Dear
Colleague Letter: Conference Proposals on Concepts for Advancing Sustainable
Urban Systems (SUS) Research Networks
Agency
National
Science Foundation
Description
With
this Dear Colleague Letter, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is calling
for conference1 proposals on "Concepts
for Advancing Sustainable Urban Systems (SUS) Research
Networks." The deadline for submission of these proposals is
5:00 PM submitter's local time, March 22, 2019. These conference proposals may
be submitted at any time up to and including the deadline. The conference
proposals are to be submitted via FastLane to the
Environmental Sustainability program (PD
18-7643) in the Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and
Transport System Division (CBET) of NSF's Directorate for Engineering (ENG).
NSF
has had two earlier competitions on Research Networks. The most recent
solicitation on Research Networks is accessible at the following link: https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf14534.
The two earlier competitions led to the establishment of five Research
Networks, each funded for about $12 million with an original duration of 4 to 5
years.
Preparation
of conference proposals on "Concepts for Advancing Sustainable Urban Systems
(SUS) Research Networks" should be guided, but not constrained, by the ACERE
report and the most recent Research Networks solicitation (links to both are
provided above). Conference proposals are expected to present promising ideas
and visions for advancing SUS Large-Scale Research Networks beyond what is
described in these two documents. In particular, it would be beneficial for
conference proposals to include plans to identify activities that could catalyze
strong industry-municipality-academia collaborations on use-inspired research
that has high potential for significant societal and sustainability impacts. It
would also be advantageous for proposals to describe activities that will
develop a deeper understanding of urban systems as integrated,
social-ecological-technological systems and that will improve education related
to SUS themes. As delineated in the ACERE report, "urban systems" include rural
regions due to the systems interdependence of urban areas and rural regions.
Likewise, for the ACERE SUS report, "sustainable" encompasses
"resilient."
Proposers
are encouraged to address themes of convergence science and engineering, and
should bring together researchers, educators, and practitioners from academia,
industry, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations. Conferences should draw
participants from diverse sectors, some of which may typically not be
represented, such as community members, humanities scholars, and artists.
Proposers are also encouraged to consider geographical diversity as appropriate
for the topic when describing specific strategies for recruiting conference
participants. Proposals that explore innovative approaches to broadening
participation and the incorporation of concepts and aspects of NSF Inclusion
across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in
Engineering and Science initiative (INCLUDES) into conference proceedings and
outcome reports are also desired. Information on NSF INCLUDES is accessible at
the following link: https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/nsfincludes/index.jsp.
Announcement
Number
NSF
19-032
Link
to Full Announcement
https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2019/nsf19032/nsf19032.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click
Contact
Information
Bruce
Hamilton