National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation

Directorate for Biological Directorate for Biological SciencesSciences

Susan J. Lolle, Program DirectorSusan J. Lolle, Program DirectorDevelopmental Systems Cluster,Developmental Systems Cluster,Division of Integrative Organismal Division of Integrative Organismal BiologyBiology slolle@nsf.govslolle@nsf.gov

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 DirectorJoann P. Roskoski, Executive Officer

Sonya E. Mallinoff, Planning and Budget Officer

Tel: (703) 292-8400 Fax: (703) 292-9154

Directorate for Biological Sciences(BIO)

Mary E. Clutter, Assistant DirectorJoann P. Roskoski, Executive Officer

Sonya E. Mallinoff, Planning and Budget Officer

Tel: (703) 292-8400 Fax: (703) 292-9154

Information and Automation Resources Unit(IAR)

Joanne G. Rodewald, Information Management OfficerTel: (703) 292-8406 Fax: (703) 292-9155

Information and Automation Resources Unit(IAR)

Joanne G. Rodewald, Information Management OfficerTel: (703) 292-8406 Fax: (703) 292-9155

Division of Environmental Biology

(DEB)

Michael R. Willig, Division DirectorPenelope Firth, Acting Deputy Director

Tel: (703) 292-8480 Fax: (703) 292-9064

Division of Environmental Biology

(DEB)

Michael R. Willig, Division DirectorPenelope Firth, Acting Deputy Director

Tel: (703) 292-8480 Fax: (703) 292-9064

Ecological BiologyEcological Biology

Ecosystem ScienceEcosystem Science

Division of IntegrativeOrganismal Biology

(IOB)

Thomas Brady, Division DirectorJudith Verbeke, Deputy Director

Tel: (703) 292-8420 Fax: (703) 292-9153

Division of IntegrativeOrganismal Biology

(IOB)

Thomas Brady, Division DirectorJudith Verbeke, Deputy Director

Tel: (703) 292-8420 Fax: (703) 292-9153

ResearchResources

ResearchResources

Human ResourcesHuman Resources

Division ofBiological Infrastructure

(DBI)

Machi F. Dilworth, Division DirectorMuriel E. Poston, Acting Deputy Director

Tel: (703) 292-8470 Fax: (703) 292-9063

Division ofBiological Infrastructure

(DBI)

Machi F. Dilworth, Division DirectorMuriel E. Poston, Acting Deputy Director

Tel: (703) 292-8470 Fax: (703) 292-9063

Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences

(MCB)

Maryanna Henkart, Division Director Jerry Cohen, Deputy Director

Tel: (703) 292-8440 Fax: (703) 292-9061

Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences

(MCB)

Maryanna Henkart, Division Director Jerry Cohen, Deputy Director

Tel: (703) 292-8440 Fax: (703) 292-9061

Biomolecular SystemsBiomolecular Systems

Cellular SystemsCellular Systems

Genes and Genome SystemsGenes and Genome Systems

Effective October 2004

Emerging Frontiers (EF)

Plant Genome ResearchProgram

Plant Genome ResearchProgram

Population and EvolutionaryProcesses

Population and EvolutionaryProcesses

Systematic Biology and Biodiversity Inventories

Systematic Biology and Biodiversity Inventories

Behavioral SystemsBehavioral Systems

Developmental SystemsDevelopmental Systems

Environmental and Structural Systems

Environmental and Structural Systems

Functional andRegulatory Systems

Functional andRegulatory 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 Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB)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 Division of Integrative Organismal Biology (IOB)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 Division of Environmental Biology Environmental Biology (DEB)(DEB)

Supports activities that provide the infrastructure for contemporary research in biology

Human Resources

Research Resources

Plant Genome Research Program

Division of Biological Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI)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

Molecular EcosystemOrganism

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

Molecular EcosystemOrganism

MCB IOB(Old IBN)

DEB

DBI

Some specifics Dates Note to beginning investigators Structure within a cluster

Target Dates

July 12, 2005July 12, 2005

January 12, 2006January 12, 2006

Not deadlines…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 Funding Opportunities for Biological Sciences Research Biological Sciences Research and Education at NSFand Education at NSF

Award Supplement OpportunitiesAward 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 ServiceNSF Custom News Servicehttp://www.nsf.gov/home/cns/http://www.nsf.gov/home/cns/

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 Your Participation is NeededNeeded

As ad hoc reviewers As panelists As Program Officers

50% of Program Officers are rotators

What makes a good What makes a good review?review?

EvaluateEvaluate the proposal What are the strengths and

weaknesses? Is the project feasible? Is the science novel and original? Would you fund it?