Federal Funding Opportunities

Federal Funding Opportunities

* Department of Defense
* Department of Energy
* Department of the Interior
* Environmental Protection Agency
* National Institutes of Health
* National Science Foundation

Foundation Funding Opportunities

* Lemelson-MIT Program
* Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
* The Brain Tumor Society

Department of Defense (DoD)

The Air Force invites proposals in the advanced technology development and research into optical beam control in the presence of the Earth’s turbulent atmosphere. Proposals should aim to solve the problems of optical acquisition/tracking, the sensing of turbulence-induced optical wave front distortions, and real-time mechanical correction of said distortions with adaptive optics techniques. The total program hours budgeted for these efforts is 122,880 hours over five years. A single award is anticipated. All DOE Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs) and DOD FFRDCs C3I Lab, Lincoln Laboratory or Software Engineering Institute may submit proposals. Otherwise, full and open competition is encouraged. Proposals are due March 31, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLPLDED/BAA03-DE-02/listing.html

The Army is accepting white papers for basic or applied R&D in a wide range of technologies among 38 topics. Technologies should have a major impact on the cost or performance of future defense systems by offering contributions that will improve Army capability (components, systems or vehicles). For example, proposals in Advanced Coatings Research should seek to identify improved coating technologies for ground vehicles. Approximately $825,000 is expected to be available for this single research topic. Estimated funding varies for all topics. A full and open competitive selection is planned. White papers are due by February 25, 2003. Written invitations for proposals will be issued on or about March 7, 2003. More information on this solicitation (DAAE07-03-Q-BAA1) is available at: http://contracting.tacom.army.mil/baa/baapage.htm

The Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) of the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) requires technical support in the area of Energy and Utility Systems Engineering Research. Examples of the work that may be requested includes, but is not limited to, energy systems research, development, and demonstration; secure, reliable, smart buildings and force protection research, development and demonstration; utility supply analysis of private sector alternatives; research, development, enhancement and implementation of technology and methods for DoD utility systems operation, control and maintenance; and environmental and energy impacts of energy supply systems and environmental systems. The contracts office intends to award multiple indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts for a base period of one year with four additional one-year option periods. Awards are anticipated on a line item basis, with one line item set-aside for exclusive participation by small businesses, and the total value of all line items not-to-exceed $20.5 million. Task orders issued under the awarded contracts may be issued on a firm fixed price basis. All responsible sources capable of providing the services requested are encouraged to submit proposals, which are due April 15, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/USA/COE/DACA38/DACA42-03-R-0016/listing.html

The National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP) is interested in receiving abstracts and proposals for research in the Advanced Shipbuilding Enterprise (ASE) Program, ultimately to reduce U.S. shipbuilding cost and cycle time from initial business strategy development through post-delivery customer service. The NSRP ASE Program supports efforts to reduce total ownership costs and develop technologies and processes to support design and construction of new platforms such as Littoral Combat Ship and DDX. Proposals are sought for research, development and implementation of best practices across the following major initiative areas in U.S. shipyards: shipyard production process technologies; business process technologies; product design and material technologies; systems technologies; facilities and tooling; and crosscut initiatives. Approximately $7-8 million is expected to be available over an 18-month period for new awards. Of the total anticipated funding, approximately $1 million is expected to be available in GFY 2003, with the remaining funding commencing in November or December 2003. Most projects are expected to be 12 months or less in duration. Optional abstracts are due March 3, 2003; proposals are due May 1, 2003. More information is available at http://www.nsrp.org/.

The Army is soliciting proposals for the establishment of a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) to be known as the Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies (ICB), which will conduct research in two areas: (1) sensors, electronics and information processing and (2) technical fundamentals and enabling tools to provide the interdisciplinary fundamental knowledge needed for increased mission capability through superior weapon systems and soldier survivability. The Army Research Office expects to award a single non-fee bearing contract having an initial performance period of one year. The resulting contract will include provisions for task orders expected to reach approximately $37 million over the five-year term. The award is projected as a fourth quarter FY 2003 start. Proposals are sought from degree-granting U.S. universities and are due by April 7, 2003. Partnerships with industry are encouraged; however, the UARC must be located at a single university. More information is available at: http://www.aro.army.mil/biotech/index.htm

Department of Energy

In a presolicitation notice, DOE announces it will accept applications for innovative technologies that have the potential for significant energy savings in residential and commercial buildings. DOE is seeking to support projects that are advancing energy efficient equipment, envelope and whole building technologies. Specifically, the objective is to accelerate high-payoff technologies that, because of their risk, are unlikely to be developed in a timely manner without a partnership between industry and the Federal Government. Approximately $16 million is expected to be available to fund selected projects. Cost sharing of at least 20 percent would be required from non-federal sources. More information is available in the February 12, 2003 edition of the Federal Register at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/frcont03.html

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is accepting letters of interest for R&D efforts with U.S. photovoltaic industries, related industries, universities and other qualified organizations to address High Performance Photovoltaic R&D long-term goals of bringing polycrystalline thin-film tandem cells and modules toward 25 percent and 20 percent efficiencies, respectively; and developing 3-5 multijunction precommercial concentrator modules able to convert more than one-third of the sun’s energy to electricity (i.e. 33 percent efficiency). Approximately $3 million is expected to be available for this program on an annual basis. NREL intends to award an estimated 12 cost-reimbursable subcontracts under this solicitation. Cost sharing is not required, but it is strongly encouraged. Responses will be accepted only if submitted by a U.S. organization or by a team led by a U.S. organization. Letters of interest are due by April 25, 2003. More information on this solicitation (RAT-3-33624) is available at: http://www.nrel.gov/contracts/solicitations.html

Department of the Interior

Reclamation has a need to perform research on earthquake induced liquefaction of silt soils. Reclamation is responsible for safety of dams, which in some cases contain these soils in their foundations. The research should strive to improve the ability to predict behavior of these soils in earthquake loading. The research will consist of performing laboratory experiments to illustrate the behavior of silts in cyclic loading and correlate the results to common field tests. This research will be a competitive research and development contract to geotechnical engineering universities in the U.S. Offerors should have previous work with cyclic loading of silt and critical state parameters which have already been developed and experience with model cone penetrometers in the laboratory. All correspondence should be directed to [email protected] by February 25, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/DOI/BR/BR/03SP810623/SynopsisR.html

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

EPA solicits applications for support under the Environmental Professional Intern Program, which provides on-the-job training for graduate and undergraduate students interested in careers in the environmental area. The objective of the program is to provide unique opportunities for cooperative study, research and development that would increase the number and diversity of skilled engineers, scientists, policymakers, legal professionals and managers in the environmental area. Cooperative agreements of up to three years’ duration are anticipated. Approximately $500,000 is guaranteed for the first year of the award. An internship typically lasts six months but may be extended for up to three additional months. The recipient organization would be responsible for locating candidate interns, selecting the interns and administering the funding to the interns. All interns must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, or accepted into an undergraduate or graduate program that will commence within nine months of selection as a student intern. County governments, state controlled institutions of higher education, nonprofits other than institutions of higher education, and private institutions of higher education are eligible to apply. Applications are due April 17, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/EPA/OGD/GAD/EPA-GRANTS-020503-001/Grant.html

EPA, as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications for research to develop methods, models, and empirical estimates to improve the valuation of human health and ecological endpoints at risk from environmental harm. EPA is emphasizing two focus areas: results that can be widely applied or transferred from one situation to another and research that improves the accuracy of benefit transfer. Approximately $2 million is expected to be available to fund an estimated 6-8 grants. Each award may range up to $400,000 during a period of up to three years. Institutions of higher education and nonprofit institutions located in the U.S., and Tribal, state and local governments are eligible to apply. Applications are due May 13, 2003. More information is available at: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/current/2003_valu_environ.html

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) invites applications for cooperative agreements for the development and characterization of new or refinement of existing osteoarthritis (OA) biomarkers. NIAMS intends to commit approximately $1 million in total costs in FY 2003 to fund 3-4 new grants. An applicant may request a project period of up to five years. The principal investigators of each project will become members of a national OA Biomarkers Network that NIAMS will establish immediately following award. Eligible are for-profit or nonprofit organizations; public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals and laboratories; units of state and local governments; eligible agencies of the federal government; domestic or foreign institutions; and faith- or community-based organizations. Optional letters of intent are due March 17, 2003; applications are due April 17, 2003. More information is available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AR-03-006.html

The Extramural Associates (EA) Program of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has funding for two initiatives directed at scientific faculty and academic science administrators of women’s colleges and of institutions with significant underrepresented minority (i.e. Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic or Native American) student populations. The goal of these initiatives – the Faculty Research Enhancement Support Program and the Sponsored Research Infrastructure Program (SRIP) – is to increase the participation of these institutions in biomedical and behavioral research and research training through an integrated residency and institutional grant support program. For both initiatives, optional letters of intent are due March 24, 2003, and applications are due April 24, 2003. Applications may be submitted by any of the above institutions that are domestic, private or public in nature. See below for funding availability. More information is available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AR-03-006.html
# FRESP is intended for non-research-intensive EA-eligible institutions granting the baccalaureate degree as the highest degree in the biomedical or behavioral sciences. NICHD intends to commit approximately $162,000 in total costs in FY 2004 to fund 3-5 new FRESP grants. Applicants may request a project period of five years and a budget for direct costs of up to $30,000 for the first 12-month budget period.
# SRIP is intended for eligible institutions that award Master’s or Ph.D. degrees in the biomedical and behavioral sciences or other health-related professional degrees. NICHD intends to commit approximately $190,000 in total costs in FY 2004 to fund 3-5 new grants. Applicants may request a project period of five years and a budget for direct costs of up to $35,000 for the first 12-month budget period.

National Science Foundation (NSF)

NSF invites proposals for support under a special competition with the U.S. Air Force entitled Astronomical Applications with the Advanced Electro-Optical System (AEOS). This competition serves to enable access to the 3.67-meter AEOS telescope with its sophisticated adaptive optics system for astronomical research and instrument development. The goal is to provide access for the entire U.S. astronomical community (e.g. scientists at universities and nonprofit organizations, government agencies such as DoD and DOE, and others) to advanced science instrumentation and to an adaptive optics imaging telescope for merit reviewed science projects. This telescope system is made available for approximately 300 hours for observation annually. Approximately $1.1 million is expected to be available in FY 2003 to fund 4-8 standard grants of up to three years’ duration each. Cost sharing is not required. U.S. institutions that are eligible for awards from NSF, including colleges, universities and other nonprofit research institutions, may submit proposals. Scientists at government mission agencies such as DoD, DOE and others may submit proposals only through the NSF FastLane system. Proposals are due May 15, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf03543

NSF invites proposals for its Evaluative Research and Evaluation Capacity Building (EREC) and Research on Learning and Education (ROLE) programs (see below). Approximately $36 million is expected to be available for funding 25-50 awards between the two programs. For both programs, cost sharing is not required, and no organizational eligibility limit applies. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf03542

* The EREC Program ($4 million) seeks proposals that offer unique approaches to evaluation practice in the generation of knowledge for the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education community and for broad policymaking within the research and education enterprise. Successful proposals may focus on evaluations of multiple education programs or projects with similar objectives, bundle several programs or projects together to examine major STEM education themes, focus on various facets or common elements among programs or projects, or focus on the development of capacity within the education evaluation field. An estimated 5-10 awards will be made for EREC for its one annual competition. EREC proposals are due May 15, 2003. The ROLE program ($16 million for each of two annual competitions) seeks to capitalize on important developments across a wide range of fields related to human learning and to STEM education. It supports research across a continuum that includes 1) the biological basis of human learning; 2) behavioral, cognitive, affective and social aspects of human learning; 3) STEM learning in formal and informal educational settings; and 4) changing educational systems to improve STEM learning. An estimated 10-20 awards will be made for ROLE for each of its two annual competitions. ROLE proposals may be submitted by two deadlines in 2003: June 1 and December 10.

NSF invites proposals for support under the Math and Science Partnership (MSP) program, which seeks to improve student outcomes in mathematics and science for all students, at all K-12 levels. The goal is to improve math and science education through the support of partnerships between local school districts and colleges and universities, especially disciplinary faculties in mathematics, science and engineering, and with other stakeholders. Projects should strive to ensure that all K-12 students have access to, are prepared for, and are encouraged to participate and succeed in challenging curricula and advanced mathematics and science courses; enhance the quality, quantity and diversity of the K-12 mathematics and science teacher workforce; and develop evidence-based outcomes that contribute to our understanding of how students effectively learn mathematics and science. NSF expects that these projects will be of 3-5 years in duration, with requests of up to $1 million per year. Approximately $25 million is expected to be available in FY 2003 to fund 15-20 awards. Cost sharing is not required, and no organizational eligibility limit applies. Optional letters of intent are due April 14, 2003; proposals are due May 12, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf03541

NSF invites proposals for support under the Experimental Infrastructure Networks (EIN) Program, which seeks to establish, address, explore and experiment with next generation network infrastructure technologies to meet the rapidly emerging requirements of e-Science and other advanced applications which are not being addressed by other research networks (e.g., Abilene or vBNS) or the Internet. The EIN Program encourages collaboration between application scientists and engineers, and the networking community, and will involve a variety of disciplines and geographic locations. Approximately $10 million is expected to be available in FY 2003 to fund 3-5 awards. Cost sharing is not required, and no organizational eligibility limit applies. Proposals are due May 8, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf03539

NSF invites proposals for projects in the Networking Research Testbeds (NRT) program, which seeks to create a new generation of networking technologies through the process of ideation, realization and experimentation carried out on a diverse set of research testbeds. While all NRTs will emphasize cutting-edge research, each individual testbed will be designed to support activities in a defined thrust area and can range in size from a small campus-size testbed to a larger regional or national-scale testbed. Approximately $10 million is expected to be available in FY 2003 to fund 4-8 awards. Cost sharing is not required, and no organizational eligibility limit applies. Proposals are due May 8, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf03538

NSF invites research proposals from multidisciplinary teams to conduct creative and innovative research that will resolve phylogenetic relationships for large groups of organisms on the Tree of Life. Approximately $12 million is expected to be available in FY 2003 to fund 3-6 awards. Each award may total up to $3 million for a duration of up to five years. Cost sharing is not required, and no organizational eligibility limit applies. Proposals are due May 5, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf03536

NSF announces a broad interdisciplinary program of research and education on ultra-high capacity optical communications, including novel concepts in photonic devices, advanced fiber communication systems, component technologies for broadband optical access, new approaches to low-cost processing and manufacturing, and new mathematical models to simulate the device and system performance. The objective is to enable the continued growth of broadband optical access and high-capacity optical communications into the next decade. Approximately $3 million is expected to be available in FY 2003 to fund an estimated 7-10 grants of up to three years’ duration each. Grants of up to $300,000 for single investigators and $600,000 for small interdisciplinary teams are anticipated. Cost sharing is not required. Proposals may be submitted only by U.S academic institutions and U.S nonprofit research institutions in support of single investigators or small interdisciplinary teams of 2-3 investigators. Required letters of intent are due March 31, 2003; proposals are due May 6, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf03537

NSF, through the Robert Noyce Scholarship (RNSP) program, seeks to encourage talented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors and professionals to become K-12 mathematics and science teachers. The RNSP program provides funds to support scholarships, stipends and programs for students who commit to teaching in high need K-12 schools. Approximately $4 million is expected to be available in FY 2003 to fund 8-10 awards. NSF anticipates that total award amounts of $500,000 will be made for a duration of 3-4 years. Scholarship amounts must be at least $7,500 per year but no more than $10,000 per year. No individual may receive a scholarship for any year that exceeds the yearly cost of attendance. Scholarship recipients must be U.S. citizens or nationals, must be majoring in mathematics, engineering or a science discipline, and must be in the last two years of a baccalaureate degree program. Stipends of up to $10,000 are available for a maximum of one year for STEM professionals who hold a baccalaureate, masters or doctoral degree in science, mathematics or engineering and enroll in a teacher certification program. Cost sharing is not required. Institutions of higher education in the U.S., or consortia of such institutions or nonprofit entities that have established consortia among such institutions of higher education, may submit proposals. Optional letters of intent are due April 5, 2003; proposals are due May 16, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf03544

NSF invites eligible small business concerns to submit Phase I proposals for its 2003 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. NSF will support high quality projects on important scientific, engineering, or science/engineering education problems and opportunities that could lead to significant commercial and public benefit if the research is successful. Approximately $32.5 million is expected to be available in FY 2003 to fund an estimated 300 awards, roughly 25 of which will be STTR awards. Proposals may be submitted for funding projects of up to $100,000. SBIR projects run for six months, and STTR projects for 12 months. Proposals in electronics and information-based technologies are due between May 12 and June 12, 2003. Proposals in advanced materials, manufacturing, and chemical processes and biotechnology are due between December 20, 2003 and January 20, 2004. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf03535

Foundation Funding Opportunities

Lemelson-MIT Program

The Lemelson-MIT Program awards InvenTeam Grants to generate excitement about the process of identifying a need, brainstorming on a solution, and working through the inventive process to produce something beneficial to the community. InvenTeams are formed by high school students, their teacher and an industry mentor. Teachers apply for the grants, form student teams, monitor the use of funds, and help guide students through the inventive process. Teams can be composed of a small group of students in an extracurricular club or activity, or an entire class. In academic year 2002-03, three grants of $10,000 each will be awarded to InvenTeams in New England in a pilot phase of the initiative. The goal is to award up to 25 grants to high school teams nationwide by the academic year 2004-2005. Funds must be spent on materials and supplies needed to complete an invention, travel to the Lemelson-MIT Awards ceremony, and other expenses related to product development and team building. Funds may also be used for unrestricted teacher stipends of up to $2,000 under some conditions. High school science, mathematics or technology teachers are invited to apply. The deadline for 2003 grant applications is May 9, 2003. Grants are awarded in October, and teams have until the following April to complete their projects. More information is available at: http://web.mit.edu/invent/www/InvenTeam/

Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF)

MJFF has $2 million in available funding for a new research initiative to study dyskinesias, the involuntary, uncontrollable movements that are a frequent side-effect of treatment and are distinct from the tremors commonly associated with Parkinson’s Disease. The research should strive to understand the mechanisms that underlie dyskinesias at the molecularlevel; test the impact of interventions on the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological substrates of dyskinesias; explore the mechanisms of various subtypes of dyskinesias; develop animal models; and seek novel therapies, both preventive and ameliorative. Applicants may request a project period of up to two years. The funders anticipate awarding multiple projects. Applications may be submitted by U.S. and non-U.S. entities, public and private nonprofit entities (e.g. universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of state and local governments, and eligible agencies of the federal government) and for-profit entities. Required letters of intent are due by March 14, 2003. Applications are due by April 14, 2003. Both should be submitted by email only to [email protected]. More information is available at: http://www.michaeljfox.org/research/fundingopps.php?id=13

The Brain Tumor Society (TBTS)

TBTS is awarding grants to fund basic scientific research directed at finding a cure for brain tumors. Grants which are awarded annually for up to a two-year period, at a maximum of $100,000 per year, may be used for start-up projects or supplementary funding. Researchers do not have to be citizens of the U.S. to apply and receive funding. Principal investigators must be faculty at the instructor level or higher. Applications may be submitted by public and private institutions such as hospitals, universities, colleges, and laboratories. Applications are due by April 17, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.tbts.org/grantinfo.htm

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