In this Issue:

National Office News:

CUR Receives $360,000.00 NSF CCLI II Grant:

The National Science Foundation has awarded a $360,000 grant to the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), and its partner the National Council of Instructional Administrators (NCIA), to develop and expand undergraduate research programs at community colleges. Through an earlier NSF Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement grant of $499,000, CUR assisted 64 college campuses in establishing, formalizing and expanding undergraduate research opportunities.

Please see the Press Release attached to this E-News.

CUR Emeritus President is Awarded 2010 ACS Award for Research at an Undergraduate Institution:

Thomas J. Wenzel, Professor of Chemistry at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine has been awarded the 2010 ACS Award for Research at an Undergraduate Institution.

To view the entire list of awardees, please visit: http://pubs.acs.org/cen/email/html/8734awards1.html

We live in a moment of radical change. But change, by itself, is neither positive nor negative, merely different. In order for change to be positive – to be transformative – we must be intentional, grounding our work in our visions for better lives and a better society. We must challenge what others take for granted, look at our work in new ways and consider the future possibilities of our work.

The subthemes for the 2010 National Conference are:

• Drawing underrepresented students into our fields
• Examining the policy and practice implications of our research
• Using undergraduate research to help students engage with the world
• Making research experiences a universal practice for undergraduate students
• Bringing undergraduate research together with other high-impact, engaged-learning practices

Submissions will only be accepted by using our on-line submission form which can be found by visiting: http://cur.networkats.com/members_online/submissions/substart.asp?action=welcome&cid=45

The deadline for workshop and interactive session submissions is November 15, 2009.

Nothing more effectively demonstrates the value of undergraduate research than the words and stories of the student participants themselves. In the Spring of 2010 the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) will host its 14th annual undergraduate poster session on Capitol Hill. This event will help members of Congress understand the importance of undergraduate research by talking directly with the students whom these programs impact.

CUR is calling for students to submit an abstract of their research that represents any of CUR's divisions (Arts and Humanities, Biology, Chemistry, Geosciences, Mathematics/Computer Science, Physics/Astronomy, Psychology, and Social Sciences).  

Abstract submissions will only be accepted by using our on-line submission form.  Prior to submitting the form, students should gather the contact information for all co-authors, advisors and sponsors (if applicable), prepare a short vitae/resume, and poster abstract.   

For more information, and the link to submit an application, please visit: http://www.cur.org/pohcall.html 

Call for Nominations for CUR Councilor:

Divisional councilors serve CUR through the projects and initiatives of their division, and the combined work of these individuals contributes to the national scope of undergraduate research.  They play a key role in ensuring that our purpose and goals are fulfilled.  

Elections for CUR Councilors will be held in January 2010 for the three year term of Councilor from 2010-2013.  Nominations will be accepted until November 2, 2009.  Nominees must be CUR individual members.  To nominate yourself or another individual, please visit https://cur.networkats.com/members_online/submissions/substart.asp?action=welcome&cid=57.

Biology Division Announces 2009-2010 Biology Travel Awards:

The Biology Division of the CUR is offering a limited number of travel grants for undergraduate students presenting original research results at a regional or national, discipline-specific meeting during the period of September 2009 – August, 2010. The grants will total up to $250 each. Award recipients are required to acknowledge CUR for support of their travel in their talk or poster. Minority students are encouraged to apply.

For further information and the application requirements, please visit http://www.cur.org/biostudenttravel.html

Direct inquiries via email to Evelyn Hiatt, CUR Councilor: ehiatt@kwc.edu

New CUR Publication: Broadening Participation in Undergraduate Research: Fostering Excellence and Enhancing the Impact:

Editors: Mary K. Boyd, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, University of San Diego (mboyd@sandiego.edu) and Jodi L. Wesemann, Assistant Director for Higher Education, American Chemical Society (j_wesemann@acs.org)

Engaging undergraduate students in research, scholarship, and creative activity is a proven and powerful practice for enhancing educational outcomes and expanding frontiers of knowledge. This book is a rich collection featuring institutions that are maximizing the impact of this practice.

Member price is $45.00, Non-member price is $55.00 

To place your order, complete the online order form, or fax the order form to 202-783-4811.

For more information, please visit: http://www.cur.org/publications/broadening.html

CUR Quarterly Archive Sale:

Many issues of the CUR Quarterly are now available for $1. Complete your library today by visiting http://cur.networkats.com/members_online/members/createorder.asp. Remember to login using your Members Only username and password to receive the best price.

CUR's New Enhanced Institutional Membership:

This new enhanced institutional membership allows all faculty members from your institution to join the Council on Undergraduate Research, as individual members, at no additional cost to the individual. Institutional cost is based on the number of Full-Time Equivalent students at your institution and ranges from $2000 to $4000 annually.

We hope that your institution will take advantage of this new membership opportunity to more fully engage faculty members, at your institution, in undergraduate research.

In addition to this new enhanced membership, we will continue to offer the regular institutional membership. Each institution may elect to choose one model or the other. The cost of the regular institutional membership for the 2009-2010 membership year will remain the same, at the current rate of $800, and includes three individual memberships.

Should you have any questions regarding institutional membership programs, or any other membership opportunities, please contact Robin Howard at robin@cur.org or 202-783-4810x203.

CUR Welcomes New Enhanced Members:

CUR Welcomes New Institutional Members:

CUR Institutes:

Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research Institute:  

This institute will be held October 23-25, 2009, at Concordia College at Moorhead, Minnesota. This workshop will bring together teams of three to five faculty members and administrators from institutions that are interested in either initiating an undergraduate research program or institutionalizing existing research activities.  The three days will consist of plenary lectures presented by facilitators associated with CUR interspersed with individual team meetings with CUR mentors.  For more information, please visit http://www.cur.org/institutes/instugr.html

Please note, the application deadline for this institute has been extended to September 15, 2009. There are limited spaces left.

Beginning a Research Program in the Natural Sciences at a Predominantly Undergraduate Institution:

This CUR Institute will be held November 20-22, 2009 at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Starting a successful research program and doing scholarly work at a predominantly undergraduate institution poses unique challenges for a beginning faculty member. The overall goal of the institute is to give pre-tenured faculty the opportunity to learn from and discuss with experienced faculty how to establish and manage a research program. The application is available by visiting: http://www.cur.org/institutes/newfaculty.html

Application Deadline is October 1, 2009.

Mentorship, Collaboration and Undergraduate Research in the Social Sciences and Humanities:

This institute will be held February 5-7, 2010, in Mesa, Arizona. The institute will bring together teams of three to five faculty members and administrators engaged in enhancing undergraduate research opportunities at their home institutions, focusing on undergraduate research as faculty development, student-based inquiry and institutional support structure. Application is available by visiting:  http://www.cur.org/institutes/socscihum.html

Ongoing CUR Offerings:

The staff at Washington Partners has put together a web page of materials for CUR Member reference.  The web page houses information on advocacy and government relations issues.  Topics of interest include legislative and event summaries, information on federal funding resources, an ongoing update on the higher education act, and a learning and links section with descriptions of common government processes and links to useful websites.  

To access this page, please visit the members only page from the CUR homepage.  Please note that you will need your members only login to access the page.  Should you have any questions or comments regarding this page, please direct them to wpllc@cur.org

Recent Additions:

National Science Board Discussion on Preparing the Next Generation of STEM Innovators (September 3, 2009)

CUR Logins:

CUR assigns usernames and passwords to members so that they may login, allowing them to: update records; register for meetings at member rates; and purchase publications at member rates.  Your username and password have been sent to you previously.  Should you need another copy of this information sent to you via email, please visit http://cur.networkats.com/members_online/members/password.asp .  Non-members who have records in our database may also login to expedite registration processes, however discounts will only be given to members. 

Please encourage your students to sign up for the Undergraduate Researcher's Graduate School Registry.  The purpose of this registry is to facilitate connections between undergraduates and graduate schools seeking high quality students who are well prepared for research.  More information and the submission form are available at:  http://www.cur.org/ugreg/

Graduate Schools that are interested in purchasing a subscription to the registry should contact Robin Howard at robin@cur.org

Newsletter Subscriptions:

The CUR E-News is a membership benefit for individual members and contacts designated on CUR Institutional Memberships.  Should you know anyone that would like to receive a subscription, please encourage them to become a member by visiting http://www.cur.org/membership.html

CUR is pleased to announce two additional newsletters also available to CUR Members:

This Week In Washington is a weekly newsletter prepared by the staff at Washington Partners that provides an overview of upcoming events in Washington D.C. affecting American Education.

Deadlines and Upcoming Events is a newsletter published by the CUR National Office which sends reminders of submission deadlines, event registrations, and other important dates in the CUR Community. 

To subscribe to either of these newsletters, please login to the members only website, click "Review My Membership Information" and submit an update of your membership profile.

Newswise is an academic news distribution service that provides media with news leads from our member institutions.  Journalists receive this news by subscribing to an emailed Daily Wire.  From the wire, they review news releases and decide whether or not to follow up on any leads and contacts. 

Upcoming Thematic Wires:

Pain Wire Submission Deadline: September 9, 2009

Mental Health Wire Submission Deadline: September 23, 2009

Diabetes Awareness, Prevention and Treatment Wire Submission Deadline: September 30, 2009

CUR Institutional Members may submit releases to Nancy Hensel at nancy@cur.org.  Please indicate whether your press release is for a thematic wire, or a general wire.   For more information, please refer to the following document:  http://www.cur.org/pdf/newswise%20flyer.pdf

Advocacy:

Washington Partners News September 3, 2009 Column:

August is the quietest month in Washington, D.C. Members of Congress are in their districts and states for the month, which slows down the pace of work in the city, and makes for much less traffic.

Despite the overall calm, some agencies seemed to almost pick up speed in August. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has been working diligently to award the additional $3 billion that agency received as a result of the stimulus bill enacted earlier this year. This means program officers have been reaching out to past and prospective grantees, and reviewers are evaluating proposals—seemingly twenty-four hours a day.

Elsewhere in the Foundation, the National Science Board recently released its report and recommendations on cost sharing policies for institutions of higher education that see federal support for research. According to the charge of the Foundation, federally-sponsored research is fundamentally a partnership between the Federal Government and institutions performing the research. Presumably, both are committed to achieving mutually beneficial outcomes, and both have demonstrated agreement to share in the costs of the enterprise. According to the new report, Investing in the Future: NSF Cost Sharing Policies for a Robust Federal Research Enterprise institutions that participate in this research “provide resources to the enterprise in a multiplicity of ways to cover direct and indirect costs associated with research activities.” These resources often include “general-purpose state and local government appropriations applicable to research, private gifts, activities funded internally, investments in infrastructure and programs, faculty start-up packages, mandatory and voluntary cost sharing, costs of implementing unfunded research compliance mandates, and unrecovered indirect costs.”

For some time, institutions outside of the large, Research 1 group of schools, often found themselves at a disadvantage in terms of proposal evaluations and ability to share costs. There has long been “mandatory” cost sharing requirements meant to insure that recipients of funds would be appropriately invested in supporting the federally funded work. Of course, larger institutions could often offer “voluntary” resources that smaller schools could not. This new report outlines cost sharing policies meant to level the playing field in this regard.

The application of mandatory cost sharing requirements, and consideration of both mandatory and voluntary committed cost sharing in the NSF merit review and award decision processes, are governed by NSF cost sharing policy. In recent years, NSF has attempted to clarify the role of mandatory cost sharing in NSF-sponsored research and to ensure that voluntary committed cost sharing plays no role in NSF award decisions.

In this report, the National Science Board (Board) prescribes a set of recommendations with two primary objectives: (1) to allow, but narrowly circumscribe, the application of mandatory cost sharing requirements in NSF programs in which cost sharing is foundational to achieving programmatic goals, and (2) to prohibit voluntary committed cost sharing in NSF proposals and thus eliminate post-award tracking and reporting requirements associated with such cost sharing. These recommendations are intended to improve consistency and clarity of NSF cost sharing practices and policy and to maximize the effectiveness of institutional dollars invested in research. The Board firmly believes that prohibiting voluntary committed cost sharing, and permitting mandatory cost sharing requirements only in limited and appropriate circumstances, will not reduce institutional commitment and financial contributions to NSF-sponsored projects or negatively impact institutional stewardship of Federal resources. Instead, according to the Board, it likely will enhance the ability of institutions to strategically and flexibly plan, invest in, and conduct research projects and programs, and will promote equity among grantee institutions in NSF funding competitions. The full report is available here http://nsf.gov/nsb/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsb0920.

In late August, the National Science Board was at work again and hosted an expert panel discussion on preparing the next generation of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) innovators. The National Science Board Committee on Education and Human Resources was charged with undertaking a study to identify strategies for increasing the number of STEM innovators in the next generation and to develop recommendations for how the National Science Foundation (and possibly other Federal entities) might engage in fostering the development of STEM innovators and in conducting vigorous research to better understand the process. As part of this effort, the National Science Board sponsored a two-day expert panel discussion and will produce a white paper with recommendations based on the testimony of experts who presented at the discussion.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan addressed the Board to discuss his vision for education in the US, which has been highlighted in recent weeks and months in a series of appearances and announcements related to how he intends to invest $5 billion in education reform efforts. The Board was happy to hear that they seem to agree with much of his plan, in particular the emphasis that the proposed “Race to the Top” application guidelines places on education reform efforts that specifically address STEM education.

Secretary Duncan is not the only person at the Department of Education (ED) who ignored the tradition of a slower pace of work in August. With Capitol Hill quiet, the Department of Education has been convening meetings and conference calls all month to explain plans related to spending the billions of stimulus dollars in its coffers.

At the end of July, President Barack Obama joined Secretary Duncan at the Department’s Washington headquarters to unveil the proposed guidance related to the “Race to the Top” program and to discuss broader education reform goals. Many of the new investments are pinned to commitments to four areas reform, including standards, the equitable distribution of effective teachers and leaders, turning around the country’s lowest performing schools and using data to evaluate classrooms and systems. Ultimately, Secretary Duncan and others hope that more young people graduate from high school, show up at postsecondary institutions prepared for the coursework, and ultimately, attain a two- or four-year degree. (See http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/programs.html).

As evidence of the need for reform, Secretary Duncan and others often point to the disappointing performance of US students relative to their international peers. There was a new report to that effect a few weeks ago. That report, a Special Supplement to The Condition of Education 2009 released by the Department’s National Center for Education Statistics, says that, in math, American 15-year-olds' scores now lag behind those of 31 countries. In science, American eighth graders' scores now lag behind their peers in eight countries. Secretary Duncan says this news “is another wake-up call that our students are treading the waters of academic achievement while other countries' students are swimming faster and farther” and points to the work of the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, with many others, to develop a set of common internationally-benchmarked, college and career-ready standards as at least part of the solution (see http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2009/08/08182009.html).

Congress returns to Washington, DC next week. It looks as though health care will consume them in the immediate future, but a bill (HR 3221) that addresses federal student aid programs, including Pell Grants and student loans, investments in early childhood education and the importance of strong community colleges was approved by the House Education and Labor Committee just before the August recess. That bill could be considered by the full House, or the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee might unveil its version of that bill in September.

Opportunities and Announcements:

The CUR National Office has received the following announcements:  

LI-COR Biosciences Offers $1.75 Million in Matching Funds for Genomics Education:

LI-COR® Biosciences announces an enhanced matching funds program to support undergraduate and high school hands-on education in Genomics. $1.75 million in matching funds is available with LI-COR providing 60% of the funding to each qualifying institution in the United States.

The Genomics Education Matching Funds (GEMF) program now features a streamlined application process to help colleges acquire LI-COR DNA analysis systems for use by undergraduate students studying molecular biology and related fields. The new application process notifies institutions of award status within two weeks of submitting a fund request.

“Students who have the hands-on experience using the LI-COR system have a distinct advantage when they seek jobs and admission to post-graduate programs,” says Jackie Potts, LI-COR GEMF coordinator. “GEMF-partner schools tell us that integrating the 4300 into their curriculum provides a competitive advantage for students and their department, noting that work on the analyzer allows students to be knowledge producers not just knowledge consumers.”

More than 370 undergraduate programs are currently benefiting from the LI-COR GEMF and LEEF programs. The LEEF program helps primarily undergraduate institution acquire LI-COR environmental instrument systems for educational purposes.

LI-COR DNA analyzers are used in academic labs worldwide for a variety of research applications including sequencing, microsatellite analysis, AFLP®, and SNP discovery and reverse genetics research using TILLING and Eco-TILLING.

Complete information on how schools may apply for a grant is available at www.licor.com/gemf. Grants may be submitted between May 1 and September 30, 2009.

For more information:
D. Doc Chaves
Director of Marketing Communications
LI-COR Biosciences
4647 Superior St.
Lincoln, NE 68504
402.467.0700
doc.chaves@licor.com

Department of Commerce Postsecondary Internship Program:

Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) is pleased to administer the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Postsecondary Internship program. The program is open to U.S. Citizens enrolled as undergraduate and graduate students. Internships, located at DOC headquarters, division offices, and field centers, are for 10 weeks in the summer and 15 weeks for the fall and spring semesters. The number of interns appointed varies.

Benefits include a weekly stipend of $450 or $550 for undergraduate or graduate students, respectively; $125 per week housing allowance and limited travel reimbursement; and accidental medical expense coverage is provided.

Application and more information can be found on this web site: ttp://see.orau.org/ProgramDescription.aspx?Program=10038

Request for COBRE Applications Reviewers:

For COBRE applications that are to be peer reviewed, NCRR strives to recruit review panels composed of senior reviewers with scientific expertise in the thematic areas as well as reviewers with the capability, either through direct experience in COBREs or indirectly by virtue of related experience, to evaluate the proposed effort to establish a center of biomedical research and training. COBRE application reviewers should have a history of awarded grant applications and NIH review experience. In addition, for purposes of managing conflicts of interest, prospective reviewers cannot be listed as a key person or other major role on any COBRE application being reviewed for that particular council round.

NCRR strives to include such senior investigators from IDEA states to serve on peer review panels to ensure representation of investigators from IDEA states on such panels. COBRE investigators and other IDEA state researchers are welcome to submit names and CVs of potential, qualified reviewers to:

Steven Birken, Ph.D.
Scientific Review Officer
Office of Review
National Center for Research Resources
National Institutes of Health
1 Democracy Plaza, Room 1078
6701 Democracy Blvd.
Bethesda, MD 20892-4874
Fedex or other express courier zip code: 20817
direct phone: 301-435-0815
Office of Review Phone: 301-435-0811
Office of Review Fax: 301-480-3660
email: birkens@mail.nih.gov

SOMAS Summer Research Grants Program Announced:

SOMAS-URM: Support of Mentors and their Students in the Neurosciences from Underrepresented Minority Groups

The SOMAS Program is pleased to announce the 2010 SOMAS-URM summer fellowship program designed to support junior faculty (untenured/pre-tenure assistant professors, typically within five years of having completed Ph.D. and postdoctoral training) in the neurosciences seeking to launch research programs with undergraduate student collaborators. Faculty from predominantly undergraduate institutions will be eligible for awards of up to $8,000 to cover a supply budget, summer student housing, faculty and student stipends, and travel expenses to the joint Annual Meetings of the Society for Neuroscience and Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience. Selections will be made based on the justifications for and the quality of the proposed research experience for the undergraduate. Preference will be given to faculty from underrepresented minority groups (URM), to faculty from institutions serving women and/or minority groups, or to faculty who have identified URM students as research collaborators. Special consideration will be given to faculty members with little experience in grant writing and who are just beginning their research programs.

Application deadline is December 1, 2009, with awards made in early February for the 2010 summer research effort. Up to four awards will be made for the 2010 program. For more information, go to www.somasprogram.org.

Mathematics Association of America Holds Congressional Briefing on Undergraduate Mathematics:

Undergraduate Mathematics: Promising Recruitment and Retention Strategies to Ensure Diversity in the STEM Pipeline
September 22, 2009, Noon to 1:00 p.m, 121 Cannon House Office Building

Please join us for a briefing to learn about innovative approaches to recruiting and retaining minority and female students into mathematics and mathematics-intensive majors. Undergraduate mathematics education is the critical bridge between pre-college education and careers in research, the classroom, or the boardroom. We will showcase practices that serve to motivate and engage students to pursue baccalaureate and advanced mathematics degrees, and prepare them to become teachers, engineers and physical scientists. Leading experts from the field will discuss the state of enrollment and retention in the mathematical sciences, share strategies that have led to increased recruitment and retention of minority students and women in mathematics, and recommend public policy solutions to address this critical issue.

RSVP to Susan Kennedy (skennedy@maa.org or 202 319 8465)

PKAL Facilities Workshop Announcement:

PKAL announces a fall facilities planning workshop, to be held at Duke University, October 16 – 18, 2009.

This workshop is designed to serve teams from colleges and universities entering into the early stages of planning for a major facilities project (spaces for science, information commons, etc.) and/or those wrestling with the need for continued shaping and reshaping spaces in ways that serve institutional goals for student learning more creatively and effectively.

More at http://www.pkal.org/activities/09PKALLearningSpacesWorkshop.cfm

NASA Aeronautics Scholarship Awards:

NASA is Accepting Applications for Aeronautics Scholarship Awards WASHINGTON -- NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate will begin accepting scholarship applications on Sept. 1, 2009, for the 2010 academic year. The application deadline is Jan. 11, 2010.

NASA expects to award 20 undergraduate and five graduate scholarships to students in aeronautics or related fields. Undergraduate students entering their second year of study will receive up to $15,000 per year for two years and the opportunity to receive a $10,000 stipend by interning at a NASA research center during the summer. Graduate students will receive up to $35,000 per annually for up to three years, with an opportunity to receive a $10,000 stipend interning at a NASA research center up to two consecutive summers.

For details about this scholarship program, including how to apply, visit: http://asee.org/nasaasp

CUR President Emeritus Authors Article in Journal of Chemical Education:

Kerry Karukstis, CUR President 2007-2008, and member of the Department of Chemistry at Harvey Mudd College describes CUR's recent efforts with NSF's Commitment on Transformative Research. Please find the journal citation and link for viewing below. (Please note, you must have a subscription to ACS journals to view the article.

Karukstis, Kerry K., "Transformative Research Initiative: The Role of Undergraduate Institutions", J. Chem. Educ. 2009, 86, 1011-1012.

The link to the abstract is as follows: http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/Journal/Issues/2009/Sep/abs1011.html

New Publication from AASCU:

Advancing a Civic Engagement Agenda: A Guide to Marketing, Management and Money, this booklet takes a comprehensive approach to effective administration of a civic engagement program on campus. Designed for the faculty member or newly appointed administrator assigned this responsibility, all aspects of project management, budgeting, fund-raising, and marketing are covered.

The publication is available from the AASCU online store at http://www.aascu.org for a cost of $20 for AASCU members and $25 nonmembers.

2010 AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship:

AAAS seeks candidates from a broad array of backgrounds and a diversity of geographic, disciplinary, gender, and ethnic perspectives, as well as disability status. Fellows have ranged in age from late 20s to early 70s. They represent a spectrum of career stages, from recent PhD graduates to faculty on sabbatical to retired scientists and engineers. Fellows also come from a range of sectors, including academia, industry, non-profit organizations, and government labs.

The deadline is December 15, 2009 AAAS accepts online applications only. Full details at www.fellowships.aaas.org

2009 International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge Competition:

The 2009 International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge is co-sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the journal Science, published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Awards categories include: Photographs/Pictures, Illustrations/Drawings, Informational/Explanatory Graphics, Interactive Media, and Non-Interactive Media.

Winning entries will be published in a special section of the February 19, 2010 issue of the journal Science and Science Online and on NSF's website. One winning entry will appear on the front cover of Science.

For more information, see: http://www.nsf.gov/news/scivis

Frank and Sara McKnight Undergraduate Prizes in Molecular Sciences:

UT Southwestern department of biochemistry holds an annual contest for undergraduate researchers from across the country. Prizes will be given in three areas: Chemistry, Biophysics or Quantitative Biology, and Biological Chemistry. The McKnight Prize was instituted by Dr. Steven McKnight, chairman of UT Southwestern's Department of Biochemistry, in honor of his parents, "because they have been the best parents imaginable," he said.

Several finalists will be invited to travel to New Braunfels in mid-November for the biochemistry department's annual retreat to give poster presentations on their work. Winners will be chosen both for the significance of their work and the quality of their presentation.

This competition is open to undergraduates in their senior year who have conducted outstanding research in chemistry, biological chemistry, biophysics or quantitative biology.

For more information, please visit: http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/utsw/cda/dept23109/files/304738.html

ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers:

The goal of the ADVANCE program is to develop systemic approaches to increase the representation and advancement of women in academic science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers, thereby contributing to the development of a more diverse science and engineering workforce.

Creative strategies to realize this goal are sought from women and men. Members of underrepresented minority groups and individuals with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

More at http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5383&govDel=USNSF_39

NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM):

This program makes grants to institutions of higher education to support scholarships for academically talented, financially needy students, enabling them to enter the workforce following completion of an associate; baccalaureate; or graduate-level degree in science and engineering disciplines. Grantee institutions are responsible for selecting scholarship recipients, reporting demographic information about student scholars, and managing the S-STEM project at the institution.

AAC&U's Network for Academic Renewal invites proposals that explore the faculty’s use of high-impact practices (such as learning communities, writing-intensive courses, and capstone projects) to foster student learning of essential outcomes. The conference seeks proposals highlighting models of these high-impact practices and those that address issues of faculty rewards, promotion and tenure, cost-effectiveness, and more.

More at http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5257&govDel=USNSF_39

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is one of the most prestigious science and engineering fellowship programs in the United States.  Awardees are provided three years of graduate school support.  Fellows receive a $30,000 annual stipend, a $10,500 annual cost of education allowance, a one-time $1,000 international travel allowance, and access to TeraGrid supercomputing facilities. 

The program ensures the quality, diversity and vitality of the next generation of U.S. scientists and researchers.  The GRFP is intended for students in the early stages of their graduate career who are seeking research-based master's or PhD degrees in NSF-supported disciplines.  Applicants should have completed no more than 12 months of graduate study and must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents prior to the application deadline date. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply for the GRFP. 

The application period will open in August online at www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/ and will close in early November. For more information concerning benefits, eligibility, and tips on applying, applicants are encouraged to visit www.nsfgrfp.org.and www.nsf.gov/grfp/.
Faculty with significant research experience and interaction with graduate students are encouraged to register as panel reviewers for the NSF GRFP at http://panelists.asee.org.  If selected, panelists will be invited for a three-day review session that takes place in the Washington, DC, area in early February. 

Since 1952, NSF has funded more than 43,000 Graduate Research Fellows. President Obama has promised to triple the number of awards in this program, from about 1,000 per year to 3,000 per year by 2012.

NSF Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP):

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP) seeks to increase the number of students (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) receiving associate or baccalaureate degrees in established or emerging fields within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Type 1 proposals are solicited that provide for full implementation efforts at academic institutions. Type 2 proposals are solicited that support educational research projects on ...

More at http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5488&govDel=USNSF_39

Recovery Act Limited Competition: Academic Research Enhancement Award (R15):

Request for Applications (RFA) Number: RFA-OD-09-007

Application Due Date: September 24, 2009

Purpose. This NIH Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is supported by funds provided to the NIH under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“Recovery Act” or “ARRA”), Public Law 111-5. The purpose of the Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) program is to stimulate research in educational institutions that provide baccalaureate or advanced degrees for a significant number of the Nation's research scientists, but that have not been major recipients of NIH support. These AREA grants create opportunities for scientists and institutions otherwise unlikely to participate extensively in NIH programs, to contribute to the Nation's biomedical and behavioral research effort. AREA grants are intended to support small-scale health-related research projects proposed by faculty members of eligible, domestic institutions.

Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) R15 award mechanism.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. It is estimated that up to 50 awards will be made in FY 2010. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the quality, duration, and costs of the applications received.

Budget and Project Period. Applicants may request up to a total of $300,000 direct costs plus applicable Facilities and Administrative (F&A)/ indirect costs. Use the modular budget for direct cost amounts up to $250,000 and the detailed budget for direct costs amounts above $250,000. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this funding opportunity may be up to three (3) years.

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OD-09-007.html

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