This solicitation is jointly
sponsored between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National
Science Foundation (NSF) Divisions of Chemistry and Chemical, Bioengineering,
Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET) to encourage synergistic research
activities and to enhance cooperation among the chemical sciences, materials
research, geosciences, engineering, and biomedical and public health
communities. The agencies jointly issue the solicitation, but will separately
fund the awards.
Networks for Sustainable Molecular
Design and Synthesis are groups of two or more researchers working in
trans-disciplinary fields to promote the development of safe and sustainable
chemicals as well as safe and sustainable synthetic procedures. For this
solicitation, "chemicals" refers broadly to any and all materials,
inorganic and organic compounds, and individual chemicals or mixtures of
chemicals (e.g., endocrine disruptors, chlorofluorocarbons, transition
metal-based catalysts, macromolecules, and nanomaterials).
Advances resulting from these Networks are expected to result in chemicals that
are safer and more sustainable throughout their life cycle and thus, the
replacement of rare, toxic, and expensive chemicals with earth abundant,
benign, and renewable alternatives is anticipated. The Networks will facilitate
safe design strategies, processes, and pathways (including catalytic pathways)
that consume less fresh water, generate less waste, and use less energy than
current practice. These new approaches will minimize hazards that arise not
only from chemical structure and intended use, but also from their synthesis,
production, consumption, reuse, and disposal.
Education, workforce development,
and the translation or transfer of basic research results into social or
economic benefits are critical aspects of NSMDS projects. Networks will develop
strong mentoring and training activities for undergraduate and graduate
students as well as postdoctoral associates. Other educational activities, such
as informal science communication and the education of K-12 students or the public, are encouraged. Where appropriate, intellectual
property protection and a proactive plan to engage industry in technology
transfer is encouraged.
See
the complete solicitation for additional details and requirements: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13523/nsf13523.htm
Limit
on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1
Internal
Competition: Because
NSF limits an institution to only one NSMDS proposal, the University of
Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Individuals
interested in submitting a proposal are to submit the following material
electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and to
their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, January 28, 2013:
•
The
names and departments of the Principal Investigator, project personnel,
partners, and collaborators;
•
Title
the proposal EPS/NSF Networks for Sustainable Molecular Design and Synthesis
and provide a brief summary of the proposed network, including the research
and education objectives, and the management structure (1-2 p. max).
A committee will be appointed to review the
information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission.
The NSF deadline is March 18, 2013.
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).