National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences

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National Science FoundationDirectorate for
Biological Sciences
Susan J. Lolle, Program Director Developmental
Systems Cluster, Division of Integrative
Organismal Biology slolle_at_nsf.gov
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Understanding the NSF

• How does the NSF relate to you?
• How do you relate to the NSF?
• Common misconceptions

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Understanding the NSF

• How does the NSF relate to you?

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Understanding the NSF

• How do most PIs relate to the NSF?

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Understanding the NSF

• Common misconceptions
• What drives the future direction of scientific
  research funded by the NSF?
• The community the NSF serves!

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Funding Opportunities

• Understanding the NSF
• Overview of the Bio Directorate
• Where to send your proposal Who funds what?
• Some specifics
• Supplemental funding Broadening Participation
• How to find out more
• What does a Program Officer do and why should you
  care?

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Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) Mary
E. Clutter, Assistant Director Joann P. Roskoski,
Executive Officer Sonya E. Mallinoff, Planning
and Budget Officer Tel [phone] Fax
[phone]
Information and Automation Resources
Unit (IAR) Joanne G. Rodewald, Information
Management Officer Tel [phone] Fax
[phone]
Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) Michael
R. Willig, Division Director Penelope Firth,
Acting Deputy Director Tel [phone] Fax
[phone]
Division of Integrative Organismal
Biology (IOB) Thomas Brady, Division
Director Judith Verbeke, Deputy Director Tel
[phone] Fax [phone]
Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI) Machi
F. Dilworth, Division Director Muriel E. Poston,
Acting Deputy Director Tel [phone] Fax
[phone]
Division of Molecular and Cellular
Biosciences (MCB) Maryanna Henkart, Division
Director Jerry Cohen, Deputy Director Tel
[phone] Fax [phone]
Ecological Biology
Human Resources
Biomolecular Systems
Behavioral Systems
Ecosystem Science
Research Resources
Cellular Systems
Developmental Systems
Genes and Genome Systems
Population and EvolutionaryProcesses
Environmental and Structural Systems
Plant Genome Research Program
Systematic Biology and Biodiversity Inventories
Functional andRegulatory Systems
Emerging Frontiers (EF)
Effective October 2004
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Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences
(MCB)

• Supports research and related activities that
  contribute to a fundamental understanding of life
  processes at the molecular, subcellular, and
  cellular levels
• Biomolecular Systems
• Cellular Systems
• Genes and Genome Systems

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Division of Integrative Organismal Biology (IOB)

• Supports research aimed at understanding the
  living organism -- plant, animal, microbe --as a
  unit of biological organization
• Behavioral Systems
• Developmental Systems
• Environmental and Structural Systems
• Functional and Regulatory Systems

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Division of Environmental Biology (DEB)

• Supports fundamental research on the origins,
  functions, relationships, interactions, and
  evolutionary history of populations, species,
  communities, and ecosystems
• Ecological Biology
• Ecosystems Science
• Population and Evolutionary Processes
• Systematic Biology and Biodiversity Inventories

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Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI)

• Supports activities that provide the
  infrastructure for contemporary research in
  biology
• Human Resources
• Research Resources
• Plant Genome Research Program

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IOB is IBN Reorganized

• IBN had 14 programs and 3 clusters (Developmental
  Mechanisms, Neuroscience and Physiology and
  Ethology clusters)
• IOB has 4 Clusters but no programs
• Concept of the Organism as an Integrator
• Panels are less constrained scientifically
• More funding opportunities for Neuroscience

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Directorate of Biological Sciences
Molecular
Ecosystem
Organism
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Where to send your proposal?

• What is the focus of your research?
• What is the question you are asking?

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Directorate of Biological Sciences
Molecular
Ecosystem
Organism
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Some specifics

• Dates
• Note to beginning investigators
• Structure within a cluster

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Target Dates

• July 12, 2005
• January 12, 2006
• Not deadlines..

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Are you a Beginning Investigator?

• A beginning investigator is defined as
• Individuals who have not been a PI or co-PI on a
  Federally funded award with the exception of
  doctoral dissertation, postdoctoral fellows or
  research planning grants
• If you qualify you can submit duplicates!

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Developmental Systems Cluster

• Plant and Microbial Development
• Animal Development
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Evolution of Developmental Mechanisms

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Developmental Systems Cluster

• Approximately 15-20 of submitted proposals are
  funded
• Most awards recommended for 3 yrs of funding
• Range 120K-200K per year
• Goal to increase award size and duration

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Other Funding Opportunities

• Across the Foundation
• Supplements to existing awards

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Funding Opportunities for Biological Sciences
Research and Education at NSF

• International Programs
• Education Programs

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Award Supplement Opportunities

• Research Experiences for Teachers (RET)
• Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
• Research Opportunity Awards (ROA)
• Research Assistantships for Minority High School
• Students (RAMHSS)
• Informal Science Education Supplements
• International Research and Education Supplements
• Facilitation Award for Scientists and Engineers
  with Disabilities

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How to find out more!
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NSF Custom News Servicehttp//www.nsf.gov/home/cn
s/
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What is the role of the Program Director?

• Program directors are a source of information
• Before you submit a proposal
• Issues related to existing awards
• Understanding why a particular recommendation was
  made (award/decline)
• Supplemental funding

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What is the role of the Program Director?

• Program directors make funding recommendations
• Verify that proposals are appropriate for review
  by their program
• Identify reviewers and solicit ad hoc reviews
• Identify potential panelists and form an advisory
  panel (review proposals and rank them)
• Arrive at award recommendations

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Your Participation is Needed

• As ad hoc reviewers
• As panelists
• As Program Officers
• 50 of Program Officers are rotators

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What makes a good review?

• Evaluate the proposal
• What are the strengths and weaknesses?
• Is the project feasible?
• Is the science novel and original?
• Would you fund it?

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Thank you for your attention!