National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences

1. National Science FoundationDirectorate for Biological Sciences Susan J. Lolle, Program Director Developmental Systems Cluster, Division of Integrative Organismal Biology slolle@nsf.gov

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

3. Understanding the NSF • How does the NSF relate to you?

4. Understanding the NSF • How do most PIs relate to the NSF?

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

6. 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?

7. Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) Mary E. Clutter, Assistant Director Joann 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 Officer Tel: (703) 292-8406 Fax: (703) 292-9155 Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI) Machi F. Dilworth, Division Director Muriel E. Poston, Acting Deputy Director Tel: (703) 292-8470 Fax: (703) 292-9063 Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) Michael R. Willig, Division Director Penelope Firth, Acting Deputy Director Tel: (703) 292-8480 Fax: (703) 292-9064 Division of Integrative Organismal Biology (IOB) Thomas Brady, Division Director Judith Verbeke, Deputy Director Tel: (703) 292-8420 Fax: (703) 292-9153 Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) Maryanna Henkart, Division Director Jerry Cohen, Deputy Director Tel: (703) 292-8440 Fax: (703) 292-9061 Human Resources Ecological Biology Behavioral Systems Biomolecular Systems Research Resources Ecosystem Science Developmental Systems Cellular Systems Population and EvolutionaryProcesses Environmental and Structural Systems Genes and Genome Systems Plant Genome Research Program Systematic Biology and Biodiversity Inventories Functional andRegulatory Systems Emerging Frontiers (EF) Effective October 2004

8. Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) • 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

9. Division of Integrative Organismal Biology (IOB) • 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

10. Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) • 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

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

12. 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

13. DBI DEB MCB IOB (Old IBN) Directorateof Biological Sciences Molecular Ecosystem Organism

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

15. DBI DEB MCB IOB (Old IBN) Directorateof Biological Sciences Molecular Ecosystem Organism

16. Some specifics • Dates • Note to beginning investigators • Structure within a cluster

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

18. 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!

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

20. 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

21. Other Funding Opportunities • Across the Foundation • Supplements to existing awards

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

23. 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

24. How to find out more!

25. NSF Custom News Servicehttp://www.nsf.gov/home/cns/

27. www.nsf.gov

32. 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

33. 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

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

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

36. Thank you for your attention!