Research Coordination Networks in Biological Sciences (RCN)

RCN-UBE Dear Colleague Letter

We call your attention to an additional mechanism to support collaborations aimed at injecting new ideas and approaches into undergraduate biology curricula. As part of our effort to stimulate positive changes in biology education, we will accept proposals that request support for the initial development of networks that will catalyze positive changes in biology undergraduate education. Details availabe in recently issued RCN-UBE Dear Colleague Letter at: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf09057.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Solicitation  09-554

Please be advised that the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) includes revised guidelines to implement the mentoring provisions of the America COMPETES Act (ACA) (Pub. L. No. 110-69, Aug. 9, 2007.) As specified in the ACA, each proposal that requests funding to support postdoctoral researchers must include a description of the mentoring activities that will be provided for such individuals. Proposals that do not comply with this requirement will be returned without review (see the PAPP Guide Part I: Grant Proposal Guide Chapter II for further information about the implementation of this new requirement).

DUE DATES

Full Proposal Target Date:  July 5, 2010

First Monday in July, Annually Thereafter

SYNOPSIS

The goal of this program is to advance a field or create new directions in research or education. Innovative ideas for implementing novel networking strategies are especially encouraged. Groups of investigators will be supported to communicate and coordinate their research, training and educational activities across disciplinary, organizational, institutional, and geographical boundaries.

There are two tracks in the RCN program, the research coordination network track (RCN), the original target of the program, and the undergraduate biology education track (RCN-UBE), which was added in 2008. The proposed networking activities should focus on a theme to give coherence to the collaboration. For a research track RCN, the focus could be on a broad research question, a specific group of organisms, or particular technologies or approaches. For an education track RCN, the focus could be on any topic that is likely to lead to improved participation, learning, or assessment in undergraduate biology curricula.

RELATED URLS

Incubator Proposal Opportunity for Research Coordination Networks - Undergraduate Biology Education: Dear Colleague Letter

Historical Awards

THIS PROGRAM IS PART OF

Additional Funding Opportunities for the DBI Community

Additional Funding Opportunities for the DEB Community

Additional Funding Opportunities for the IOS Community

Additional Funding Opportunities for the MCB Community

Emerging Frontiers

Abstracts of Recent Awards Made Through This Program