The Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) Program supports research centers focused on major, long-term fundamental chemical research challenges. CCIs that address these challenges will produce transformative research, lead to innovation, and attract broad scientific and public interest. CCIs are agile structures that can respond rapidly to emerging opportunities through enhanced collaborations. CCIs integrate research, innovation, education, broadening participation, and informal science communication.

The CCI Program is a two-phase program. Both phases are described in the solicitation. Phase I CCIs receive significant resources to develop the science, management and broader impacts of a major research center before requesting Phase II funding. Satisfactory progress in Phase I is required for Phase II applications; Phase I proposals funded in FY 2021 will seek Phase II funding in FY 2024.

The FY 2021 Phase I CCI competition is open to projects in all fields supported by the Division of Chemistry, and must have scientific focus and the potential for transformative impact in chemistry. NSF Chemistry particularly encourages fundamental chemistry projects related to one or more of NSF’s Big Ideas, including Quantum Leap, Understanding the Rules of Life, and Harnessing the Data Revolution. Similarly, the Division of Chemistry encourages CCI projects aligned with chemistry aspects of other articulated budget priorities, including Advanced Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, and Quantum Information Science. More information on all of these is available in Section IX of this Program Solicitation. The FY 2021 Phase II CCI competition is open to projects funded as Phase I awards in FY 2018.

NOTE: The NEH Summer Stipends Program is a limited submission opportunity; as such, faculty members wishing to apply for the program must submit a Notification of Interest to the Office of Research Administration. Notification must be received by ORA no later than 5pm on Friday, August 9, 2020.

Materials can be sent directly to the Office of Research Administration or via email at Rschsrvsga8@uakron.edu.For further details on the Limited Submission process please visit the ORA webpage.

Program Details

The National Endowment for the Humanities is now accepting applications for its Summer Stipends program. The program aims to stimulate new research in the humanities and its publication by supporting the work of individual scholars doing research or writing. Anyone can apply, as long as they are not a degree candidate at time of application; however, this program requires all tenured or tenure-track applicants to be nominated by an official on their campus. The award amount is $6,000, and the application deadline is September 23, 2020. Full application information is available HERE.

Dear Colleagues:

Based on feedback from the community, NSF has made a number of improvements to the NSF-approved formats for the biographical sketch and current and pending support sections of proposals. As a reminder, in accordance with the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 20-1), these formats will be required for proposals submitted or due on or after June 1, 2020. NSF also has updated the websites for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support to further inform the community about these improvements, including updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Biographical Sketch Improvements:

• Permit use of “et al” for publication citations in the Products section in the event that listing multiple authors makes it difficult to fit the information into the allotted space (NSF fillable format and SciENcv format)
• Increased space for the Products section by removing instructional text. Links added to relevant PAPPG sections (NSF fillable format)
• Removed the requirement to include the NSF ID (NSF fillable format
• Added a version date to the document (NSF fillable format)

Current and Pending Support Improvements:

• Increased the number of Project/Proposal entries from 10 to 15 to support the majority of proposals submitted to NSF (NSF fillable format)
• Updated the Award Number field to allow entry of both numbers and letters (NSF fillable format and SciENcv format)
• Replaced the “Calendar Year” label with “Year” to be consistent with PAPPG guidance (NSF fillable format and SciENcv format)
• Removed the requirement to include the NSF ID (NSF fillable format)
• Added a version date to the document (NSF fillable format)

We look forward to your continued suggestions and improvements. Please continue to provide comments to policy@nsf.gov. 

Regards,

Jean Feldman

Head, Policy Office

Division of Institution and Award Support

One of the many partners with NineSigma, Siemens is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence and innovation. The company is active around the globe, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization.

Siemens is turning ideas into winning innovations that are setting new standards. It is their conviction that innovation is a teamwork.

Therefore it is their mission to offer access to all companies – both existing suppliers and to companies that wish to become a Siemens supplier in the future – to shape products with their innovative product proposals and collaborate with Siemens engineers for the best solutions. Below are a few RFPs that may be of interest to UA researchers.

User Interface Component

Siemens is seeking a colored touch display that will be mounted in an external housing. The User Interface Component will need to comply with standards for electromagnetic compatibility and mechanical strength. See section “Possible Approaches” for details. Product availability: >8 years (long term availability required). Product in operation time: 15+ years (98% of the time in operation the backlight will be dimmed). The focus should be on a standard product (if needed customized). See here more for details.

Cooling Hose (Medium: Air)

Siemens Energy is seeking a solution for a short hose to supply cooling air for an industrial application. The length should be approximately 1.0-1.5 Ft. The target cost is $25-$60 for hose and fittings and QTY 432 per unit. Internal information: instrument air supplied at 145 PSI, return air at up to 311 Deg F. External information: filtered ambient air in industrial locations. Example is a Teflon hose that has custom machined fittings. See here for more details.

AFOSR plans, coordinates, and executes the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) basic research program in response to technical guidance from AFRL and requirements of the Air Force. Additionally, the office fosters, supports, and conducts research within Air Force, university, and industry laboratories; and ensures transition of research results to support U.S. Air Force needs.

The focus of AFOSR is on research areas that offer significant and comprehensive benefits to our national war fighting and peacekeeping capabilities. These areas are organized and managed in two scientific Departments: Engineering and Information Science (RTA) and Physical and Biological Sciences (RTB). The research activities managed within each Department are summarized the Broad Agency Announcement, which can be downloaded at the funding opportunity announcement at Grants.gov. Once you have navigated to the opportunity, click on the “Related Documents” Tab and select the Full Announcement, which can be downloaded as a .zip or .pdf file (see below).