In 2016, the National Science Foundation (NSF) unveiled a set of “Big Ideas,” 10 bold, long-term research and process ideas that identify areas for future investment at the frontiers of science and engineering (see https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/big_ideas/index.jsp ). The Big Ideas represent unique opportunities to position our Nation at the cutting edge of global science and engineering leadership by bringing together diverse disciplinary perspectives to support convergence research. As such, when responding to this solicitation, even though proposals must be submitted to the Division of Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS) within the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), once received, the proposals will be managed by a cross-disciplinary team of NSF Program Directors.
NSF’s Harnessing the Data Revolution (HDR) Big Idea is a visionary, national-scale activity to enable new modes of data-driven discovery, allowing fundamentally new questions to be asked and answered in science and engineering frontiers, generating new knowledge and understanding, and accelerating discovery and innovation. The HDR vision is realized via a coordinated set of program solicitations resulting in an ecosystem of interrelated activities enabling (i) research in the foundations of data science; frameworks, algorithms, and systems for data science; and data-driven research in science and engineering; (ii) advanced cyberinfrastructure; and (iii) education and workforce development—all of which are designed to amplify the intrinsically multidisciplinary nature of the data science challenge. The HDR Big Idea will establish theoretical, technical, and ethical data science frameworks, and apply them to practical problems in science and engineering, and in society more generally.
The Data Science Corps is one of the components of the HDR ecosystem, focusing on building capacity for harnessing the data revolution at the local, state, national, and international levels to help unleash the power of data in the service of science and society. The Data Science Corps will provide practical experiences, teach new skills, and offer teaching opportunities, in a variety of settings, to data scientists and data science students. It will also strive to promote data literacy and provide basic training in data science to the existing workforce across communities.
As a first step in establishing the Data Science Corps, this solicitation focuses specifically on enabling participation by undergraduate students in the Data Science Corps, by supporting student stipends for participation in data science projects and supporting integration of real-world data science projects into classroom instruction.
As a first step in establishing the Data Science Corps, this solicitation focuses specifically on enabling participation by undergraduate students in the Data Science Corps, by providing student stipends for participation in data science projects and supporting integration of real-world data science projects into classroom instruction. Where possible, organizations are encouraged to facilitate participation in the Data Science Corps by adding a data science “track” to their existing internship, traineeship, study abroad, or other similar programs. The community/organization being served should be integrated into decision making about project design and implementation.
Projects responding to this solicitation should embrace diversity among participating organizations, e.g., by reaching across many types of IHEs, including research universities, two- and four-year colleges, and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). Multiple organizations may participate in a project via subawards, or separately submitted collaborative proposals.
The set of awards made by this program are expected to reflect geographic diversity and represent the wide variety of regions across the country.
Program Structure
It is envisioned that, eventually, all Data Science Corps awards will coordinate via a central entity. As a first step, awards funded via this solicitation will be expected to interact and coordinate with each other.
Project Structure
Proposals responding to this solicitation must be structured to include one coordinating organization, and one or more implementation organizations. Proposals involving partnerships with MSIs and focusing on underserved communities/organizations are especially encouraged.
Award Information
Anticipated Funding Amount: $10,000,000
Up to $10,000,000 is expected to be available for eight to eleven awards, for 3 years each, subject to the availability of funds. Awards will typically be in the range of $1,000,000 to $1,200,000 for 3 years
Eligibility Information
Who May Submit Proposals:
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
- Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) - Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members.
- Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies and similar organizations in the U.S. associated with educational or research activities.
Who May Serve as PI:
There are no restrictions or limits.
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1
Only one proposal (as lead or non-lead) is permitted per organization.
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI: 1
An individual may participate in only one proposal as PI, co-PI, or Senior Personnel. These eligibility constraints will be strictly enforced in order to treat everyone fairly and consistently. In the event that an individual exceeds this limit, a proposal received within the limit will be accepted based on earliest date and time of proposal submission (i.e., the first proposal received will be accepted and the remainder will be returned without review). No exceptions will be made.
Interested applicants should send the following documents in sequence in one PDF file (File name: Last name_NSF 19-518_2019 no later than 4:00 p.m. on the internal submission deadline:
Cover Page:
- Principal Investigator’s (PI's) names and departmental affiliation
- Co-PI's names and departmental affiliation(s)
- A list of possible participating organizations
- Proposal Title
Project Description (no more than two pages):
- Identify the project scope that addresses the key aspects and elements outlined in the NSF solicitation, principal investigators, collaborators, and partner organizations.
General Timeline for Proposal Development.
2-page current NSF Bio-sketch for all PIs and Co-PIs.
If this is a resubmission, include any feedback details you've received from the relevant program director(s)
Completed Current and Pending Support Document (template attached to this competition) for all PIs and Co-PIs.
Formatting Guidelines and Page Limit:
- Font/size: Times New Roman (12 pt.)
- Document margins: 1.0” (top, bottom, left and right)
- Standard paper size (8 ½” x 11)
Questions concerning the limited submissions process may be submitted to limitedsubs@psu.edu