Funding-Limited Submission - NSF Advancing Digitization of Biological Collections (ADBC) NSF 12-565; June 24, 2013

This program seeks to enhance and expand the national resource of digital data documenting existing vouchered biological and paleontological collections and to advance scientific knowledge by improving access to digitized information (including images) residing in vouchered scientific collections across the United States. The information associated with various collections of organisms, such as geographic, paleogeographic and stratigraphic distribution, environmental habitat data, phenology, information about associated organisms, collector field notes, and tissues and molecular data extracted from the specimens, is a rich resource providing the baseline from which to further biodiversity research and provide critical information about existing gaps in our knowledge of life on earth. The national resource is structured at three levels: a central coordinating organization, a series of thematic networks based on an important research theme, and the physical collections. The national resource builds upon a sizable existing national investment in curation of the physical objects in scientific collections and contributes vitally to scientific research and technology interests in the United States. It will become an invaluable tool in understanding contemporary biological issues and challenges.

This solicitation focuses on two types of proposals:

1. Thematic Collections Network (TCN) proposals are submissions for two-to-four year awards to digitize existing specimens based on a particular research theme.

2.  Partners to Existing Networks (PENs) are proposals to partner with and further the efforts of ongoing NSF-funded TCNs. A list of those projects is available through iDigBio.

See the full program solicitation for more information: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12565/nsf12565.htm

Limited Submission:  Only 1 (one) TCN proposal may be submitted by any one organization as the lead organization. Organizations may be involved in more than one collaborative effort as a non-lead proposal.

Internal Competition:  Because NSF limits an institution to lead only one TCN proposal, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Researchers interested in submitting a TCN proposal are to submit the following material electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, June 24, 2013:

• Describe the collection to be digitized

• The names and departments of the Principal Investigator (PI), project personnel and other partners or collaborators

• A project overview describing project goals, activities and management plans (1-2 p. max.).

A committee will be convened to review this information and make recommendations as to the University’s applicant. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

The NSF deadline is October 18, 2013.