Proposals are being requested in the areas that spin-off or are emerging research that can expand the reach and capacity of the NSF EPSCoR funded award entitled New Discoveries in the Advanced Interface of Computation, Engineering, and Science (ND-ACES). While proposals that fit well into one or more of the identified areas are encouraged, proposals for other areas that expand the capabilities of ND-ACES within the overall approved scope of the program will be considered.  Research proposals that bridge ND-ACES foci are particularly welcome, as are proposals that connect CCBSE with PROmoting Sustainable Partnerships in Education and Research (PROSPER). Those receiving awards will be incorporated into CCBSE during the time of their award and be required to participate in the programmatic efforts of PROSPER.

1. Imaging Techniques for Cell Growth in Testbeds. Advanced confocal and SEM imaging is extensively used for imaging cancer tumors and cells. Techniques in machine learning, genetic algorithms, and other novel approaches will be encouraged.[Pillar(s): Computational and Cellular]
2. Multimedia Art Modules for Explaining CCBSE Science.  Art exhibits, videos, or visual elements that build upon the research visualization work of this project may attract a wide audience, thereby informing public perceptions of ND-ACES research. Seed awards will be provided for developing modules, videos, displays, etc. that are educational, informative, and geared toward the general public; particularly K-12. The products will be evaluated for use by ND EPSCoR in its outreach and communicating science efforts. [Furthering integration of CCBSE and PROSPER]
3. Inclusion of Additional Cell Types and Fluid Flow Conditions in Testbeds. By increasing expertise and adding investigators, the comparison of cellular growth and behavior between normal and malignant cell types may expand beyond the areas targeted. As a result, seed awards will seek innovation in complexity and analysis of 3D co-culture paradigms under static and fluid flow conditions will be provided. [Pillar(s): Cellular and Computational]
4. Innovation Pilot Funding and Translational Seed Research that Fit the CCBSE Mission. The intent of these seed awards is to continue building our regional capacity as an innovator in the use of 3D cultures that mimic normal and abnormal biology. Within CCBSE’s scope, we will seek innovation in testbed design and materials, testbed fabrication methods, increased resolution assessment of cellular phenotype, 3D culture protocols, and cell types, and improved predictive methods for using the in vitro generated data to model in vivo conditions. We will also seek innovations in translating research and technologies toward private sector adoption, by linking CCBSE research to specific end use applications and potential private sector licenses with the support of a private sector company, with an identified need. [Pillar(s): Materials, Cellular, Computational, Partnerships and Collaborations]
5. Self-assembly technologies for tissue engineering. Innovation is needed in methods and compositions of self-assembled molecular substrates for cell culture that include but are not limited to nucleic acid, carbohydrate, and peptide-based materials that assemble via non-covalent interactions. In addition, materials stimulated to self-assemble by temperature, pH, or ion concentration change are desirable. [Pillar(s): Materials and Cellular]
6. New Biomaterials in Tissue Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing of Biomaterials. While nanoclay-, synthetic-, and biopolymer-based scaffolds are the primary focus of CCBSE research, additional material systems as well as manufacturing methodologies for novel tissue engineering based scaffolds are of importance to the overall effort. New materials as well as novel 3D bioprinting methods, or innovative designs of various nanocarriers for specific delivery of stimuli to 3D cultures or tissue microenvironments will also be sought. [Pillar(s): Materials and Cellular]
7. Novel Biobased Specialty Crop Extracts for Anticancer Therapy Applications. ND-ACES will pursue the screening of various specialty crop-derived compounds for effectiveness in therapeutic applications and in reducing or eliminating cancer. This translational area will target new links with ND’s agricultural sector. [Pillar(s): Materials and Sustainability]

To learn more, read the complete funding opportunity

The STEM Teaching Assistantship (TA) Program is a year‐long teaching placement (Fall 2023 and Spring 2024) that will take place at a CCBSE-participating TCU, PUI, or MCU. STEM TAs are fully funded by the ND-ACES grant. Under the direction of partnering faculty, graduate students will teach one course each semester, determined collaboratively between the graduate student, the TCU/PUI/MCU faculty, and the institution.

We are currently soliciting proposals from faculty or teams of faculty from CCBSE-participating TCUs, PUIs, and MCUs to host a STEM TA for the 2023-2024 academic year. Faculty teams would collaborate to ensure teaching placements for the STEM TA in both Fall 2023 and Spring 2024.

Proposal review will begin February 28, 2023, with expected decisions in early March 2023.

To learn more, read the complete funding opportunity.

The U.S. National Science Foundation announced Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity, or EPIIC, a new $20 million program encouraging minority-serving institutions, two-year institutions, primarily undergraduate institutions, and other emerging research institutions to participate in regional innovation ecosystems. The program will provide training and networking support to help build more inclusive ecosystems.

EPIIC will provide up to $400,000 over three years to develop the capacity and institutional knowledge needed to build new partnerships and secure future external funding, enabling awardees to tap into their regional innovation ecosystems and potentially into an NSF Regional Innovation Engine, or NSF Engine for short.

Through EPIIC, institutions will participate in interactive virtual and in-person events to form cohorts and collaboratively develop impactful approaches to improve the institutions' capacity to engage in cross-sector partnerships. Participating institutions will develop strategies to advance efforts in workforce development, use-inspired research and development, and the translation of research results to practice in emerging technology areas such as advanced manufacturing, advanced wireless, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum information science, and semiconductors and microelectronics.

Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s): February 15, 2023

Full Proposal Deadline(s): May 25, 2023

To learn more, read the EPIIC funding opportunity.

For Fiscal Year 2023, the U.S. National Science Foundation is developing a new initiative: Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Equity and Diversity. GRANTED focuses on addressing systemic barriers within the nation’s research enterprise by improving research support and service capacity at emerging, developing and underserved research institutions.

GRANTED is a whole-of-NSF approach that will transform NSF and the science and engineering community to develop the collective knowledge, skills, talents and desire to serve within the nation’s science and engineering enterprise.

Principal investigators from emerging and developing research institutions — including R2, R3, minorityserving and primarily undergraduate institutions and community colleges — often lack the support to help develop meritorious ideas, contact federal program staff, keep updated on federal funding priorities, and assist in the pragmatics of grant submission and award management. This puts talented PIs at these institutions at a disadvantage and prevents the nation from benefiting from numerous impactful scientific advances and the advancement of STEM talent.

There are many individuals across the nation with specialized skills and knowledge to build grant-writing capacity at emerging research institutions. They are usually not principal investigators on grants. Instead, they are often staff — almost exclusively employed at the nation’s R1 institutions — with the know-how to help investigators develop competitive ideas and ensure that progress is made on funded projects. Empowering these individuals to play a role in building research capacity at emerging and developing research institutions will bridge gaps and broaden participation within existing networks of research service professionals across the nation.

On December 14, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new solicitation for the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Implementation Grants program [DE-FOA-0002913]. Grants awarded under this program are intended to improve research capability through the support of a group of scientists and engineers, including graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, working on a common scientific theme in one or more than one EPSCoR jurisdiction. These awards are not appropriate mechanisms to provide support for individual faculty science and technology research projects.

The applications are sought for research in key science and technology areas related to DOE missions, which can be found on Page 3 of the solicitation. Typical award size is expected to be $2-3 million for a two year period.

Submission Deadline for Pre-Applications: January 25, 2023
Pre-Applications must be submitted by an authorized official Pre-Application Response Date: March 1, 2023
Submission Deadline for Applications: April 4, 2023