Interdisciplinary Training for Undergraduates in Biological and Mathematical Sciences (UBM)

Description

UBM provides opportunities for funding of undergraduate education and training efforts that integrate the biological sciences and mathematical sciences. Such efforts are expected to:

• Be grounded in research activities involving both mathematical and biological sciences;
• Connect to regular academic studies, influencing the direction of academic programs for a broad range of students;
• Involve students from both areas in significant joint research projects that connect to research at the intersection of the disciplines; and
• Show commitment to joint mentorship and leadership by faculty in both fields.

Research activities should focus on areas funded by the Division for Mathematical Sciences and the Directorate for Biological Sciences. NSF does not normally support bioscience research with disease-related goals, including work on the etiology, diagnosis or treatment of physical or mental disease, abnormality, or malfunction in human beings or animals.

Proposals may be of either large scope (Institutional projects) or small scope (Group projects).

UBM will include annual meetings of awardees to share information and encourage student/faculty exchanges among awardees. Opportunities for partnering across institutions and for developing international collaborations are welcome. Fieldwork may be appropriate. While the core of UBM research projects and educational activities is the intersection of the biological and mathematical sciences, it is open to projects that include other disciplines as appropriate such as the physical sciences, social sciences, computer sciences, and engineering. However, UBM funds can only be used for students or other personnel from the biological or mathematical sciences.

Dissemination of information about project outcomes to a broader audience is also important. UBM aims to create new models for approaches to interdisciplinary education and training. UBM projects should strengthen educational capacity, infrastructure, and culture at participating institutions, as reflected in the number and inclusiveness of participating mentors and students and the quality of their research experience. Educational culture is linked to campus resource investment and to the value placed on participation by mentors in the undergraduate research enterprise by the institution. Educational culture also embraces the fostering of student learning and professional development and an appreciation for the integration of research and education. UBM projects should contribute substantially to an enhanced and sustainable undergraduate educational enterprise that strengthens mathematical training or education for those students studying biology, and interdisciplinary training for those studying mathematics.

The program encourages collaborations that bring together biological and mathematical scientists from associate, baccalaureate, masters, or Ph.D. granting institutions, minority serving institutions, national and regional organizations, and that may involve industrial or government laboratories.

Eligible Entities

Organization Limit:  For-profit organizations: U.S. commercial organizations, especially small businesses with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education.

PI Limit: The primary employment of the Principal Investigator (PI) must be with the small business concern at the time of the award. A PI must spend a minimum of one calendar month on an SBIR Phase I project.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: An organization can only submit a total of 2 proposals for this solicitation. If more than 2 proposals are submitted the additional proposals will be returned without review.

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI:  The principal investigator and co-principal investigators may participate in only one proposal submitted to this solicitation. It is the responsibility of the submitting organization to insure that the PI and all co-PIs are participating in only one proposal submitted to this solicitation.

Available Funds

NSF anticipates making 6 to 9 standard grants, including 2 to 3 institutional awards and 4 to 6 group awards.

The anticipated funding amount is $3.3 million in FY 2008 pending the availability of funds.

The duration of projects may be up to five years (for Institutional projects), or up to three years (for Group projects), and we strongly encourage projects of these durations. Institutional projects longer than three years will be reviewed in the third year, and further funding will depend on the outcome of this review.

Total award sizes for Institutional projects should not exceed an average of $200,000 per year. For example, an award for a project of five years duration is limited to a maximum of $1 million. Total award sizes for Group projects should not exceed $80,000 per year. For example an award for a project of three years duration is limited to a maximum of $240,000.

Estimated program budget, number of awards and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.

Cost Sharing

Cost sharing is not required under this solicitation.

Facilities and Administrative Costs

An administrative allowance, limited to 25% of the participant support stipend amount (Line F.1. on the FastLane budget) only, is allowed for UBM awards as partial reimbursement of indirect costs. That amount should be entered under Total Indirect Costs (Line I on the FastLane budget).

Key Dates

Full proposal deadline is February 11, 2010 (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time)

More Info + Submissions

Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Expires: February 10, 2010

Submissions for this opportunity are not handled by RI STAC or RI EPSCoR. Please follow the link below for more information on the opportunity and how to submit a response.

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