2021 Sony Research Award Program

Sony is inviting the University of Akron to participate in this year’s research award program, where their mission is to build partnerships between university faculty from the U.S., Canada, and Europe that could be the spark a new, innovative idea. Sony’s wish is that this award program will help foster the relationships between researchers and university staff to pioneer research that will potentially drive society into the future of technology and industry.

There are two awards available:

Faculty Innovation Award:

MAXIMUM AWARD AMOUNT

$100,000

OPEN TO

Full-time professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and researchers.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

1 year

APPLICATION DUE

September 15th, 2021 at 11:59 PDT

EXPECTED NOTIFICATION DATE

March 2022

PROJECT START DATE

TBD

And, the Focused Research Award:

MAXIMUM AWARD AMOUNT

$150,000

OPEN TO

Full-time professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and researchers.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

1 year

APPLICATION DUE

September 15th, 2021 at 11:59 PDT

EXPECTED NOTIFICATION DATE

March 2022

PROJECT START DATE

TBD

To learn more, visit the award program website.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative seeks to fund a project that can reduce nutrient loading into the Great Lakes, through engineering natural phosphorus sinks on landscapes to filter runoff before it reaches the lakes.

“Applicants should provide:

  • A map that delineates the project boundaries within the watershed and clearly identifies the areas where work will be implemented.
  • An explanation of the project’s relevance to improving water quality in the watershed, including the cause(s) of nutrient runoff issues and how this project will address them.
  • An explanation of how the project is consistent with a broader strategy for watershed protection and restoration.
  • An explanation of how the project will be maintained after the project period has ended to ensure the long-term benefits of the project.
  • An explanation of how the project plan and design will be resilient to climate change”

MAXIMUM AWARD AMOUNT

$600,000

OPEN TO

Qualified non-federal entities, including non-federal governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, and institutions.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Up to 3 years

APPLICATION DUE

August 20, 2021, via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern
Time / 10:59 p.m. Central Time

EXPECTED NOTIFICATION DATE

October 2021

PROJECT START DATE

November 1st, 2021

To learn more, access the document attached below.

GERMINATION: Germination of Research Questions for Addressing Critical Societal Challenges

The National Science Foundation has introduced another program for engineers and scientists. The program encourages those eligible to become part of impactful research to address societal challenges that continue to afflict our populations, such as providing food, shelter, energy, clean air, clean water, and sanitation for people worldwide.

Maximum Award Amount

$3,000,000

OPEN TO

Institutions of Higher Education and non-profit, non-academic organizations

Period Of Performance

1-2 years

APPLICATION DUE

Letter of Intent: 5 p.m. local time, August 27th, 2021
Submission: 5 p.m. local time, October 29th, 2021

EXPECTED NOTIFICATION DATE

TBD

PROJECT START DATE

TBD

For more information, visit the grant page.

NSF Revised Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The National Science Foundation has updated and revised their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding current and pending support.

The FAQs have been revised alongside the newly developed table, NSF Pre-award and Post-award Disclosures Relating to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support.

Contact the Policy Office in the Division of Institution and Award Support at policy@nsf.gov with any questions.

National Science Foundation: Leading Engineering for America’s Prosperity, Health, and Infrastructure (LEAP HI)

The National Science Foundation invites engineers to submit proposals to the LEAP HI program that address complex issues that deal with the creating a better, healthier future.

  • “LEAP HI supports fundamental research projects involving collaborating investigators, of duration up to five years, with total budget between $1 million and $2 million.
  • LEAP HI proposals must articulate a fundamental research problem with compelling intellectual challenge and significant societal impact, particularly on economic competitiveness, quality of life, public health, or essential infrastructure. One or more CMMI core topics must lie at the heart of the proposal, and integration of disciplinary expertise not typically engaged in CMMI-funded projects is encouraged.
  • LEAP HI proposals must highlight engineering research in a leadership role.
  • LEAP HI proposals must demonstrate the need for a sustained research effort by an integrated, interdisciplinary team, and should include a research integration plan and timeline for research activities, with convincing mechanisms for frequent and effective communication.”

Maximum award amount

$7,500,000

Open to

Institutions of Higher Education and non-profit, non-academic organizations

Period of Performance

Up to 5 years

application Due

Letter of Intent: 5 p.m. local time, July 15th, Annually
Submission: 5 p.m. local time, September 1st – September 15th, Annually

Expected Notification Date

TBD

Project Start Date

TBD