Funding-Limited Submission: NSF ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers - NSF 10-593; September 20, 2010

This program supports three types of projects – two of which limit the number of applications UK may submit, requiring internal coordination.

The goal of the ADVANCE program is to develop systemic approaches to increase the representation and advancement of women in academic science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers, thereby contributing to the development of a more diverse science and engineering workforce.  ADVANCE focuses on ensuring that women faculty with earned STEM degrees consider academia as a viable and attractive career option.  This program does not support projects to increase or retain the number of women entering into or persisting in STEM doctoral degree programs.  Thus, efforts to impact the STEM pipeline are not considered appropriate for the ADVANCE Program. 

Creative strategies to realize the ADVANCE program goal are sought from women and men. Members of underrepresented minority groups and individuals with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. Proposals that address the participation and advancement of academic STEM women from underrepresented minority groups and women with disabilities are particularly encouraged.  Further, given the increasing emphasis on international collaborations in many STEM disciplines, and the importance of international recognition to career advancement, proposal components that systemically enhance and provide access to international collaborations are encouraged.

In 2010-11, this program will support the following types of ADVANCE Projects:

Partnerships for Adaptation, Implementation, and Dissemination (PAID) Awards – no limit on the number of submissions

Partnerships for Adaptation, Implementation, and Dissemination awards may focus on one institution or organization, or they may be a partnership between several institutions and/or organizations.  PAID projects can focus on all STEM disciplines, several disciplines, or only one discipline, including the social and behavioral sciences.   Projects may have an international, national, regional or local scope.  Previous or current funding from ADVANCE is not a prerequisite for submitting a PAID proposal (see additional ADVANCE merit review criteria). 

Deadline:         Letter of Intent, October 4, 2010

                        Full Proposal, November 8, 2010

Institutional Transformation (IT) Awards

Institutional Transformation awards are expected to include innovative systemic organizational approaches to transform institutions of higher education in ways that will increase the participation and advancement of women in STEM academic careers.  These awards support comprehensive programs for institution-wide change.  IT projects must include a 5-page research component designed to study the effectiveness of the proposed innovations in order to contribute to the knowledge base informing academic institutional transformation.

Deadline:         Letter of Intent, October 3, 2011

                        Full proposal, November 7, 2011

Institutional Transformation Catalyst Grants (IT-Catalyst)

IT-Catalyst awards are designed to support historically resource-challenged institutions in efforts to conduct institutional self-assessment activities, such as data collection and analysis and policy review, in order to identify specific issues in the recruitment, retention and promotion of women faculty in STEM academics within an institution of higher education.   This type of work is fundamental for institutions that plan to undertake institutional transformation. 

Deadline:         Letter of Intent, October 3, 2011

                        Full proposal, November 7, 2011

Program Information and Solicitation: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5383&from=fund

Organizations may submit only one Institutional Transformation proposal or one IT-Catalyst proposal.  Because of this restriction, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process. Prospective applicants interested in responding to either of these are asked to send the following information to Ms. Kris Hobson (hobson@email.uky.edu), Office of the Provost, 105 Main Building and a copy to their Dean by Monday, September 20, 2010:

• Identify specific category:  Institutional Transformational (IT) or Institutional Transformation Catalyst Grant (IT-Catalyst)
• Names and departments of the PI and other participants and partners
• Curriculum Vitae of PI
• Pre-proposal narrative (1-2 pages max.) – Briefly describe project goals, activities and strategies.

A committee will be convened to review the proposals and make a recommendation; the successful applicant will be notified in time to prepare the material for the NSF deadlines.