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SSTI Digest
Geography: Virginia
Information Technology Research Awards Made by NSF
The first $90 million has been awarded through NSF’s new program Information Technology Research (ITR) initiative. The goal of the program is to build US leadership in information technology (IT) through support of fundamental research and innovative applications of IT. The ITR program is designed to strengthen the nation’s IT knowledge base as well as the IT workforce.
Only 210 projects were chosen from the more than 1,400 proposals submitted. Sixty-two large projects, and averaging $1 million per year for three to five years, were funded (involving 41 institutions in 22 states). Each of the remaining 148 projects total $500,000 or less for up to three years; these went to 81 institutions in 32 states. The accompanying table presents the distribution of awards by state.
ATE Announces 1999 Awards and Activities
During its six years in operation, the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program has awarded more than $150 million in grants to strengthen the education of technicians for the high tech fields driving our economy. The ATE Program is managed jointly by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Division of Undergraduate Education and the Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Informal Education.
The recently released 1999 Awards and Activities for the ATE Program shows the diversity of projects funded in effort to prepare technicians for rewarding careers in strategic technology fields. The program supports the development and dissemination of educational materials and curricula, professional development of college faculty and secondary school teachers, and technical internships for students. In FY1999, 164 projects were funded and 11 Centers of Excellence received continued funding.
Nominations Sought for NSF’s Highest Honor
Since its inception in 1975, the Alan T. Waterman Award remains the highest honor awarded by the National Science Foundation. The award is conferred annually to the young researcher who has demonstrated exceptional individual achievement in scientific or engineering research of sufficient quality to place them at the forefront of their peers. The awardee receives a $500,000 nonrestrictive grant over a three-year period for continued research.
The deadline for nominations for the 2001 award is December 31, 2000. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and either be 35 years old or younger or not more than seven years beyond receipt of their Ph.D. More information on the Waterman Award, including past recipients is found at: http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/awards/waterman/
Recent Reports & Studies: NSF: Environmental Science & Engineering for the 21st Century
"How we view -- and treat -- the environment is a critical question for the 21st century," begins the letter from Eamon Kelly, chair of the National Science Board, that accompanies Environmental Science and Engineering for the 21st Century: The Role of the National Science Foundation. The study outlines the scope of the $600 million in current NSF environmental activities and conveys policy guidance for NSF to design a future $1.6 billion portfolio of programs and initiatives. Twelve recommendations are described in detail, including, in addition to the increased funding for NSF:
NSF Issues Data Brief on State R&D Growth
Two-thirds of all U.S. research and development (R&D) expenditures in 1997 were concentrated in just ten states according to a July 10, 2000 Data Brief from the National Science Foundation. In contrast the 20 lowest ranking states in R&D expenditures accounted for only four percent of the $199 billion total.
The top 10 states by total R&D expenditures were: California ($41.7 billion), Michigan ($14.0 B), New York ($12.3 B), New Jersey ($12.1 B), Massachusetts ($11.1 B), Texas ($9.5 B), Pennsylvania ($8.2 B), Illinois ($8.0 B), Washington ($7.5 B), and Maryland ($7.4 B).
Science Education Support Available
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and its sponsors have more than $1 million available through several programs to support and recognize science students and teachers. Applications are currently available for the following programs:
Science and Engineering "In Transition", NSB Finds
Increasing globalization of research and development (R&D) and the prolific growth of information technology (IT) are major elements in a "science and engineering enterprise that is in transition," the National Science Board (NSB) reports in Science and Engineering Indicators 2000.
The new S&E Indicators report emphasizes a changing context for the National Science Foundation, and for science and engineering, generally. According to Science Board chair Eamon Kelly, there has been rapid worldwide growth and emphasis in science and technology, heightened by broad collaboration among nations. Recognizing the trend, the NSB devoted portions of each of the nine chapters in the new S&E Indicators to international comparisons and global patterns in science, engineering, education and technology.
Useful Stats I: New NSF Science & Engineering Reports Available
The National Science Foundation has released two statistical reports that present several science and engineering statistics by state:
NSF Places Prominent Scientists & Engineers in Middle Schools
More than 240 of the nation’s leading scientists and engineers, including 14 Nobel laureates, will begin sharing their passion for discovery with middle school students across the nation as a result of the “Scientists and Engineers in the Schools” program. Announced last week, the program is a new initiative of the National Science Foundation.
National Science Teachers Association Expands Science Initiative with ExxonMobil Grant
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the world's largest organization dedicated to the improvement of science teaching, and ExxonMobil Foundation today announced a $3.9 million grant from the Foundation to expand the Building a Presence for Science initiative.
A primary objective of the program is to help science teachers implement state and national science education standards in their schools. A second goal is to create a network through which science teachers can share the latest ideas about effective science teaching.
NSF Releases $8 M Partnerships for Innovation RFP
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released the first request for proposals under the new Partnerships for Innovation Program (PFI). The program intends to support 15-25 collaborative efforts, totaling $8 million, that emphasize "productive links among relevant parties to enable innovation." Anticipated participants may include colleges and universities, not-for-profit institutions, state and local governments, trade and professional associations, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, federal laboratories, and other relevant organizations and businesses.
NSF Job Opportunity
The National Science Foundation seeks applications to fill the position of Legislative Specialist (GS 301-11/12). The Legislative Specialist's work is closely related to the often-time critical flow of information about NSF programs and activities to the Congress, Congressional staff, state officials, industrial leaders, and the general public. Among other duties, the position is responsible for integrating state-related information available and coordinating state-related activities when appropriate. Also the incumbent shares in the responsibility for the establishment and maintenance of contacts with state policy makers in charge of science and engineering research and education programs, and organizations representing these individuals.
A more complete position description is available on the S&T Job Corner of the SSTI web site: http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm