Funding-Environmental
Sustainability; February 17, 2012
Agency
Name
National
Science Foundation
Synopsis
The Environmental
Sustainability program supports engineering research with the goal of
promoting 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. The
long-term viability of natural capital is critical for many areas of human
endeavor. Research in Environmental Sustainability typically considers
long time horizons and may incorporate contributions from the social sciences
and ethics.
This 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 which are supported, but others can be
proposed by contacting the program director by email at: bhamilto@nsf.gov
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.
In 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 prevention and management of storm water, recycling and reuse of
drinking water, and other green engineering techniques to support sustainable
construction projects may also be fruitful areas for research.
Ecological
Engineering
topics should focus on the engineering aspects of restoring ecological function
to natural systems. Engineering research in enhancement of natural
capital to foster sustainable development is encouraged. Many communities
are involved in stream restoration, revitalization of urban rivers, and
rehabilitation of wetlands that require engineering input. What is the
fundamental engineering knowledge that is necessary for ecological engineering
to function sustainability?
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.
The duration of
unsolicited awards is generally one to three years. The average annual
award size for the program is $100,000. Proposals requesting a
substantially higher amount than this, without prior consultation with the
Program Director, may be returned without review.
Innovative proposals
outside of these specific interest areas can 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 12-7643
Due
Date: February
17, 2012
Link
to Full Announcement
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=501027&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&WT.mc_ev=click
Contact
Information
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(703)
292-7066 |