Funding-NSF- Environmental Sustainability (PD 15-7643); October 20, 2015

Agency

National Science Foundation

Description

The goal of the Environmental Sustainability program is to promote sustainable engineered systems that support human well-being and that are also compatible with sustaining natural (environmental) systems.  These systems provide ecological services vital for human survival.  Research efforts supported by the program typically consider long time horizons and may incorporate contributions from the social sciences and ethics. The program supports engineering research that seeks to balance society's need to provide ecological protection and maintain stable economic conditions. 

There are four principal general research areas that are supported:

• Industrial Ecology: Topics of interest in Industrial Ecology include advancements in modeling such as life cycle assessment, materials flow analysis, input/output economic models, and novel metrics for measuring sustainable systems.  Innovations in industrial ecology are encouraged.
• Green Engineering: Research is encouraged to advance the sustainability of manufacturing processes, green buildings, and infrastructure.  Many programs in the Engineering Directorate support research in environmentally benign manufacturing or chemical processes.  The Environmental Sustainability program supports research that would affect more than one chemical or manufacturing process or that takes a systems or holistic approach to green engineering for infrastructure or green buildings.  Improvements in distribution and collection systems that will advance smart growth strategies and ameliorate effects of growth are research areas that are supported by Environmental Sustainability.  Innovations in management of storm water, recycling and reuse of drinking water, and other green engineering techniques to support sustainability may also be fruitful areas for research.  NOTE: Water treatment proposals are to be submitted to the CBET Environmental Engineering program (1440), NOT the Environmental Sustainability program (7643).
• Ecological Engineering: Topics should focus on the engineering aspects of restoring ecological function to natural systems.  Engineering research in the enhancement of natural capital to foster sustainable development is encouraged.
• Earth Systems Engineering: Earth systems engineering considers aspects of large scale engineering research that involve mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation to climate change, and other global scale concerns.

All proposed research should be driven by engineering principles, and be presented explicitly in an environmental sustainability context.  Proposals should include involvement in engineering research of at least one graduate student, as well as undergraduates.  Incorporation of aspects of social, behavioral, and economic sciences is welcomed. Innovative proposals outside the scope of the four core areas mentioned above may be considered.  However, prior to submission, it is recommended that the PI contact the Program Director to avoid the possibility of the proposal being returned without review.

Announcement Number:

PD 15-7643 

Closing Date:

October 20, 2015

Link to Full Announcement

http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=501027&WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click

Contact Information

Bruce Hamilton

(703) 292-7066

bhamilto@nsf.gov