Building Strategic, Sustainable Collaborations in Research and

Education Richard A. Aló

Program Director, National Science Foundation

ralo@nsf.govDivision of Undergraduate Research

Directorate for Education /Human Resources

An Overview of NSF Funding An Overview of NSF Funding Opportunities for Undergraduate STEM Opportunities for Undergraduate STEM

Education and Writing More Education and Writing More Competitive ProposalsCompetitive Proposals

California State University Dominguez HillsCalifornia State University Dominguez Hills

June 24, 2011June 24, 2011

Outline of Presentation

A. NSF Organizational Structure A. NSF Organizational Structure

B. NSF Programs That Support Undergraduate B. NSF Programs That Support Undergraduate STEM EducationSTEM Education

• S-STEMS-STEM• STEPSTEP• TUESTUES• CI-Training, Education, Advancement CI-Training, Education, Advancement

Mentoring- (possibly a renaming /inclusion)Mentoring- (possibly a renaming /inclusion)• Cyber LearningCyber Learning• Major Research ImplementationMajor Research Implementation

C. Funding StrategiesC. Funding Strategies

A. NSF Organizational Structure

Directorate for Education and Human Resources

Division ofUndergraduate

Education(DUE)

Division ofUndergraduate

Education(DUE)

Division ofGraduate Education

Division ofGraduate Education

Division ofHuman

Resource Development

Division ofHuman

Resource Development

Division ofResearch on Learning in Formal and

Informal Settings

Division ofResearch on Learning in Formal and

Informal Settings

Directorate forEducation and Human Resources (EHR)

B. NSF Programs That Support Undergraduate STEM Education

1. TUES2. STEP3. S-STEM4. Cyber Learning- Transforming Education5. CI Training, Education, Advancement, and

Mentoring for Our 21st Century Workforce (CI-TEAM)

6. Major Research Instrutmentation

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TUESTUESTransforming Undergraduate Ed in STEMTransforming Undergraduate Ed in STEM

Translating Learning Theory into PracticeTranslating Learning Theory into Practice

Our broadest, most innovative Our broadest, most innovative programprogram

VisionVisionExcellent STEM Excellent STEM educationeducation for for all all undergraduate undergraduate

students. students.

GoalGoalStimulate, disseminate, and institutionalize Stimulate, disseminate, and institutionalize

innovativeinnovative developments in STEM education developments in STEM education through the production of knowledgethrough the production of knowledge and the and the improvement of practice. improvement of practice.

Program Mirrors Learning Theory

Learner-Centered-Learner-Centered- learning begins with learning begins with experience, knowledge, interest and motivation experience, knowledge, interest and motivation that learner brings to the setting.that learner brings to the setting.

Knowledge-CenteredKnowledge-Centered-- problems can only be problems can only be solved if students have a solid knowledge base solved if students have a solid knowledge base from which they can drawfrom which they can draw

Community-CenteredCommunity-Centered- - Learning is usually Learning is usually more effective when it occurs within a more effective when it occurs within a community, where people can exchange ideas community, where people can exchange ideas and receive feedback from other interest and receive feedback from other interest participants.participants.

Assessment to support LearniAssessment to support Learning- ng- For For quality of Learning to improve, there must be quality of Learning to improve, there must be mechanisms in place to determine just how mechanisms in place to determine just how effective the teaching strategies are.effective the teaching strategies are.

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New Challenges, New Strategies: Building Excellence in Undergraduate STEM education, AAAS 2010

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TUES: TUES: Four Project Types - Award SizesFour Project Types - Award Sizes

Type 1Type 1

$200,000$200,000 duration: 1 to 3 yearsduration: 1 to 3 years

(+ $50,000 with community college partner)(+ $50,000 with community college partner) Type 2Type 2

$600,000 $600,000 duration: 2 to 4 yearsduration: 2 to 4 years Type 3Type 3

$5,000,000 $5,000,000 duration: 3 to 5 yrs (5 if max reqst)duration: 3 to 5 yrs (5 if max reqst) Central Resource ProjectsCentral Resource Projects: 3 - 5 yrs leadership & : 3 - 5 yrs leadership &

implementation work to increase impact of TUESimplementation work to increase impact of TUES

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TUES TUES Choice of Type Reflects Choice of Type Reflects

Scale of the ProjectScale of the Project Number of institutions, students and facultyNumber of institutions, students and faculty

Maturity of the Project (Stage)Maturity of the Project (Stage) Phase 1 may lead to Phase 2, etc.Phase 1 may lead to Phase 2, etc. But prior CCLI or TUES funding is not But prior CCLI or TUES funding is not

requiredrequired

Scope of the ProjectScope of the Project Defined by number of components, based Defined by number of components, based

on our view of the cyclic nature of on our view of the cyclic nature of educational innovationeducational innovation

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TUES TUES For Example, Type 1 reflectsFor Example, Type 1 reflects

Scope and Scale:Scope and Scale: One or two program components One or two program components Limited number of students & faculty at one Limited number of students & faculty at one

institutioninstitution

Expected Results:Expected Results: Contribute to understanding of effective STEM Contribute to understanding of effective STEM

education, typically by exploring new ideaseducation, typically by exploring new ideas Can serve as basis for Type 2 projectCan serve as basis for Type 2 project Often motivated by an interest to apply for Type Often motivated by an interest to apply for Type

2 later2 later

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TUES: TUES: Types of projectsTypes of projects

Integrate new instrumentation or equipment Integrate new instrumentation or equipment into into under-graduate laboratories or field work under-graduate laboratories or field work

Develop materials that use a new instructional Develop materials that use a new instructional approach approach embodying current understanding of how embodying current understanding of how students learnstudents learn

Introduce content from new research Introduce content from new research into existing into existing coursecourse

Explore the practical aspects of using remote Explore the practical aspects of using remote laboratorieslaboratories

Develop an instrument to assess students’ Develop an instrument to assess students’ knowledgeknowledge

Provide courses needed for efficient, seamless Provide courses needed for efficient, seamless transfer from 2-yr to 4-yr transfer from 2-yr to 4-yr colleges in partnership colleges in partnership

Explore or pilot internet-based approaches Explore or pilot internet-based approaches for for faculty professional development faculty professional development

Develop interdisciplinary courses Develop interdisciplinary courses on public issueson public issues

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TUES TUES Types ReflectTypes Reflect Scale of the ProjectScale of the Project

Number of institutions, students and facultyNumber of institutions, students and faculty

Maturity of the Project (Stage)Maturity of the Project (Stage) Type 1 may lead to Phase 2, etc.Type 1 may lead to Phase 2, etc. But prior CCLI funding is not requiredBut prior CCLI funding is not required

Scope of the ProjectScope of the Project Defined by number of components, based on Defined by number of components, based on

our view of the cyclic nature of educational our view of the cyclic nature of educational innovationinnovation

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Cyclic Model for Creating Knowledge andCyclic Model for Creating Knowledge andImproving Practices in Improving Practices in STEMSTEM Education Education

Research on Teaching and

Learning

Implement Innovations

New Materials

and Strategies

Increase Faculty

Expertise

AssessAnd

Evaluate

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Five ComponentsFive Components from the from the

Cyclic Model Cyclic Model

Include one or more of these components Include one or more of these components • Create learning materials and teaching Create learning materials and teaching strategiesstrategies• Develop faculty expertiseDevelop faculty expertise• Implement educational innovations (not Implement educational innovations (not adoption)adoption)• Assess learning and evaluate innovationAssess learning and evaluate innovation• Conduct research on STEM teaching and Conduct research on STEM teaching and learninglearning

Research

Implement

Materials

Expertise

Assess

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Component 1Component 1

Create Learning Materials and Create Learning Materials and Teaching StrategiesTeaching Strategies

New materials and toolsNew materials and tools New methods and strategiesNew methods and strategies Revised materials and Revised materials and

strategiesstrategies Adapt and implementAdapt and implement

Research

Implement

Materials

Expertise

Assess

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TUES: TUES: Over time, we have Over time, we have increased our emphasis onincreased our emphasis on

Building on and contributing to the Building on and contributing to the literature on effective literature on effective STEM educationSTEM education

Building a Building a community of scholarscommunity of scholars in in STEM education reformSTEM education reform

Identifying Identifying project-specific measurable project-specific measurable outcomesoutcomes Project management and Project management and evaluationevaluation

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TUESTUES DeadlinesDeadlines

Deadline For Type 1Deadline For Type 1 May 26, 27, 2011 (check May 26, 27, 2011 (check

website for days)website for days)

Deadline For Type 2 and 3, and Deadline For Type 2 and 3, and Central Resource ProjectsCentral Resource Projects   January 13, 2012January 13, 2012

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2. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Talent Expansion Program (STEMTEP)

Goal: to increase the number of students (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) RECEIVING associate or baccalaureate degrees in established or emerging fields within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)

STEM Talent Expansion Program (STEP)

STEP StrategiesSTEP Strategies Recruit More Students – Bridge ProgramRecruit More Students – Bridge Program

Retain more StudentsRetain more Students ““Fix” Gatekeeper CoursesFix” Gatekeeper Courses Involve Freshman/Sophomores in URInvolve Freshman/Sophomores in UR

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STEP Tracks

Type 1: Implement strategies that will increase the number of students obtaining STEM degrees. (If you have already had a Type 1 award, see the solicitation)

Type 2: Conduct research on factors affecting associate or baccalaureate degree attainment in STEM

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STEP Type 1 Possible project activities:

Focus directly on student learning Incorporate current technology Develop interdisciplinary approaches Offer bridge programs

Increases in a particular field must not be at the expense of other fields!

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STEP Type 2

Goal: contribute to the knowledge base of scholarly research in science education relating to factors affecting associate or baccalaureate degree attainment in STEM

Project outcomes should be useful to educators

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STEPType 1 (Implementation) $500 K for 5 years for up to 5,000

undergrad students $1.0 M for 5 years for 5,000-

15,000 undergrad students $2.0 M for 5 years for >15,000

undergrad students

Type 2 (Research) $500K/year for 3 years

STEP Type 1 Projects

Possible project activities: Focus directly on student learning Incorporate current technology Develop interdisciplinary approaches Offer bridge programs Other curricular innovations that will

enhance retention/recruitment.

Increases in a particular field must not be at the expense of other fields!

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STEP Deadlines

Letter of Intent: August 17, 2010 and

similar in 2011 Proposal Due Date:

September 28, 2010 and similar in 2011

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3. NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM)

Goal: Provides institutions funds to provide scholarships to academically talented, but financial needy, students. Students can be pursuing associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degrees.

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This Scholarship Program is funded from fees that employers pay to the US to obtain a work visa that allows the hiring of a foreign high-tech worker

The intent of the program is to use the money raised from H-1B visa fees to produce more US graduates for the high-tech workforce

S-STEM was established by Congress (like STEP and Noyce)

S-STEM

S-STEM - Scholarship Program (DUE)

Goal: To increase the number and quality Goal: To increase the number and quality of graduates in STEMof graduates in STEM

Focus is on “Workforce Development”Focus is on “Workforce Development”

$600,000 maximum award$600,000 maximum award Up to 10% of scholarship request for student Up to 10% of scholarship request for student

support/curricular reform andsupport/curricular reform and 5% for administrative support5% for administrative support

Can Not require students to “work”Can Not require students to “work” Deadline: was August 12, 2010 and Deadline: was August 12, 2010 and

similar date in 2011.similar date in 2011.

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- Eligible disciplines include biology, physical and mathematical sciences, computer and information sciences, geosciences, and engineering

- Maximum scholarships is $10,000 (but can not exceed financial need)

- One proposal per constituent school or college

S-STEM

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Special Program Features

Has a faculty member in a STEM discipline as the PI.Involves cohorts of students.Provides student support structures.Includes optional enhancements such as research opportunities, tutoring,

internships, etc.Enrolls students full time.Proposals from like institutions are review together.

S-STEM

Cyberinfrastructure Training, Education, Advancement, and Mentoring for Our 21st

Century Workforce (CI-TEAM)11-515

Increase scientists, engineers, educators, Increase scientists, engineers, educators, students prepared to design, develop, adopt students prepared to design, develop, adopt and deploy cyber-based tools / environments and deploy cyber-based tools / environments for computational science and engineering for computational science and engineering research and learning. research and learning.

Produce curricular/ pedagogical materials, Produce curricular/ pedagogical materials, learning technologies, institutional models for learning technologies, institutional models for preparing CI workforce preparing CI workforce that are broadly that are broadly adaptable and publish related outcomes that adaptable and publish related outcomes that inform others of promising educational inform others of promising educational approaches. approaches.

Cyberinfrastructure Training, Education, Advancement, and Mentoring for Our 21st

Century Workforce (CI-TEAM) 11-515

Increase / broaden the participation of diverse Increase / broaden the participation of diverse groups groups of people and organizations of people and organizations as both as both creators and users of CI for research/ creators and users of CI for research/ educationeducation. .

(Underrepresented groups include women, (Underrepresented groups include women, those in underserved rural regions of the those in underserved rural regions of the country, those who would be the first in their country, those who would be the first in their family to graduate from college, and minorities family to graduate from college, and minorities including those associated with HBCUs, HSIs, including those associated with HBCUs, HSIs, TCUs and other Minority Serving Institutions TCUs and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and communities)(MSIs) and communities)

CI-TEAM 11-515 March 16,2012

Demonstration ProjectsDemonstration Projects -exploratory in nature / -exploratory in nature / somewhat limited scope and scale,somewhat limited scope and scale, 1-2 yrs $250K 1-2 yrs $250K (are potential exemplars for effective larger-scale (are potential exemplars for effective larger-scale implementation /diffusion activities in the future) implementation /diffusion activities in the future)

Implementation Projects Implementation Projects - larger in scope or scale - larger in scope or scale and draw on prior experience with the activities or and draw on prior experience with the activities or the teams proposed. the teams proposed. 2-3 yrs $1,000,0002-3 yrs $1,000,000

Diffusion ProjectsDiffusion Projects- expected to inform/ engage - expected to inform/ engage broad national / international audiences to build broad national / international audiences to build upon educational research/ project outcomes to upon educational research/ project outcomes to deploy promising educational strategies through CI deploy promising educational strategies through CI resources, models, and/or technologies resources, models, and/or technologies $1mil$1mil

Cyber Learning- Transforming STEM Education

10-620

Integrate advances in technology with advances Integrate advances in technology with advances in what is known about how people learn to in what is known about how people learn to

better understand how people learn better understand how people learn with with technology and technology and how technology can be used how technology can be used productively to help people learnproductively to help people learn, through , through individual use and/or through collaborations individual use and/or through collaborations mediated by technology; mediated by technology;

better use technology for collecting, analyzing, better use technology for collecting, analyzing, sharing, and managing data to shed light on sharing, and managing data to shed light on learninglearning, promoting learning, and designing , promoting learning, and designing learning environments; and learning environments; and

Cyber Learning- Transforming STEM Education

design new technologies design new technologies for these purposes, and for these purposes, and advance understanding advance understanding of how to use those of how to use those technologies and integrate them into learning technologies and integrate them into learning environments so that their potential is fulfilledenvironments so that their potential is fulfilled

Types of ProjectsTypes of Projects Exploration-2/3 years, $550,000, January Exploration-2/3 years, $550,000, January

20122012 Design and Implementation-4/5 yrs,Design and Implementation-4/5 yrs,

$1,350,000 January 2012$1,350,000 January 2012 Integration and Deployment-5 yrs, $2,500,000 Integration and Deployment-5 yrs, $2,500,000

– – July 14 2011July 14 2011

C. Funding Strategies

Consult the NSF website and Guide to Consult the NSF website and Guide to Programs to locate a likely program (“Home” Programs to locate a likely program (“Home” for your project). for your project).

Make use of “Search Awards” capability to Make use of “Search Awards” capability to locate abstracts of proposals with locate abstracts of proposals with comparable objectives.comparable objectives.

Contact the Program Director to determine Contact the Program Director to determine if your project is appropriate.if your project is appropriate.

Serving S&E Folks As Usual…

What to Look for in a Program What to Look for in a Program AnnouncementAnnouncement

Goal of programGoal of program EligibilityEligibility Special requirementsSpecial requirements

Read the Program Announcement Carefully

Pay special attention to:

If you have questions, contact the Program Officer

A Good ProposalA Good ProposalA good proposal is a novel and good idea, A good proposal is a novel and good idea, well expressed, with a clear indication of well expressed, with a clear indication of methods for pursuing the idea, evaluating methods for pursuing the idea, evaluating the findings, and making them known to all the findings, and making them known to all who need to know.who need to know.

A A CompetitiveCompetitive Proposal is… Proposal is…All of the aboveAll of the above

Appropriate for the ProgramAppropriate for the ProgramResponsive to the Program AnnouncementResponsive to the Program Announcement

Obtain a copy of a successful proposal. Check Award Abstracts search page. Things change, get a recent award.

NSF Review Criteria

Criterion 1 - What is the Criterion 1 - What is the intellectual meritintellectual merit of the of the proposed activity?proposed activity?

This criterion addresses the overall quality of the This criterion addresses the overall quality of the proposed activity to advance science and proposed activity to advance science and engineering through research and education.engineering through research and education.

Criterion 2 - What are the Criterion 2 - What are the broader impactsbroader impacts of the of the proposed activity?proposed activity?

This criterion addresses the overall impact of the This criterion addresses the overall impact of the proposed activity.proposed activity.

* Additional review criteria may apply to specific * Additional review criteria may apply to specific programsprograms

* Postdoc Mentoring Plan (if support for postdoc is * Postdoc Mentoring Plan (if support for postdoc is requested) in the supplemental documentsrequested) in the supplemental documents

A DeclinationHow to Gain from the Experience

Funding rate is estimated to be ~20-25% Funding rate is estimated to be ~20-25%

for most NSF Programs in FY10 for most NSF Programs in FY10

Read the written Reviews and the Panel Read the written Reviews and the Panel

Summary Summary

Call/Email the Program Director forCall/Email the Program Director for

guidance and interpretationguidance and interpretation

04/19/23 Division of Undergraduate Education04/19/2304/19/23 Division of Undergraduate EducationDivision of Undergraduate Education

Summary: some suggestions.

1. Become a Reviewer on a S-STEM Panel 1. Become a Reviewer on a S-STEM Panel (e-mail me)(e-mail me)

2. Obtain examples of successful proposals. 2. Obtain examples of successful proposals. Public record.Public record.

-Go to NSF homepage (nsf.gov)-Go to NSF homepage (nsf.gov)

-Select “Education Directorate” -Select “Education Directorate”

-Select “Division of Undergraduate -Select “Division of Undergraduate Education”Education”

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04/19/23 Division of Undergraduate Education

EducationEducation

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Thanks so much for your attention

Questions?

04/19/23NSF, CyberInfrastructure CI-TEAM

Award 06365251

MSI-CIEC What is CyberInfrastructure

ResourcesResources ComputersComputers Data StorageData Storage Scientific instrumentsScientific instruments Experts etcExperts etc

LinkagesLinkagesSystems Organizations Integrating SoftwareSystems Organizations Integrating Software

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Impact of CyberInfrastructureImpact of CyberInfrastructure

Captures how Science and Engineering Captures how Science and Engineering Community has redefined Community has redefined “COMPUTER”“COMPUTER”

““COMPUTER”COMPUTER” Coordinated set of hardware, services and Coordinated set of hardware, services and

softwaresoftware Providing ‘end to end’ resourceProviding ‘end to end’ resource