The objective of this program is to stimulate innovative activities in the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) disciplines by encouraging the transfer of state-of-the-art research results into undergraduate and introductory graduate curricula, by disseminating best practices in information technology (IT) education, investigating emerging areas, and implementing new IT programs. The program supports the design, development, testing, and dissemination of innovative approaches for increasing the effectiveness of educational experiences. Combined Research and Curriculum Development and Educational Innovation (CRCD/EI) Program projects may involve integrating research results into courses and curricula (the research may be ongoing or completed and may be drawn from any research activities in the computer and information sciences and engineering fields); the planning and implementation of formal activities designed to publicize effective innovative programs and IT concepts through workshops, publication, and other dissemination mechanisms; and the creation of educational programs and tools that address cutting edge IT. The CRCD/EI Program places special emphasis on curricular approaches that address the recruitment and retention of women and underrepresented minorities in IT educational programs.

Funding: Approximately $3 million is available in FY 2004, pending the availability of funds. CRCD/EI awards will have a maximum duration of three years and are expected to range from $300,000 to $600,000 over the three-year period.
Letter of Intent: Unspecified
Date of Proposal Submission: January 13, 2004

The Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering Research Resources (CISE-RR) program is designed to increase the capability and capacity to carry out information technology research at U.S. institutions. The program supports the acquisition or development of advanced resources for research and integrated research and education activities. Resources may include research equipment, instrumentation, software, data repositories, or services. Resources supported under this program are those generally not supported by other programs.

The Collaborative Research Resources component of the program provides grants to support the establishment, enhancement, and operation of major resources for multi-investigator, synergistic research or integrated research and education. Awards may be for activities solely within a single academic department, activities drawing from several departments in a single institution, and activities spanning several different institutions. Research activities requiring the resources supported under the program are expected to demonstrate synergy among the activities and researchers. Integrated research and education activities should significantly contribute to expanding the numbers of minority and women students attracted to and retained in computer and information science and engineering. Interdisciplinary activities are strongly encouraged, but emphasis should be on advancing knowledge in and increasing capacity for information technology research. There should be an existing core of active researchers with a track record of research in areas of science and engineering supported by CISE. An important consideration is whether the resources will enable the researchers to undertake important activities that otherwise would not be possible under individual awards.

The Collaborative Research Resources component provides support for the development or acquisition of research resources, but not for general resources, such as workstations or upgrades of existing facilities. Before applying, a proposing group should consider whether individual research grants would be a more appropriate source of funding. The Collaborative Research Resources component is designed to support resources for relatively large collaborative projects that typically require technical support as part of the development or establishment of the resources. Potential applicants requiring resources that can be acquired as a unit, that are to be shared among unrelated projects, or that are relatively easy to maintain should consider the Instrumentation component of this program.

Eligible project costs are equipment, instrumentation, software, data repositories, services, maintenance, and appropriate technical support. Appropriate technical support refers to technical personnel and associated indirect costs that are necessary for the design, development, deployment, operation, and maintenance of the resources. Support for graduate or undergraduate assistants may be included if the assistants are participating in the design, development, deployment, operation, and maintenance of the resources; if the assistants are participating in assessing the educational outcomes of the project, where appropriate; or if the assistants are drawn from underrepresented groups (minorities or women) and are participating directly in the integrated research and education activity, or related curriculum development projects, mentoring, and outreach.

Funding: Grants will be for one to three years and typically will range from $200,000 to $500,000 per year.
Letter of Intent: Unspecified
Date of Proposal Submission: February 02, 2004

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) conducts and supports research to further a better understanding of the causes of allergic, immunologic, and infectious diseases and to develop better methods for preventing, diagnosing, and treating these illnesses. Areas of interest include asthma and allergic diseases; basic and clinical immunology; genetics and transplantation; general bacteriology; Lyme disease; mycology; nosocomial bacterial infections; vector-borne bacterial diseases; enteric diseases; bacterial and viral enteric diseases; viral hepatitis; host immunity; tropical diseases; parasite biology; vector biology; respiratory diseases; influenza and related viral respiratory diseases; neonatal pathogens and maternal immunization; tuberculosis, leprosy, and other mycobacteria; sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); bacterial and viral STDs; virology; acute viral infections; antiviral and antimicrobial chemistry; chronic fatigue syndrome; cytokine and antiviral clinical trials; persisting viral infections; HIV and AIDS research; vaccine and prevention research; drug development and clinical sciences; opportunistic infections research; and pediatric medicine.

The NIAID gives special consideration for funding to scientifically meritorious applications in response to program announcements (PAs). The PAs identify areas of ongoing research emphasis for the NIAID. In this PA, the Division of AIDS (DAIDS), NIAID, solicits applications to study innovative strategies for enrolling women and racial or ethnic minorities into HIV/AIDS clinical research trials.

This PA is being issued by NIAID with set-aside funding. The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) also has an interest in and supports research on health promotion in diverse populations and on the care of patients with HIV/AIDS.

Funding: Applicants for R03 grants may request up to $50,000 in annual direct costs for a period not to exceed three years. The project period for R01 awards is five years. The award amount for the R01 is unspecified.
Letter of Intent: Unspecified
Date of Proposal Submission: January 02, 2004

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) supports research training on the normal mechanisms as well as on the disorders of human communication, including hearing, balance (vestibular system), smell, taste, chemical senses, voice, speech, and language.

The institutes and centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), along with the Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH), announce a continuing program for administrative supplements to research grants to support individuals with high potential to reenter an active research career after taking time off to care for children or attend to other family responsibilities. The aim of these supplements is to encourage such individuals to reenter research careers within the missions of all the program areas of NIH. This program will provide administrative supplements to existing NIH research grants for the purpose of supporting full-time or part-time research by these individuals in a program geared to bring their existing research skills and knowledge up to date. It is anticipated that at the completion of the supplement, the reentry scientist will be in a position to apply for a career development (K) award, a research award, or some other form of independent research support.

The NIH recognizes the need to increase the number of women and minorities and people with disabilities in biomedical, behavioral, clinical, and social science research careers. Among the reasons for the low representation of women may be the fact that women bear a majority of the responsibilities surrounding child and family care. To address this issue, this program is designed to offer opportunities to women and men who have interrupted their research careers to care for children or parents or to attend to other family responsibilities. A second objective of the program is to mentor and guide those who receive support to reestablish careers in biomedical, behavioral, clinical, or social science research.

Funding: Administrative supplements provided under this program may be for either part-time or full-time support for the candidate, and all supported time is to be spent updating and enhancing research skills. Proposed part-time appointments may not be less than 50 percent effort.

The requested salary and fringe benefits for a reentry candidate must be in accordance with the salary structure of the grantee institution, consistent with the level of effort. An additional amount up to $10,000 may be requested for supplies, domestic travel, and publication costs relevant to the proposed research. Equipment may not be purchased as a part of this supplement without justification and specific prior approval of the NIH.

A maximum of three years of supplemental support can be awarded under this program.
Letter of Intent: Unspecified
Date of Proposal Submission: April 1, 2004

The Peace and Social Justice program consists of two program units. The Human Rights and International Cooperation program unit addresses international human rights as well as the rights of women, migrants and refugees, and racial and ethnic minorities. This unit also focuses on efforts to promote peace and security, improve civil-military relations, and strengthen support for U.S. global engagement.

The Governance and Civil Society program unit seeks to strengthen governmental performance and accountability, facilitate civic participation, support new work on economic and social policy formulation, and foster development of civil society, including philanthropic organizations.

Requests in foreign countries should be directed to the nearest foundation field office. Requests for support of projects in Eastern and Central Europe and in Israel should be sent to the foundation’s New York headquarters.

Funding: Unspecified
Letter of Intent: Unspecified
Date of Proposal Submission: Continuous