Developing Successful Developing Successful Grant ProposalsGrant Proposals

Joseph E. UrbanJoseph E. UrbanProgram DirectorProgram Director

Division of Computing and Division of Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF)Communication Foundations (CCF)

jurban@nsf.govjurban@nsf.gov

OutlineOutline• Vision and GoalsVision and Goals• Budget and Proposal ActionsBudget and Proposal Actions• CISE Mission and OrganizationCISE Mission and Organization• Cross-Cutting and Cross-Cross-Cutting and Cross-

Foundational ProgramsFoundational Programs• ResourcesResources• Merit Review CriteriaMerit Review Criteria• Tips and IngredientsTips and Ingredients• ConclusionConclusion

Some Stuff About MeSome Stuff About Me• Started three year vocational data processing program Started three year vocational data processing program

at Miami Central High School in 1967at Miami Central High School in 1967• BS, MS, PhD all in computer scienceBS, MS, PhD all in computer science• Association for Computing Machinery doctoral forum Association for Computing Machinery doctoral forum

awardaward• Three years US Army active duty followed by academia Three years US Army active duty followed by academia

with three years Air Force Studies Boardwith three years Air Force Studies Board• Software engineering research and teachingSoftware engineering research and teaching• Professional society leadership positions and fourteen Professional society leadership positions and fourteen

conferences as general / program chairconferences as general / program chair• Met Susan in graduate school – Married 29 years with Met Susan in graduate school – Married 29 years with

two kids and two dogs; Andy 25 and Jill 19, Roxy (black two kids and two dogs; Andy 25 and Jill 19, Roxy (black and tan) and Colby (yellow) - Professor of Computer and tan) and Colby (yellow) - Professor of Computer Science with research interests in databases has an Science with research interests in databases has an office three doors downoffice three doors down

• Vegetable gardening, fishing, walking, and adventuresVegetable gardening, fishing, walking, and adventures

DiscoveryFoster research that will advance the frontiers of knowledge, emphasizing areas of greatest opportunity and potential benefit and establishing the nation as a global leader in fundamental and transformational science and engineering.LearningCultivate a world-class, broadly inclusive science and engineering workforce, and expand the scientific literacy of all citizens.Research InfrastructureBuild the nation’s research capability through critical investments in advanced instrumentation, facilities, cyberinfrastructure and experimental tools.StewardshipSupport excellence in science and engineering research and education through a capable and responsive organization.

FY 2008 Budget RequestFY 2008 Budget Request

$6.43 billion$6.43 billionIncrease over FY 2007 Increase over FY 2007

Request:Request:$520 million, 8.8%$520 million, 8.8%

NSF in a NutshellNSF in a Nutshell

Independent Agency

Primarily Uses Grant Mechanism

Low Administrative Costs

Discipline-based structure

CISE MissionCISE Mission• CISE has three goals:CISE has three goals:

– to enable the United States to remain competitive in to enable the United States to remain competitive in computing, communications, and information science computing, communications, and information science and engineering;and engineering;

– to promote understanding of the principles and uses to promote understanding of the principles and uses of advanced computing, communications, and of advanced computing, communications, and information systems in service to society; andinformation systems in service to society; and

– to contribute to universal, transparent, and to contribute to universal, transparent, and affordable participation in an information-based affordable participation in an information-based society.society.

CISE provides CISE provides 87%87% of of allall Federal support for Federal support for

computer science researchcomputer science research

Current CISE Current CISE OrganizationOrganization

Crosscutting EmphasisCrosscutting Emphasis AreasAreas

Computing andCommunication

Foundations(CCF)

Computer andNetworkSystems

(CNS)

Information andIntelligentSystems

(IIS)

Officeof the

AssistantDirector

CISE CISE BudgetBudget

2003-20082003-2008

050100150200250300350400450500

2003 2004 2005 2006

Fiscal Year

Dol

lars

in M

illio

ns

550600

2007 2008

Funding Rate for Competitive Awards in CISE

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Number

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Percent

Competitive Proposal Actions Competitive Awards Funding Rate

Computing andComputing andCommunication Communication

Foundations Division Foundations Division (CCF)(CCF)

• Theoretical FoundationsTheoretical Foundations – Computer science theory; numerical computing; Computer science theory; numerical computing;

computational algebra and geometry; signal computational algebra and geometry; signal processing and communicationprocessing and communication

• Foundations of Computing Processes and Foundations of Computing Processes and ArtifactsArtifacts– Software engineering; software tools for HPC; Software engineering; software tools for HPC;

programming languages; compilers; computer programming languages; compilers; computer architecture; graphics and visualizationarchitecture; graphics and visualization

• Emerging Models and Technologies for Emerging Models and Technologies for ComputationComputation– Computational biology; quantum computing; nano-Computational biology; quantum computing; nano-

scale computing; biologically inspired computingscale computing; biologically inspired computing

Computer and Network Computer and Network Systems Division (CNS)Systems Division (CNS)

• Computer SystemsComputer Systems– Distributed systems; embedded and hybrid systems; Distributed systems; embedded and hybrid systems;

next-generation software; parallel systemsnext-generation software; parallel systems• Network SystemsNetwork Systems

– Networking research broadly defined plus Networking research broadly defined plus focus areas focus areas

• Computing Research InfrastructureComputing Research Infrastructure– Equipment and infrastructure to advance Equipment and infrastructure to advance

computing researchcomputing research• Education and WorkforceEducation and Workforce

– IT workforce; special projects; cross-IT workforce; special projects; cross-directorate activities (e.g., REU sites, IGERT, directorate activities (e.g., REU sites, IGERT, ADVANCE) ADVANCE)

Information and Information and Intelligent Systems Intelligent Systems

Division (IIS)Division (IIS)• Systems in ContextSystems in Context– Human computer interaction; educational Human computer interaction; educational

technology; robotics; computer-supported technology; robotics; computer-supported cooperative work; digital governmentcooperative work; digital government

• Data, Inference & UnderstandingData, Inference & Understanding– Databases; artificial intelligence; text, Databases; artificial intelligence; text,

image, speech, and video analysis; image, speech, and video analysis; information retrieval; knowledge systemsinformation retrieval; knowledge systems

• Science & Engineering InformaticsScience & Engineering Informatics– Bioinformatics; geoinformatics; cognitive Bioinformatics; geoinformatics; cognitive

neuroscience; …neuroscience; …

CISE Cross-Cutting CISE Cross-Cutting Emphasis AreasEmphasis Areas

• CharacteristicsCharacteristics– cut across clusters and divisions (and cut across clusters and divisions (and

directorates)directorates)– address scientific or national priorityaddress scientific or national priority

• FY 2007 Emphasis AreasFY 2007 Emphasis Areas– Cyber TrustCyber Trust– Science of DesignScience of Design– Broadening ParticipationBroadening Participation– CISE Pathways to Revitalized CISE Pathways to Revitalized

Undergraduate Computing EducationUndergraduate Computing Education

Cross-Foundational Cross-Foundational ProgramsPrograms

• IGERT IGERT • REU Sites REU Sites • ADVANCEADVANCE• GRFPGRFP• GK-12 GK-12 • CAREERCAREER• RUIRUI• RETRET

Graduate Research Graduate Research Fellowship ProgramFellowship Program

• Ensure vitality of human resource base of science, Ensure vitality of human resource base of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the technology, engineering, and mathematics in the United States and to reinforce its diversity by United States and to reinforce its diversity by offering approximately 1,000 graduate offering approximately 1,000 graduate fellowships (including 90 Women in Engineering fellowships (including 90 Women in Engineering and Computer and Information Science Awards )and Computer and Information Science Awards )

• Provides three years of support for graduate Provides three years of support for graduate study leading to research-based master’s or study leading to research-based master’s or doctoral degreesdoctoral degrees

• Intended for students who are at the early stages Intended for students who are at the early stages of their graduate studyof their graduate study

• FY’06 NSF awarded $40,500 to the affiliated FY’06 NSF awarded $40,500 to the affiliated institution - fellowship stipend $30,000 for a 12-institution - fellowship stipend $30,000 for a 12-month tenure period and cost-of-education month tenure period and cost-of-education allowance $10,500 per tenure year allowance $10,500 per tenure year

CAREER ProgramCAREER Program• Foundation-wide activity that offers the Foundation-wide activity that offers the

National Science Foundation’s most National Science Foundation’s most prestigious awards for new facultyprestigious awards for new faculty

• NSF supports the early career NSF supports the early career development activities of those faculty development activities of those faculty members who are most likely to become members who are most likely to become the academic leaders of the 21st centurythe academic leaders of the 21st century

• CAREER awards have a 5-year durationCAREER awards have a 5-year duration• In FY‘06, the minimum CAREER award In FY‘06, the minimum CAREER award

(including indirect costs) was $400,000 (including indirect costs) was $400,000 for all NSF directoratesfor all NSF directorates

Resources at your Resources at your DisposalDisposal

• ““Keeping Aware” of Keeping Aware” of ResourcesResources

• Proposal PreparationProposal Preparation• Grant ManagementGrant Management

Resources at your Resources at your DisposalDisposal

Keeping AwareKeeping Aware• All resources at NSF Web SiteAll resources at NSF Web Site

– www.nsf.govwww.nsf.gov• Funding Opportunities Calendar at NSFFunding Opportunities Calendar at NSF• Guide to Programs/Browsing of Guide to Programs/Browsing of

Funding Opportunities at NSF Web siteFunding Opportunities at NSF Web site• Funding Search EngineFunding Search Engine• Upcoming Due datesUpcoming Due dates

Proposal PreparationProposal Preparation

• Grant Proposal GuideGrant Proposal Guide• Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions• Regional Grants Conferences Regional Grants Conferences

Award ManagementAward Management

• Grant Policy ManualGrant Policy Manual• Grant General QuestionsGrant General Questions• Cooperative Agreements Cooperative Agreements

ConditionsConditions• Federal Demonstration ProjectFederal Demonstration Project• NSF Policy Office WebsiteNSF Policy Office Website

NSF Merit Review ProcessNSF Merit Review ProcessElectronic

Receiptof Proposal

Merit Review Criteria• Intellectual Merit• Broader Impacts

Program Officer Recommendation (Award/Decline)

NSF Program Officer

Higher LevelReview

Peer Review• Mail• Panel• Combination

Decline

Award

NSF Merit Review CriteriaNSF Merit Review Criteria

Criteria include:Criteria include:

• What is the intellectual merit and What is the intellectual merit and quality of the proposed activity?quality of the proposed activity?

• What are the broader impacts of What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity?the proposed activity?

What is the intellectual merit of What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity?the proposed activity?

Potential Considerations:Potential Considerations:• How important is the proposed activity to advancing

knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields?

• How well qualified is the proposer (individual or team) to conduct the project? (If appropriate, reviewers will comment on the quality of prior work)

• How creative and original are the concepts?

• How well conceived and organized is the proposed activity?

• Is there sufficient access to resources?

What are the broader impacts of the What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity?proposed activity?

Potential Considerations:Potential Considerations:

• How well does the activity advance discovery and How well does the activity advance discovery and understanding while promoting teaching, training and understanding while promoting teaching, training and learning?learning?

• How well does the activity broaden the participation of How well does the activity broaden the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, underrepresented groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc.)? geographic, etc.)?

• To what extent will it enhance the infrastructure for research To what extent will it enhance the infrastructure for research and education, such as facilities, instrumentation, networks and education, such as facilities, instrumentation, networks and partnerships?and partnerships?

• Will the results be disseminated broadly to enhance scientific Will the results be disseminated broadly to enhance scientific and technological understanding? and technological understanding?

• What may be the benefits of the proposed activity to society? What may be the benefits of the proposed activity to society?

Proposal Preparation Proposal Preparation TipsTips1.1. Read solicitation, identify elements of importance to the Read solicitation, identify elements of importance to the

programprogram

2.2. Develop clear goals and work planDevelop clear goals and work plan

3.3. Make key points stand out; focus on highlights and impactMake key points stand out; focus on highlights and impact

4.4. Avoid language that is difficult to read, full of jargon, too Avoid language that is difficult to read, full of jargon, too long, too technical; observe page limits and font size long, too technical; observe page limits and font size guidelinesguidelines

5.5. Avoid misspellings, grammatical errors, and inconsistent Avoid misspellings, grammatical errors, and inconsistent formatsformats

6.6. Include an integrated plan for education and outreach that Include an integrated plan for education and outreach that is consistent with the underlying research involved in the is consistent with the underlying research involved in the projectproject

7.7. Conduct mini peer review on your ownConduct mini peer review on your own

8.8. Clearly detail Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts in Clearly detail Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts in project summary and narrative; include section headers in project summary and narrative; include section headers in boldbold

Ingredients for a Good ProposalIngredients for a Good ProposalEducate the reviewers and the Program DirectorEducate the reviewers and the Program Director

• What problem(s) does your work address?What problem(s) does your work address?• Why is this problem important?Why is this problem important?• What will you do to contribute to a solution?What will you do to contribute to a solution?• What unique ideas/approaches do you have? Put What unique ideas/approaches do you have? Put

in contextin context• Why are you the best person to do this work?Why are you the best person to do this work?• How will you evaluate your results?How will you evaluate your results?

– How will we know if you were successful or if you failed?How will we know if you were successful or if you failed?

• How will you assure that the work has an impact?How will you assure that the work has an impact?

ConclusionConclusion

• NSF’s role is fundamental to all areas of our NSF’s role is fundamental to all areas of our society - the most basic future investmentsociety - the most basic future investment

• Computer science and related disciplines are Computer science and related disciplines are very important in their own right and very important in their own right and essential to advancement in all areas of S&Eessential to advancement in all areas of S&E

• NSF and our field are facing unprecedented NSF and our field are facing unprecedented pressures that can only be overcome by pressures that can only be overcome by concerted, cooperative actionconcerted, cooperative action