Federal Funding Opportunities

* Department of Commerce

* Department of Defense

* Department of Energy

* National Institutes of Health

* National Science Foundation

Foundation Funding Opportunities

* American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

* American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education; AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals

* Anheuser-Busch; National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

* Hewlett-Packard

Federal Funding Opportunities

Department of Commerce
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is accepting applications aimed at supporting regionally focused integrated research and assessments, as part of the Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) program. Regional Integrated Assessments involve (1) climate and environmental monitoring and research, (2) economic and human dimensions research, especially on trends and factors influencing climate-sensitive human activities, and (3) applications, which is the transformation and communication of relevant research results to meet specific needs. The objective of the RISA program is to inform the development of place-based decision support and services in responding to and mitigating physical and attendant technological risks. The RISA program is a component of the NOAA Climate and Global Change Program, for which approximately $6 million has been available in previous years. New available funding will depend upon final FY 2003 budget appropriations. Eligible are institutions of higher education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, international organizations, and state, local and Indian tribal governments. Required letters of intent are due November 25, 2002. More information is available at: http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/c&gc/ao/2003/index.htm

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NOAA and the National Science Foundation (NSF) invite research proposals to improve understanding of the human health consequences related to climate variability and enhance the integration of useful climate information into public health policy and decision-making. The goal is to develop and demonstrate the feasibility of new approaches or field studies that investigate or validate well formed hypotheses or models of climate variability and health interactions. Approximately $1.5 million is expected to be available in FY 2003 for new awards. Eligible are institutions of higher education, hospitals, other nonprofits, federal agencies, commercial organizations, foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, international organizations, and state, local and Indian tribal governments. Proposals are due November 29, 2002. More information is available at: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2002/02-29087.htm

NOAA also invites proposals for projects in (1) exploring the ocean and mapping its resources, (2) gaining new insights about its physical and chemical processes and its living and non-living resources, including maritime cultural heritage, and (3) contributing to the advancement and utilization of ocean technology. FY 2003 funding for this program has not yet been appropriated. Proposals are encouraged for collaborations and explorations ranging from the tens of thousands of dollars and lasting up to two months. Multi-year proposals will be accepted, although the principal focus in the first several years of
the program will be on one-year projects and expeditions. Eligible are institutions of higher education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, international organizations and state, local and Indian tribal governments. Required pre-proposals are due December 16, 2002. More information is available at: http://explore.noaa.gov/

Department of Defense (DoD)
The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego, is seeking proposals for research and development in microelectronics, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), and/or photonics technology. Proposals for R&D addressing the technologies that rely on heterogeneous integration across these three areas to achieve complex multifunctional systems capabilities in chip-scale packages are specifically included. All interested parties are invited to submit proposals. This announcement will be open through November 1, 2003. Awards may be made at any time throughout this period. More information is available at: http://www.eps.gov/spg/DON/SPAWAR/SPAWARSYSCEN_San_Diego/N66001-03-X-6001/listing.html

Department of Energy (DOE)
DOE invites applications for R&D in and demonstration of the Advanced Communications and Controls Program. The goal of the program is to demonstrate sensing, communication, information and control technologies to achieve a seamless integration of multi-vendor distributed energy resources units at aggregation levels that meet individual user requirements for facility operations (residential, commercial, industrial, manufacturing, etc.) and further serve as resource options for electric and natural gas utilities. DOE intends to award about 4-6 cooperative agreements for Phase I projects. Total funding for Phase I is estimated to be $1.2 million, with the duration of projects expected to be six months. A minimum non-federal cost-share of 20 percent of the total proposed costs for Phase I is required. Any for-profit or nonprofit organization, institutions of higher education, and non-federal agency or entity may apply. Applications are due by January 31, 2003. More information is available at: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2002/02-28653.htm

DOE also invites applications for research in the Genomes to Lifeprogram, which serves to increase understanding (1) natural, multi-protein molecular machines of complex living systems, (2) complex networks that control the assembly and operation of these machines, and (3) the organization and biochemical capabilities of complex microbial communities. Approximately $10 million is expected to be available in FY 2003 for new awards. Individual grants may range from $250,000 to $1 million per year. Eligible are colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, for-profit commercial organizations, state and local governments, and unaffiliated individuals. Requested letters of intent are due January 7, 2003; applications are due April 22, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.doegenomestolife.org/

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The National Eye Institute (NEI) solicits applications to develop novel therapeutic and pathogenetic approaches to disorders that affect ocular motility. These disorders include strabismus syndromes, myasthenia gravis, congenital fibrosis syndromes, congenital nystagmus, and other disorders that compromise eye movement in the orbit and thus limit visual acuity. NEI intends to commit approximately $2 million in FY 2003 and in FY 2004 to fund 10-12 new awards. An applicant may request a project period of up to 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 or foreign institutions. Applications are due March 27, 2003. More information is available at: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-EY-03-001.html

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) solicits applications that use comparative biology approaches to understand the biological mechanisms that lead to changes in human and other animal cells and tissues with age. The goal is to determine (1) how increasing age leads to biological changes, especially decrements in cell, tissue and organ function and (2) what sets the rate of aging such that different organisms have different life expectancies. NIA anticipates that a total of $1.5 million will be available in FY 2003 to fund 5-7 new grants. An applicant may request a project period up to five years and a budget for direct costs of up to $200,000 a 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 or foreign institutions. Optional letters of intent are due December 23, 2002; applications are due January 23, 2002. More information is available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-03-003.html

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) invites applications for a Consortium for the Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. The purpose is to inform and develop effective interventions and treatment approaches for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders through a highly integrated multidisciplinary research approach involving basic, behavioral, and clinical investigators and projects. 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 of up to 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; domestic or foreign institutions; and faith- or community-based organizations. Optional letters of intent are due February 11, 2003; applications are due March 11, 2003. More information is available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AA-03-002.html

NIAAA also invites applications for Collaborative Minority Serving Institution Alcohol Research (CMSIAR) grants. The long range goal of the CMSIAR program is to strengthen the alcohol research capacity of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). Research development activities should address health disparities in target populations such as persons of African heritage, Hispanic/Latino culture, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders. NIAAA intends to commit up to $3.5 million in FY 2003 to fund four or five awards. Direct costs may not exceed $700,000 per year. Eligible MSIs may include 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 January 24, 2003; applications are due February 24, 2003. More information is available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AA-03-007.html

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) seek developmental planning grant applications for the establishment of an infrastructure for eventual Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Centers. These planning grants will enable applicants to effectively organize and integrate multidisciplinary research capacities and core resources to enhance collaborations of basic, clinical, and behavioral science in muscular dystrophy research and to promote cross-disciplinary research training. NIAMS, NINDS, and NICHD intend to commit approximately $1 million in FY 2003 to fund 4-5 new grants. Funding for each award will be limited to a project period of one year. Eligible domestic institutions may include for-profit or nonprofit organizations; public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals and laboratories; units of state and local governments; and eligible agencies of the federal government. Optional letters of intent are due January 15, 2003; applications are due February 24, 2003. More information is available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AR-03-002.html

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) invites applications for Cutting-Edge Basic Research Awards to foster research that advances understanding drug abuse and addiction and how to prevent and treat them. Stage I awards will be limited to a two-year duration and a maximum of $100,000 in direct costs 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. Applications are due February 1, 2003. More information is available at: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-03-017.html

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) invites applications that investigate the creation, development, and evaluation of health information in one or more mission areas of the NIDCD: hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech or language. Projects should be based on current health communication theory and directed to address issues in disease prevention and health promotion. The goal is improved public information, based upon scientific
discovery. NIDCD anticipates that approximately $750,000 total costs will be available for this initiative in FY 2004 and 2005 and that up to three awards will be made for each of the two submission rounds. Applications should be from interdisciplinary teams that include both health communication experts and scientists knowledgeable about normal and disordered processes of human communication. 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 institutions; and faith- or community-based organizations. Optional letters of intent are due January 14, 2003; applications are due February 14, 2003. More information is available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DC-03-001.html

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences’ (NIEHS) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) support research aimed at achieving environmental justice for socioeconomically disadvantaged and medically underserved populations in the U.S. The goals is to understand the influence of economic and social factors on the health status of individuals exposed to environmental toxicants and occupational hazards. Combined, NIEHS and NIOSH intend to commit approximately $2.17 million in FY 2003 to fund up to nine new awards. An applicant may request a project period of up to four years and a budget for direct costs of up to $225,000 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 December 13, 2003; applications are due January 14, 2003. More information is available at: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-ES-03-002.html

National Science Foundation (NSF)
DoD, EPA, NASA, NOAA and NSF solicit proposals for the Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (ECOHAB) program. This program provides support for research on algal species whose populations may cause or result in deleterious effects on ecosystems and human health. Studies should focus on the causes of such blooms, their detection, effects, mitigation, and control in U.S. coastal waters. Approximately $4 million is expected to be available in FY 2003 for new awards, which may range up to $150,000 per year. The typical duration of projects is three years; however, multi-disciplinary regional studies of up to five years’ duration will be considered. Eligible are institutions of higher education, other nonprofits, and state or local governments. Applications are due January 28, 2003. More information is available at: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/current/2003ecohab.html

Foundation Funding Opportunities

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention invites applications for research grants awarded to investigators conducting clinical, biological, or psychosocial research on the problem of suicide. Grant applicants may compete in four categories (see below). Pilot Grant applications are accepted at any time; all other applications are due by December 15, 2002. More information is available at: http://www.afsp.org/index-1.htm

* Established Investigator Awards for up to $100,000 over two years are awarded to investigators at the level of Associate Professor or higher with a proven history of research in the area of suicide. The purpose of this funding is not to supplement existing research, but to fund new directions and initiatives in suicidology.

* Standard Research Grants for up to $60,000 over two years are awarded to individual investigators. An additional $5,000 per year stipend is available for mentors on Young Investigator Awards (maximum total of $70,000 over 2 years) in which the investigator is at the level of Assistant Professor or lower.

* Pilot Grants of up to $20,000 over two years, which provide seed money for new projects, are awarded to individual investigators without regard to academic rank or previous research experience with suicide.

* Postdoctoral Research Fellowships are awarded for full-time training projects by investigators who have received a Ph.D. degree within the preceding three years and have not had more than three years of fellowship support. Fellows will receive a progressive stipend of $28,000 to $32,000 up to a maximum of three years.

American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education (APIRE)
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals

The APIRE/AstraZeneca Young Minds in Psychiatry Awards Program recognizes and promotes young physicians, 35 years of age or under, working in psychiatry. Two $45,000 career development awards will be made for promising research in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. U.S. applicants must be a member of the American Psychiatric Association. Applications are due November 20, 2002. More information is available at: http://www.psych.org/res_res/youngminds_announce.cfm

Anheuser-Busch
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Anheuser-Busch and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation are seeking applications for the 2003 Budweiser Conservation Scholarship Program, which promotes innovative research in conservation issues. The program is designed to respond to challenges in fish, wildlife and plant conservation in the U.S., including sustainable use of natural resources (e.g. sportfish and game, recovery of an endangered species, or control of invasive exotic species). To be eligible, a student must be a U.S. citizen enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education in the U.S. pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree (sophomores and juniors in the current academic year only) in environmental science, natural resource management, biology, public policy, geography, political science or related disciplines. Ten scholarships of up to $10,000 each will be awarded to cover students’ expenses. Applications are due by January 17, 2003. More information is available at: http://www.nfwf.org/programs/budscholarship.htm

Hewlett-Packard

HP’s 2003 Community College Pre-Engineering/Computer Science Grant Initiative is targeted to two-year community colleges and tribal colleges in the U.S. that have invested in retention and transfer programs that support African American, Latino and American Indian students engaged in pre-engineering courses. The goal is to enable these students to successfully transfer into computer engineering and computer science majors at four-year universities. Schools that do not have such a program(s) will not be considered for one of the 11 awards available. Selected schools will receive an HP Wireless Mobile Classroom and the opportunity to attend a Summit in May 2003, at which past HP Community College Grant recipients will convene to share learnings and best practices. Applications are due November 22, 2002. More information is available at: http://grants.hp.com/us/programs/community_college/index.html

Copyright State Science & Technology Institute 2002. 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.