Overview of NSF and the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) Overview of NSF and the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) Tom Brady Division Director Integrative Organismal Biology October 21-22, 2005 Tom Brady Division Director Integrative Organismal Biology October 21-22,

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Is an Independent Agency of the Federal Government Was established in 1950 to promote and advance scientific progress in the United States by sponsoring scientific research and by supporting selected activities in science and engineering Does not conduct research itself.

National Aeronautic and Space Administration Environmental Protection Agency Smithsonian Institution Nuclear Regulatory Commission Other agencies Commerce Science Advisor Other boards, councils, etc. U.S. President Independent Agencies Major Departments Science Advisor Office of Science and Technology Policy Office of Management and Budget Agriculture Health and Human Services InteriorHomeland Security DefenseEnergy

NSF Mission NSF Act of 1950 To promote scientific progress To advance national health, prosperity and welfare To secure national defense

Supports education and training at all levels Promotes public understanding of science, engineering and math Ensures a world-class science, engineering and technology workforce for the U.S. National Science Foundation

Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences National Science Foundation Inspector General National Science Board Director Deputy Director Staff Offices Computer & Info. Science & Engineering Engineering Geosciences Mathematical & Physical Sciences Sciences Education & Human Resources Budget, Finance & Award Management Information Resource Management Biological Sciences

Growth in NSF Budget FY (millions)

Who receives awards? Universities and colleges Academic consortia Nonprofit institutions Small businesses University and industry collaborations National research centers International research and education efforts

Welcomes proposals from all qualified scientists and engineers Strongly encourages women, members of groups underrepresented in science and engineering, and persons with disabilities to compete fully in NSF programs National Science Foundation

Strengthen Core Disciplinary Research Provide broadly accessible cyberinfrastructure and other world class facilities Broaden participation in the science and engineering workforce NSF FY 2006 Budget Priorities

Directorate for the Biological Sciences

Population & Evolutionary Processes Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) Information and Automation Resources Unit (IAR) Information and Automation Resources Unit (IAR) Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) Ecological Biology Ecosystem Science Ecosystem Science Division of Integrative Organismal Biology (IOB) Division of Integrative Organismal Biology (IOB) Behavioral Systems Developmental Systems Developmental Systems Environmental & Structural Systems Research Resources Research Resources Human Resources Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI) Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI) Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB ) Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB ) Biomolecular Systems Biomolecular Systems Cellular Systems Genes and Genome Systems Genes and Genome Systems Effective September 2004 Emerging Frontiers (EF) Plant Genome Research Program Plant Genome Research Program Systematic Biology & Biodiversity Inventories Functional & Regulatory Systems

Major BIO Responsibilities Long-term Ecological Research Systematic Biology; Biodiversity Evolutionary Biology Environmental Biology Plant Biology Microbial Biology (not medical) Bioinformatics

Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Genes and Genome Systems Biomolecular Systems Cellular Systems BIO Core Areas

Integrative Organismal Biology Behavioral Systems Developmental Systems Environmental and Structural Systems Functional and Regulatory Systems BIO Core Areas

Environmental Biology Ecological Biology Ecosystem Science Population & Evolutionary Processes Systematic Biology & Biodiversity Inventories BIO Core Areas

Target Dates for Unsolicited Proposals in Core Areas January July 10-12

Biological Infrastructure Human Resources –Postdoctoral Fellowships –Research Experiences for Undergraduates Sites (REU Sites) –Undergraduate Mentorship in Environmental Biology (UMEB) –Collaborative Research in Undergraduate Institutions (C-RUI)

Biological Infrastructure Research Resources –Field Stations and Marine Labs –Instrument Development –Multi-user Equipment & Instrumentation –Biological Databases & Informatics –Living Stock Collections –Biological Research Collections

Plant Genome Research Program Supports research on the structure, organization and function of plant genomes; elucidates fundamental biological processes. Accelerates acquisition and utilization of new knowledge and innovative technologies. Focuses on plants of economic importance and plant processes of potential economic value.

National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) NEON will be a national network of observatories located continent-wide, providing research platforms for integrated studies in field biology Each observatory will have state-of-the-art infrastructure to support interdisciplinary, integrated research. NEON is in early stages of development.

NSF-wide Opportunities Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Small Grants for Exploratory Research (SGER) Integrative Graduate Education & Research Traineeships (IGERT) Major Research Instrumentation

Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Supports teacher-scholars committed to the integration of research and education. Proposals present research plans that integrate research and education. BIO minimum award of $100,000 per year for 5 years. Deadline annually in July (New Program Solicitation will be released soon.)

Ongoing Funding Opportunities Arabidopsis 2010 Project Microbial Genome Sequencing Microbial Observatories & Microbial Interactions and Processes Ecology of Infectious Diseases Frontiers in Integrative Biological Research (FIBR) Assembling the Tree of Life Research Coordination Networks

NSF FY 2006 Priority Areas Biocomplexity in the Environment Nanoscale Science and Engineering Mathematical Sciences Human and Social Dynamics

New BIO Program Solicitation Research Initiation Grants (RPG) and Career Advancement Awards (CAA) for Broadening Participation

Research Initiation Grants (RIG) Career Advancement Awards (CAA) Broadening Participation – Especially faculty from underrepresented groups or minority serving institutions RIG – New Investigators CAA – May have previously been PI $150k - 24 months, $25k equipment

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