Innovation in Collaboration with the US National Science Foundation

1. Innovation in Collaboration with the US National Science Foundation Dr. Paul Bellaire pbellair@nsf.gov Program Director Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences Directorate for Geosciences National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 775 S Arlington, Virginia 22230

2. Introductionto the NSF Introduction Research Directorates OISE IRES SAVI I/UCRC STC ERC I-Corps The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by the U.S. Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense…" Outside of medical sciences which are funded by the National Institutes of Health, the NSF is the only U.S. federal agency that supports all fields of fundamental science and engineering research, as well as workforce education. The NSF strives to take advantage of fundamental science and engineering research involving private-sector partnerships to strengthen national innovation. NSF funding transforms basic research into science and engineering knowledge, which feeds industrially relevant research, technological commercialization, economic growth, and the creation of high-quality jobs. A 24-member National Science Board (NSB) of eminent individuals appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate meets six times a year to establish the overall policies of the NSF. The NSF has a total workforce of about 2,100 at its headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, including approximately 1,400 career federal employees, 200 scientists from research institutions on temporary duty, 450 contract workers, the staff of the NSB, and the Office of the Inspector General. 2

3. NSF Research Directorates Introduction Research Directorates OISE IRES SAVI I/UCRC STC ERC I-Corps The NSF is organized into seven distinct disciplinary Research Directorates that support all fields of fundamental science and engineering (except medical sciences): Biological Sciences Computer & Information Science & Engineering Geosciences Mathematics and Physical Sciences Engineering Education and Human Resources Social, Behavioral, & Economic Sciences For detailed information, please visit our web site at http://www.nsf.gov 3

4. NSF’s Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE) Introduction Research Directorates OISE IRES SAVI I/UCRC STC ERC I-Corps The NSF’s Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE) serves as a focal point for international science and engineering activities, both inside and outside of the NSF. OISE promotes the development of an integrated, Foundation-wide international strategy, and manages international programs that are innovative, catalytic, and responsive to a broad range of NSF interests. Specifically, OISE supports programs to expand and enhance leading-edge international research and education opportunities for U.S. scientists and engineers, especially at the early career stage. It works to build and strengthen effective institutional partnerships throughout the global science and engineering research and education community, and it supports international collaborations in NSF's priority research areas. OISE carries out its functions through close partnership with the NSF Research Directorates and through its own program activities. OISE is housed within the Office of the NSF Director, since its role is Foundation-wide. OISE encourages U.S. funding applicants to include an international component in the proposals they submit to the appropriate NSF Research Directorate. For a description of OISE activities, please visit the web site http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_list.jsp?org=OISE 4

5. International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) Introduction Research Directorates OISE IRES SAVI I/UCRC STC ERC I-Corps The NSF’s International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program supports development of globally-engaged U.S. science and engineering students capable of performing in an international research environment at the forefront of science and engineering. The IRES program supports active research participation by U.S. students enrolled as undergraduates or graduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the NSF. IRES projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in new research projects specifically designed for the IRES program. You may remind your U.S. colleagues that the next proposal deadline for this program is August 21, 2012. 5

6. Science Across Virtual Institutes (SAVI) Introduction Research Directorates OISE IRES SAVI I/UCRC STC ERC I-Corps SAVI is an innovative concept to foster interactions among scientists and educators around the globe, based on the principle that excellence in research and education exists in many parts of the world, and that scientific advances can be accelerated by scientists, engineers, and educators working together wherever they are. SAVI virtual institutes will serve as research hubs in which new ideas originate, multidisciplinary research is fostered, diversity is valued, and long-term professional networks are developed between U.S. researchers and students and their international counterparts. The primary objective of SAVI is to bring together leading researchers and educators from different countries, both physically and virtually, to work collaboratively on problems of mutual interest, building on relationships initiated by NSF-supported teams of researchers. The NSF will support U.S. participants, while their international partners will be supported by their own national or regional funding sources. Please visit the web site http://www.nsf.gov/savi 6

7. Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRC) Introduction Research Directorates OISE IRES SAVI I/UCRC STC ERC I-Corps The NSF’s Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRC) program develops long-term partnerships among industry, academia, and government. The centers are catalyzed by a small investment from the NSF and are primarily supported by industry partners, with NSF taking a supporting role in the development and evolution of the center. Each center is established to conduct research that is of interest to both the industry members and the center’s faculty. The I/UCRC program contributes to the Nation's research infrastructure base and enhances the intellectual capacity of the U.S. engineering and science workforce through the integration of research and education.  As appropriate, an I/UCRC uses international collaborations to advance these goals within a global context. Please visit the web site at http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5501&org=OISE&from=home 7

8. Science and Technology Centers (STC) Introduction Research Directorates OISE IRES SAVI I/UCRC STC ERC I-Corps The NSF’s Science and Technology Centers (STC) Integrative Partnerships Program has funded 47 centers since 1988 in multiple fields, while addressing “grand science and technology challenges” as well as emerging opportunities for advancing U.S. leadership in research. According to a recent report from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the NSF’s STC concept has been “very effective in catalyzing and nurturing interdisciplinary and transformational science and technology.” The STC program has effectively integrated research, education, diversity, and knowledge transfer and has successfully exploited partnerships towards these goals. STCs are also effectively connecting with local, regional, national, and international stakeholders on key issues of societal importance. For example, in the large and diverse field of biophotonics, the Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology (CBST) has made a significant contribution through its international activities coupled to its web activity, “Biophotonics World” (please visit http://www.biophotonicsworld.org). STCs play a central role in bringing together the national and international community of practitioners in their research field, including the training of young as well as established scientists. STCs can operate as “knowledge banks” where researchers and stakeholders, as well as national and international practitioners, find a natural leader for technical guidance and assistance. Please visit the web site at http://www.nsf.gov/od/oia/programs/stc/ 8

9. Engineering Research Centers (ERC) Introduction Research Directorates OISE IRES SAVI I/UCRC STC ERC I-Corps Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) are located at universities across the United States, operating in close partnerships with industry. Each ERC provides an environment in which academia and industry can collaborate in pursuing strategic advances in complex engineering systems and technologies that have the potential to create new industries or to radically transform the product lines, processing technologies, or service delivery methods of current industries. ERCs operate at the creative interface between the discovery-driven culture of science and the innovation-driven culture of engineering. ERCs provide the intellectual foundation for industry to collaborate with academic faculty and students to resolve long-range challenges, to produce the knowledge needed for steady advances in technology, and to promote the speedy transition of this knowledge to the marketplace. ERCs also fulfill NSF's strategic goal to increase the diversity of the U.S. scientific and engineering workforce by including all members of society, regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender, in all aspects of ERC activities. ERCs expose prospective students (both graduate and undergraduate) to industrial views in order to build competence in engineering practice and to produce engineering graduates with the depth and breadth of education needed for success in technological innovation and for effective leadership of interdisciplinary teams throughout their careers. Please visit the web site at http://www.erc-assoc.org/ 9

10. Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Introduction Research Directorates OISE IRES SAVI I/UCRC STC ERC I-Corps The NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps) is a new effort to help develop scientific and engineering discoveries into useful technologies, products, and processes. The NSF I-Corps program, as a public-private partnership, will connect NSF-funded scientific research with the technological, entrepreneurial, and business communities to help create a stronger national ecosystem for innovation that couples scientific discovery with technology development and societal needs. Please visit the web site http://www.nsf.gov/i-corps Expected outcomes: • New start-up businesses • Licenses • Business plans suitable for review by third-party investors • Students with entrepreneurial skills • New or enhanced university teaching programs 10