OPPORTUNITY FUNDING ALERT

Childhood Obesity
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Active Living Research
Down Syndrome in Adults
NIH - "Factors Affecting Cognitive Function in Adults with Down Syndrome"
Film - Science & Technology
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation - Producers Grant
Instrumentation and Facilities
NIH, National Center for Research Resources - Core Facility Renovation, Repair, and Improvement
National Science Foundation, Earth Sciences: Instrumentation and Facilities (EAR/IF)
Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)
Department of Defense - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Therapeutic Development Award
Mathematical Science
National Science Foundation, Division of Mathematical Science - Workforce Program in the Mathematical Sciences
Science and Engineering
NASA Research - “Research Opportunities in Combustion Science”
NSF, Office of Cyberstructure - TeraGrid Phase III: eXtreme Digital Resources for Science and Engineering
Dept. of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology -"Science and Engineering Research Grants Program: Providing the Technology Infrastructure to Address National Priorities"
Searle Scholars Program
Student Training
USDA - Multicultural Scholars Grants Program
Vulnerable Populations
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Local Funding Partnerships 2009-2010
Of Interest
Institute of Education Sciences - Research Funding Webinars
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - Notice of Change in the Receipt Date for PAR-07-456, NINDS Diversity Research Education Grants in Neuroscience
NIH - Fourth Annual NIH National Graduate Student Research Festival

Child Obesity

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Active Living Research: Investigating Policies and Environments to Support Active Communities
Active Living Research is a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) that supports research to identify promising policy and environmental strategies for increasing physical activity, decreasing sedentary behaviors and preventing obesity among children and adolescents. This funding opportunity from RWJF for New Connections research or publication grants through the Active Living Research program is for new investigators from historically disadvantaged and underrepresented communities. Two types of grants will be funded under this call for proposals: research grants and publication grants. A total of up to $336,000 will be awarded for research and publication grants: Research grants: Four 12- to 18-month awards of up to $75,000 each; Publication grants: Three 12-month awards of up to $12,000 each. Deadlines: Optional conference call, June 22, 2009; Proposal: July 29, 2009. Go to: http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=20804

Down Syndrome in Adults

NIH - "Factors Affecting Cognitive Function in Adults with Down Syndrome"
The NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) offer this program (RFS-HD-09-028) to encourage investigator initiated research to focus on various factors that maximize and maintain cognitive function in adults (> 21 years of age) with Down syndrome. This solicitation encourages applications from investigators from very diverse backgrounds and interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary proposals, as well as those that involve systematic longitudinal study rather than study of samples of convenience. These studies could serve to form an evidence base that will inform not only health care management and treatment, but also issues such as quality of life, access to services, education, and ultimately affect public policy.

This solicitation encourages applications that would inform several areas of inquiry: the natural history of medical and mental health issues in adults with Down syndrome, their incidence and onset; health disparities that occur, and their prevention or effective treatment; the development of better diagnostic tools to assess functional and cognitive impairment in adults with Down syndrome; improved quality of life measures; community-based interventions that improve individual educational, occupational, and social outcomes; the impact of early entry to services, type of intervention, and/or family history on quality of life for adults with Down Syndrome; and the impact of family structure and ancestry on critical life transitions, co-occurring conditions, and developmental changes of adults with Down syndrome through longitudinal studies rather than studies of samples of convenience. Deadlines: Letter of Intent - May 29, 2009; Proposal: Jun. 30, 2009. Go to: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HD-09-028.html

Film - Science & Technology

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation - Producers Grant
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation will award one participant of Film Independent's Producers Lab the second annual Sloan Producers Grant. The recipient will receive a $25,000 development grant, admission to Film Independent's 2009 Producers Lab, and year-round support from Film Independent. The grant is funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, which seeks to create and develop new scripts and films about science and technology and to see them into commercial production with national and international distribution. It has screenplay development programs with the Tribeca, Sundance, and Hamptons Film Festivals, as well as other select independent partners and film schools. To apply for the Sloan Producers Grant, the filmmaker must apply to the 2009 Producers Lab and indicate in their letter that they wish to be considered for the Sloan Grant. To be eligible for the Sloan grant the applicant must be attached as producer and possess the rights to the script with which they are applying and the screenplay should have a scientific, mathematical, and/or technological theme and storyline or have a leading character who is a scientist, engineer, or mathematician. A complete list of Student Film Awards is located at the Museum of Moving Image. $55 Film Independent Members; $75 Non-members. Deadline: July 6, 2009. Go to: http://www.sloan.org/apply

Instrumentation and Facilities

NIH, National Center for Research Resources - Core Facility Renovation, Repair, and Improvement
This announcement, issued by the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health, solicits applications from institutions that propose to renovate, repair, or improve core facilities. For the purpose of this FOA, a core facility is defined as a centralized shared resource that provides access to instruments or technologies or services, as well as expert consultation to investigators supported by the core. The major objective of this announcement is to upgrade core facilities to support the conduct of PHS supported biomedical and/or behavioral research. Support can be requested to alter and renovate the core facility as well as to improve the general equipment in the core facility or to purchase general equipment for specialized groups of researchers. Specialized equipment over $100,000 in cost cannot be requested as part of this FOA. In situations when similar core facilities exist in different departments at an institution, funding can be requested in support of centralizing these core facilities. Deadline: Sept. 17, 2009. Go to: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RR-09-007.html

National Science Foundation, Earth Sciences: Instrumentation and Facilities (EAR/IF)
This program (EAR/IF) will consider proposals in a number of areas:

1. For the acquisition or upgrade of research equipment that will advance laboratory and field investigations, and student research training opportunities in the Earth sciences. The maximum request is $750,000. The maximum request for upgrade of research group computing facilities is $75,000;

2. Development of New Instrumentation, Analytical Techniques or Software that will extend current research and research training capabilities in the Earth sciences. The maximum request is $750,000;

3. Support of National or Regional Multi-User Facilities that will make complex and expensive instruments or systems of instruments broadly available to the Earth sciences research and student communities;

4. Development of Cyberinfrastructure for the Earth Sciences (Geoinformatics) that will enable transformative advances in Earth science research and education through novel application, development or adaptation of information technologies; and

5. Support for Early Career Investigators to facilitate expedient operation of new research infrastructure proposed by the next generation of leaders in the Earth Sciences. This opportunity allows for submission of a proposal for Acquisition or Upgrade of Research Equipment that includes budget line items associated with support of a new full-time technician who will be dedicated to manage the instrument(s) being requested. Any request for technical support under this opportunity is limited to three years duration and a declining schedule of maximum annual funding as follows: Year 1 = $80,000, Year 2 = $60,000 and Year 3 = $40,000.

Deadline: July 8, 2009. Go to: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2009/nsf09517/nsf09517.htm

Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)

Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Therapeutic Development Award
As the vision of the FY09 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program (ALSRP) is to improve treatments for ALS, this Therapeutic Development Award (# W81XWH-09-ALSRP-TDA) is being offered to support preclinical development of therapeutics for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Investigators are encouraged to undertake preclinical studies of novel and existing agents. The Therapeutic Development Award is restricted to research in ALS. The proposed studies are expected to be empirical in nature and product-driven, but may have a hypothesis-driven approach, provided the focus is on therapeutics. It is anticipated that the agents and/or data generated from these awards will lead to the advancement of therapeutics for ALS. Studies focused on basic science research that will not directly inform therapeutic development do not meet the intent of the award mechanism. Additionally, clinical trials will not be allowed.

Proposals that do not focus on at least one of the following areas will be administratively withdrawn. Development and/or validation of high-throughput screens to define targets with therapeutic potential or identify lead agents for ALS treatment and be an asset for the ALS research community; Validation or refinement of preclinical model systems to assess potential therapeutics may serve as an adjunct objective for studies proposed under this award mechanism, as they may also provide an improved tool for the ALS research community; Development of pharmacologic agents through the Adsorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity (ADMET) phase; Design and implement production of therapeutics and/or delivery systems using current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) for use in advanced preclinical and future clinical trials; Development of pharmacologic agents to the Investigational New Drug (IND) stage in order to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials after the award’s completion. Max. funding: $1.5 million in direct costs for three years. Deadlines: Pre-application: Jul. 15, 2009; Invitation to submit proposal: Aug. 28, 2009; Proposal: Oct. 15, 2009. Go to: http://cdmrp.army.mil/FUNDING/alsrp.htm

Mathematical Science

National Science Foundation, Division of Mathematical Science - Workforce Program in the Mathematical Sciences
This Program (PD 08-7335)'s long-range goal of the DMS Workforce Program is to increase the number of well-prepared U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents who successfully pursue careers in the mathematical sciences and in other NSF-supported disciplines. Among intermediate goals to this end are improvements in recruitment, retention, education, and placement of trainees in the mathematical sciences. The program's primary interest is in activities centered on education through research involvement for trainees at the undergraduate through postdoctoral educational levels. Activities that broaden participation in the mathematical sciences are of significant interest to the Division of Mathematical Sciences.

The program is particularly interested in activities that improve: recruitment and retention: increasing the number and diversity of U.S. students who successfully pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in mathematics and statistics; educational breadth: broadening graduate education and undergraduate education content in the mathematical sciences to prepare students for a wider range of career opportunities; and professional development: enhancing the professional skills of mathematical sciences postdoctoral associates, graduate students, and undergraduate students to better prepare them for both academic and nonacademic employment. The program welcomes unsolicited proposals for activities that address the program goals in innovative and creative ways. Deadline: Jun. 15, 2009. Go to: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503233&govDel=USNSF_39

Science and Engineering

NASA Research - “Research Opportunities in Combustion Science”
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters released NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNH09ZTT001N, entitled, "Research Opportunities in Combustion Science" on May 18, 2009. Proposals are solicited by the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) Advanced Capabilities Division for the following four categories: 1) fundamental studies of material flammability as a function of gravity, flow and orientation, 2) investigations of the relevance of existing flammability test methods for low and partial gravity environments,3) development and validation of test approaches for assessment of material flammability under microgravity and partial gravity conditions, and 4) quantification of low-gravity gaseous and particulate products of combustion for materials used in the habitable volume of spacecraft developed in the Constellation program. This call is for ground-based research that may eventually lead to research on the International Space Station (ISS).

The full text of the solicitation is available on the NASA Research Opportunities homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com under menu listing "Open Solicitations." Potential applicants are urged to access this site well in advance of the proposal due date to familiarize themselves with its structure and to register in the system. Deadlines: Notices of Intent, Jun. 18, 2009; Proposals, Aug. 18, 2009.

National Science Foundation, Office of Cyberstructure - TeraGrid Phase III: eXtreme Digital Resources for Science and Engineering
In many areas of research, a key to making advances is the ability of scientists and engineers to manipulate extremely large quantities of information. Examples include: numerical simulation and modeling; the analysis of very large datasets, whether generated by new generations of scientific instrumentation or by numerical models; and the mining of a wide range of collections of digital artifacts. The scientific impacts of the TeraGrid resources have been felt in astronomy, astrophysics, atmospheric science, biochemistry, chemistry, civil engineering, computer science, condensed matter physics, earth science, materials research, mechanical engineering, nanotechnology, ocean science, particle physics, plasma physics, relativity, and the social, behavioral and economic sciences.

At the largest scales, the resources needed to work with huge volumes of digital information are expensive and scarce. In recent years, the research community, with support from NSF, has developed the TeraGrid as a way of providing wide access to these scarce, expensive resources. The need for such widely shared, national resources continues to grow and as the currently funded phase of TeraGrid operations approaches its close, NSF is inviting innovative proposals for a new infrastructure to deliver the next generation of high-end digital services, as national resources, that will provide researchers and educators with the capability to work with extremely large amounts of digitally represented information. A proposing organization may submit (or be a sub-awardee on) either a proposal for a single one of the four services listed in the Integrating Services section of the Program Description (Section II of this solicitation), or a proposal for the XD Coordination and Management Service (CMS) and one or more of the other three Integrating services. Funding Opportunity No. NSF 08-571. Deadline: Jun. 15, 2009 (Integrating Services). Go to: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08571/nsf08571.htm

Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology -"Science and Engineering Research Grants Program: Providing the Technology Infrastructure to Address National Priorities"
In response to the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will provide $35 million in grants and cooperative agreements for measurement science and engineering research in the following six focus areas of critical national importance: energy, environment and climate change, information technology/cybersecurity, biosciences/healthcare, manufacturing, and physical infrastructure.

Under this program (Funding Opportunity No. 2009-NIST-ARRA-MSE-Research-01; CFDA No. 11.609), NIST anticipates funding 20-60 proposals at the level of $500,000 to $1,500,000 per award for a project period of up to 3 years. Competitive proposals will result in achieving commencement of activities as quickly as possible consistent with prudent management. The program is intended to advance the state of knowledge and practice in these areas of critical national importance, in support of NIST’s mission to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. The program will advance purposes established in Section 3 of the Recovery Act by: creating jobs, promoting economic recovery, providing investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health, making investments in research areas such as environmental protection and infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits, and helping to stabilize state and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases. Deadline: Jul. 13, 2009. Go to: http://www.nist.gov/recovery/measurement_ffo.html

Searle Scholars Program

The Searle Scholars Program makes grants to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding individuals who are in the first or second year of their appointment at the assistant professor level, and whose current appointment is a tenure-track position. The Searle Scholars Program makes grants to selected academic institutions to support the independent research of outstanding individuals who are in the first or second year of their first appointment at the assistant professor level, and whose current appointment is a tenure-track position. The current grant level is $300,000 for a three-year period. Normally, the program makes 15 new grants each year.

Applications to the program must be submitted through invited institutions only, and not by individual candidates. The list of invited institutions can be found on the Participating Institutions page. Individuals from an invited institution who are considering submitting applications should consult with their Provost, Graduate Dean, or similarly situated academic officer to determine how many applications their institution has been allowed to submit as well as how selections will be made within their institutions. On-line application forms and instructions for the year 2010 awards will be available to our invited institutions in early-June. Potential applicants should obtain the on-line application passwords from the appropriate administrative office at their institution. Applications are to be submitted by the institution and not by individual candidates. Today, 142 institutions are invited to participate in the Program. Deadline: Sep. 25, 2009. Go to: http://www.searlescholars.net/

Student Training

USDA - Multicultural Scholars Grants Program

The purpose of this competitive undergraduate scholarship grant program is to increase the multicultural diversity of the food and agricultural scientific and professional workforce, and advance the educational achievement of all Americans by providing competitive grants to colleges and universities. This program solicits applications to train students in the Emphasis Areas of 1. Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degree in Veterinary Medicine); 2. Agricultural Sciences and Engineering for Bioenergy; 3. Natural Resources Sciences Training; 4. Human Sciences Training; 5. Food Science and Human Nutrition Training; and 6. Agrosecurity Science Training.

Applications are sought for student training that: (i) will prepare graduates to meet the demand for highly qualified personnel entering the workforce in the food and agricultural sciences domain; (ii) will pipeline more undergraduates into graduate education in the food and agricultural sciences; (iii) will address the substantial gap between White, Latino and African American populations entering graduate schools to enable the American system of higher education to remain competitive with the rest of the world; (iv) will promote students’ success in food and agricultural science disciplines at the undergraduate/DVM level; and (v), will focus on student learning, e.g., academic preparation, social support structure (tutoring, mentoring, experiential opportunities in research and study abroad), and professional mentoring to ensure matriculation and entry into food and agricultural sciences areas of graduate education or the workforce.

Also, there are Special Experiential Learning (SEL) opportunities to support eligible USDA Multicultural Scholars to conduct research or to undertake studies at sites within or outside of the United States. SEL awards for eligible USDA Multicultural Scholars will only be available as provided for within this announcement. Applications may be submitted by: (1) land-grant institutions, (2) colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments and a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences, and (3) other colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences.

Deadline: Jul. 28, 2009. Go to: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/multicultural_selg.html

Vulnerable Populations

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - Local Funding Partnerships 2009-2010
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Local Funding Partnerships (LFP) program forges relationships between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and local grantmakers to fund promising, original projects that can significantly improve the health of vulnerable people in their communities. Projects must be new, innovative, collaborative and community-based. Significant program expansions—into new regions or to new populations—may also be considered. Please note that these funds may not be used to maintain existing projects.

Projects must be nominated by a local grantmaker committed to participating as one of the funding partners. Local funding partners must be willing to work with grantees to obtain sufficient dollar-for-dollar matching funds throughout the grant period. These funders may include independent and private foundations, family and community foundations, and corporate and other philanthropies. Matching funds must represent new funding specifically designated to support the proposed project. In-kind services may not be used to match Foundation funds. Key dates: Stage 1 brief proposals, Jul 7, 2009; full proposal (by invitation), Nov. 10, 2009. Up to 14 matching grants of between $200,000 to $500,000 each will be awarded. http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=20605

Of Interest

Institute of Education Sciences - Research Funding Webinars
Topic: Grant Writing Workshop for Exploration Projects (Goal 1)
Tuesday, June 2, 1:00-2:30 p.m. (EST)
During this workshop, IES staff will provide in-depth information on preparing a Goal 1 application. Topics will include Goal 1 methodological requirements and developing a research plan.

Topic: Grant Writing Workshop for Research on the Education Workforce (Education Leadership, Teacher Quality programs and Special Education Teacher Quality program)
Wednesday, June 3, 1:30–3:00 p.m. (EST)
During this workshop, IES staff will provide a general overview of its four programs that provide funding for research on the education workforce: Education Leadership, Teacher Quality – Reading and Writing, Teacher Quality – Math and Science, and Special Education Teacher Quality. The overview will include information on program requirements, the IES goal structure, and peer review process.

For registration information for the above upcoming webinars: go to https://iesed.webex.com/iesed/onstage/g.php?p=0&t=m

For assistance, contact Lisa Gail, Senior Conference Manager, Synergy Enterprises, Inc., 8757 Georgia Avenue, Suite 1440, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone: (240) 485-1700, ext. 132 Fax: (240) 485-1709, lgail@seiservices.com

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - Notice of Change in the Receipt Date for Diversity Research Education Grants in Neuroscience.
Notice Number: NOT-NS-09-012. The purpose of this notice is to change the multiple receipt dates for PAR-07-456, “NINDS Diversity Research Education Grants in Neuroscience (R25),” to one single receipt date beginning in 2010. The next receipt date for NINDS Diversity Research Education Grants in Neuroscience (R25) is changed from January 25th, May 25th and September 25th to a once a year receipt date of January 25th only. This new policy will become effective on the January 25, 2010 receipt date; thus (new and revised) applications for May 25, 2009 and September 25, 2009 will still be accepted. The PAR-07-456 termination date remains unchanged.

NIH - Fourth Annual NIH National Graduate Student Research Festival
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is actively recruiting candidates to participate in the fourth annual NIH National Graduate Student Research Festival, to be held November 12th - 13th, 2009 in Bethesda, Maryland. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a Ph.D. program in the U.S. and on schedule to complete your Ph.D. degree requirements by October, 2010.

The NIH will be selecting up to 200 students to spend two days discussing their research through poster sessions, meeting other students from around the U.S., learning about the research being done at NIH, and exploring postdoctoral training opportunities on the NIH campuses. If you are not eligible to apply to this year’s Festival, we would appreciate your sharing this email and the attached flyer with students nearing completion of their dissertation. The deadline for application is July 1, 2009. More information and the online application can be found at: http://www.training.nih.gov/postdoctoral/ngsrf/.

Send comments to Camille Coley, Executive Assistant Vice President or Penny Ashwanden, Content Editor.

Prior Opportunity Alerts

June 2009