Dept. of Commerce Seeking Nominations for Innovation Advisory Council

Posted on November 23, 2009October 17, 2012

The Department of Commerce (DOC) is seeking nominees for a new Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship whose primary purpose is to “identify and recommend solutions to issues critical to enabling entrepreneurs and firms to successfully commercialize new ideas and technologies into high-growth, innovation-based businesses and to create new jobs.”

The deadline for nominations is close of business, Monday, November 30.

Nomiees will be selected to provide a balance of perspectives and expertise, with diversity in industry, experience, and geographic area. Priority “may be given to successful entrepreneurs, innovators, angel investors, venture capitalists, and other experts drawn from non-governmental organizations, foundations and non-profits that have significant experience in innovation and entrepreneurship.” Candidates are limited to U.S. citizens who are not full-time government employees, registered foreign agents, or federally registered lobbyists.

Full Notice

Secretary Chu Announces Competition for ARRA Funded Research Fellowships

Posted on September 30, 2009October 17, 2012

Washington, DC – U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that up to $12.5 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be awarded in early 2010 to support at least 80 graduate fellowships to U.S. students pursuing advanced degrees in science, mathematics, and engineering through the newly created Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Fellowship program. The goal of the fellowship program is to encourage outstanding students to pursue graduate degrees in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, engineering, and environmental and computer sciences – fields that will prepare students for careers that can make significant contributions in discovery driven science and science for national needs in energy and the environment.

“Training the next generation of U.S. scientists and engineers is critical to our future energy security and economic competitiveness,” said Secretary Chu. “This Fellowship is part of the Administration’s effort to encourage students to direct their talents towards careers in science and our nation’s next technology revolution.”

To be eligible for the Fellowship, applicants must be U.S. citizens and currently a first or second year graduate student enrolled at a U.S. academic institution, or an undergraduate senior who will be enrolled as a first year graduate student by the fall of 2010. Applicants must be pursuing graduate study and research in the physical, biological, engineering and computational sciences. Interested students can apply online at: http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/SCGF.html

Each fellowship award will be $50,500 per year for three years to provide support for tuition, living expenses, research materials and travel to research conferences. Fellowships will be awarded on the basis of peer review. Applicants may begin submitting applications on September 30, 2009. Completed applications are due November 30, 2009.

NSF Set to Implement Responsible Conduct in Research Policy

Posted on August 24, 2009October 17, 2012

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

Posted on August 20, 2009October 17, 2012

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

NIST Issues Call for Nominations to Advisory Boards

Posted on August 14, 2009October 17, 2012

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) issued this week a request for nominations of individuals for appointment to its eight existing Federal Advisory Committees. Several of these boards may be of interest to faculty, including the Technology Innovation Program (TIP) Advisory Board, Board of Overseers of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board, Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Advisory Board, and Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology (VCAT).

Federal Register Call for Nominations