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Models for Uncovering Rules and Unexpected Phenomena in Biological Systems (MODULUS)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS), in collaboration with the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB), seeks to promote interdisciplinary research that enables novel mathematical and computational approaches that capture and explore the full range of mechanisms and biological variability needed to better understand biological systems behavior across multiple scales. Proposals in response to this DCL should be submitted to either DMS via the Mathematical Biology Program Description or the MCB solicitation, NSF 18-585, directed to the Systems and Synthetic Biology program (8011). The proposal title should be prefaced with "MODULUS:". The MCB solicitation accepts proposals to core programs or to a Rules of Life (RoL) track. Submission to either track is permissible given that the guidance as detailed in the solicitation (NSF 18-585) for each is followed. For proposals submitted to MCB and targeted for the RoL track, a second program in another BIO Division must also be identified. Neither Division puts limits on proposal budgets and expects budgets to be appropriate for the scope of the project proposed.

For more information, check the Dear Colleague Letter at:
https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2019/nsf19054/nsf19054.jsp

GW’s Procurement office put out a notice stating procurement monetary limits, or thresholds, are increasing for quotes, bids or RFPs (requests for proposals) for university funds and non-federal sponsored projects or federally-sponsored grants.

For more detailed information about these new thresholds and requirements, visit procurement.gwu.edu. The Procurement Dollar Threshold Matrix includes links to detailed information on required documentation for each funding source and threshold.

A New Series to Enhance CCAS Research
& Scholarship!

In an effort to boost the competitiveness of grant and fellowship applications from CCAS faculty, we are pleased to launch the CCAS Grantsmanship Workshop Series, focusing on the techniques and strategies for successful grant and fellowship applications.  We expect this event series to include panel discussions by experienced colleagues, presentations from funding agencies, as well as other types of events that could enhance the research and scholarship of CCAS faculty.

Our first workshop will be take place on Wednesday, February 27, 12 – 1:30pm. Detailed information can be found in the enclosed flyer.  RSVP is appreciated.

There could be a variety of reasons for your attendance. It could that you wish to learn more about fellowship application, or you are an experienced colleague who could act as additional resources during the panel, or you simply take this opportunity to network with other colleagues with similar interests. Please feel welcome to join us for this inaugural event.

We appreciate the suggestions and feedback from the CCAS Research Advisory Council in launching this workshop series.

Grantsmanship Flyer PDF

CCAS Grantsmanship Workshop I

Wednesday, February 27, 2019
12:00pm to 1:00pm
, refreshments to follow

Phillips Hall, Dean's Conference Room 411

RSVP

Mark your calendars for CCAS Grantsmanship Workshop II - A joint CCAS-SB (School of Business) event featuring a presentation by an NSF program officer on the new NSF's 10 Big Ideas Friday, March 29, 2:00pm, Duques Hall 652.

Internal Funding

We are pleased to announce the continuation of CCAS internal funding programs, including Dean's ResearchChair, Enhanced Faculty Travel, Nick-of-Time, and DICE. Please click each of the following links to obtain full information.

Please also notice that: 

  • Information on UFF / CCFF is not available yet. We are in touch with OVPR on their updated UFF announcement. As soon as they finalize that, we will update our CCFF guideline accordingly. After that, we will share with you through our CCAS Research Update and CCFF website on the CCAS ResearchBlog page
  • Decisions for Enhanced Travel and Dean's Res Chair awards are moved earlier to April 2019.  This is to help you to plan ahead and is based on the recommendation of our CCAS Research Advisory Council. Please submit your proposals by the deadline so we can move things as planned.

If you have any questions, please contact us at ccasres@gwu.edu.


GW Research Ecosystem Review

We are pleased to provide an update on the GW Research Ecosystem Review, which is included in this google doc shared with you:

Research Ecosystem Review: Progress Report

It includes a link to the Research Ecosystem Review webform. Please feel welcome to enter your input, which we will share with the working groups.

Earlier this week, you should have received a message from the Res Integrity and Compliance working group, along with a Review of Research Integrity / Compliance processes in CCAS  by me. This review is based on your input as of Oct 15. If you have additional comments on Res Integrity and Compliance, please email to the committee chair Dr. Kimberly Acquaviva at  acqua@gwu.edu. or enter on our webform (which we will then forward).

As of today, we have received 46 responses on our webform. Some of you decided to email me or talk to me in person, and that is perfectly fine as well. In a separate effort, our SRA team also designed a CCAS Pre-Award Survey which we sent to those who submitted proposals recently. We have received 37 responses for that. We are very much encouraged by your engagements on this university wide effort. We see this as a great opportunity to further enhance our research support infrastructure at CCAS and GW. It there is an interest, CCAS could consider a roundtable event to discuss the feedback and hear your thoughts directly.


Upcoming Events

Fulbright Scholar Program Opportunities


Date/Time: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 - 1:00pm-2:30pm, with refreshments after.

Location: Phillips Hall, Room 411

Description: Mary-Rolfe Zeller, Outreach and Selection Coordinator at Institute of International Education (IIE) will give a presentation to CCAS faculty interested in learning more about Fulbright. This presentation will give an overview of the history of the Fulbright Scholar Program, take a deep dive into the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program opportunities (including learning how to navigate the Catalog of Awards and how to apply), and conclude with a brief overview of the Fulbright Visiting Scholar opportunities.

IIE has been a world leader in international education working to build more peaceful and equitable societies by advancing scholarship, building economies and promoting access to opportunity.

The Fulbright Program, the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government, is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright Program offers grants to study, teach and conduct research for U.S. citizens to go abroad and for non-U.S. citizens to come to the United States.


Funding Opportunities

African American Civil Rights Grants
Submission Window: August 7 to October 8, 2018.
Description: The opportunity to apply for a FY2018 African American Civil Rights grant is now open. $13 million is available and applications will be accepted through two separate funding opportunity announcements- one for physical preservation projects (P18AS00485) and one for history projects associated with the African American civil rights movement of the 20th century (P18AS00484). Applications will be accepted only through grants.gov.
More info: https://www.nps.gov/preservation-grants/civil-rights/application.html

Foundations of Emerging Technologies (FET)
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Submissions Windows: SMALL projects: November 1, 2018 - November 15, 2018; MEDIUM projects: September 24, 2018 - October 2, 2018
Description: The FET program, a new NSF program, welcomes research in the theory, algorithms, software, hardware, and architecture of emerging computing and communication systems. A unique aspect of the FET program is that interdisciplinary collaborations between computer and information scientists and engineers as well as those in various other fields are highly encouraged, with the fundamental aim of pursuing foundational breakthroughs in computer and information science and engineering.  Small Projects - up to $500,000 total budget with durations up to three years; Medium Projects - $500,001 to $1,200,000 total budget with durations up to four years.
More info: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2018/nsf18568/nsf18568.htm

Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN)
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Deadline: Supplemental funding requests may be submitted at any time, but no later than:
-- May 1, 2019 (for available FY 2019 funds)
-- May 1, 2020 (for available FY 2020 funds)
Description: The PI of an active NSF award may request supplemental funding for one or more graduate students to gain knowledge, skills, and experiences that will augment their preparation for a successful long-term career through an internship in a non-academic setting. To be eligible, graduate students must have completed at least one academic year in their graduate programs and be making satisfactory progress towards the completion of their degrees.
More info: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2018/nsf18102/nsf18102.jsp

Baruch S. Blumberg NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology
Application Deadline: December 1, 2018
Description: The Blumberg Chair, an annually selected position, supports a senior scholar in the sciences or the humanities to take up residence in the Library’s John W. Kluge Center and conduct research on the humanistic and societal impacts of astrobiology. The Astrobiology Chair creates an opportunity to research the range and complexity of societal issues related to how life begins and evolves, and to examine philosophical, religious, literary, ethical, legal, cultural and other concerns arising from scientific research on the origin, evolution, and nature of life.
More info:  www.loc.gov/loc/kluge/fellowships/NASA-astrobiology.html

NSF 2026 Idea Machine Competion
Deadline: October 26, 2018
Description:  A prize competition to help set the U.S. agenda for fundamental research in STEM and STEM education. Participants can earn cash prizes and receive public recognition by suggesting the pressing research questions that need to be answered in the coming decade, the next set of “Big Ideas” for future investment by NSF. Contribute to NSF's mission to support basic research and enable new discoveries that drive the U.S. economy, enhance national security and advance knowledge to sustain the country's global leadership in science and engineering.
More info: NSF 2026 Idea Machine website


From the GW Politics Poll

Participate at: Submit Questions
Deadline for the third-wave survey: September 12, 2018
Website: http://smpa.gwu.edu/submit-gw-politics-poll
Contact: politicspoll@gwu.edu
Description: GW faculty and graduate students are invited to submit proposals for questions to be included on the GW Politics Poll. The poll seeks to advance our understanding of American politics and public affairs by generating timely and rigorous data and analysis. The goal is to provide a resource where GW researchers can get public opinion data. Proposed questions must be related to politics, policy or public affairs. Priority will be given to proposals related to the election and proposals will be reviewed by the faculty committee administering the poll.
In 2018, we are administering a four-wave panel focused on the 2018 election. You may submit proposals for questions to be included on an individual wave of the survey or for multiple waves. We are currently inviting proposals for questions to be included on the third-wave survey which is expected to field in early October. A fourth wave will field after the November election. More information can be found on the web at http://smpa.gwu.edu/submit-gw-politics-poll.


Gentle Reminders

Per Diem requests on all sponsored project travel
As explained in our previous Research Updates, per diem requests can be made for sponsored project-funded international travel. Requests should be submitted via email to Shandra White shandra@gwu.edu, Director, Office of Sponsored Projects, OVPR, with a copy to your School Research Administrator (SRA). Please follow the OVPR guidelines at https://sponsoredprojects.gwu.edu/meals-and-incidentals for the detailed list of information to include. You can check the SRA Portfolio page to find the name and contact information of the SRA who provides your post-award support.

Separately, CCAS has a CCAS Per Diem Policy for non-sponsored international travel. This was announced in our Research Update on June 30, 2017, and is available on our Research Blog page at CCAS Per Diem Policy.

From Juliana Smith and Y.R.


Information for Your Graduate Students

Professional Networking Org. for Grad Students in STEM
Founded on the idea that career success is heavily dependent on networking, GW COMPASS (Career Organization for Masters and PhDs to Achieve Success in STEM) seeks to help graduate students in STEM fields to prepare for life after graduation. GW COMPASS aims to provide a community of professional support by hosting networking engagements, fostering mentee and mentor relationships, and highlighting career opportunities for post-graduate life.

To become an official member, go to the OrgSync profile and click "Join Now" on the right-hand side. Alternatively, you can fill out a Google Form to be put on their mailing listserv.

Funding Opportunities

Convergent Accelerated Discovery Foundries for Quantum Materials Science, Engineering and Information (Q-AMASE-i)
Letter of Intent (required) Deadline: September 17, 2018
Full Proposal Deadline: November 5, 2018
Description: Six-year awards totaling $20,000,000 to $25,000,000 for the award period are anticipated. Q-AMASE-i Foundries will be awarded as cooperative agreements with an initial commitment of six years, with the possibility of one six-year renewal, subsequent to a rigorous and favorable review by NSF.
Please see https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505504 for details.

DePaul Humanities Center (DHC) Visiting Fellowship (2019-2020 academic year)
Application Deadline: Friday, January 25, 2019
Description: The DHC Visiting Fellow program is generally a sabbatical/leave-based position. Visiting Fellows will be given an office in the Center, library privileges, and an honorarium of up to $3,000 ($1,000 per quarter) to support the public presentation of Fellows’ work and for participation in other DHC programming. Open to any and all individuals possessing a Ph.D., including faculty, adjuncts, and graduate students (ABD with degree in hand by start of fellowship).

Events

GW Postdoc Appreciation Day
Date/Time: Friday, September 21st, 2018, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Website:  https://postdocs.gwu.edu/appreciation-week/
Description: The GW Postdoc Association is celebrating the 3rd GW Postdoc Appreciation Day on September 21st and there are research competitions, networking luncheons and awards open to all GW postdocs. Specific questions can be addressed at gwpostdoc@gmail.com.


Updated SRA Portfolio and other Reminders

  • SRA Portfolios  Following the addition of our new SRAs Jessica Harb and Alice Kungu, as announced in our recent Research Updates, we are pleased to share with you the updated pre- and post-award support assignments for CCAS departments, available on our CCAS Research Blog at SRA Portfolios.
  • Pre-Award Requests  If you plan to submit a proposal this summer, we would appreciate your informing us quickly so we can plan ahead. Please submit your request via our webform CCAS Intent to Submit
  • CCAS Internal Grant Reports are due August 31, 2018. Please report at CCAS Internal Grant Report

Juliana Smith, Assistant Director for Research Programs
Yongwu Rong, Associate Dean for Research


From OVPR

Office of Sponsored Projects & Research Enhancement New Location  
As you may be aware, the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) and Research Enhancement (REU) is moving to a centralized location at the Virginia Science & Technology Campus (VSTC). Beginning August 27, 2018, all OSP and REU staff currently located at Rice Hall, 2033 K Street, Ross Hall and 950 New Hampshire Avenue will be physically located at VSTC’s Enterprise Hall (44983 Knoll Drive, Suite 260, Ashburn, VA  20147). Staff contact information (phone numbers and email addresses) will remain unchanged. The office relocation is not expected to adversely impact the university research community, specifically:

  • staff will be available during normal business hours as usual;
  • staff contact information (phone numbers/exchanges) will remain the same;
  • all OSP staff will establish regular meetings at Foggy Bottom with school and department representatives;
  • the OSP director will work out of OVPR’s Foggy Bottom office 2-3 days each week; and
  • OSP and Research Enhancement staff will continue to hold on-campus meetings, seminars and training events as they do at present.

The Division of Operations will conduct the actual move after close of business on August 23rd – August 25th and staff will begin work in the new location on Monday, August 27. I encourage faculty to submit any proposals due on August 23–28, 2018 by August 22, 2018, if possible and to let our office know of any proposals that are not currently in queue.

I appreciate your patience during this time and look forward to continuing our mission to provide operational excellence in support of GW’s research. Please contact me directly (shandra@gwu.edu) with any questions or concerns.

Shandra S. White,  Director, Office of Sponsored Projects & Research Enhancement

Funding Opportunities

CCAS Internal Grant Report
Link:  CCAS Internal Grant Report
Submission Window: August 1, 2018 - August, 31, 2018
Description: If you received internal funding from CCAS during last year (July 2017- June 2018), including CCFF, DICE, and Dean's Research Chair, please submit your report on this webform.  Please submit your report. Notice that the reports for enhanced travel and Nick-of-Time awards are not required.  Also, if you choose to include a file, you may upload to the webform. If you have any question, please contact us at ccasres@gwu.edu.

2019 Sloan Research Fellowships
Link: https://sloan.org/fellowships
Application Deadline: September 17, 2018
Description: Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is now accepting applications for its Sloan Research Fellowships, which seek to stimulate fundamental research by early-career scientists and scholars of outstanding promise. The $70,000 fellowship is awarded yearly to 126 researchers in recognition of distinguished performance and unique potential to make substantial contributions to their field.  Candidates must hold a tenure track (or equivalent) position, which must include a yearly teaching requirement. Candidates must hold a PhD (or equivalent) in chemistry, computational or evolutionary molecular biology, computer science, economics, mathematics, neuroscience, ocean sciences, physics, or a related field. Candidates' most recent PhD must have been awarded on or after September 1, 2012. GW is able to put forward no more than three candidates per department for this submission. More details can be found at https://sloan.org/fellowships 

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Systems for Action program RFP
Proposal Deadline: October 10, 2018 at 3:00pm
Description: RWJF is accepting applications that will focus on solutions to high-priority systems alignment problems that involve medical, social, and public health services; test the effectiveness of these solutions using rigorous scientific methods; and engage stakeholders from medical, social, and public health systems in the design and conduct of the research, so that findings can be readily used in practice. Up to six successful grantees will be awarded $250,000 each.
https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/funding-opportunities/2018/systems-for-action--systems-and-services-research-to-build-a-cul.html

Events

DARPA DSO Proposers Day
Date/Time: July 31, 2018 from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Location: Executive Conference Center (4075 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 350, Arlington, VA 22203)
Description: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office (DSO) is sponsoring a Proposers Day to provide information to potential proposers on the objectives of an anticipated Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the Space Environment Exploitation (SEE) program. The event will be webcast for those who would like to participate remotely. Advance registration is required both for attending the Proposers Day in person and for viewing the webcast. Additional information regarding this SN can be found at https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/DARPA-SN-18-67/listing.htmlFor specific questions regarding this SN, please send email to SEE@darpa.mil

Event Reminder:
Imaging Initiative Workshop - Full details in our July 3 Research Update
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 25, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Location:  Science and Engineering Hall, Room 2000B
Contact: Professors Can Korman (korman@gwu.edu Opens in a new window) and Murray Loew (loew@gwu.edu Opens in a new window)

Welcome New Staff

Alice Kungu is joining our research team as our newest School Research Administrator. Alice  has over six years of academic research grants management experience. She started her career in research at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital at the Division of Women’s Health helping investigate gender and race based differences in health outcomes. She went on to administer an NIH P20 Center at the University of Massachusetts Boston, funded by the National Institute on Minority Health Disparities, with the aims of increasing minority representation throughout the research pipeline from investigators to human subjects. She studied political science at Seattle University and strongly believes in using research based science to make public policy. On a personal note, Alice is deeply idealistic and looks forward to supporting research that makes the world a better place! She loves all New England teams and winners in general. Alice can be reached at alice@gwu.edu Please join us in welcoming Alice!

Funding Opportunities

RFP for Cures Within Reach - CureAccelerator Live! Mid-Atlantic Repurposing Research Event
Application Deadline Extended:  July 23, 2018
Cures Within Reach is excited to be bringing our CureAccelerator Live! event to the Mid-Atlantic region, and we hope to see some submissions from George Washington University in response to the Request for Proposals.

Highlights from the RFP include:

  • Up to $50,000 for Mid Atlantic-based repurposing research in any unsolved disease.
  • Selected finalists will pitch their projects in front of an audience of repurposing stakeholders on Oct. 16, 2018 in the Washington, DC area; CureAccelerator Live! is held in conjunction with ExL Events at the Collaborations Addressing Vulnerable Populations Forum
  • CureAccelerator Live! finalists are eligible for a 20% discount.
  • Proposal submissions are due July 23, 2018 (previously July 9, 2018) on CureAccelerator

See attached:  RFP, additional application instructions and some background information about the CureAccelerator Live! event.

IRIS 2019 Researcher Awards Call for Proposals
Application Deadline:  October 1, 2018
Website:  http://iris.isr.umich.edu/research-data/grants/
Description: This is the second round of awards to fund researchers who will use the IRIS data to address questions about the social and economic returns to investments in research. Up to $15,000 for dissertation awards and up to $30,000 for early career and established researcher awards are available. Proposals submitted must emphasize the use of IRIS data in projects that address open issues in the study of science and technology and in science policy. Awarded researchers will receive access to the current IRIS research data release files, which are further described here: http://iris.isr.umich.edu/research-data/  Our colleague Dr. Jonathon Mote has just received such an award.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 2018-19 research grants programs
Two grant mechanisms: Innovation Grants, and Focus Grants. (Recently awarded $5.3 million in grants for the 2017-18 grants cycle.)

More information can be found at https://afsp.org/our-work/research/grant-information. Should you have any questions, please contact AFSP Research Grants Manager Carl Niedzielski phone: 212.363.3500 ext. 2015; email: cniedzielski@afsp.org

Events

Imaging Initiative Workshop
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 25, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Location:  Science and Engineering Hall, Room 2000B
Description: This is a workshop on imaging organized by our colleagues in SEAS. It will be held in SEH and will be moderated by Dr. Joseph Mait, recently retired Chief Scientist of the US Army Research Laboratory.  Dr. Mait is proposing to organize a strategic effort for George Washington University in imaging.  The goal of this workshop is to identify fundamental research issues in imaging within the University community which, if approached multi-disciplinarily, will have broad application.  Dr. Mait is exceptionally qualified to lead the discussion, given his experience in strategic research planning and his expertise in imaging. One simple goal of the workshop is to initiate a dialogue among University researchers working in the imaging arena.  A broader goal is to identify and address fundamental barriers to imaging capabilities that can have application across disciplines.  Such applications include materials metrology, biology, medicine, astronomy, autonomous navigation, remote sensing, and the interface between human and autonomous machines.
Contact: Professors Can Korman (korman@gwu.edu) and Murray Loew (loew@gwu.edu)

Tentative Agenda:

  • Introductions (2 hours)
    • Dr. Mait
    • Faculty:
      • Who
      • Short description of research
      • Single most significant research result
      • Single most significant unsolved problem
  • Presentation on imaging and its potential (Dr. Mait, 1 hour includes Q&A)
  • Lunch (1 hour)
  • Identify Applications Clusters (1 hour)
  • Break (15 min)
  • Identify Fundamental Research Questions (1 hour)

Welcome New Staff

Jessica Harb is joining the CCAS research administration team after working in OVPR for 2 1/2 years, specializing in pre-award guidance and support.  Her start date is next Monday, July 9. Prior to coming to GW, Jessica was at the California State University at Monterey Bay and the University of Tennessee, bringing an additional 4 years of experience in research and sponsored project administration.  When not providing guidance for proposal development, Jessica enjoys a motley of outdoor activities as well as spending time with her husband and 2 cats.  She is very excited to bring her experience and background to the CCAS team.

Kristin Furio has just joined the CCAS team on June 25 as the new senior administrative assistant for CCAS; her duties will include department operations at the front desk of Phillips 212 (Tyler's job) in addition to support Dean Evie Downie and me (YR).  Kristin has studied and worked in leadership development and education for over a decade. As a Community Connections member during college at Sacred Heart University, Kristin furthered the service-learning experience she had in a high school Community Relations course focusing on social justice issues. She has taken courses in Event Management at The George Washington University and previously worked in GW's Graduate School of Education and Human Development managing graduate programs, supporting faculty and recruiting for degrees focusing on Organizational Leadership and Human Resource Development. Kristin's involvement in the GW community has included being a member of the GW sustainability outreach group, Green Leaders; a member of the GW human resources outreach group, Colonial Community Ambassadors; and a Safety Warden for GSEHD, leading colleagues in navigating through emergency situations. Prior to coming to GW, Kristin served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at Ashoka's Youth Venture in the roll of Fellowship Associate connecting young leaders and changemakers from around the world. In her free time, she enjoys building community among DC residents by connecting   young professionals through DC Fray's intramural sports, charity fundraisers, and lifestyle events.

RFP Attachments:

CAL RFP - instructions for PIs-2hbgh5c CureAccelerator Live - Mid Atlantic 2018 RFP-166oaeg

CureAccelerator Live expansion 1pager v3-191g1fj

AFSP_2018_Innovation_Grants_Flyer-1dyk580

AFSP_2018_Focus_Grants_Flyer-14f56ys