NSF 17-591 Inclusion Across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (NSF INCLUDES)

We are pleased to announce the launch of the NSF 17-591 Inclusion Across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (NSF INCLUDES) competition. Click on the link below to view more information. Thank you!
 

• Internal Submission Deadline: Monday, October 23, 2017
• Funding Organization's Deadline: Monday, November 27, 2017
• Award Cycle: 2018
• Discipline/Subject Area: Engineering, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Geosciences, Computer and Information Science and Engineering, Biological Sciences, Social Behavioral and Economic Sciences, Education and Human Resources, Office of International Science and Engineering, Office of Integrative Activities (OIA)
• Funding Available: 10,500,000.00
• Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1
• Award Information: In FY 2018, approximately $2.5 million is available to fund the first year of a Cooperative Agreement that is expected to provide up to $10.5 million support for the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub over a five-year period of performance.
• URL: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2017/nsf17591/nsf17591.htm
• IMPORTANT: ALL campuses across Penn State should apply through this downselect.
• Description:

Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (NSF INCLUDES) is a comprehensive national initiative designed to enhance U.S. leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) discoveries and innovations focused on NSF's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and broadening participation in these fields. The initiative is developing a National Network composed of NSF INCLUDES Design and Development Launch Pilots, NSF INCLUDES Alliances, NSF-funded broadening participation projects, other relevant NSF-funded projects, scholars engaged in broadening participation research, and other organizations that support the development of talent from all sectors of society to build the STEM workforce.

To facilitate the Network’s operation, the program is soliciting proposals for a NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub that will drive and support the work of the NSF INCLUDES National Network over the lifecycle of the initiative by: (a) promoting the NSF INCLUDES guiding vision and strategy; (b) developing a collaborative infrastructure to support the activities of the various entities partnering in the NSF INCLUDES National Network; (c) fostering progress among Network partners toward shared models, measurement practices, and evaluation criteria; (d) communicating the discoveries of and generating enthusiasm for the NSF INCLUDES National Network; and (e) advancing the expansion and scale of the NSF INCLUDES National Network by connecting expertise from multiple sectors and other private and public funders.

The three critical functions of the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub are summarized below:

1. Communication and Networking: From the beginning the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub should direct efforts toward building the Network infrastructure by facilitating continuous communication and information updates, designing community activities, and fostering collaboration across all elements of the Network.

2. Network Assistance and Reinforcement: As NSF INCLUDES Alliances and other organizations join the NSF INCLUDES National Network, the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub should focus attention on assistance and reinforcement activities including technical assistance, conducting research, and facilitating shared measurement and data analysis across the Network.

3. Visibility and Expansion: The NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub should provide resources for efforts to focus on expansion and sustainability within the National Network, increase NSF INCLUDES visibility and communicate impact, while also serving as a repository for funding opportunities, research and knowledge generated by the NSF INCLUDES National Network and stakeholders.

Award Amound and Duration:

$10,500,000 over a five-year period of performance.

Award Information:

NSF expects to provide up to $2.5 million in FY2018 to support the first year of a five-year award for the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub, and up to $2 million per year afterward. NSF expects to make one (1) Coordination Hub award, contingent on availability of funds and receipt of competitive proposals. Initial support for the Cooperative Agreement will be contingent upon a satisfactory pre-award assessment. The award will be made as a Cooperative Agreement, with an initial commitment for five years of support and the possibility of a competitive renewal. Ongoing support for the Cooperative Agreement will be contingent upon satisfactory performance as assessed through reviews of annual progress reports, annual site (or reverse site) visits, and annual reviews of the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub's future plans. The total amount of NSF's investment in the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub will depend upon the needs, plans, and opportunities offered by the Hub, as well as the availability of NSF funds.

In reviewing the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub's progress and assessing future plans, NSF will emphasize the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub's performance in coordinating the NSF INCLUDES National Network's collaborative change activities and infrastructure; coordinating the Network's shared broadening participation agenda; and effectively managing Hub activities. Oversight of the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub is the responsibility of the NSF Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) in consultation with the Directorates and Offices supporting NSF INCLUDES.

After the initial five years, the NSF INCLUDES program may initiate another competition to fund the Coordination Hub to which the incumbent may submit a proposal for additional years of NSF support pending the availability of funds.

Estimated program budget, number of awards and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.

Eligibility Information:

Who May Submit Proposals:

The categories of proposers eligible to submit proposals to the National Science Foundation are identified in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide(PAPPG), Chapter I.E.

Who May Serve as PI:

There are no restrictions or limits.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:

An organization may serve as the lead institution on only one NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub proposal, although it may serve as a collaborating partner on other proposals.

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI:

An individual may serve as a PI or Co-PI on only two (2) NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub proposals. Proposals that exceed the PI or Co-PI limit will be returned without review.

Additional Eligibility Info:

Competitive proposals will include diverse teams of organizations with complementary areas of expertise and with justified roles for each partner. Partnering organizations may include academic institutions, professional organizations, businesses, industry groups, government organizations, non-profit companies, community-based organizations, informal science education organizations, and science- or industry-focused organizations. Proposers should indicate support from the upper levels of organizational leadership by including letters of collaboration in the supplementary document section.

Internal Nomination Process:

Interested applicants should send the following documents in sequence in one PDF no later than 4:00 p.m. on the internal submission deadline:

• Principal Investigator’s (PI's) names and departmental affiliation
• Co-PI's names and departmental affiliation(s)
• A list of possible participating organizations (if applicable)
• Proposal Title
• Project Summary (no more than one page) Provide an overview of the proposed NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub and separately address the Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts.
• Project Description (no more than two pages) and identify the project scope that addresses the key aspects and elements outlined in the NSF solicitation, principal investigators, collaborators, and partner organizations.
• 2-page current NSF Bio-sketch for all PIs and Co-PIs
• A summary of current and pending support of all PIs and Co-PIs
• A list of current facilities and equipment to be used in the implementation of the project activities

Questions concerning the limited submissions process may be submitted to limitedsubs@psu.edu.