OARS funding Nanoscience

The International Foundation for Ethical Research (IFER) is pleased to call for pre-proposal applications for its 2013 Graduate Student Fellowships for Alternatives to the Use of Animals in Science. The fellowships provide up to $12,500 annually in stipendiary support and up to $2,500 for supplies per year. The fellowships are renewable annually for up to three years. Continued funding is dependent on student progress and availability of funds.

As an initiative of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Aspiring Physicians & Research Scientists Conference is a two-and-a-half day enhancement program that focuses on science innovation and world-class care. Cleveland Clinic physician and research scientist-led presentations and mentoring/coaching sessions provide students a unique opportunity to interface with our world renowned staff. An abstract poster competition provides students the opportunity to showcase their research. Our target audience includes underrepresented minority science, math and pre-med college students. It is designed to increase representation of American Indian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander physicians, research scientists, physician investigators and physician leaders. Applicants, who must be at least 18 years of age and currently enrolled in college majoring in math, science, or pre-med will be notified of acceptance via email by April 19, 2013. Research students interested in participating in the poster research scholarship competition must submit an abstract of their work by April 12, 2013. Applicants accepted to present their posters will be notified by email by April 19, 2013.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) announces a third year of a program on collaborative research and education in the area of scalable nanomanufacturing, including the long-term societal implications of the large-scale implementation of nanomanufacturing innovations. This program is in response to and is a component of the National Nanotechnology Initiative Signature Initiative: Sustainable Nanomanufacturing - Creating the Industries of the Future (http://www.nano.gov/node/611). Although many nanofabrication techniques have demonstrated the ability to fabricate small quantities of nanomaterials and devices for characterization and evaluation purposes, the emphasis of this program is on research to overcome the key impediments that prevent the low cost production of useful nanomaterials, devices and systems at industrially relevant scale. Therefore, competitive proposals will incorporate three elements in their research plans:A persuasive argument that the nanomaterials, devices or systems to be produced have or are likely to have sufficient demand to justify eventual scale-up;A clearly identified and arguably complete set of research issues that must be addressed to enable the low cost production of high quality products; andA compelling research plan with clear objectives to overcome the identified research issues that is supported by preliminary results relevant to scale-up.

The purpose of this FOA is to seek, identify and support bold and innovative approaches to broaden graduate and postdoctoral training, such that training programs reflect the range of career options that trainees (regardless of funding source) ultimately may pursue and that are required for a robust biomedical, behavioral, social and clinical research enterprise. Collaborations with non-academic partners are encouraged to ensure that experts from a broad spectrum of research and research-related careers contribute to coursework, rotations, internships or other forms of exposure. This program will establish a new paradigm for graduate and postdoctoral training; awardee institutions will work together to define needs and share best practices.

Although many nanofabrication techniques have demonstrated the ability to fabricate small quantities of nanomaterials and devices for characterization and evaluation purposes, the emphasis of this program is on research to overcome the key impediments that prevent the low cost production of useful nanomaterials, devices and systems at industrially relevant scale. Therefore, competitive proposals will incorporate three elements in their research plans: A persuasive argument that the nanomaterials, devices or systems to be produced have or are likely to have sufficient demand to justify eventual scale-up; A clearly identified and arguably complete set of research issues that must be addressed to enable the low cost production of high quality products; and A compelling research plan with clear objectives to overcome the identified research issues that is supported by preliminary results relevant to scale-up.

f you are a researcher or research administrator new to working with the NIH application and award process and want to learn more, or just want to get up-to-date on the latest NIH policy updates and grants process information, this seminar, which will be held June 26-28 at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, is for you. More than 30 NIH and HHS experts will gather to present on program funding at this event. The seminar offers unique and valuable opportunities for anyone interested in the latest information about the application process, navigating the peer review process, and managing an award. Meet one-on-one with NIH grants, program, and review officials, as well as NIH and HHS policy officers…and network with hundreds of attendees from around the world.

Individual Warfighter protection against battlefield threats such as ballistics, enemy detection, chemical and biological agents, and IEDs is essential to the continued effectiveness of the fighting force. At the same time, protective materials (clothing/armor, etc.) must also be effective and ensure survival under extremes of environmental (temperature and humidity) conditions without significant sacrifices in Warfighter comfort. Current textile technologies require multiple components to be added to the Warfighter uniform in order to meet these threats. Development of novel multifunctional materials would have significant impact on Warfighter load, increasing their sustainability in the field. In addition to threat survivability, there is a strong interest in the new and growing field of "wearables." The wearables field is of interest insofar as it relates to the integration of electronic capabilities in to textile materials, combat clothing and combat field equipment worn by Warfighters.

The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. This solicitation features two mechanisms for support of student research: (1) REU Sites are based on independent proposals to initiate and conduct projects that engage a number of students in research. REU Sites may be based in a single discipline or academic department or may offer interdisciplinary or multi-department research opportunities with a coherent intellectual theme. Proposals with an international dimension are welcome. (2) REU Supplements may be included as a component of proposals for new or renewal NSF grants or cooperative agreements or may be requested for ongoing NSF-funded research projects.

This solicitation aims at introducing nanoscale science, engineering, and technology through a variety of interdisciplinary approaches into undergraduate engineering education. The focus of the FY 2013 competition is on nanoscale engineering education with relevance to devices and systems and/or on the societal, ethical, economic and/or environmental issues relevant to nanotechnology.

The mission of the NSF Summer Institute on Nano Mechanics, Nanomaterials, and Micro/Nanomanufacturing is: To identify and promote important areas of nanotechnology, and to create new areas o focus which will augment current nanotechnology research and development by universities, industries and government. To train future and practicing engineers, scientists and educators in the emerging areas of nanotechnology, nano-mechanics, and nano-materials. To exchange new ideas, disseminate knowledge and provide valuable networking opportunities for researchers and leaders in the field. The short courses offered by the Institute provide fundamentals and recent new developments in selected areas of nanotechnology. The material is presented at a level accessible to BS graduates of science and engineering programs. Emphasis is on techniques and theory recently developed that are not available in texts or standard university courses. The instructors are well known for their research and teaching.

Harnessing principles from chemistry, biology, physics, and engineering, nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary field still in its infancy. Throughout the past decade, nanoparticles and specifically nanoparticle drug delivery systems, have emerged at the forefront of cancer therapies. Nanotechnology has helped to design and fabricate micro-scale devices, including nanoparticle drug delivery systems able to target tumors and other cancerous tissue. Nanotechnology is also being explored to generate other novel techniques to design biomarkers, immunotherapy, and vaccine development for cancer. Featuring keynote address by Nobel Laureate Robert Y. Tsien, PhD, this 2.5-day conference will discuss: nanodiagnostics for cancer biomarkers and imaging, nanoparticle toxicity and safety; nanovaccines and nanoimmunotherapeutics; the challenges of targeted delivery in tumors; and nanoparticle-based gene therapy. A discussion of these topics will serve to enhance the translation of research discoveries into improved cancer diagnostic and treatment strategies. The deadline for poster abstract submission is Wednesday, April 24, 2013. For complete abstract submission instructions, please send an email to NanoMoscow@nyas.org with "Abstract Information" in the subject line. There is no need to type a message; instructions will be forwarded automatically. Please call 212.298.8632 with any questions. Call for Early Career Investigator and Underrepresented Minority Travel Fellowships The deadline for submission of applications is Wednesday, April 24, 2013. A small number of fellowships will be made available to qualified early career investigators and early career investigators from underrepresented minorities.

The purpose of the NIH Summer Research Experience Program (referred to as the Summer Research Program) is to provide a high quality research experience for high school and college students and for science teachers during the summer academic break. The NIH expects that such programs will: help attract young students to careers in science; provide opportunities for college students to gain valuable research experience to help prepare them for graduate school; and enhance the skills of science teachers and enable them to more effectively communicate the nature of the scientific process to their students. The programs would also contribute to enhancing overall science literacy. Summer Research Programs that expand and complement existing summer educational and training programs are encouraged.

The Ethics Education in Science and Engineering (EESE) program funds research and educational projects that improve ethics education in all fields of science and engineering that NSF supports, with priority consideration given to interdisciplinary, inter-institutional, and international contexts.  Although the primary focus is on improving ethics education for graduate students in NSF-funded fields, the proposed programs may benefit advanced undergraduates as well.

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) is a Presidential award established by the White House in 1995. The purpose of the award is to recognize U.S. citizens or permanent residents and U.S. organizations that have demonstrated excellence in mentoring individuals from groups that are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and workforce. Groups that are underrepresented in STEM include women, people with disabilities, underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities, as well as individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds and some geographic regions such as urban and rural areas. The PAESMEM program is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Nominations, including self-nominations, are invited for Individual and Organizational PAESMEM awards. Individuals and organizations in all public and private sectors are eligible including industry, academia, primary and secondary education, military and government, non-profit organizations, and foundations. Nominations are encouraged from all geographical regions in the U.S., its territories or possessions, particularly jurisdictions designated by Congress under NSF's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).

The Thermal Transport Processes program supports engineering research aimed at gaining a basic understanding of the thermal transport phenomena at nano/micro and macro scales in (1) cooling and heating of equipment and devices, (2) energy conversion, power generation and thermal energy storage and conservation, (3) the synthesis and processing of materials including advanced manufacturing, (4) the propulsion of air and land-based vehicles, and (5) thermal phenomena in biological systems.  The program supports fundamental research and engineering education in transport processes that are driven by thermal gradients, and manipulation of these processes to achieve engineering goals.

Designed to help researchers with brilliant ideas see those ideas through to a finished product, the 2013 Sustainable Valley iGrant is a technology innovation grant to help researchers, entrepreneurs and engineers bring new technology or technology-based businesses to life. iGrant applications are open to researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs in the process of building technology start-up companies or designing new technology associated with the biotech or biomedical, MEMS and Nanotechnology fields.

The MPM program supports fundamental, hypothesis-driven research on the interrelationship of materials processing, structure, properties, performance and process control. Analytical, experimental, and numerical studies are supported, including novel processing methods for any materials system (metals, polymers, ceramics, hybrids, composites, etc.). Proposed research should include the consideration of cost, performance, and feasibility of scale-up, as appropriate. Research that address multi-scale and/or multi-functional materials systems is encouraged as is research in support of environmentally-benign manufacturing. Collaborative proposals with industry (GOALI) are encouraged. Research on micro-scale (and larger) processes is funded by the MPM program; research on processing at the submicron or nano scale is funded by the Nanomanufacturing (NM) program. Research on solid freeform fabrication processes is funded by the Manufacturing Machines and Equipment (MME) program, as are material removal process proposals such as cutting or grinding. Proposals that focus on research leading to new paradigms of material systems design should consider the Design of Engineering Material Systems (DEMS) program. Proposals that primarily focus on fundamental material composition-structure-property studies, where neither processing nor manufacturing plays a significant role in the proposed work, should be submitted to the Materials and Surface Engineering (MSE) program or to the appropriate program in the DMR division.Investigators wishing to serve on a proposal review panel should email the Program Director with a short biographical sketch, a list of areas of expertise and/or a link to their home page. REU/RET supplement requests should be submitted by March 31 each year.