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International Opportunities at the National Science Foundation NSF Day SUNY at Albany October 19, 2011 Bob Webber NSF Office of International Science and Engineering [email protected] Obama Administration Needs International Science and Technology Cooperation Science is more essential for our prosperity, our security, our health, our environment, and our quality of life than it has ever been before. We ... need to work with our friends around the world.... …my administration is ramping up participation in -- and our commitment to -- international science and technology cooperation across the many areas where it is clearly in our interest to do so. President Barack Obama, National Academy of Sciences annual meeting, April 27, 2009 National Science Board Asserts Importance of International S&E 2010 - We urge Federal attention and action to sustain U.S. world leadership in S&E research in response to growing S&E capacity around the world. 2008 - The U.S. Government must support international S&E partnerships for multiple beneficial reasons, which must be understood by both Congress and the greater public. 2001 - The development of an effective framework for science and engineering in the international arena is a critical priority for assuring U.S. global leadership in the decades ahead. National Science Foundation Supports International Collaborations The nation's commitment to research will … take on a more globally connected context as the major issues and problems we face know no boundaries. Dr. Subra Suresh, Director NSF Keep the United States globally competitive at the frontiers of knowledge by increasing international partnerships and collaborations. NSF Strategic Plan, Performance Goal #3 International Collaboration at NSF • International activities are supported throughout NSF – Inherently international activities – Exploit opportunities and encourage partnerships • Advance the frontiers of science and engineering − Access to unique expertise, facilities, and phenomena − Leverage limited resources • Prepare a globally engaged U.S. S&E workforce – Develop understanding of science abroad – Nurture strong networks overseas Criteria and Key Elements for Funding of International Activities NSF-wide Criteria • Intellectual Merit • Broader Impacts Other NSF-wide Considerations • Integration of Research and Education • Broaden Participation Additional Key Elements for NSF/OISE Awards • New International Initiatives • True Intellectual Collaboration • Mutual Benefits for U.S. and Foreign Partners • Involvement of U.S. Junior Researchers & Students • Support U.S. Side of Partnerships National Science Foundation Office of International Science and Engineering ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT AMERICAS OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR EUROPE AND EURASIA AFRICA, NEAR EAST, AND SOUTH ASIA GLOBAL INITIATIVES OVERSEAS OFFICES Paris Tokyo Beijing EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC Supporting International Activities at NSF Research/Education Community NSF/Disciplinary Programs $$$$$ NSF/OISE Programs Co-funding & Supplements $$ OISE-Managed Funding Opportunities by Career Stage • International Research Experiences for Students - IRES • East Asia Pacific Summer Institutes - EAPSI • International Research Fellowship Program - IRFP • Pan-American Advanced Studies Institutes - PASI • Catalyzing New International Collaborations - CNIC • Partnerships for International Research and Education - PIRE OISE-Managed Funding Opportunity International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) • U.S. undergraduate & graduate students organized by U.S.-based faculty for an international research experience – Foreign mentorship required • Focused research experiences overseas (> 4 weeks) • $150,000 maximum ($50,000 per year for up to 3 years) • Also NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) OISE-Managed Funding Opportunity East Asia Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI) • U.S. graduate students initiate scientific relationships which enable future collaboration with foreign counterparts • Research experiences at host laboratories in Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, or Taiwan • $ 5,000 stipend for 8-10 weeks from June to August - Support for attending a pre-departure orientation in the Washington, D.C. - International round-trip airfare to the host location - Orientation to the science environment and culture(s) of each location - Abroad living expenses by foreign co-sponsoring organizations OISE-Managed Funding Opportunity International Research Fellowship Program (IRFP) • Early post-docs (within two years of PhD.) • Post-doc is applicant and PI • Introduce scientists and engineers in the early stages of their careers to international collaborative research opportunities • Residence abroad for nine to 24 months – Dependent may accompanying the awardee (includes transportation, insurance and cost of living) OISE-Managed Funding Opportunity Pan-American Advanced Studies Institutes (PASI) • Advanced graduate, post-doctoral, and junior faculty level • PI organizes short courses on leading-edge research themes – Ten days to one month, involving lectures, demonstrations, research seminars, and discussions – 25 to 40 students/participants from the different countries in the Americas • Jointly supported initiative between NSF and DOE OISE-Managed Funding Opportunity Catalyzing New International Collaborations (CNIC) • U.S. researcher travel for new research collaborations – Assess foreign expertise, facilities, equipment, data, experimental protocols, sites, etc. • Visits, Workshops, Data-gathering, Coordination, Networking • New award or supplement to existing award • Intended outcome: Research proposal to NSF Directorate OISE-Managed Funding Opportunity Partnerships for International Research and Education • Senior researchers initiate bold, forward-looking research • Facilitate student preparation for and participation in international research collaborations • Contribute to the development of a diverse, globally-engaged U.S. science and engineering workforce • Strengthen the capacity of institutions, multi-institutional consortia, and networks to engage in and benefit from international research and education collaborations • 47 PIRE awards have engaged collaborators in more than 70 countries • Awards typically have a five-year duration with an average total budget of $2.8M http://www.nsf.gov/OISE Examples of NSF Program Opportunities that Highlight International Collaboration Disciplinary Programs • International Collaboration in Chemistry • Materials World Network Multi-disciplinary Programs • Basic Research to Enable Agricultural Development (BREAD) • International Research Network Connections Targeted Programs • ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers • Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) Centers Programs • Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers • Engineering Research Centers NSF Funding Rates, FY 2010 Proposals Awards Rate Prior PIs New PIs NSF 55,542 12,996 23% - - BIO CISE EHR ENG GEO MPS SBE 8,059 6,487 5,055 13,226 4,816 9,411 5,618 1,556 1,586 930 2,375 1,686 2,669 1,257 19% 24% 18% 18% 35% 28% 22% 23% 26% 22% 22% 38% 35% 29% 14% 14% 13% 13% 25% 18% 17% OISE 1,042 395 38% 40% 37% Source: Report to NSB on NSF’s Merit Review Process FY 2010, NSB-11-41 http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/publications/2011/nsb1141.pdf Keys to Success • Address how the collaboration will enhance the research Value added Mutual benefits • Include bio and letter of commitment from collaborators • Involve U.S. students, junior researchers Prepare, mentor, and assess them Pay them: travel, living costs, stipends • Meaningful attention to diversity • Know and observe special rules Visa regulations Imports and exports • Work with others in your institution • Consult NSF and OISE early Program Manager Country Contact