OPPORTUNITY FUNDING ALERT

Notice - NEH Summer Stipends

Aging
American Federation for Aging Research
Cancer Detection & Diagnosis
National Cancer Institute - Exfoliated Cells and Circulating DNA
Computing & Information
National Science Foundation - Expeditions in Computing
Education Research
American Educational Research Association 2010 Awards
National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship
Energy
DOE Small Business Research - Clean Energy Technologies and U.S. Jobs
Genomics Education
National Human Genome Research Institute - Initiative to Maximize Research Education in Genomics
Health Care Research
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality - Comparative Effectiveness Research
Homeland Security Research
Dept. of Homeland Security – Research Programs
Science Education
National Science Foundation - Discovery Research K-12
NSF - Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Florida Sea Grant College Program and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation
Solar Energy
NSF Mathematical & Physical Sciences - Solar Energy Initiative (SOLAR)
Summer Funding
American Association of University Women - Summer Short-Term Research Publication Grants
National Endowment for the Humanities – Summer Stipends
Transportation
U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration - "Air Quality Health Effects and Highway Proximity"
Worker Retraining
U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL)
Of Interest
8th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Arts & Humanities - Jan. 13-16, 2010
Fulbright US Scholars – German Studies Seminar

Aging

American Federation for Aging Research - Junior Investigator Award
The American Federation for Aging Research invites applications for the AFAR-GE Healthcare Junior Investigator Award for Excellence in Aging-Heart Research. This award will recognize the most innovative research related to the interface between cardiovascular disease and the biology of aging. Consideration will be given only to applications that deal with how basic mechanisms in the biology of aging "set the stage" for the emergence of cardiovascular diseases or how such mechanisms can serve to enhance early diagnosis and treatment. Four prizes of $1,500 will be awarded plus reimbursement for travel expenses to the AFAR scientific conference. Eligibility is limited to investigators who are a maximum of five years past their post doctoral experience as of Oct 5. Applications are due Sep 7. More information is available at: http://www.afar.org/GEaward.html

Cancer Detection & Diagnosis

National Cancer Institute - Exfoliated Cells and Circulating DNA
By this Program Announcement (PA-09-238) the NCI invites applications aimed at the development of novel technologies for capturing, enriching, and preserving exfoliated abnormal cells from body fluids or effusions as well as methods for concentrating the tumor-derived sub-cellular material for use in biomarker studies. In body fluids, such as sputum, exfoliated tumor cells are a minor component compared to normal cells. As a result, the detection of exfoliated abnormal cells by routine cytopathology is often limited by the small number of atypical cells present in a given specimen. New enrichment methods are necessary to facilitate the detection of small numbers of exfoliated tumor cells and tumor-derived sub-cellular materials in biological fluids. Deadline: Oct. 16, 2009. Go to: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-09-238.html

Computing & Information

National Science Foundation - Expeditions in Computing
The Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) has created the Expeditions in Computing (Expeditions) program (# 08-568) to provide the CISE research and education community with the opportunity to pursue ambitious, fundamental research agendas that promise to define the future of computing and information. In planning Expeditions, investigators are encouraged to come together within or across departments or institutions to combine their creative talents in the identification of compelling, transformative research agendas that promise disruptive innovations in computing and information for many years to come.

Funded at levels up to $2,000,000 per year for five years, Expeditions represent some of the largest single investments currently made by the directorate. Together with the Science and Technology Centers CISE supports, Expeditions form the centerpiece of the directorate’s award portfolio. With awards funded at levels that promote the formation of research teams, CISE recognizes that concurrent research advances in multiple fields or sub-fields are often necessary to stimulate deep and enduring outcomes. Deadlines: Prelim. Proposal: Sept. 10, 2009; Full Proposal: Feb 10, 2010. Go to: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08568/nsf08568.htm

Education Research

American Educational Research Association - 2010 Awards
The Association’s awards recognize and honor the outstanding scholarship and service of educational researchers. The submission deadline for nominations for the Outstanding Book award is Oct. 16, 2009. For all other nominations, the deadline is Nov. 2, 2009. Go to: http://www.aera.net/uploadedFiles/About_AERA/Awards/2010%20Call%20for%20Nominations%20for%20AERA%20Awards.pdf

National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship
The National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship Program supports early career scholars working in critical areas of education research. This nonresidential postdoctoral fellowship funds proposals that make significant scholarly contributions to the field of education. The program also develops the careers of its recipients through professional development activities involving National Academy of Education members. Fellows will receive $55,000 for one academic year of research, or $27,500 for each of two contiguous years, working half-time. Fellowships must begin during the 2010-2011 academic year. Fellows take the equivalent of one year’s teaching leave during the fellowship term. Fellows will be included in professional development retreats with other fellows and NAEd members. Up to twenty postdoctoral fellowships will be awarded in 2010. Selection will be made by a committee of NAEd members.

The NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is open to all eligible applicants regardless of race, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation. 1. Applicants must have received their PhD, EdD, or equivalent research degree between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2009. 2. Applicant should have a demonstrated record of research experience in education. 3. Proposed project must be an education research project. NAEd funds studies that examine the efficacy of curriculum and teaching methods, however, we do not fund the initial development of curriculum or instructional programs. 4. Applications will be judged on the applicant's past research record, career trajectory in education research, and the quality of the project described in the application. 5. Applications must be made by the individual applying for the fellowship; group applications will not be accepted. 6. Non-US citizens are welcome to apply. Concurrent funding for the proposed project is not permitted. Deadline: Nov. 6, 2009. Go to: http://www.naeducation.org/NAEd_Spencer_Postdoctoral_Fellowship.html

Energy

Small businesses with strong research capabilities in science or engineering in any of the following research areas are encouraged to apply: 1) advanced building air conditioning and refrigeration, thermal load shifting, and cool roofs; 2) water usage in electric power production; 3) power plant cooling; 4) advanced gas turbines and materials; 5) sensors, controls, and wireless networks; 6) advanced water power technology development; 7) smart controllers for smart grid applications; 8) advanced solar technologies; 9) advanced industrial technologies development; and 10) advanced manufacturing processes.

The deadline for submission of grant applications is September 4, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. EST. Applications will only be accepted electronically through http://www.grants.gov . Successful applicants (approximately 60) may receive up to $150,000 for a Phase I grant for a period of six months to demonstrate the feasibility of the idea.

Genomics Education

National Human Genome Research Institute - Initiative to Maximize Research Education in Genomics
The National Human Genome Research Institute (http://www.genome.gov) invites R25 applications in response to two important initiatives: (1) short, advanced level courses that are intended to disseminate new laboratory techniques, methods, analyses related to the mission of the Institute and (2) research education and training initiatives that are linked to specific NHGRI research initiatives, such as Centers of Excellence in Genomic Science and large-scale sequencing and database grants (PAR-09-245). Courses: Genomics has stimulated and continues to stimulate the development of powerful new laboratory techniques, methods and analyses, and biomedical research would benefit from the rapid, widespread dissemination of these methods to the general research community. Short (a few days to two week) courses have been a very effective means of doing so. Genomics has also addressed the many ethical, legal and social implications that have been raised by genomics research.

Discussion and dissemination of new and emerging issues would keep the community updated and alerted to issues that should be anticipated in genomics research involving human participants. Deadlines: Letter of intent: 30 days before submission date. Full proposal: Sept. 25, 2009; Jan. 25, 2010. Go to: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-245.html

Health Care Research

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality - Comparative Effectiveness Research
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)’s Effective Health Care program provides systematic reviews, supports new research to fill information gaps, and develops other translational information and tools designed to inform health care decision making. The Effective Health Care Program advances the methodology of comparative effectiveness research (CER) and provides training grants to enhance the pool of researchers who can perform CER. With this notice (NOT-HS-09-009), AHRQ is announcing the Agency’s intention to support new CER projects, with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The ARRA appropriated $300 million to AHRQ for support of CER. Grant and contract solicitations will be published in the fall, 2009. Interested parties may also sign up to receive updates about AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program at http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/. The list of priority conditions is relevant to the Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) programs, and can be found at: http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/aboutUs.cfm?abouttype=program#Conditions

Comparative Effectiveness Research Initiative Description - Funding Opportunity Announcements soliciting research grant applications for CER will provide $148 million for evidence generation. This includes $100 million for the Clinical and Health Outcomes Initiative in Comparative Effectiveness (CHOICE), a new, coordinated, national effort to establish a series of prospective pragmatic clinical comparative effectiveness studies that measure the benefits treatments produce in routine clinical practice and will include novel study designs focusing on real-world and under-represented populations (children, elderly, racial and ethnic minorities, and other understudied populations), and $48 million for the establishment or enhancement of national patient registries that can be used for researching the longitudinal effects of different interventions and collecting data on under-represented populations. Additional grant funding includes $29.5 million to support innovative translation and dissemination grants for CER, as well as $20 million to support training and career development in CER. Requests for Contracts for CER will provide $9.5 million to establish an infrastructure to identify new and/or emerging issues for comparative effectiveness review investments. Also, $10 million will establish a Citizen’s Forum to formally engage all stakeholders, and to expand and standardize public involvement in the entire Effective Health Care enterprise. Additionally, AHRQ anticipates supporting other grants ($1 million) and enhancing existing contracts for evidence synthesis ($50 million), evidence generation ($24 million), translation and dissemination ($5 million), and salary and benefits for ARRA-related full-time equivalent positions ($3 million).

Homeland Security Research

Dept. of Homeland Security – Research Programs
Research opportunities at the Dept. of Homeland Security include: Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) Nuclear Detection Research; FutureTech Program; Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA); SECURE (System Efficacy through Commercialization, Utilization, Relevance and Education) Program; Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program; Technical Support Working Group (TSWG); Unsolicited Solicitations. Go to: http://www.dhs.gov/files/grants/scitech.shtm

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) newsletter, S&T Snapshots, features stories about current research projects and opportunities with laboratories, universities, government agencies, and the private sector. Sign up for a subscription and get updates automatically delivered to your inbox. Go to: http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1214511688798.shtm.

Science Education

National Science Foundation - Discovery Research K-12
The NSF's Directorate for Education & Human resources, Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings program funds the Discovery Research K-12 program (NSF 09-602) which seeks to enable significant advances in preK-12 student and teacher learning of the STEM disciplines through development, study, and implementation of resources, models, and technologies for use by students, teachers, and policymakers. While many projects supported under this solicitation will focus on exploratory development and testing of innovative ideas for some specific facet of STEM education, all proposals must explain how the work can lead ultimately to successful adoption of findings or products in the K-12 enterprise on a national scale. The DR K-12 program accepts proposals for exploratory projects, full research and development projects, and synthesis projects, as well as for conferences and workshops related to the mission of the program. Deadlines: Prelim. Proposal: Oct. 5, 2009; Full Proposal: Jan. 7, 2010. Go to: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2009/nsf09602/nsf09602.htm?govDel=USNSF_25

>National Science Foundation - Graduate Research Fellowship Program
The NSF's Directorate for Education & Human Resources, Division of Graduate Education supports the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF 09-603) in a number of fields. The National Science Foundation aims to ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the United States and to reinforce its diversity by offering approximately 1,654 graduate fellowships in this competition pending availability of funds. The Fellowship provides three years of support for graduate study leading to research-based master’s or doctoral degrees and is intended for students who are in the early stages of their graduate study. Deadlines are: Nov. 2, 2009 - Interdisciplinary fields of Study; Nov. 4, 2009 - Mathematical Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences and Engineering; Nov. 5, 2009 - Social Sciences; Psychology; Geosciences; Nov. 6, 2009 - Life Sciences; Nov 10, 2009 - Chemistry; Physics and Astronomy; Nov. 12, 2009 - Engineering. Go to: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2009/nsf09603/nsf09603.htm?govDel=USNSF_25

Florida Sea Grant College Program and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation
The Guy Harvey Excellence Award in Marine Science recognizes undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full time at Florida institutions of higher education who are conducting work related to bettering our renewable, finite marine resources through science. Up to two awards will be given each year, to highly qualified graduate or undergraduate students. Each awardee will receive a certificate designed and signed by Guy Harvey, and $2,000 to be used in support of their research. This program is being administered by the Florida Sea Grant College Program. Deadline: Nov. 15, 2009. Go to: http://www.flseagrant.org/students/scholarships/index.htm

Solar Energy

National Science Foundation, Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences - Solar Energy Initiative (SOLAR)
The purpose of the CHE-DMR-DMS Solar Energy Initiative (NSF 09-604) is to support interdisciplinary efforts by groups of researchers to address the scientific challenges of highly efficient harvesting, conversion, and storage of solar energy. Groups must include three or more co-Principal Investigators of whom one must be a researcher in chemistry, a second in materials, and a third in mathematical sciences in areas supported by the Divisions of Chemistry, Materials Research, and Mathematical Sciences, respectively. The intent is to encourage new collaborations in which the mathematical sciences are linked in a synergistic way with the chemical and materials sciences to develop novel, potentially transformative approaches in an area of much activity but largely incremental advances. Successful proposals will offer potentially transformative projects, new concepts, and interdisciplinary education through research involvement based on the integrated expertise and synergy from the three disciplinary communities. Deadlines: Pre-Proposal: Dec. 8, 2009; Full Proposal: Mar. 10, 2010. Go to: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2009/nsf09604/nsf09604.htm?govDel=USNSF_25

Summer Funding

American Association of University Women - Summer Short-Term Research Publication Grants
These grants provide support to women scholars to prepare research manuscripts for publication, and independent researchers to prepare research for publication. Time must be available for eight weeks of final manuscript preparation. All applicants must demonstrate that the support will result in a reduction of their ongoing work-related activities. The grants are not for preliminary research. Activities undertaken during the grant period can include drafting, editing, or modifying manuscripts; replicating research components; responding to issues raised through critical review; and other initiatives to increase the likelihood of publication. It must be an original publication and cannot be co-authored. Grants of $6,000 are available for an eight-week grant period. While many recipients, especially full-time faculty members, will use the awards during the summer, recipients may use the funds at any time during the fellowship year.

An AAUW American Fellow is expected to pursue her project full time during the funding period. No partial fellowships are awarded. Fellowships may not be deferred. Fellows may work up to 10 hours a week, or teach one course per semester or term, with written permission from AAUW. Publication Grants do fund living expenses, clerical and technical support, research assistance related to verification (not basic research), and supplies and expenses. Publication Grants do not fund travel, purchase of equipment, indirect costs, salary increase, and doctoral dissertation research or writing. Deadline: Nov. 16, 2009. Go to: http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/american.cfm

National Endowment for the Humanities – Summer Stipends
The National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipends Program supports individuals pursuing advanced research that is of value to scholars and general audiences in the humanities. Recipients usually produce articles, monographs, books, digital materials, archaeological site reports, translations, educational, and other scholarly tools. The Stipend supports full-time work on a humanities project for a period of two months and successful applicants receive an outright award of $6,000. Deadline: at FAU, Aug. 24, 2009. Go to: http://www.fau.edu/research/osr/impnot0901.php

Transportation

U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration - "Air Quality Health Effects and Highway Proximity"
The Federal Highway Administration seeks to support (DTFH61-09-RA-0000-4; CFDA No. 20.200) complex scientific research and evaluation programs on highway proximity air quality health effects to better understand the fundamental science and relationships between on-road vehicle emissions and the health of people who live at various distances from roads or who spend differing amounts of time in traffic through the following efforts: 1) A critical review of over 400 relevant epidemiology, toxicology and exposure studies conducted over the last 20 years; 2) An initiative to understand the differential health impacts of particles from various sources so that the toxicity of vehicle emissions or lack thereof can be seen in context; 3) A determination and implementation of targeted studies needed to understand the health impacts of emerging vehicle technologies; and 4) Identification of the major trends and key regulatory decisions likely to emerge over the next 5 years. Deadline: Aug. 25, 2009 - http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/opportunities/instructions/oppDTFH61-09-RA-00004-cfda20.200-instructions.pdf

Worker Retraining

U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL)
The Department of Labor announces the availability of approximately $220 million in stimulus grant funds for projects that provide training and placement services to help workers pursue careers within targeted health care and other high growth and emerging industries. Fields like information technology, advanced manufacturing, wireless and broadband deployment, transportation and warehousing, and biotechnology may be high growth and emerging industries in specific regional economies. The program is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - Health Care Sector and Other High Growth and Emerging Industries (SGA/DFA PY 09-01) Approximately $25 million of the total funds available through this solicitation will be reserved for projects serving communities impacted by automotive-related restructuring. The purpose of the grants is to teach workers the necessary skills for, and help them pursue careers in, health care and other high growth and emerging industry sectors. Eligible applicants include U.S. public entities and private nonprofit organizations. Proposals are due by Oct 5. Go to: http://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/SGA-DFA-PY-09-01.pdf. For other Department of Labor grants, go to: http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm

Of Interest

8th Annual Hawaii Int. Conference on Arts & Humanities - Jan. 13-16, 2010
Waikiki Beach Marriot Resort & Spa and Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio Hotel, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Sponsored by: University of Louisville, Center for Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods. Call for Papers/AbstractsSubmissions Deadline: Aug. 21, 2009. Go to: http://www.hichumanities.org/

Fulbright US Scholars – German Studies Seminar
This two-week seminar covers a wide range of topics about contemporary Germany. Portions of the program will take place in Berlin and other cities throughout Eastern Germany. “The German Sozialstaat Re-Visited: A System in Turmoil” is the title of the 2010 German Studies seminar. The seminar will focus on how demographic developments in Germany are challenging its social security system, employment trends and political development. Deadline: Nov. 1, 2009. Go to: outreach@cies.iie.org.

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

Prior Opportunity Alerts

August 2009