NSF's Harnessing the Data Revolution (HDR) Big Idea is a national-scale activity to enable new modes of data-driven discovery that will address fundamental questions at the frontiers of science and engineering. Through this NSF-wide activity, HDR is generating new knowledge and understanding, and accelerating discovery and innovation. The HDR vision is realized through an interrelated set of efforts in foundations of data science; data-intensive research in science and engineering; and education and workforce development. Each of these efforts is designed to amplify the intrinsically multidisciplinary nature of the emerging field of data science. The HDR Big Idea is establishing theoretical, technical, and ethical frameworks that tackle data-intensive problems in science and engineering, contributing to data-driven decision-making that impacts society.
In 2019, the HDR Big Idea launched three parallel efforts in pursuit of these aims:
- The Institutes for Data-Intensive Research in Science and Engineering (I-DIRSE) activity seeks to create an integrated fabric of interrelated institutes that can accelerate discovery and innovation in multiple areas of data-intensive science and engineering.
- HDR: Transdisciplinary Research In Principles Of Data Science Phase I (HDR TRIPODS Phase I) aims to bring together the electrical engineering, mathematics, statistics, and theoretical computer science communities to develop the theoretical foundations of data science through integrated research and training activities.
- Data Science Corps (DSC) focuses on building capacity for HDR to help unleash the power of data in the service of science and society; DSC provides practical experiences, teaches new skills, and offers learning opportunities, in a variety of settings, to data scientists and data science students
Program Description
The overarching objectives of HDR Central are to coordinate communication and resource sharing among all HDR-funded projects, broaden the impact of HDR awards across science and engineering research and education, and share HDR efforts and outcomes with the public.
To accomplish these objectives, HDR Central will enhance communication, collaboration and networking within the HDR community and support its expansion; promote national and international visibility of HDR projects, activities, and outcomes; and lead efforts to develop and evaluate metrics for assessing impacts of NSF’s HDR activities. HDR Central will develop and execute plans to meet the above objectives with input from the HDR community.
In pursuit of the objectives above, HDR Central will perform the following critical functions.
- Collaboration and Networking. The HDR ecosystem concept is founded on the premise that the collective impacts of individual projects will be amplified through interactions among the NSF-funded HDR projects. HDR Central will promote collaboration and networking within the HDR community. It is expected this will be accomplished through a combination of activities (e.g., by organizing and facilitating meetings, workshops, and events) and providing online collaboration spaces and opportunities for HDR PIs and other stakeholders.
- Extensive Engagement. The breadth and persistence of HDR impacts are dependent on the extensibility of the research and data science outcomes generated by the individual awards. HDR Central will coordinate and publicize activities of and for funded HDR projects, extending the benefits to both science and society beyond the participating organizations and targeted communities. Examples of this work include facilitation of research coordination, outreach activities, and activities to broaden the engagement of HDR with the wider science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) communities.
- Measuring Impact. HDR Central will seek to understand and articulate the scientific benefits and broader impacts of the HDR ecosystem. It will work with the HDR community to define metrics for success and promote efforts to enhance impact through community engagement.
The successful awardee for this solicitation will not be eligible to submit to FY 2021 HDR Institutes for Data-Intensive Research in Science and Engineering (I-DIRSE) competitions.
Interested applicants should send the following documents in sequence in one PDF file (File name: Last name_NSF 20-600_2020 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.
2-page current NSF Bio-sketch 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.