Funding-Limited Submission – National Science Foundation (NSF) Sustainability Research Networks Competition (SRN); October 3, 2011

Purpose: Sustainability Research Networks will engage and explore fundamental theoretical issues and empirical questions in sustainability science, engineering, and education that will increase our understanding of the ultimate sustainability challenge - maintaining and improving the quality of life for the nation within a healthy Earth system. The goal of the Sustainability Research Networks (SRN) competition is to support the development and coalescence of entities to advance collaborative research that addresses questions and challenges in sustainability science, engineering, and education. SRNs will link scientists, engineers, and educators, at existing institutions, centers, networks, and also develop new research efforts and collaborations.

Each SRN network will be built upon an ambitious and nationally important sustainability theme. Proposers will be tasked with choosing a specific theme for their network, identifying the research already being done in this area, proposing methods for linking existing research efforts, and then proposing research needed to advance their specific research theme. Examples of possible SRN themes are provided in the "Program Description" section of this solicitation (Section II.B.). SRNs will foster new knowledge and tools at a frontier of research that significantly crosses and melds the boundaries of diverse disciplines, and creates the integrated science and engineering disciplines of the future. SRNs will pursue new opportunities in science, engineering and educational research that truly require the scale, scope, and facilities enabled by such a network.

Program information and funding opportunity announcement: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2011/nsf11574/nsf11574.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 vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Monday, October 3, 2011:

• Names and departments of Project Director and team members
• 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 Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan2@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

NSF Deadlines:

Preliminary proposal (required) December 1, 2011

Full Proposal (by NSF invitation only) April 1, 2012