UCR Research and Economic Development Newsletter: Feb 24, 2013
Michael Pazzani
Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development
Back Issues of Newsletter: http://or.ucr.edu/vcr/newsletters.aspx
· NIH Career Development Awards: Which Mechanism is Right for You? Feb 28, 11:00am
· NIH Internet Resources
· NIH workforce and diversity programs
· Research funding: Same work, twice the money?
· NASA Funding
· NSF: Enabling Collaborations between Social Science and Computer Science
· 2013: Year of the Comet
· Cute Baby Ducks
NIH Career Development Awards: Which Mechanism is Right
for You? Feb 28, 11:00am
On Feb 28 at 11:00am in 210 UOB, a webinar will be shown on the NIH Career Development Awards. These awards provide protected time for research and career development for investigators in the biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences. These awards have a common goal: to help develop highly trained, independent research scientists. There are various types of transitional Career Development mechanisms. The most commonly awarded K’s are the K08 (Mentored Clinical Scientist Developmental Award), K23 (Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award), and K01 (Mentored Research Scientist Development Award), but there are many to choose from the K01 to the K99 as well as the F32, F33 and R00.
Deciding on the correct mechanism for you will be influenced by many factors, including whether you have a research or health professional degree and whether you have had any previous federal funding among others. Unlike other NIH grants, K awards usually have a higher success rate.
This webinar is open to faculty, postdocs and grad students.
NIH Internet Resources
NIH provides many formal mechanisms for identifying grant opportunities. See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm for the NIH grant search engine. However, there is much value in identifying trends and topics before formal announcements of funding programs are announced. Two of my favorite NIH resources are Deputy Director for Extramural Research Sally Rockey’s blog http://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/rock-talk/ and NIH Director Francis S. Collins, twitter feed. (see https://twitter.com/NIHDirector
On these
less formal, social media sources, you can find information such as the
following:
·
The
proposed Brain Activity Map initiative, a potential $3B 10 year project which
aims to developing technology to map the activity of every neuron in the brain
in real time. This is likely to involve a collaboration
between NIH, NSF, DARPA (see http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/science/project-seeks-to-build-map-of-human-brain.html).
For background on the project, see The Brain
Activity Map Project and the Challenge of Functional Connectomics, A. Paul Alivisatos, Miyoung Chun, George M.
Church, Ralph J. Greenspan, Michael L. Roukes, Rafael Yuste Neuron -
21 June 2012 (Vol. 74, Issue 6, pp. 970-974) http://www.cell.com/neuron/abstract/S0896-6273(12)00518-1
This plan may start with 2-photon calcium imaging techniques but would depend
on the development of new methods.
·
The
Early Career Reviewer program. The NIH Center for Scientific Review (CSR) Early
Career Reviewer (ECR) program was developed to help emerging researchers
advance their careers by exposing them to peer review. See http://public.csr.nih.gov/ReviewerResources/BecomeAReviewer/Pages/Overview-of-ECR-program.aspx
for information on how to get involved with reviewing for NIH.
Research funding: Same work, twice the money?
Perhaps due to budget situation in Washington, agencies and
the federal government are looking for efficiencies (or at least trying to
ensure that others are efficient). For example, the report,
Opportunities to Reduce Duplication, Overlap and Fragmentation, Achieve
Savings, and Enhance Revenue, GAO-12-342SP, Feb 28, 2012 http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/588818.pdf
reported on “a complicated patchwork of fragmented and overlapping programs
has largely resulted from federal efforts to both create and expand programs
across many agencies…”
A recent article examined the abstracts of funded projects and a fairly small but not insignificant amount of overlap between the projects across agencies (see Garner, McIver & Waitzkin (2013), Research funding: Same work, twice the money? Nature 2013 Vol: 493(7434):599-601. DOI: 10.1038/493599a http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v493/n7434/full/493599a.html).
Faculty seeking grant funding may want to avoid even the appearance of duplication by taking steps such as:
·
Making
sure that the statement of work or significant aims are distinct across
proposals. One way to achieve this is to be more specific, i.e., instead
of only a broad goal include more detail. NIH has declined
proposals when there is considerable overlap between the specific aims of a
funded project and a new proposal or a competing continuation.
·
When
publishing papers, be more precise on acknowledging funders. Instead of
reporting “This work was funded by NSF, DOE and DARPA” it would be better to
report “the simulation in section 2 was performed by Student X funded by DOE
and the theoretical analysis in section 3 was performed by Student Y funded by
NSF.” DOE is particularly sensitive to overlap with NSF.
NIH workforce and diversity programs
The National
Institutes of Health have a reputation for being focused on the research
mission and not placing the same emphasis on workforce issues as NSF.
However, that is changing. A recent Working Group on Diversity in
the Biomedical Research Workforce concluded that “Achieving diversity in the
biomedical research workforce is critical to the full realization of our
national research goals and is in the best interest of our country.” (see
http://acd.od.nih.gov/dbr.htm).
Given UCR’s demographics, we should be very competitive in funding programs
that seek to create a diverse workforce. Given the state budget cuts,
we’ll need to look more for federal funds to help us implement diversity and
outreach programs. Here is some info on some NIH workforce and diversity
programs. Research and Economic Development is ready to help those
interested in applying.
Bridges to the Baccalaureate (R25)
·
Objective:
Improve the rate of students from underrepresented groups completing
baccalaureate degrees in biomedical or behavioral science.
·
Strategy:
Support of comprehensive student development programs through institutional
partnerships.
·
Program
Director: Michelle Hamlet, Ph.D.
·
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Research/Mechanisms/BridgesBaccalaureate.htm
Bridges to the Doctorate (R25)
·
Objective:
Improve the rate of students from underrepresented groups completing doctorate
degrees in biomedical or behavioral science.
·
Strategy: Support
of comprehensive student development programs through institutional
partnerships.
·
Program
Director: Michelle Hamlet, Ph.D.
·
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Research/Mechanisms/BridgesDoctoral.htm
MARC U-STAR Training Grant (T34)
·
Objective:
Increase the pool of honors students from underrepresented groups in biomedical
sciences with the academic and research skills to succeed in Ph.D. programs.
·
Strategy:
Support institutional programs of academic and research training that support
undergraduate students.
·
Program
Director: Shawn Gaillard, Ph.D.
·
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/MARC/USTARAwards.htm
Institutional Research and Academic
Career Development Awards: IRACDA (K12)
·
Objective:
Develop a diverse group of biomedical scientists who pursue independent
academic research and teaching careers and strengthen science educational
offerings at partner regional minority-serving institutions.
·
Strategy:
Promote partnerships between research-intensive and minority-serving
institutions to benefit postdoctoral scientists mentored in research and
teaching.
·
Program
Director: Shiva Singh, Ph.D.
·
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/CareerDev/TWDInstRes.htm
Research Initiative for Scientific
Enhancement (RISE) Program:
·
Objective: Increase
the number of students from underrepresented groups in biomedical and
behavioral sciences completing doctorate degrees.
·
Strategy:
Support institutions that enroll students from UR groups that provide
developmental activities designed to strengthen academic, research, and
professional skills.
·
Program
Director: Robin Broughton, Ph.D.
·
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/MBRS/RISEDescription.htm
Postbaccalaureate Research Education
Program (PREP) (R25)
·
Objective:
Increase entry and completion of PhD training programs by baccalaureate
students from groups underrepresented in biomedical sciences and increase
diversity of awardee institution’s Ph.D. training programs.
·
Strategy: Support
institutional programs providing extensive research training and academic
development at research intensive institutions through research
apprenticeships.
·
Program
Director: Michael Bender, Ph.D.
·
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/PREP/
Initiative for
Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) Program (R25)
·
Objective:
Increase workforce diversity in the biomedical and behavioral sciences and
enhance the student diversity in awardee Ph.D. programs.
·
Strategy:
Support comprehensive student research training and professional development at
research intensive institutions.
·
Program
Director: Daniel Janes, Ph.D.
·
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/MBRS/IMSDDescription.htm
MARC Ancillary
Training Activities (T36)
·
http://nigms.nih.gov/Training/MARC/MARCAncillaryTraining.htm
Research on
Interventions (R01)
·
http://nigms.nih.gov/Training/Interventions.htm
Research
Supplements to Promote Diversity
·
http://nigms.nih.gov/Research/Mechanisms/PromoteDiversity.htm
Support of
Competitive Research Programs (SCORE)
·
http://nigms.nih.gov/Training/MBRS/SCOREDescription.htm
NASA Funding
The primary funding for investigator-driven research at NASA is the joint “Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences” (ROSES). Unlike the broad opportunities available at the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, research opportunities at NASA are heavily tied to NASA missions and data. For example, in Earth Science, research can include “theory, modeling, and analysis of SMD science data; Earth surface observations and field campaigns that support SMD science missions; development of integrated Earth system models; and development of systems for applying Earth Science research data to societal needs.” Awards range from under $100,000 to $1 million per year
The 2013 ROSES solicitation is available at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method=init&solId={01BFD3EE-87EF-FC55-1F52-EB37A9F139F0}&path=open.
Here’s more info on the available funding opportunities
|
Program |
NOI/Step 1 Due Date [2] |
Proposal Due Date |
|
N/A |
N/A |
|
|
12/02/2013 (Step 1) |
06/02/2014 (Step 2) |
|
|
03/29/2013 |
05/30/2013 |
|
|
03/29/2013 |
05/15/2013 |
|
|
05/01/2013 (Step 1) |
07/31/2013 (Step 2) |
|
|
TBD |
TBD |
|
|
03/29/2013 |
06/28/2013 |
|
|
05/30/2013 |
07/30/2013 |
|
|
11/01/2013 |
12/02/2013 |
|
|
09/06/2013 |
10/31/2013 |
|
|
N/A |
06/17/2013 |
|
|
03/15/2013 |
05/17/2013 |
|
|
N/A |
05/31/2013 |
|
|
N/A |
09/06/2013 |
|
|
N/A |
01/17/2014 |
|
|
05/15/2013 |
07/15/2013 |
|
|
04/01/2013 |
06/03/2013 |
|
|
03/15/2013 |
05/15/2013 |
|
|
TBD |
TBD |
|
|
N/A |
Rolling Submissions through 03/31/2014 |
|
|
TBD |
TBD |
|
|
03/20/2013 |
05/20/2013 |
|
|
TBD |
TBD |
|
|
TBD |
TBD |
|
|
03/15/2013 |
05/15/2013 |
|
|
06/28/2013 |
08/30/2013 |
|
|
TBD |
TBD |
|
|
04/03/2013 |
06/03/2013 |
|
|
TBD |
TBD |
|
|
TBD |
TBD |
|
|
TBD |
TBD |
|
|
TBD |
TBD |
NSF: Enabling Collaborations between Social Science and
Computer Science
NSF expects to fund Early Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGERs) in the area supported by the Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC) program (see solicitation NSF 12-596: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504709 ). EAGER is a funding mechanism for supporting exploratory work in its early stages on untested, but potentially transformative, research ideas or approaches. NSF is using EAGER mechanism to encourage novel interdisciplinary research resulting from new collaborations between one or more Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) researchers and one or more Social, Behavioral and Economic Science (SBE) researchers. The proposed research should fit both the Trustworthy Computing and the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences perspectives within the SaTC solicitation.
Below are examples of the types of topics that computer and social and behavioral scientists could conceivably study together under such an EAGER project.
· Methods, including automated methods, for detecting deception or adverse intentions directly relevant to cyber-attacks.
· Social network analysis and other methods of detecting malware propagation, for instance via social media.
· Socio-technical solutions to reduce end-user risk exposure, such as crowdsourcing.
· Research to ascertain the tradeoffs between security and privacy and how better mixtures of these could be found or negotiated.
· Methods, including automated methods, to train, incentivize, or nudge end-users to improve their cybersecurity position.
· Motivators and indicators of insider threat and countermeasures to such threat among end-users, user communities, national and international communities, and so forth.
· Factors behind susceptibility of subpopulations to cybercrime-e.g., youth, the elderly-and countermeasures.
· Systemic and structural factors that promote or undermine a secure cyberspace.
See http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13037/nsf13037.jsp
for more details.
2013: Year of the Comet?
As a child, I was interested in astronomy. I still recall the thrill of getting a telescope for a present and observing the rings of Saturn. I also recall a bright comet in the evening sky in 1965 and unfortunately the disappointment in 1986 when Halley’s Comet wasn’t as bright as prior years. 2013 is shaping up to be a potentially good year for comets. (see
http://www.universetoday.com/100049/the-year-of-the-comets-three-reasons-why-2013-could-be-the-best-ever/ ). The first comet that is likely to be visible to the naked eye will appear in early March and is best on March 12 (see http://www.universetoday.com/100169/comet-panstarrs-how-to-see-it-in-march-2013/).
Cute Baby Ducks
In the last newsletter, I erred in calling a Surf Scoter a Surf Scooter. Norm Ellstrand was kind enough to point this out to me. Now, I’m undecided between showing a bird that Norm can’t identify (which would be tough), or showing one I’m sure to get right. Here are some cute baby ducks.
(click to enlarge)
By the way, if you looking for great photos of a wide variety of birds, see Mark Chappell’s site: http://faculty.ucr.edu/~chappell/INW/birdsindex.shtml. As an added bonus, he’s a professor of biology and less likely to misidentify a bird than a computer scientist.
Michael Pazzani
Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development
Professor, Computer Science & Engineering
University of California, Riverside
200 University Office Building
Riverside, CA 92521
Assistant: Gloria Gallego
951-827-4800