Funding-NSF Women in Science and Engineering grants; deadline May 4, 2009

NSF ADVANCE- Increasing Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers

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. Creative strategies to realize this 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 women with disabilities and women from underrepresented minority groups are particularly encouraged.

In 2009-10, 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, state 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, January 20, 2009

                Full Proposal, February 24, 2009

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 research component designed to study the effectiveness of the proposed innovations in order to contribute to the knowledge base informing academic institutional transformation (see additional ADVANCE merit review criteria).

Deadline:        Letter of Intent, August 4, 2009

                Full proposal, November 12, 2009

Institutional Transformation Catalyst Grants (IT-Catalyst)

IT-Catalyst awards are designed to support institutional self-assessment activities, such as basic 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 their institution of higher education. This type of work is fundamental for institutions that plan to undertake institutional transformation.  The institution's need for external resources to undertake institutional self assessment and policy review will specifically be evaluated using an additional ADVANCE merit review criterion. 

Deadline:        Letter of Intent, August 4, 2009

                Full proposal, November 12, 2009

Program Solicitation: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2009/nsf09504/nsf09504.htm?govDel=USNSF_25

Advance Portal Website: http://research.cs.vt.edu/advance/index.htm

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 electronically to Ms. Kris Hobson (hobson@email.uky.edu), Office of the Provost, 105 Main Building and a copy to their Dean by Monday, May 4, 2009:

• Identify specific category:  Institutional Transformational (IT) or Institutional Transformation Catalyst Grant (IT-Catalyst)
• Names and departments of the PI, other participants and partners
• Curriculum vitae of PI
• Pre-proposal narrative (3 pages max.) – Briefly describe project goals, activities or strategies, the management plan, and the evaluation plan.

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 of August 4, 2009 (letter of intent) and November 12, 2009 (full proposal)