Funding-Limited Submission – National Science Foundation (NSF) - Sustainability Research Networks Competition (SRN), 2014 Focus: Urban Sustainability (NSF 14-534); February 25, 2014

Purpose: The goal of the Sustainability Research Networks (SRN) competition is to bring together multidisciplinary teams of researchers, educators, managers, policymakers and other stakeholders to conduct collaborative, cutting-edge research, education and outreach that addresses fundamental challenges in sustainability. The 2014 SRN competition will fund research networks with a focus on urban sustainability. The overarching question is how can we develop sustainable, resilient urban systems that provide healthy, safe, and affordable environments for the growing number of people living in cities and their surrounding metropolitan areas across the globe?

Proposals should identify an ambitious and nationally important theme in urban sustainability, present a creative and innovative research agenda that builds upon existing work in this area, and describe how a network of researchers and other stakeholders will be supported that integrates a variety of disciplines, sectors and backgrounds in order to create new perspectives and yield significant new understanding and knowledge. The ultimate goal of this research is to inform societal actions for future environmental, economic, social and cultural sustainability.

SRNs will conduct innovative and pioneering fundamental research in urban sustainability science, engineering and education that may be conceptual, empirical, synthetic and/or computational in nature, and of a scale and complexity that would not be possible within a single institution, center, or even through the normal collaborative modes of NSF research support. The SRN program offers an avenue for collaborations within the academic research and education communities, as well as with international and private sector partners. Collaborations through SRNs will cross traditional disciplinary boundaries of the natural sciences, engineering, computing, mathematics, statistics, and computation, the social and behavioral sciences, and education. SRNs may link existing programs and create others to advance fundamental understanding and create actionable outcomes such as improving predictions, technologies, policies and practices related to sustainability, harnessing renewable energy resources, supporting healthy environments and conserving biodiversity, while enhancing human well-being and economic vigor.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 3

See the full program solicitation for more information: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14534/nsf14534.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click

Internal Competition: Because NSF limits the number of proposals to 3 per institution as the lead organization, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Prospective applicants interested in responding to this program are asked to send the following information to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, February 25, 2014:

• Names and departments of Project Director and team members

· Title of the program and/or funding opportunity announcement number

• Names of partner organizations/institutions and major contributors
• A brief description of the proposed project- vision, goals, and activities. (maximum 2 pages)

A committee will be convened to review the material and make recommendations as to the University’s submissions. Questions about the submission process may be sent to Kathy Stanwix-Hay in the Office of the Vice President for Research (stanwix@email.uky.edu or 257-5090).

NSF Deadline: Full Proposal April 29, 2014