Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) – The MRI Program serves to increase access to shared scientific and engineering instruments for research and research training in our Nation’s institutions of higher education, museums, science centers, and not-for-profit organizations. Development and acquisition of research instrumentation for shared inter- and/or intra-organizational use are encouraged, as are development efforts that leverage the strengths of private sector partners to build instrument development capacity at academic institutions. To accomplish these goals, the MRI program assists with the acquisition or development of shared research instrumentation that is, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs. Instruments are expected to be operational for regular research use by the end of the award period. The MRI program does not support the acquisition or development of a suite of instruments to outfit research facilities or to conduct independent research activities simultaneously. Instrument acquisition or development proposals that request funds from NSF in the range $100,000-$4 million will be accepted from all eligible organizations. Cost-sharing at the level of 30% of the total project cost is required for Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education and for non-degree-granting organizations. Non-Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education are exempt from the cost-sharing requirement. Full Proposal Deadline Date: April 21, 2010.
Posted Date: January 21, 2010
Solicitation Number: 10-529
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Ocean Acidification – In recognition of the need for basic research concerning the nature, extent and impact of ocean acidification on oceanic environments in the past, present and future, this announcement has the following broad goals: 1) To understand the chemistry and physical chemistry of ocean acidification and, in particular, its interplay with fundamental biochemical and physiological processes of organisms; 2) To understand how ocean acidification interacts with processes at the organismal level, and how such interactions impact the structure and function of ecosystems, e.g. through life histories, food webs, biogeochemical cycling, and other interactions; 3) To understand how the earth system history informs our understanding of the effects of ocean acidification on the present day and future ocean. New research frontiers require the development of interdisciplinary partnerships and capacity building within the scientific community. Accordingly, full research proposals, exploratory proposals, and community development efforts such as workshops and symposia all are encouraged. Proposals must clearly demonstrate links between the research outcome and the emphasis areas described within the solicitation. Preference will be given to proposals that create new partnerships across traditional disciplines (including molecular and cellular biology, physiology, marine chemistry and physics, ecological sciences, paleoecology, and earth system history) and use diverse approaches (observational systems, experimental studies, theory and modeling) to examine cutting edge research questions related to ocean acidification. Letter of Intent Deadline Date: March 29, 2010, Full Proposal Deadline Date: April 26, 2010
Posted Date: January 25, 2010
Solicitation Number: 10-530
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Future Internet Architectures (FIA) – The continued success of the Internet is increasingly threatened by the ever-mounting sophistication of security attacks and by the lack of performance reliability of Internet services. Recognizing the need for a secure and highly dependable information technology infrastructure and building on our on-going investments in network science and engineering, the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) has formulated this program to stimulate innovative and creative research to explore, design, and evaluate trustworthy future Internet architectures. Our objective is to engage the research community in collaborative, long-range, transformative thinking – unfettered by the constraints of today’s networks yet inspired by lessons learned and promising new research ideas – to design and experiment with new network architectures and networking concepts that take into consideration the larger social, economic and legal issues that arise from the interplay between the Internet and society. Proposing teams should include individuals with expertise in a range of relevant disciplines and/or different research methods, from theoretical to experimental to applications-driven. Award Information: 2-4 awards will be given, Total Funding: $30,000,000. Full Proposal Deadline Date: April 22, 2010
Posted Date: January 21, 2010
Solicitation Number: 10-528