Funding-NSF Research in Disabilities Education (RDE) grants; deadline Jan. 20, 2009

The Research in Disabilities Education (RDE) program seeks to broaden the participation and achievement of people with disabilities in all fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and associated professional careers. The RDE program has been funding this objective since 1994 under the prior name "Program for Persons with Disabilities." Particular emphasis is placed on contributing to the knowledge base by addressing disability related differences in secondary and post-secondary STEM learning and in the educational, social and pre-professional experiences that influence student interest, academic performance, retention in STEM degree programs, STEM degree completion, and career choices.  Projects also investigate effective practices for transitioning students with disabilities across critical academic junctures, retaining students in undergraduate and graduate STEM degree programs, and graduating students with STEM associate, baccalaureate and graduate degrees.  Research project results inform the delivery of innovative, transformative and successful practices employed by the Alliances for Students with Disabilities in STEM to increase the number of students with disabilities completing associate, undergraduate and graduate degrees in STEM and to increase the number of students with disabilities entering our nation's science and engineering workforce.  RDE projects contribute to closing the gaps occurring for people with disabilities in STEM fields by successfully disseminating findings, project evaluation results, and proven good practices and products to the public.

Program Website: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5482

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

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.