« ARD International Music Competition in Munich | Main | American Foundation for Suicide Prevention »
February 5, 2007
Interdisciplinary Training for Undergraduates in Biological and Mathematical Sciences (UBM)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Directorate for Biological Sciences
Directorate for Education and Human Resources
Directorate for Mathematics and Physical Sciences
Interdisciplinary Training for Undergraduates in Biological and Mathematical Sciences (UBM)
Deadline: 04/04/2007
The goal of the Undergraduate Biology and Mathematics (UBM) activity is to enhance undergraduate education and training at the intersection of the biological and mathematical sciences and to better prepare undergraduate biology or mathematics students to pursue graduate study and careers in fields that integrate the mathematical and biological sciences. The core of the activity is long-term research experiences for interdisciplinarily balanced teams of at least two undergraduates. Projects should focus on research at the intersection of the mathematical and biological sciences. Projects should provide students exposure to contemporary mathematics and biology, addressed with modern research tools and methods. That is, projects must be genuine research experiences rather than rehearsals of research methods. Projects must involve students from both areas in collaborative research experiences and include joint mentorship by faculty in both fields. In addition, it is expected that projects will strengthen the research and education capacity, infrastructure, and culture of the participating institutions. To this end, projects should create models for education in the mathematical and biological sciences and influence the direction of academic programs for a broad range of students. UBM is a joint effort of the Education and Human Resources (EHR), Biological Sciences (BIO), and Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Directorates at NSF. Research activities should focus on areas funded by the Division for Mathematical Sciences and the Directorate for Biological Sciences. NSF does not normally support bioscience research with disease-related goals, including work on the etiology, diagnosis or treatment of physical or mental disease, abnormality, or malfunction in human beings or animals. Within this context, there is room for a variety of activities, ranging from undergraduate research participation, through curriculum and faculty development, as well as internships outside the academic institution. The program encourages collaborations that bring together biological and mathematical scientists from associate, baccalaureate, masters, or Ph.D. granting institutions, minority serving institutions, national and regional organizations, and that may involve industrial or government laboratories. Opportunities for partnering across institutions and for developing international collaborations are welcome.
SUPPORT PROVIDED: NSF anticipates making 6 to 9 standard grants, including 2 to 3 institutional awards and 4 to 6 group awards. The anticipated funding amount is $3.3 million in FY 2007, pending the availability of funds. The duration of projects may be up to five years (for Institutional projects), or up to three years (for Group projects), and NSF strongly encourages projects of these durations. Total award sizes for Institutional projects should not exceed an average of $200,000 per year. Total award sizes for Group projects should not exceed $80,000 per year. Cost sharing is not required by NSF. An administrative allowance, limited to 25 percent of the participant support stipend amount only, is allowed for UBM awards as partial reimbursement of indirect costs.
APPLICANT INFORMATION: The categories of proposers identified in the Grant Proposal Guide are eligible to submit proposals under this program solicitation. PLEASE NOTE: Only undergraduate students who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions can be supported with NSF funds. NOTE: Foreign researchers at U.S. institutions may be able to apply for this award through their institution. Contact the program officer for details.
Posted by sharum at February 5, 2007 10:37 AM