Announcements

Save the Date: "The New IPCC Climate Report: The Reality, the Inevitable, and Hope for the Future"

Wednesday, August 25, 2021, 1:30pm ET
Fairfax campus (Room TBD) and streaming via Zoom

Abstract
Global warming due to human use of fossil fuel is now undeniable, as affirmed in the latest Assessment Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Virginians are not exempt from the ongoing changes – there will be a new normal, and we all need to prepare for it. Knowing where, when, and by how much our accustomed climate will change is critically important to plan for the coming decades. In this seminar, Dr. Jim Kinter from Mason’s Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences, will explain seminar will explain why and how climate is changing, the impacts on our Commonwealth and the world, and possible responses. People alive today may include the last generation that can take action to avoid the most dire consequences – it’s time to learn more about the climate crisis and what we can do about it.

Mason Science: Fall 2021 Research Discussions: "Sustaining the Planet for our Children and Grandchildren"

Wednesday, September 22, 2021, 4pm to 6pm
Registration

Conservation biologist and ISE Scientific Director Dr. Tom Lovejoy and communication scientist Dr. Ed Maibach are at the forefront of Mason’s efforts to help protect the land, ecosystems and climate on which all life depends—including ours.
Lovejoy and Maibach will share their views on what must happen, worldwide, to prevent catastrophic declines in earth’s life-sustaining capacity—so that our progeny share the blessings that were bestowed on us and our parents—and they will speak about activities currently underway at Mason that are helping to usher in the necessary solutions.

Most importantly, they look forward to engaging in conversation with guests at this event.

The College of Science is proud to host this event in partnership with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

University Global Coalition (UGC) Annual Gathering

Monday, September 27 & Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Please Save the Date for UGC's second annual virtual gathering: 27 September: 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. EDT and 28 September: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. EDT. 
Mason is a signatory to the UGC and ISE will be co-organizing this year's conference. Conference registration and session information will be available soon on the UGC website.

ISE Faculty Profiles


The ISE faculty directory is a tool for you to find others with complementing expertise and for external and internal audiences to find you! If you haven’t yet submitted your research profile information for the directory, please complete your profile here.
Upcoming Mason Events

Mason's Master Plan Engagement Session

Thursday, August 19, 2021, 9am - 10:30am ET
Zoom Meeting Link


The seventh virtual Master Plan Engagement Session will be held on Thursday, August 19, from 9:00-10:30. Join the Online Engagement Session.
During this session, consultants will share progress on the emerging vision for each of the three campuses, along with discussions of key physical systems, including open space ideas, parking, and long-term development plans.
The Master Plan Phase One Progress Report is now available for download, along with more information on the master plan site. The master planning process is a critical part of planning for Mason’s growth and will provide a decision-making framework for how we use our campuses and physical space for years to come.
Your continued interest and participation in this process ensure that the master plan captures the best thinking, aspirations and needs of our community.
Funding Opportunities

Critical Ecosystems And Improve Climate And Earth System Modeling


The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $11 million in funding for new research studying how critical ecosystems, such as forests, arid lands, and coastal environments, are impacted by extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and heat waves. The 17 projects led by universities, which include collaborations with DOE national laboratories and other government agencies, will explore the most complex environments on Earth to help scientists improve their ability to accurately predict the evolving effects of climate and environmental change.
  • Funding source: U.S. Department of Energy
  • Anticipated funding amount: $11 Million

High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program


The High-Risk, High-Reward Research program of the NIH supports exceptionally creative scientists pursuing highly innovative research with the potential for broad impact in biomedical, behavioral, or social sciences within the NIH mission. Preliminary data are not required. The program's four constituent NIH Director's awards provide a diverse set of funding opportunities. See the individual award websites for more information and application help.
  • Funding source: National Institutes of Health
  • Anticipated funding amount: $1.25 Million - 3.5 Million over 5 years
  • Deadline: Multiple

Environmental Convergence Opportunities in Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (ECO-CBET)


The Environmental Convergence Opportunities in Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (ECO-CBET) solicitation will support fundamental research activities that confront vexing environmental engineering and sustainability problems by developing foundational knowledge underlying processes and mechanisms such that the design of innovative new materials, processes, and systems is possible. Projects should be compelling and reflect sustained, coordinated efforts from highly interdisciplinary research teams. A key objective of the solicitation is to encourage dialogue and tightly integrated collaborations wherein members of the chemical process systems, transport phenomena, and bioengineering research communities engage with environmental engineering and sustainability experts to spark innovation and arrive at unanticipated solutions.
  • Funding source: National Science Foundation
  • Estimated number of awards: 5 to 6
  • Anticipated funding amount: $8,500,000
  • Deadline: January 21, 2022

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Behavioral Economics for Implementation Research (BEIR) to Improve Use of Evidence-Based Practices for HLBS Conditions


This Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) is intended to stimulate the use of behavioral economics strategies for implementation research (BEIR) in order to develop more effective strategies for implementaion of evidence-based practices (EBP) to address heart, lung, blood, and sleep (HLBS) conditions. NHLBI encourages applications that recognize the importance of cultural context, patterns of behavior change, and motivators for change across decision-making levels, including individuals (e.g., patients, parents, clinicians, others), groups, healthcare systems and/or communities. Applications that focus on the use of behavioral economics to develop implementation strategies for user-driven, sustainable interventions that may be simplified and minimally disruptive when possible are encouraged. Applications may propose either a clinical trial or non-clinical trial design, as appropriate to the research objectives.
  • Funding source: National Institutes of Health, DHHS
  • Anticipated funding amount: Not available
  • Deadline: October 5, 2021

Accelerating Research through International Network-to-Network Collaborations (AccelNet)


The Accelerating Research through International Network-to-Network Collaborations (AccelNet) solicitation invites proposals for the creation of international networks of networks in research areas aligned with a grand challenge identified as a priority by the research community or NSF, such as the NSF Big Ideas or in an active program solicitation.  AccelNet awards support the connections among research networks, rather than supporting fundamental research as the primary activity.  Each network of networks is expected to engage in innovative collaborative activities that promote synergy of efforts across networks and provide professional development for U.S. students, postdoctoral scholars, and early-career researchers. Two proposal categories covered by this solicitation include: Design and Implementation. 
  • Funding source: National Science Foundation
  • Estimated Number of Awards: 10 to 14
  • Anticipated funding amount: $10,000,000
  • Deadline: October 11, 2021
Student Opportunities

Green Jobs Forum & Career Fair with Resilient Virginia

Thursday, August 26, 2021, 1 - 6:30pm ET
Registration

Registration is now open for the Leaders in Energy 8th Annual Green Jobs Forum and Career Fair with Resilient Virginia.  At the Forum, you will be hearing from recruiters and those who have landed or created green jobs. There will also be opportunities for job seekers to meet with companies and organizations throughout the event and at the live streamed Career Fair. 
The Leaders in Energy Forum will take place on Thursday, August 26th, from 1:30 – 4:00 pm EDT, followed by the Career Fair from 4:30 – 6:30 pm EDT. The events will be conducted as part of the Resilient Virginia Conference (virtual) from August 25-27, 2021.

    Office of Sustainability's Patriot Green Fund (PGF) Committee

    Application for Fall 2021 – Summer 2022 term
    Deadline: Sunday, September 19, 2021

    The PGF is managed by a committee of five students, two faculty, and two staff members. The committee is responsible for processing and approving applications, marketing the PGF, and giving individual attention to each project to support its success.
    The application process for the Fall 2021 - Summer 2022 term is now open. Students are highly encouraged to apply!

      Call for Proposals: 2022 Smith Fellows

      Deadline: September 24, 2021
      Application


      The Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) is pleased to solicit applications for the David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellowship Program. These two year postdoctoral fellowships provide support for outstanding early-career scientists who want to better link conservation science and theory with policy and management, improving and expanding their research skills while directing their efforts towards conservation problems of pressing concern for the United States. 

        Dear Colleague Letter: Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity

        Deadline: Application accepted on rolling basis
        Application


        An NSF supplemental funding opportunity is available in fiscal years FY 2021 and beyond to provide graduate students with experiential learning opportunities through research internships to acquire core professional competencies and skills to support careers in any sector of the U.S. economy. NSF currently invests in a number of graduate student preparedness activities and has historically encouraged principal investigators (PIs) to include such activities in research proposals to NSF. This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) describes funding opportunities at NSF to ensure graduate students are well prepared for the 21st-century STEM workforce.

          Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital - Marketing and Communications Intern

          Application

          Take part in communications and marketing strategy for one of the world’s oldest and largest environmental film festivals! We are in search of a Marketing and Communications Intern to be part of a creative, dedicated team that works together to produce this major annual cultural event, plus a year-round schedule of programs and educational events.
          Internships runs from September through December (Fall Semester), and/or January through April (Spring Semester), although preference may be given to candidates who can commit for the entire academic year from September-April. Interns are required to work 35-40 hours per month during the Fall Semester, and 50-60 hours during the Spring Semester.
            Other Upcoming Events

            Virtual Adaptations: A Conversation on Campus Sustainability

            Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 11am ET
            Registration
            Join experts on campus sustainability for a global conversation with panelists from Iowa State University, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, and the University of Toronto as they explore how university campuses, from the built environment to operations, play a key role in addressing our climate emergency. Moderated by HDR, participants will discuss the challenges faced by universities to meet 2030 goals and the concrete strategies that have been effective and have the most potential to move the needle forward.

            Sustainable Single-Use Plastics Waste Management & the Marine Environment: A Transatlantic Perspective from Kiel, Germany

            Thursday, September 2, 2021, from 12:00pm to 1:15pm ET
            Registration

            Please join the Northern Virginia Regional Commission for a discussion with Ms. Tatjana Allers, City of Kiel, to discuss the city’s leadership in zero waste and experiences with EPR as it relates to the single-use plastics waste mitigation and discharge into the marine environment.
            Eliminating single-use plastic litter from the waters of the Chesapeake Bay is a priority. In March 2021, Governor Northam released an executive order requiring the phase-out of single-use plastics by state government agencies, including all state universities and colleges. The directive is broad, focusing on disposable plastic bags, single-use plastic and polystyrene food containers, plastic straws and utensils, and single-use plastic water bottles, unless they are for medical or public safety use. Virginia state agencies will also develop a report on recommendations for reducing waste and diverting it from landfills.

            3rd NOAA Workshop on Leveraging AI in Environmental Sciences

            September 13 - 17, 2021
            Additional Information


            This hybrid workshop is a continuation of the NOAA series of workshops on “Leveraging AI in Environmental Sciences.” The third event continues the successes of previous workshops and encourages participation by scientists, program managers, and leaders from the public, academic and private sectors who work in AI and environmental sciences.
            The theme for this year’s workshop is “Transforming Weather, Climate Services, and Blue Economy with Artificial Intelligence.” As a hybrid event, in-person capacity at Boulder will be limited in accordance with the most recent public health guideline while the virtual event will be open broadly to the public.
            The workshop is currently accepting abstracts relevant to the theme of this year’s workshop until June 18, 2021
            Key Dates:
            • Abstract submission: June 18, 2021
            • Notification to authors: July 16, 2021
            • Registration open: July 16, 2021

            9th Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development

            September 20 - 21, 2021
            Registration

            The International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD) provides a forum for academia, government, civil society, UN agencies, and the private sector to come together to share practical solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2021 conference theme is Research for Impact: An Inclusive and Sustainable PlanetRegistration for ICSD 2021 is currently open and free for all!

            AAAS Forum on Science & Technology Policy

            October 12 - October 13, 2021
            Registration

            The annual AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy is a conference for people interested in public policy issues facing the science, engineering, and academic communities. Since 1976, it has been the place where insiders go to learn what is happening around the growing number of policy issues that affect researchers and their institutions.
            The 46th Forum on S&T Policy will gather virtually to discuss major current challenges affecting science, policy, and society, as well as their intersectionality. The Forum gives you exclusive access to participate in discussions with some of the nation’s top experts and decision-makers on the most important public policy issues and how we should build on this framework for the future.
            The Institute for a Sustainable Earth (ISE) aims to connect members of the Mason community with others across the Mason community–and with other communities, policy-makers, businesses and organizations–so that, together, we can more effectively address the world’s pressing sustainability and resilience challenges.

            The ISE Newsletter provides up-to-date information on conferences, funding opportunities, and research pertaining to environmental science and sustainability. The biweekly newsletter aims to facilitate information sharing among researchers, practitioners, and relevant local, national, and international organization.
            Subscribe to our email list.