National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences Susan J. Lolle, Program Director Developmental Systems Cluster, Division of Integrative Organismal Biology

Understanding the NSF How does the NSF relate to you? How do you relate to the NSF? Common misconceptions

Understanding the NSF How does the NSF relate to you?

Understanding the NSF How do most PIs relate to the NSF?

Understanding the NSF Common misconceptions What drives the future direction of scientific research funded by the NSF? The community the NSF serves!

Funding Opportunities Understanding the NSF Overview of the Bio Directorate Where to send your proposal: Who funds what? Some specifics Supplemental funding: Broadening Participation How to find out more What does a Program Officer do and why should you care?

Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) Mary E. Clutter, Assistant Director Joann P. Roskoski, Executive Officer Sonya E. Mallinoff, Planning and Budget Officer Tel: (703) Fax: (703) Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) Mary E. Clutter, Assistant Director Joann P. Roskoski, Executive Officer Sonya E. Mallinoff, Planning and Budget Officer Tel: (703) Fax: (703) Information and Automation Resources Unit (IAR) Joanne G. Rodewald, Information Management Officer Tel: (703) Fax: (703) Information and Automation Resources Unit (IAR) Joanne G. Rodewald, Information Management Officer Tel: (703) Fax: (703) Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) Michael R. Willig, Division Director Penelope Firth, Acting Deputy Director Tel: (703) Fax: (703) Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) Michael R. Willig, Division Director Penelope Firth, Acting Deputy Director Tel: (703) Fax: (703) Ecological Biology Ecosystem Science Division of Integrative Organismal Biology (IOB) Thomas Brady, Division Director Judith Verbeke, Deputy Director Tel: (703) Fax: (703) Division of Integrative Organismal Biology (IOB) Thomas Brady, Division Director Judith Verbeke, Deputy Director Tel: (703) Fax: (703) Research Resources Research Resources Human Resources Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI) Machi F. Dilworth, Division Director Muriel E. Poston, Acting Deputy Director Tel: (703) Fax: (703) Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI) Machi F. Dilworth, Division Director Muriel E. Poston, Acting Deputy Director Tel: (703) Fax: (703) Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) Maryanna Henkart, Division Director Jerry Cohen, Deputy Director Tel: (703) Fax: (703) Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) Maryanna Henkart, Division Director Jerry Cohen, Deputy Director Tel: (703) Fax: (703) Biomolecular Systems Cellular Systems Genes and Genome Systems Effective October 2004 Emerging Frontiers (EF) Plant Genome Research Program Plant Genome Research Program Population and Evolutionary Processes Systematic Biology and Biodiversity Inventories Behavioral Systems Developmental Systems Environmental and Structural Systems Functional and Regulatory Systems

Supports research and related activities that contribute to a fundamental understanding of life processes at the molecular, subcellular, and cellular levels Biomolecular Systems Cellular Systems Genes and Genome Systems Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB)

Supports research aimed at understanding the living organism -- plant, animal, microbe -- as a unit of biological organization Behavioral Systems Developmental Systems Environmental and Structural Systems Functional and Regulatory Systems Division of Integrative Organismal Biology (IOB)

Supports fundamental research on the origins, functions, relationships, interactions, and evolutionary history of populations, species, communities, and ecosystems Ecological Biology Ecosystems Science Population and Evolutionary Processes Systematic Biology and Biodiversity Inventories Division of Environmental Biology (DEB)

Supports activities that provide the infrastructure for contemporary research in biology Human Resources Research Resources Plant Genome Research Program Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI)

IOB is IBN Reorganized IBN had 14 programs and 3 clusters (Developmental Mechanisms, Neuroscience and Physiology and Ethology clusters) IOB has 4 Clusters but no programs Concept of the Organism as an Integrator Panels are less constrained scientifically More funding opportunities for Neuroscience

Directorate of Biological Sciences MolecularEcosystem Organism MCB IOB (Old IBN) DEB DBI

Where to send your proposal? What is the focus of your research? What is the question you are asking?

Directorate of Biological Sciences MolecularEcosystem Organism MCB IOB (Old IBN) DEB DBI

Some specifics Dates Note to beginning investigators Structure within a cluster

Target Dates  July 12, 2005  January 12, 2006  Not deadlines…..

Are you a ‘Beginning Investigator’? A beginning investigator is defined as: “Individuals who have not been a PI or co-PI on a Federally funded award with the exception of doctoral dissertation, postdoctoral fellows or research planning grants”  If you qualify you can submit duplicates!

Developmental Systems Cluster Plant and Microbial Development Animal Development Developmental Neuroscience Evolution of Developmental Mechanisms

Developmental Systems Cluster Approximately 15-20% of submitted proposals are funded Most awards recommended for 3 yrs of funding Range $120K-$200K per year Goal to increase award size and duration

Other Funding Opportunities Across the Foundation Supplements to existing awards

International Programs Education Programs Funding Opportunities for Biological Sciences Research and Education at NSF

Award Supplement Opportunities   Research Experiences for Teachers (RET)   Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)   Research Opportunity Awards (ROA)   Research Assistantships for Minority High School   Students (RAMHSS)   Informal Science Education Supplements   International Research and Education Supplements   Facilitation Award for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities

NSF Custom News Service

What is the role of the Program Director? Program directors are a source of information Before you submit a proposal Issues related to existing awards Understanding why a particular recommendation was made (award/decline) Supplemental funding

What is the role of the Program Director? Program directors make funding recommendations Verify that proposals are appropriate for review by their program Identify reviewers and solicit ad hoc reviews Identify potential panelists and form an advisory panel (review proposals and rank them) Arrive at award recommendations

Your Participation is Needed As ad hoc reviewers As panelists As Program Officers 50% of Program Officers are rotators

What makes a good review? Evaluate Evaluate the proposal What are the strengths and weaknesses? Is the project feasible? Is the science novel and original? Would you fund it?