacy violations such as identity theft Worth noting: at a hearing held by the House of Representatives Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology earlier this year, CISE Assistant Director Dr. Jim Kurose stated that “[Cybersecurity] is a socio-technical problem – technology alone is not going to solve the problem. It is technology together with the correct application and understanding of the human dimension, and the social dimension of security is very important”.

INCLUSION ACROSS THE NATION OF COMMUNITIES OF LEARNERS THAT HAVE BEEN UNDERREPRESENTED FOR DIVERSITY IN SCIENCE AND

ENGINEERING (NSF INCLUDES) Long-term goal: fund new research, models, and

partnerships that lead to demonstrable progress in meeting the challenge of broadening participation in science and engineering

Expand, re-frame, and improve alignment of directorate-based broadening participation efforts for greater impact

FY 2016 pilots Networks for STEM Excellence Empowering All Youth for STEM

SBE particular interest: the Science of Broadening Participation (Dear Colleague Letter)

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SBE plans to invest $500,000 in FY 2016 in NSF INCLUDES. The long-term goal of NSF INCLUDES is to fund new research, models, and partnerships that lead to demonstrable progress – moving the needle – in meeting the challenge of broadening participation in science and engineering. The Networks for STEM Excellence pilot will leverage existing programs, people, organizations, alliances, and institutions by providing resources that will allow the formation of new networks and synergies, to form NSF’s next generation of Broadening Participation investments. The Empowering All Youth for STEM pilot will invite proposals to design, implement, and assess models to ignite greater demand for STEM learning opportunities for middle grades youth. SBE is particularly interested in the Science of Broadening Participation. Our Dear Colleague letter invites research proposals that will contribute to the overall understanding of the positive and negative factors impacting the participation of underrepresented individuals in STEM education and careers. The findings from this type of research will inform INCLUDES programs designed to improve participation.

INNOVATIONS AT THE NEXUS OF FOOD, ENERGY, AND WATER SYSTEMS (INFEWS)

Enhance capacity to explore the interactions among food, energy, and water systems

Explore the social, political, economic, and cultural dimensions of the food, energy, and water systems

FEW: Coupling Economic Models with Agronomic, Hydrologic, and Bioenergy Models for Sustainable Food, Energy, and Water SystemsCatherine Kling, PI; Iowa State University(new conference award in 2015)

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SBE also plans to contribute $5 million to a new cross-directorate activity in 2016: Innovations at the nexus of food, energy and water systems (INFEWS). Numerous interacting factors -- changing land-use, urbanization, population growth and distribution, changing demand and consumer preferences, water contamination, and climate variability – create stresses on water, energy, and agriculture resources in multiple and sometimes unexpected ways. The decisions made by individuals, organizations and institutions are key components of these systems. Relevant SBE research questions include: How can we build governance approaches that result in more reliable, resilient, and sustainable water, food, and energy systems? How will political, economic, and legal systems address anticipated changes in water availability and quality, and how will those changes affect food-production systems To jump start activity related to this topic, NSF just funded new awards to support workshops on the nexus of food, energy and water systems. One of the workshop awards will convene leading economists and statisticians together with crop scientists, hydrologists, climate scientists, and other biophysical modelers to identify the key scientific, engineering and data challenges associated with understanding the food, energy, and water system.

RISK AND RESILIENCE: CRITICAL RESILIENT INTERDEPENDENT INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES (CRISP)

Understand responses to risks from extreme natural events (hurricanes;

earthquakes)

people (terrorism; human error)

Build more resilient infrastructure systems

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$8.5 million (FY 2016) Next is Risk and Resilience, specifically Critical Resilient Interdependent Infrastructure Systems and Processes (CRISP). As you know, the economic competiveness and societal well-being of the United States depend on a web on interdependent infrastructure. Our dependence also raises the impact of risks that may cause these systems to fail. Risks may arise from extreme natural events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. But another source of risk is people -- events such as terrorist attacks and human errors. In 2016 SBE will increase its investment in CRISP to deepen our fundamental knowledge and stimulate innovations to improve resilience and performance of these infrastructure systems. Research in this area will allow us to answer questions such as: How do social and behavioral factors contribute to critical, interdependent infrastructure risk and resilience? How do the relative frequency and severity of natural hazards influence the ways that individuals, organizations, and governments perceive and plan for such risks in order to mitigate or minimize their potentially damaging consequences? CRISP, a collaboration among SBE, CISE, and ENG, just funded $20 million in new awards to support research in this area.

SOME TIPS/ENCOURAGEMENTS?

ANATOMY OF PROPOSAL REVIEW

Intellectual Merit Qualifications of PI

Creativity & Originality

Transformative?

Conception & Organization

Access to Resources

Advances Scientific Knowledge

Broader Impacts Importance of Topic

Mentoring

Diversity

Infrastructure

Dissemination/Publication

Societal Benefits

ANATOMY OF NSF GRANT PROPOSAL Cover Page Project Summary (1 page) Table of Contents (auto-generated) Project Description (15 pages) References cited Biographical sketches (for all senior PIs on the project) Budget Current and Pending Support Facilities, Equipment, and other Resources Post-doctoral mentoring Plan (if applicable Data Management Plan Supplemental Documentation (if applicable—no letters of support)

STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE YOUR CHANCES Read the program announcement very carefully. Missing important

details could cost you an Award Talk to a Program Officer. A short one page outline of your ideas can

serve as the basis for such a discussion. S/he can tell you whether your ideas fit or does not fit the Program Announcement.

Ask about whether there are other programs or initiatives that may bet better fit for your ideas

If a proposal is declined, schedule a follow up chat with a program officer to get a feedback on whether/how to revise

NEVER GIVE UP! Persistence usually Pays off.

CONSIDERATION IN WRITING YOUR PROPOSAL

Why is the work important? How is the work unique or innovative? What approach am I going to use and have I adequately sketched it out?

Is it feasible? Why will this approach be especially valuable or informative? How is the team qualified to do this research? What is the contribution of this research to knowledge and how do the

results benefit society?

THANK YOU FOR PATIENCE

ANY QUESTIONS?