National Science Foundation – Science and Technology Centers: Integrative Partnerships (NSF – STC)
NSF 08-580

http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08580/nsf08580.htm
The Research Office is requesting Letters of Intent for the National Science Foundation – Science and Technology Centers: Integrative Partnerships (NSF-STC) program.
Research Office Letter of Intent submission deadline:  Friday, August 29, 2008
NSF Preliminary Proposal Due Date (required):
            September 30, 2008
NSF Full Proposal Deadline (by invitation only) (due by 5 p.m. proposer’s local time):
            April 30, 2009
Information:  Debbie Delmore at debbie.delmore@oregonstate.edu or 737-8390

The program limits to three (3) the number of preliminary proposals a single institution may submit as the lead institution. A single organization may also request funding via a subaward as a funded partner organization. In no case may an organization request funds as a lead or funded partner organization on more than five (5) preliminary proposals. The STC program will not provide support for more than one proposed Center from any one lead institution in this competition.

In an effort to provide the highest level of excellence and viability for funding, the Office of the Vice President for Research will select the proposal to represent Oregon State University and to submit their proposal to the NSF-STC program.

The Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships program enables innovative research and education projects of national importance that require a Center mode of support to achieve the research, education, and knowledge-transfer goals shared by the partners. STCs conduct world-class research in partnerships among academic institutions, national laboratories, industrial organizations, and/or other public/private entities to create new and meaningful knowledge of significant benefit to society. Science and Technology Centers build intellectual and physical infrastructures within and between disciplines, and bring together the creation, integration, and transfer of new knowledge, STCs nurture and foster education by integrating education with research, and by creating bonds between learning and inquiry so that discovery and creativity more fully support the learning process. STCs demonstrate leadership to increase diversity by including all members of society regardless of race, ethnicity or gender in science and engineering in all aspects of the Centers’ activities. Centers offer the research and engineering community an effective mechanism to undertake long-term scientific and technological research and education activities; to explore better and more effective ways to educate students, and to develop mechanisms to ensure the timely transition of research and education advances made into service in society. STC proposals are encouraged for high quality innovative research projects that undertake important investigations at the interfaces of disciplines, and/or fresh approaches within disciplines. The STC program invests federal funds in areas consistent with the goals of the NSF Strategic Plan to enable the Nation’s future through discovery, learning and innovation.
Guidance for preparation of Letter of Intent to the Research Office:

• Title of Project
• PI/Co-PI(s)
• Type of proposal: lead institution/funded partner organization
• Summary of the proposed project including:
• Rationale for the Center
• Description of the unique opportunities to be provided by the Center
• Indicate the potential national impact of the Center
• Provide a clear description of the proposed Center, its vision, mission, and goals, its distinguishing features and focus; and the value added of funding the activity as a Center
• Names of the partner institutions involved with the proposed Center
• Letters on intent are limited to 2 pages
• Be submitted electronically as a MSWord or PDF document to:  debbie.delmore@oregonstate.edu