EPSCoR Interjurisdictional Collaborative Funding Opportunity: FY 2016 RII Track-2 FEC

    The National Science Foundation Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) is currently offering a collaborative funding opportunity within its RII Track-2 FEC grant program initiative. The RII Track-2 FEC grants are designed to build interjurisdictional collaborative teams of EPSCoR investigators in scientific focus areas consistent with NSF priorities. Projects are investigator-driven, have at least one co-PI and must include researchers from at least two RII-eligible jurisdictions.  Proposals must describe a comprehensive and integrated vision to drive discovery and build sustainable Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) capacity.  The education activities should seek to broaden participation of different types of individuals, institutions, and sectors. In addition, the development and support of diverse early-career faculty is critical to the sustainability of STEM capacity. Only one proposal can be submitted for a project.  Separately submitted collaborative proposals are not allowed.

Researchers interested in participating in the FY 2016 RII Track-2 FEC process are invited to submit proposals on two topics: 

      1. Understanding the Brain; and 
      2. Sustainable Food, Energy, and Water Systems.

DUE DATES:
      Letter of Intent Deadline Date:  January 11, 2016

      Full Proposal Deadline Date:  February 4, 2016

For more information go to: 
EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: Track-2 Focused EPSCoR Collaborations (RII Track-2 FEC)

KANSAS NSF EPSCoR Phase VI - First Awards - A Research Program for Tenure Track Faculty Early in their Careers

Kansas NSF EPSCoR has announced a request for proposals for First Awards.

Download and read the full RFP at : http://www.nsfepscor.ku.edu/pdf/RFP-FirstAwards_2016.pdf

The First Award Research Program is designed to help early career faculty become competitive for funding from the research directorates at the National Science Foundation (NSF) by: 1) encouraging early career faculty to submit proposals to the NSF (or other federal funding agency) as soon as possible after their first faculty appointment, and 2) by accelerating the pace of their research and the quality of their subsequent proposals.  Kansas NSF EPSCoR helps Kansas build its research capacity and competitiveness in science and technology.

Only projects with research in areas that are related to the current Kansas NSF EPSCoR initiatives of Climate or Energy Research (http://www.nsfepscor.ku.edu/ph6.html) or Atomic, Molecular and Optical Science (http://www.nsfepscor.ku.edu/rii_t2_2014.html) are eligible for First Awards. Other eligibility requirements apply so please read the RFP carefully.

Submission Deadlines:

• Letters of Intent Due by 5:00 pm on TUESDAY, September 8, 2015.        
• Proposals Due by 5:00 pm on MONDAY, October 26, 2015. 

CALL FOR WHITE PAPERS – Major Initiatives Research Infrastructure Improvement Track‐1 (posted March 31, 2015)

In August 2015, the Kansas NSF EPSCoR office anticipates submitting a Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Track‐1 proposal to the National Science Foundation for funding. The goal of NSF EPSCoR is to “strengthen research and education in science and engineering throughout the United States” with special focus on funding projects that have major impact on the research infrastructure within states which traditionally receive lesser amounts of NSF research dollars. Successful Track‐1 proposals can receive up to $20 million for five years. A major research initiative that would be part of the Kansas project could receive between $500‐800 K per year depending on the scope of the project.

White papers will only be considered for projects that interface with the research areas related to NSF’s new initiative, INFEWS (Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy and Water Systems). Visit this NSF Link for a better understanding of this area.

Submission Deadline:

The Proposal is Due by 5:00 PM MONDAY, April 20, 2015

Download the RFP 

Kansas NSF EPSCoR:
Kristin Bowman‐James, Project Director
Doug Byers, Assistant Director

Telephone: 785‐864‐3096
Fax: 785‐864‐3093
E‐mail: nsfepscor@ku.edu

Sources of Additional Information:

Kansas NSF EPSCoR Web site: http://www.nsfepscor.ku.edu
NSF Web site: http://www.nsf.gov/od/oia/programs/epscor/about.jsp

KNE to Sponsor Summer Research Experience for Undergraduate Students in Physics

Undergraduate students in Kansas interested in atomic, molecular and optical science can gain a unique research experience this summer.

Kansas State University department of physics is hosting an NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduate (REU) program entitled Interactions of Matter, Light and Learning for ten weeks this summer.

Kansas NSF EPSCoR will sponsor up to three undergraduate students attending school in Kansas or Nebraska who are willing to join a group of about a dozen undergraduate students selected nationwide. These students will be funded by the NSF-EPSCoR Track 2 grant, Imaging and Controlling Ultrafast Dynamics of Atoms, Molecules, and Nanostructures.

Student participants supported by Kansas NSF EPSCoR will be involved with a variety of atomic, molecular and optical (AMO) research projects at the leading edge of world-class research. For example, students will study the attosecond physics of electrons in matter; quantum and coherent control of atoms and molecules; atomic and molecular dynamics; and imaging techniques, using ultrafast lasers. They will have access to our state-of-the-art facilities, including three ultrafast high intensity laser systems. All students will be full participants in active research groups and will be mentored by faculty who are recognized both for their research and for their teaching abilities, including faculty in our highly rated atomic physics program.

Students selected to participate will receive a stipend of $4,500-$5,000, partial travel expenses, and room and board, a total value of over $8,000. They will live on campus with students in the physics and other REU programs and will have access to all the usual facilities at Kansas State: libraries, recreation centers, etc.

Online applications are available at www.phys.ksu.edu/reu. The same application is used for this program and K-State's nation-wide REU program. An unofficial transcript and letter of reference are also required. Applications will be reviewed beginning March 18 and will continue until all places are filled.

Additional information can be obtained by calling (785) 532-1612 or e-mail reu@phys.ksu.edu.