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CHM Seed Program Call for Proposals

Proposal Deadline: January 15, 2010

The Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing (CHM), an NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center, invites applications from faculty under its Seed Program to support research in emerging areas of interest to the Center. The CHM Seed Program funds novel and promising approaches to nanomanufacturing science and engineering, as well as test beds that embody the translational research required for advances in fundamental science to evolve into viable manufacturing platforms and products.

Eligibility

Tenure-system faculty at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, Mount Holyoke College, Binghamton University, University of California-Riverside, and Indiana University.

Project Categories

Proposals may be submitted in one of two categories: (a) Nano Science Research Projects and (b) Nanomanufacturing Test Beds. Nanomanufacturing Science refers to the design, fabrication or manufacturing of nanotechnology-enabled devices. Proposals in the Nanomanufacturing Science Research category must involve two or more faculty investigators on a single team project. Single PIs may submit test bed proposals, although a team approach is preferred. Test bed proposals should include a discussion of current or potential connections with industry partners. The PIs are invited to contact the CHM director, Jim Watkins, directly to discuss the relevance of specific topic areas to the CHM mission prior to preparation of a full proposal.

Award Information and Eligible Costs

For 2010-11, one to two Seed Program awards are anticipated, with research to be performed over a 12-month period. Ideally, at least one of the awards will be in the test-bed category. All awards are designated as one-year projects with an option to renew for a second year. Proposal budgets should target funding for 1-2 graduate students. Project costs may include any NSF-eligible cost (see NSF guidelines at www.nsf.gov), with the exception of faculty salaries, equipment over $5,000, consultants, and international travel. All proposed expenses must be budgeted and include the usual budget justification. Funds are provided by the NSF under Cooperative Agreement CMMI-0531171, whose terms and conditions apply to any projects funded under the CHM Seed Program.

Application Requirements

A complete proposal for consideration under this Call for Proposals will identify the project category from the list above, and will contain the following:

  • A research proposal (limited to 3 single-spaced pages, minimum font size 10) that addresses:
    • Discussion of the research problem, including brief review of relevant research literature
    • Research rationale, objective and approach of the project
    • Description of proposed research plan
    • Team members and resources to be engaged, including description of relevant collaborations
    • Potential for expanded research support if the seed project objectives are met
  • In addition, the proposal must include:
    • Requested budget (containing the categories found on the usual NSF form 1030) and a budget justification
    • A one-page biosketch for each faculty member

Additional Information

  • The CHM Research Leadership Team, consisting of the PI, Co-PI, Test Bed Coordinator, and TRG Co-leaders, will review and recommend proposals for award under this program. The Research Leadership Team reserves the right to not recommend any Seed Program awards in a particular year for any given project categories. Second-year renewal proposals will also be reviewed and recommended by the Research Leadership Team.
  • Preference will be given to projects which identify promising new directions of research that are relevant to the CHM’s goals as expressed in the Center’s current Strategic Plan (copy available on request by emailing chm@research.umass.edu), and which show potential for additional support and development after the seed research stage. Current research areas of the Center can be found at http://chm.pse.umass.edu/research .
  • Projects or portions of projects awarded to faculty at non-University of Massachusetts Amherst institutions will be made as a one-year supplement to an existing CHM subaward, or as a new subaward if there is no existing subaward in place.
  • As important research activities sponsored by the CHM, all Seed Projects will be expected to result in the submission of manuscripts for publication in scholarly journals.
  • Seed Projects must provide a final report to the CHM Director by November 15 of the year following the grant of funds.

Submission of Proposals

Proposals are due by January 15, 2010. Electronic submission in PDF format should be submitted through the CHM website.
http://chm.pse.umass.edu/chmdocuments/seed_cfp