Federal Funding Opportunities

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA has issued a request for quotation for 1) a normalized wood chemistry data set for the loblolly pine association mapping populations (by 6/1/03); 2) research proposal/study plan and infrastructure for conduction fall and spring cold hardiness assessments on Douglas-fir QTL verification populations (by 7/1/03); 3) research proposal/study plan for the creation of Douglas-fir association population, with proposed infrastructure and budget (by 8/1/03); 4) development of a model/plan for securing funding for the Dendrome Database and Genetic Stock Center (by 9/1/03); 5) if time permits, prepare draft manuscript on growth and form QTL in Douglas-fir discovery and verification populations (by 10/1/03). Monthly progress reports should be submitted on April 1, May 1, June 1, July 1, August 1, September 1 and October 1, 2003. Quotes are due by March 7, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/USDA/FS/9AD6/RFQ-URB-2003-001/listing.html

Department of Defense (DoD)

The Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) is soliciting abstracts, followed by technical and cost proposals, to conduct concept exploration R&D in support of the Army’s Rotary Wing Vehicle (RWV) Technology Effort Objectives. The long-range objective of AATD’s structures program is to improve the lethality, agility, survivability and supportability of the Army’s Objective Force by making airframe and rotor structures light, affordable and durable. Estimated FY 2004 funding is shown in parentheses for each of three topic areas: Dynamic Load and Stress Prediction (approx. $600,000), Multifunctional Structures (approx. $1.7 million), and Reconfigurable Structures (approx. $800,000). The period of performance for each award resulting is expected to be 24 months, starting in FY03/FY04 and ending in FY05/FY06. Cost sharing of up to 50 percent is required, and multiple awards are anticipated. Any capable offeror may submit an abstract. Abstracts are due by March 27, 2003; full proposals are due by May 30, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/USA/USAMC/DAAH10/DAAH10-03-R-0004/listing.html

The Office of Naval Research invites proposals across a spectrum of science and engineering disciplines for Long-Range Science and Technology (S&T) Projects which offer potential for advancement and improvement of Navy and Marine Corps operations. The amount and period of performance of each selected proposal will vary depending on the research area and the technical approach to be pursued by the selected offeror. All responsible sources from academia and industry may submit proposals, which are due by September 30, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.onr.navy.mil/02/baa/default.htm

The Office of Naval Research also is seeking innovative science and technology concepts to improve sustainment capabilities within the naval service (i.e., Navy and Marine Corps). No formal request for proposals, solicitation, and/or additional information regarding this request will be issued. The responses to this request for information will be considered in the planning and definition of future technology development programs for which later solicitations may play a part. Input will help ensure that the agency’s R&D investments are targeted at the highest payoff technologies. Responses are due March 31, 2003. The announcement and call for papers are available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/DON/ONR/ONR/SS-03-001/listing.html

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting research proposals for applying molecular-scale electronics technology to the development of ultra-dense molecular electronic computer processors and molecular electronic sensor systems for use in a variety of stand-alone and embedded applications. Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that would actually produce prototype nanoelectronic systems that will enable revolutionary advances in computing and sensing. Awards totaling approximately $15 million for Phase I are expected to be made during calendar year 2003. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government’s needs may submit a proposal. Multiple awards are anticipated. Proposals are due May 23, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/BAA03-12/listing.html

The Air Force Space and Missiles System Center, Global Positioning System (GPS) Joint Program Office solicits R&D proposals for Modernized GPS User Equipment. Proposals should be structured to explicitly capitalize on synergies between the three study subjects outlined in the announcement and how these interdependencies and synergies are to be exploited. A pre-proposal conference will be held on March 4, 2003, with one-on-one meetings at the Aerospace Corporation, Building A-1, Room 1062, 2350 E. El Segundo Blvd., El Segundo, CA 90245. Responses are due April 14, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFSC/SMCSMSC/GPSU-03-01/SynopsisP.html

The U.S. Army TACOM-ARDEC is conducting a market survey to identify potential contractors manufacturing devices employing the following capabilities and equipment: 1) the design, prototyping and fabrication of Micro Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) and nanoscale devices, and 2) demonstrated knowledge, experience and qualified personnel in several MEMS and nanotechnology areas described in the announcement. Interested firms that are capable of producing these devices are invited to indicate their interest by providing specifications, brochures or drawings within two weeks of the date of this notice (February 26, 2003) to US Army TACOM-ARDEC, ATTN: Dr. Patrick Black, AMSTA-AR-WEA, Bldg. 1, Floor 3, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000. The announcement points out the Army does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this market survey or otherwise pay for information solicited. More information is available at:
http://www.eps.gov/spg/USA/USAMC/DAAE30/R20030227/listing.html

The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, through the Office of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, announces the availability of $150 million to support innovative research directed toward eliminating breast cancer. The Breast Cancer Research Program released program announcements for nine (9) different funding mechanisms in this notification, including Centers of Excellence, Clinical Research Nurse Awards, Clinical Translational Research Awards, HBCU/MI Partnership Training Award, Idea Awards, Innovator Awards, Physician-Scientist Training Awards, Predoctoral Traineeship Awards, and Postdoctoral Awards. Due dates and eligibility requirements vary by mechanism. Each Program Announcement is available at: http://cdmrp.army.mil This announcement is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/USA/USAMRAA/DAMD17/DAMD17-FY03-BCRP/listing.html

Department of Education (ED)

ED invites applications for projects under the Experimental and Innovative Training program (1) to develop new types of training programs for rehabilitation personnel and demonstrate the effectiveness of these new types of training programs for rehabilitation personnel in providing rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities; and (2) to develop new and improved methods of training rehabilitation personnel so that there may be a more effective delivery of rehabilitation services by state and other rehabilitation agencies. For FY 2003, the Administration has requested $42.6 million for this program, an estimated $400,000 of which would be allocated for this competition. An estimated four awards are expected to range from $75,000 to $100,000 for projects of up to 36 months’ duration. States and public or nonprofit agencies and organizations, including Indian tribes and institutions of higher education, are eligible for assistance. Applications are due April 15, 2003. More information is available in the February 26 issue of the Federal Register at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/frcont03.html

Department of Transportation (DOT)

DOT invites Phase I research proposals for its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. The conducted research should demonstrate a sound approach to the investigation of an important transportation-related scientific or engineering problem. During FY 2003, DOT intends to award 9-10 Phase I contracts of up to $100,000 each. All types of small business organizations may submit proposals. Eligible for-profit small business concerns must have 500 employees or less, be independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is proposing, and have its principal place of business located in the U.S. Proposals are due May 1, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.volpe.dot.gov/sbir/sol03/index.html

NASA

NASA solicits proposals for ground-based research and technology development, ground-based pilot studies, rapid technology development teams, and/or space flight experiments, in the following areas: Advanced Environmental Monitoring and Control, Advanced Life Support, and Space Human Factors Engineering. All categories of institutions are eligible to submit proposals, which are due by June 13, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/NASA/HQ/OPHQDC/NRA-03-OBPR-01/listing.html

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center seeks an industry partner to develop a design concept for a deployable/extendible optical bench structure for the Advanced X-Ray Polarimeter (AXP) mission in support of the development of a proposal to respond to the NASA SMEX Announcement of Opportunity. The Advanced X-Ray Polarimeter (AXP) is a mission designed to measure X-ray polarization from a wide range of types of astrophysical sources. It is expected that primary selection of the AXP mission would result in a contract to design, build and test the deployable structure system. Responses in the first phase of the selection process are due in May 2003. More information, including the full announcement of opportunity, is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/NASA/GSFC/OPDC20220/544-GBN/listing.html

National Imagery and Mapping Agency

The Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) announce a FY 2003 competition for the DCI Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program, which seeks to establish long-term relationships and mentoring of postdoctoral researchers and to provide research institutes with an understanding of the Intelligence Community’s research requirements. The program will foster partnerships with postdoctoral researchers as they move into career positions and provide innovative solutions to critical Intelligence Community problems. Awards will be made for a basic period of one year, with a potential option for a second and third year, at $100,000 per year/per grant. Potential fellows must be U.S. citizens who are associated with an accredited U.S. university or college. Responses are due March 26, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/ODA/NIMA/ACT-North/NMA501-03-BAA-0001/listing.html

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Multiple NIH institutes invite applications for Rare Diseases Clinical Research Centers (RDCRCs) and a Data and Technology Coordinating Center (DTCC), which together will form the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network. This cooperative program should facilitate identification of biomarkers for disease risk, disease severity/activity, and clinical outcome and encourage development of new approaches to diagnosis, prevention and treatment of rare diseases. The participating agencies intend to commit approximately $7 million in FY 2003 to fund four RDCRCs ($5 million) and one DTCC ($2 million). Each RDCRC may request a budget for direct costs of up to $900,000 per year, but total costs may not exceed $1.25 million. An applicant must request a project period of five years. 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; and domestic institutions. Optional letters of intent are due April 1, 2003; applications are due April 29, 2003. More information is available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RR-03-008.html

Multiple NIH institutes invite applications for an initiative to develop new techniques for biomedical research. Research should seek to develop (1) new and improved instruments or devices, (2) new methodologies using existing instruments, or (3) software related to instrumentation. 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; and domestic or foreign institutions. Applications will be accepted on June 1 and October 1 annually. More information is available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-03-075.html

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) invite applications to create a network of centers for breast cancer research. The goal is to bring together scientists, clinicians and breast cancer advocates to work collaboratively on scientific questions focusing on how chemical, physical, biological and social factors work together with genetic factors to cause breast cancer. Each center will have two required core activities, an Administrative Core and a Community Outreach and Translation Core. NCI and NIEHS intend to commit approximately up to $5 million total costs in FY 2003 to fund three new grants. An applicant may request a project period of up to seven years and a budget for direct costs of up to $900,000 per year. 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; and domestic institutions. Foreign institutions may establish sub-contract arrangements with domestic applicant institutions. Applications are due April 14, 2003. More information is available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-03-001.html

The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) invite applications for research that identifies novel methods to improve resuscitation outcomes from severe blood loss and subsequent hypovolemic circulatory collapse. The research should seek to identify the molecular, cellular and pathophysiologic response of the whole organism to hypovolemia and to apply results of such approaches to the identification of potential, new approaches to out-of-hospital resuscitation following severe hypovolemia. NHLBI and USAMRMC each intend to commit approximately $2 million in FY 2004 to fund 10-12 new grants. An applicant may request a project period of up to four years and a budget for direct costs of up to $250,000 per year. 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 April 23, 2003; applications are due May 23, 2003. More information is available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-03-015.html

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) invites applications for a consortium that ultimately will inform and develop effective interventions and treatment approaches for the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). The goal is to develop definitive diagnoses of FASD and to develop effective behavioral and pharmacological therapies for those affected. NIAAA intends to commit approximately $3.5 million in FY 2003 to fund a consortium of cooperative agreements. An applicant may request a project period up to a maximum of five years support. There is a cap of $2.4 million in direct costs for the consortium or cluster of applications for the first-year budget period, with a maximum increase in cost in subsequent years of three percent. 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. Applications are due April 25, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/HHS/NIH/NIH/RFA-AA-03-002/Grant.html

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), through its Division of Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases (DKUHD), invites research grant applications for basic and applied investigations to better understand the etiology and pathogenesis of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), in both its autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive forms. Exploratory or developmental grant applications are limited to two years and $100,000 per year in direct costs. 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. Applications will be accepted by the standard application deadlines, which are available at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/dates.htm. More information is available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-073.html

National Science Foundation (NSF)

NSF invites proposals for support under the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP), which seeks to increase the number of students pursuing and receiving associates or baccalaureate degrees in established or emerging fields within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Type 1 proposals should provide for full implementation efforts at institutions of higher education in the U.S. and its territories, from consortia thereof, or from nonprofit entities that have established consortia among such institutions of higher education. Type 2 proposals should provide for educational research projects on associate or baccalaureate degree attainment in STEM. Any individual or organization eligible to submit proposals to NSF may submit Type 2 proposals. NSF intends to commit $22 million in FY 2003 to fund 12-20 Type 1 awards and 2-3 Type 2 awards. For Type 1, institutions enrolling 5,000 or fewer undergraduate students may request up to $500,000 total for a period of five years, those enrolling between 5000 and 15,000 undergraduate students may request up to $1 million total for up to five years, and those enrolling more than 15,000 undergraduate students may request up to $2 million total for up to five years. The grant duration for Type 2 awards is 1-2 years, and the request may be up to $100,000 per year. Cost sharing is not required. Optional letters of intent are due April 10, 2003; full proposals are due May 22, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf03548

Foundation Funding Opportunities

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MKSCC)

MKSCC invites nominations for the Paul Marks Prizes for Cancer Research. The prizes recognize outstanding young investigators who have made significant contributions to increase the understanding of cancer or improve the treatment of the disease through basic or clinical research. The prizes are awarded to up to three investigators every other year. Winners will present their work at MSKCC, be honored at a dinner, and share a cash award of $125,000. Nominees are required to be age 45 or younger at the time of the submission deadline, which is April 30, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/12584.cfm

3Com Corporation

The 3Com Corporation’s Urban Challenge Program rewards cities with $100,000 grants in 3Com systems and services for technology initiatives to help bridge the Digital Divide. The next 10 cities to win Urban Challenge grants will be eligible to receive a three-person AmeriCorps*VISTA team at a reduced cost-share amount of approximately $9,000 per year. The three-person team is available to a public agency or nonprofit organization. To participate, a city should meet at least one of these criteria: a principal policy agenda aimed at enhancing educational or community development; strong involvement and endorsement from the mayor’s office; tangible benefits to students and residents in a specified timeframe; multiple projects constituencies- including schools, local community colleges, libraries, government agencies, or healthcare institutions; and specific ideas about how it intends to use the grant. Applications are due April 21, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.3com.com/solutions/en_US/government/programs/urbanchallenge_americorps.html

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Copyright State Science & Technology Institute 2003. Information in this issue of SSTI Weekly Digest was prepared under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration. Redistribution to all others interested in tech-based economic development is strongly encouraged — please cite the State Science & Technology Institute whenever portions are reproduced or redirected. Any opinions expressed in the Digest do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Commerce.