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Descripton at end of newsletter Week of July 24, 2023
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Greetings Dornsife Faculty,
This week's report includes
- External funding success achieved by 4 College faculty;
- A diverse and current crop of external funding opportunities, including 5 limited submissions;
- An announcement of the upcoming scholarship and research opportunities presentation sponsored by the Office of Research and Innovation.
Best regards,
Renee J. Perez, Vice Dean, Administration & Finance
Cathleen Crayton (aka "Chatty Cathy"), Project Specialist
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External Funding Successes
Xiaojiang Chen, Molecular Biology, Structural Basis of APOBEC Functions and HIV Restriction, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Judith Hirsch, Neurobiology, Neural Circuits that Process Visual Information, National Eye Institute
Soeren Mattke, Center for Economic and Social Research, Policy options to improve access to memory care for disadvantaged individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, National Institute on Aging
Remo Rohs, Computational Biology, Quantitative Modeling of Transcription Factor-DNA Binding, National Institute of General Medical Sciences
External Funding Opportunities
***Limited Submission***
(close timeline)
NSF / Multiple Directorates, including BIO, MPS and SBE
Program: Predictive Intelligence for Pandemic Prevention Phase II (PIPP Phase II Centers Program)
Solicitation #: NSF 23-608
Synopsis: Support research and development activities needed to transform society's ability to forecast the likelihood of pandemic-scale events, detect outbreaks early, and respond efficiently. The PIPP Phase II Centers Program expands upon the Phase I Development Grant Program and is the NSF's flagship program to establish a network of Centers or large-scale awards / investments that will support interdisciplinary team-based approaches to accelerate research and development activities in emerging infectious diseases and pandemics. The overall goal of the PIPP Phase II Centers program is to Informed by visioning activities in the scientific community as well as a previous round of development grant activities (PIPP Phase I), the program invites proposals for Centers that have a principal focus on one of the following multidisciplinary themes:
- Pre-emergence - Predicting and detecting rare events in complex, dynamical systems
- Data, AI / ML and Design - Computing, manufacturing and technology innovation for pandemics
- The Host as the Universe - Identifying host-pathogen tipping points that dictate control or spread of an infection
- Human Systems - The role of human behavior, activities and environments in disease emergence, transmission, and response or mitigation
Award details: $15M to $18M over 7 years. NSF anticipates 4 to 7 awards.
USC Internal announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/nsf-23-608/
Announcement on website: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2023/nsf23608/nsf23608.htm
USC Internal due date: August 7, 2023.
Letter of Intent due date (required): August 25, 2023.
Full proposal due date: December 8, 2023.
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***Limited Submission***
(close timeline)
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Programs: University Nuclear Leadership Program, Scholarship, and Fellowship Education Grant, Distinguished Faculty Advancement Grant Fiscal Year 2023
NOFO #: 31310023K0003
Synopsis: Support students and early career (untenured) faculty to promote nuclear science, engineering, technology, and related disciplines. The objective is to develop a workforce capable of supporting the design, construction, operation, and regulation of nuclear facilities as well as the safe handling of nuclear materials. All recipients in any of the 3 programs must be U.S. citizens.
- Support scholarships for nuclear science, engineering, health physics, and related disciplines to develop a workforce capable of supporting the design, construction, operation, and regulation of nuclear facilities as well as the safe handling of nuclear materials.
- Support fellowships for nuclear science, engineering, technology,
health physics, and related disciplines to develop a workforce capable of supporting the design, construction, operation, and regulation of nuclear facilities as well as the safe handling of nuclear materials. Related disciplines supported by this funding are intended to benefit the nuclear sector broadly.
- Support faculty advancement in nuclear science, engineering,
technology, health physics, nuclear fusion (fusion energy research) and related disciplines to develop a workforce capable of supporting the design, construction, operation, and regulation of nuclear facilities and the safe handling of nuclear materials. The objectives are to attract and retain highly qualified individuals early in their academic teaching careers (once the individuals hold a tenure-track position but have not yet obtained tenured). The program provides support to enable newer pre-tenured faculty to enhance their careers as professors and researchers in the university department where they are employed.
Award details: Scholarships: May request up to $200K total. A scholarship student may not receive more than $20K over the 3-year period of the grant. Fellowships: May request up to $400K total cost. A graduate student may not receive more than $50K per year or $200K over a 4-year period. Distinguished Faculty: May request up to $600K total cost, with a required $100K matching contribution by the recipient.
USC Internal announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/nrc-university-leadership/
Announcement on website: FY2023 UNLP
USC Internal due date: August 11, 2023.
Application due date: September 8, 2023. Start date: May 8, 2023.
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***Limited Submission***
U.S. Department of State / Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs
Program: Diversifying Semiconductor Supply Chains
NOFO #: SFOP0009975
Synopsis: Supports projects that target the existing semiconductor supply chain with a goal to expand and diversify the current composition – to “rewire” the supply chain. The Program goals are to engage host governments, industry, and stakeholders to address supply chain gaps / bottlenecks, increase private investment, build technical capacity, improve global integration, and develop the workforce in order to facilitate new investments that will complement and support the growth of new U.S. chip production. The program's goals will be addressed through two main components:
- Component One: Provide capacity-building technical assistance to address workforce deficiencies
- Component Two: Reform policy and mitigate regulatory obstacles for governments to grow and diversify their semiconductor industry
Among other eligibility requirements, the recipient of this award, recognizing that the project requires in-depth knowledge of global supply chains and the semiconductor industry, t must have demonstrated experience with both aspects.
Award details: The funding amount is $13.8M
USC Internal announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/sfop0009975/
Announcement on website: Semiconductor Supply Chains
USC Internal due date: August 14, 2023.
Proposal due date: September 29, 2023.
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***Limited Submission***
NSF / Directorate for STEM Education – Division of Undergraduate Education
Program: NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM)
Solicitation #: 23-527
Synopsis: Supports and enables low-income students with academic ability, talent, or potential to pursue successful careers in promising STEM fields. Ultimately, the S-STEM program seeks to increase the number of academically promising low-income students who graduate with a S-STEM-eligible degree and contribute to the American innovation economy with their STEM knowledge. Recognizing that financial aid alone cannot increase retention and graduation in STEM, the program provides awards to institutions of higher education (IHEs) not only to fund scholarships, but also to adapt, implement, and study evidence-based curricular and co-curricular activities that have been shown to be effective supporting recruitment, retention, transfer (if appropriate), student success, academic/career pathways, and graduation in STEM. The solicitation describes in detail the 3 tracks for this program.
Award details: Track 1: Institutional Capacity Building — Maximum award is $1M for a maximum 6 years; Track 2: Implementation (Single Institution) — Maximum award is $2.5M for a maximum 6 years; Inter-Institutional — Maximum award is $5M for a maximum 6 years duration.
USC Internal Announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/nsf-23-527/
External announcement on the website: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2023/nsf23527/nsf23527.htm
USC Internal due date: October 23, 2023.
External due date: February 20, 2024.
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***Limited Submission***
NIH / Multiple Institutes (prominently the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Program: NIH Blueprint and BRAIN Initiative Program for Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Education Experiences (BP BRAIN-ENDURE) (R25 — Education Projects)
NOFO #: RFA-NS-24-014
Synopsis: Supports support creative educational activities with a primary focus on three areas:
- Research experiences
- Mentoring activities
- Courses for skill development
The proposed program needs to align with the neuroscience mission of the NIH Blueprint and / or BRAIN Initiative research areas and cannot have a general STEM focus. Proposed research education programs may complement ongoing research training and education occurring at the applicant institution (including T32 and T90), but the proposed educational experiences must be distinct from those training and education programs currently receiving Federal support.
Award details: Though there is no specific budget limit, the average cost per program is estimated between $300K - $400K.
USC Internal announcement: https://rii.usc.edu/limited-submissions/rfa-ns-24-014/
Announcement on website: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-24-014.html
USC Internal due date: November 3, 2023.
Letter of Intent due date: 30 days prior to submission of application.
Application due dates: February 15, 2024, and February 10, 2024.
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Corning Museum of Glass
Program: David Whitehouse Research Residency for Scholars
Synopsis: Supports a scholar in residence for up to three weeks at the world's foremost library on the art and history of glass and glassmaking. This residency gives scholars the opportunity to delve into topics that further their knowledge, or to provide access to research materials for a developing project and is open to scholars who want to utilize the Museum’s resources, especially the extensive holdings of the Rakow Research Library, to inform their research about any period of glass. Originality and clarity of research questions, alignment of research needs with resources available in the Rakow Research Library, Museum collections, and staff expertise, contribute to a successful application.
Award details: Scholars will be provided with transportation to and from Corning, NY, as well as room and board. Residents will have access to the Rakow Research Library, The Corning Museum of Glass, and the Museum’s staff experts. The residency manager will facilitate meetings with Museum experts and other resources.
Announcement on website: https://info.cmog.org/opportunities-for-scholars/whitehouse-scholar-residency
Application due date: August 31, 2023.
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Samuel H. Kress Foundation
Program: History of Art
Synopsis: Supports scholarly projects that will enhance the appreciation and understanding of European works of art and architecture from antiquity to the early 19th century. Grants are awarded to projects that create and disseminate specialized knowledge, including archival projects, development, and dissemination of scholarly databases, documentation projects, museum exhibitions and publications, photographic campaigns, scholarly catalogs and publications, and technical and scientific studies. Grants are awarded to non-profit institutions that have 501(c)3 status in the United States. International applicants must identify a U.S. non-profit as the fiscal sponsor for their proposal.
Award details: Recent grants have ranged up to $50K, with an average amount of ~$15K.
Announcement on website: https://www.kressfoundation.org/Programs/Grants/History-of-Art
Letter of Intent due date: August 15, 2023, to September 1, 2023.
Application due date (invited): October 1, 2023.
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Internet Society Foundation
Program: The Building Opportunities / Leveraging Technologies (BOLT)
Synopsis: Support the development of innovative methods, technologies, and infrastructure that seek to enhance Internet connectivity and access. The Foundation aims to support teams of creatives, technologists, researchers, and social / cultural workers to design and build prototypes and pilots that will bring into reality innovative solutions to Internet connectivity, particularly among communities where current technologies are unavailable or not readily accessible. With a vision that the internet is for everyone, the foundation seeks team projects that focus on internet connectivity that is
- cost reducing
- environmentally sustainable
- trust-enhancing
- relevant to users and community
- imaginative and engaging in experimentation and play, and
- accessible.
Award details: $300K for 1 year.
Announcement on website: https://www.isocfoundation.org/grant-programme/bolt-grant-program/
Application due date: August 18, 2023.
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William T. Grant Foundation
Program: Institutional Challenge Grant
Synopsis: Supports university-based research institutes, schools, and centers in building sustained research-practice partnerships with public agencies or nonprofit organizations in order to reduce inequality in youth outcomes. The goals of this award are to
- Grow an existing partnership between the research institute and a public agency or a non-profit;
- Pursue a joint research agenda to reduce inequality in youth outcomes;
- Create institutional change to value research-practice partnerships within research institutions;
- Enhance the capacity of both partners to collaborate on producing and using research evidence.
Eligible PIs are those considered leaders within their research community, and who have visibility and influence on institutional policy and practice.
Award details: $650K over 3 years, including funding for a two-year full-time equivalent fellowship.
Announcement on website: https://wtgrantfoundation.org/grants/institutional-challenge-grant
Application due date: September 13, 2023.
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The Wiley Foundation
Program: The Wiley Prize in Biomedical Prizes
Synopsis: Supports and recognizes ongoing excellence in scientific achievement and discovery. Nominations invited of exceptional scientists or research teams
whose work champions novel approaches and challenges thinking in the biomedical sciences. Self-nominations are not accepted.
Award details: $50K and luncheon in honor of the recipient(s). The recipient is expected to give a talk on their work, which is live-streamed the day of the award and available for later viewing as part of the Current Protocols webinar series.
Announcement on website: https://www.wiley.com/en-us/foundation/nominate
Nominations due date: August 31, 2023.
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Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP)
Program: 2024 Community-Partnered Participatory Research Awards (CPPRA)
Synopsis: Supports research that fosters equitable collaborations between community members and experienced research scientists stemming from a belief that integrating rigorous scientific methodology with community involvement at each phase of the process leads to more sustainable and effective tobacco prevention and cessation interventions that can improve the health of Californians. Supports both Pilot and Full CPPRA projects that are collaboratively developed and led by one Community Co-Principal Investigator and one Academic Co-PI. Both types of proposals must broadly address at least one of TRDRP strategic objectives. The CPPRA grant type closely aligns with TRDRP’s strategic objectives to:
- Utilize collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to address key programmatic and research needs for effective and innovative tobacco control policymaking.
- Support communities most vulnerable to tobacco-related health disparities by providing them and our partner organizations with real time, relevant, and actionable research findings to promote health equity and reduce negative impacts of tobacco in all California communities.
Award details: Pilot CPPRA projects: Maximum award for 2-year project is $500K for direct costs. Full CPPRA projects: Maximum award for 3-year project is $600K for direct direct costs. Existing negotiated indirect costs are allowed.
Announcement on website: https://www.trdrp.org/files/2024-cppra-call-for-applications_final.pdf
Letter of Intent due date: August 24, 2023.
Full application due date (invited): October 26, 2023.
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Bright Focus Foundation
Program: 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Research (ADR) Request for Proposals
Synopsis: Supports domestic as well as international scientists for projects that will lead to greater understanding, preventing, and treating Alzheimer’s disease. The ADR program offers 2 types of awards: (1) Standard Awards provide significant funding for researchers who have already generated some amount of preliminary data but are often required to demonstrate additional, significant progress before they can apply to governmental or industrial funding agencies. Must include a mentoring component and the proposal must have institutional approval. (2) Postdoctoral Fellowship awards are intended for young researchers in their final stages of mentored training. Postdoc candidates must be within 5 years of obtaining the doctorate. These awards fund projects in an established laboratory that will serve as the basis for the applicant's own independent research career.
Award details: Standard awards are $300K for 3 years; Postdoc Fellowship awards are $200K for 2 years.
Announcement on website: https://science.brightfocus.org/research/alzheimers-disease-research/rfp
Letter of Intent due date: August 25, 2023.
Full application due date (invited): December 15, 2023.
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Burroughs Wellcome Fund
Program: Career Awards at the Scientific Interface (CAIS)
Synopsis: Supports advanced postdocs as they transition to the first three years of faculty service. Intent is to foster the early career development of researchers who are transitioning from training environments in the physical, mathematical, computational sciences and / or engineering into postdoctoral work in the biological sciences, and who are dedicated to pursuing a career in academic research. Eligible candidates have completed at least 1 year of postdoctoral training, but no more than 5 years. Candidates must have at least 1 first-author publication. Please see the RFP for additional eligibility criteria.
Award details: $560K over 5 years. Indirect costs may not be charged against the grant.
Announcement on website: https://www.bwfund.org/funding-opportunities/interfaces-in-science/career-awards-at-the-scientific-interface/
Letter of Intent due date: September 1, 2023.
Full proposal due date (invited): January 8, 2024.
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Dana Foundation and the Kavli Foundation
Program: Civic Science Fellowship
Synopsis: Supports Fellows at host institutions to pilot civic science projects in partnership with diverse communities. These projects are co-developed by the Fellow and the host partner. Fellows will contribute as active participants in the intellectual life and work of the organizations that host them. Over the course of their Fellowship, Fellows will: Lead the co-design and implementation of a Fellowship project in close collaboration with their host institution;. Create at least one substantial, concrete civic science work product to capture new knowledge and share it with a broader community by the end of their Fellowship term. The Dana and Kavli Foundations seek to support two partner organizations to each host a Civic Science Fellow in the area of “Neuroscience and Society.” As the neuroscience field continues to rapidly advance, new research models and discoveries are pushing the frontiers of our understanding of the brain and nervous system. Products may include media or content, community events, learning experiences, pilot programs, prospectus or research guidelines, research, and tools, among others. Products should have the potential for contributing significant new knowledge to both the field and host institution. The 2 targeted opportunities are
- Neuroscience and Society (co-funded by the Dana and Kavli Foundations). May explore, for example ethical implications of brain-machine interfaces; genetics and epigenetics of brain diseases and disorders; and disorders of consciousness.
- Neuroscience, AI, and Society (funded by the Dana Foundation). Perhaps explore topics such as how the human brain is affected by interacting with information created or curated by AI; the emerging field of organoid intelligence; and use of AI for drug discovery in neuroscience.
Award details: Potential hosts should submit a budget that includes 18 months’ salary and appropriate fringe benefits (based on a 12-month, $85K salary), a modest travel stipend (e.g., $5K, and equipment (e.g., laptop). Additional expenses a host institution will incur in hosting a Fellow can be included and may be negotiated (such as materials and supplies, software, and consulting services). Include any in-kind contributions the organization can provide, if any, including office space in the same department as the Fellow’s supervisor.
Announcement: Dana-Kavli Civic Science Fellow
Proposal due date: September 1, 2023. Funding and Fellowships are March 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025.
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National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
Program: Translation Projects
Synopsis: Supports projects for the translation of specific works of prose, poetry, or drama from other languages into English. The work to be translated should be of interest for its literary excellence and merit. NEA encourages translations of writers and of work that is not well represented in English, as well as work that has not previously been translated into English. NEA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and fostering mutual support for the diverse beliefs and values of all individuals and groups. Applicants are not eligible if they have received 3 or more NEA literature fellowships; have received any NEA creative literature fellowship since 2019; or have applications with the same project for 3 consecutive years. Scholarly writing, or work toward an academic degree will also not be considered.
Award details: Award ranges from $10K to $25K
Announcement on website: https://www.arts.gov/grants/translation-projects
Applications via grants.gov due date: Grants.gov system must receive your validated and accepted application no later than 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on January 18, 2024. Awarded projects may begin anytime between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, and may be extended for 2 years.
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NSF / Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Program: Focused Research Hub in Theoretical Physics (FRHTP)
Solicitation #: 23-607
Synopsis: Supports a small number of theory hubs focused on areas of recognized or emerging importance to theoretical physics for which success depends in a crucial way upon a group effort.. The Division of Physics recognizes that there are research needs that can only be met appropriately by teams of researchers. The advantages of pooled insights, complementary expertise, diverse points of view, and shared tasks make a successful research team more than the sum of its parts. A dedicated mode of support for such scientifically focused multi-investigator projects with an emphasis on postdoctoral research support is provided by this activity. The specific topic for FY 2024 competition and the only topic for which proposals will be considered is in Theoretical Nuclear Physics relevant to research within the purview of the Division of Physics. The successful theory hub will (1) advance theoretical science; (2) enhance the development of early career scientists; (3) support creative, substantive activities aimed at enhancing education, diversity, and public outreach; (4) have the potential for broader impacts, e.g., impacts on other field(s) and benefits to society; and (5) have a synergy or value-added rationale that justifies the FRHTP.
Award details: $250K to $500K per year for 5 years. I hub will be awarded.
Announcement on website: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2023/nsf23607/nsf23607.pdf
Full proposal due date: October 18, 2023.
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NSF / Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences – Division of Mathematical Sciences (MPS / DMS) and the Romanian Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI)
Program: NSF and the Romanian Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development, and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI) Lead Agency Opportunity in the Mathematical Sciences via Dear Colleague Letter (DCL)
DCL #: NSF 23-132
Synopsis: Supports and promotes collaborative research within the mathematical sciences by reducing barriers to conducting research with international collaborators. The NSF-UEFISCDI Lead Agency Opportunity allows U.S. and Romanian researchers to submit a single collaborative proposal that will undergo a single merit review process through NSF as the lead agency. Proposals are expected to adhere to typical proposal sizes and durations for the relevant UEFISCDI and MPS / DMS program(s) from which funding is sought. Proposals will be accepted for both interdisciplinary and disciplinary research projects.
Award details: There are no separate NSF funds for this effort. Proposals will compete with all other programs. NSF, as the lead agency, will use its usual internal procedures to determine whether a proposal will be awarded or declined. Funding decisions may be subject to budget limits.
Announcement on website: NSF and the Romanian Executive Agency for Higher Education
Expression of Interest due date: The DCL explains the 2-step application process. Proposers send an Expression of Interest at least 60 days prior to the intended proposal submission date.
Full proposal submission due date: Upon favorable review of the EOI by both agencies, NSF will notify proposers whether or not NSF advises a full proposal submission.
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Announcement of Interest for Dornsife Investigtors
USC Office of Research and Innovation
SAVE THE DATE: AUGUST 18, 2023
NAVIGATING RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP AT USC
Whether you’re new to USC or simply need a refresher, you are invited to attend this year's Navigating Research and Scholarship at USC for faculty, staff, postdocs, PhD students, and graduate students on Friday, August 18 from 9 AM to 12 PM via Zoom.
An exciting and informative program has been prepared on the latest and greatest resources and support available at USC to help you conduct research and scholarship.
For more info go to: https://calendar.usc.edu/event/navigating_research_and_scholarship_at_usc
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Book Cover: Forever Barbie: The Unauthoriaed Biography of a Real Doll (Walker Books, March 2004)
M.G. Lord (English)
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