Funding-NSF - The Research on Gender in Science and Engineering Program; deadline Jan. 20, 2009

The Research on Gender in Science and Engineering program supports efforts to understand and address gender-based differences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and workforce participation through research, the diffusion of research-based innovations, and extension services in education that will lead to a larger and more diverse domestic science and engineering workforce. Typical projects will contribute to the knowledge base addressing gender-related differences in learning and in the educational experiences that affect student interest, performance, and choice of careers; how pedagogical approaches and teaching styles, curriculum, student services, and institutional culture contribute to causing or closing gender gaps that persist in certain fields. Projects will communicate and apply findings, evaluation results, and proven good practices and products to a wider community.

This program has one track with an institutional limit: Innovation through Institutional Integration or I cubed (I³).

Although there is no institutional limit on Research and Extension Services proposals, they do require a Letter of Intent which is due in early February, 2009. See program guidelines for details.

Program Website: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5475

Innovation through Institutional Integration or I cubed (I³) is an integrative, cross-cutting effort that enables faculty, administrators, and others in institutions to think and act strategically about the creative integration of NSF-funded awards, with particular emphasis on awards managed through programs in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR), but not limited to those awards. This effort has the following interrelated goals:

• Increase synergy and collaboration across NSF-funded projects and within/between institutions, towards an educational environment where artificial boundaries are significantly reduced and the student experience is more fully integrated;      
• Expand and deepen the impact of NSF-funded projects and enhance their sustainability; 
• Provide additional avenues to broaden participation through workforce development, especially for those underrepresented in STEM research and education; attend to seamless transitions across critical educational junctures; and/or provide more effectively for a globally engaged workforce;
• Promote innovative programming, policies, and practices to encourage the integration of STEM research and education; and
• Encourage STEM educational or related research in domains that hold promise for promoting intra- or inter-institutional integration and broader impacts.   

Proposals that facilitate either (a) inter-institutional or (b) intra-institutional efforts are encouraged.  Proposals may be submitted by (a) a single institution to address intra-institutional goals only or (b) an institution acting on behalf of an institutional partnership to address inter-institutional goals.

Proposals are expected to incorporate a depth and quality of creative, coherent, and strategic actions that extend beyond commonplace approaches to normal institutional operations.  Proposals may also be submitted for research on institutional integration or other closely related themes articulated in the goals above. 

For additional information see the I-Cubed FAQ: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08027/nsf08027.jsp

Because an institution may submit only one application to the I Cubed initiative, UK has implemented an internal selection process.

Individuals planning to submit a proposal to I Cubed are asked to send the following information electronically to Kris Hobson (hobson@email.uky.edu) in the Office of the Provost and a copy to their Dean by Tuesday, January 20, 2009:

1. Names and departments of Project Director and team members
2. Brief project description (2 pages max.) – project vision, goals, anticipated outcomes, and evaluation plan

A committee will be convened to review this information and make recommendations as to the University’s selected applicant in time for electronic submission to NSF for the February 24, 2009 deadline.