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Author: jnurse

National Science Board Seeking Nominations for Public Service Recognition

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The National Science Board (NSB) Public Service Award honors individuals who and groups that have made substantial contributions to increasing public understanding of science and engineering in the United States.  These contributions may be in a wide variety of areas that have the potential of contributing to public understanding of and appreciation for science and engineering – including mass media, education and/or training programs, entertainment, etc.

The NSB Public Service Award is given to one individual and one group recipient in May of each year.  Past recipients include: NUMB3RS, the CBS television drama series; Ira Flatow, Host and Executive Producer of NPR’s “Science Friday”; Alfred P. Sloan Foundation; Bill Nye The Science Guy; and NOVA, the PBS television series.

For nomination instructions, please visit http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/awards/public.jsp.  All inquiries about the award or nomination procedures should be directed to Jennifer Richards, National Science Foundation (jlrichar@nsf.gov).

Deadline: November 4, 2009

This Week on Capitol Hill, September 8-11

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The House and Senate reconvened yesterday, September 8th, after the August District Work Period.   First up on the Senate agenda was S 1023, the Travel Promotion Act of 2009.  The House took up several measures under suspension of the rules.  Both the House and Senate will be in session today and Thursday.

This evening, Wednesday, 9/10, President Obama addresses a joint session of Congress at 8:00pm to discuss health care.

FLOOR ACTION

Wednesday, 9/9

  • Senate is expected to vote on S 1023, Travel Promotion Act of 2009
  • House will take up several matters under suspension of the rules, including:  HR 3165, Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2009.  This bill would create a new wind energy demonstration program at the Energy Department, and pave the way for greater adoption of wind turbine designs, control systems, and production capacity.  Also under consideration is HR 445, Heavy Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development and Demonstration Act of 2009.

Thursday, 9/11

The House will convene at 10:00am for legislative business and could take up a bill that would permanently authorize appropriations for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network, HR 965.

HEARINGS AND MARKUPS

Wednesday, 9/10

  • Full Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry hearing on Agriculture, Forestry & Global Warming;
  • Full Senate Appropriations Committee markup on Defense Appropriations;
  • House Energy & Commerce subcommittee hearing on Medical Isotopes.
  • House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing on American Conservation and Clean Energy Independence Act;

Thursday

  • Senate Finance Committee hearing on Oil and Gas Tax Proposals;
  • House Judiciary full committee hearing on Competition in Digital Books;
  • House Natural Resources full committee markup on Water, Parks, Trails, Scenic Rivers and Wilderness Bills;
  • House Select Energy Independence & Global Warming full committee hearing on United Nations Climate Conference

ARPA-E Seeks Stakeholder Input

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The Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) is seeking public and stakeholder input on 1) programmatic areas well suited for support by ARPA-E and 2) specific scientific and technological opportunities to overcome key technological roadblocks to the development of widely market deployable transformational technologies relevant to the ARPA-E mission. The information collected through this process will assist ARPA-E in developing potential programs and funding opportunities.

Deadline for Comment: September 25, 2009

Submission Method: Responses are to be submitted as email attachments sent to Submission Method: Responses are to be submitted as email attachments sent to arpa-e-rfi@hq.doe.gov.

Full Notice

NSF Set to Implement Responsible Conduct in Research Policy

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing its implementation of Section 7009 of the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act. This section of the Act requires that “each institution that applies for financial assistance from the Foundation for science and engineering research or education describe in its grant proposal a plan to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers participating in the proposed research project.”

The new policy will take effect on January 4, 2010. Institutions apply for grants will be required to certify compliance.

Full Federal Register Notice

NSF Announces New Funding Opportunity

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Science Masters’ Program (SMP)

The NSF has announced a funding opportunity for their Science Masters Program (SMP), which is intended to catalyze the creation of institution-based efforts to prepare graduate students for careers in business, industry, nonprofits, and government agencies by providing students with a strong foundation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, as well as with research experiences, internship experiences, and the skills to succeed in those careers.  The SMP solicitation is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

Grant Solicitation