Defense, Security

NSF NSF 23-506: 2024 Expanding AI Innovation through Capacity Building and Partnerships (ExpandAI) - March Deadline

 Limit: 1 // J. M. Roveda (Electrical and Computer Engineering) - Track 1: ExpandAI Capacity Building Pilots (CAP)

 

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: An organization may submit one proposal per submission window. An organization must wait for a determination from NSF (e.g., Award, Decline, or Returned Without Review) on the pending proposal before submitting a new proposal in the next window. Declined proposals require a new invitation to submit (via the Concept Outline process) and significant revision, while proposals Returned Without Review may be submitted using the same invited Concept Outline (assuming that the proposal is received within one year of the original Concept Outline invitation).

The National Science Foundation and its partners support the continued growth of a broad and diverse interdisciplinary research community for the advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-powered innovation, providing a unique opportunity to broadly promote the NSF vision and core values, especially inclusion and collaboration. The National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes program has established a national network of multisector flagship centers of AI research and workforce development that address a wide range of society's grand challenges through AI-powered innovation.

 

PROGRAM TRACKS

This program solicitation offers two Tracks corresponding to stages of readiness for partnerships in AI Institutes. These are “ExpandAI Capacity Building Pilots” and “ExpandAI Partnerships” as described below.

Track 1: ExpandAI Capacity Building Pilots

Capacity Building Pilots (CAP) are planning and growth efforts focused on the establishment of AI activities at the funded MSI and the early exploration of future synergistic partnerships that have the potential to be part of prospective ExpandAI Partnerships. Successful pilots will result in establishing new AI research capacity, education/workforce development in AI, and/or AI infrastructure capacity at the proposing institution and, potentially, a basis for future AI partnerships. CAP activities should plan for engaging appropriate communities to test the feasibility of partnerships as well as developing plans for continuing capacity development. Plans should consider required research infrastructure, plans to leverage established groups in related research areas, and inclusion of faculty training and research experiences that emphasize the diversification of investigators. 

Proposals must articulate a clear vision motivating the capacity building activities, with a focus on long-term benefits to the MSI such as enhanced faculty capacity for foundational and/or use-inspired AI research or new effective models for increased education and career pathways in AI. Proposals to this track must include a strong Institutional Need and Support Statement (see proposal preparation instructions) containing an assessment of the current AI research and instructional capacity and infrastructure, a demonstration of institutional need for capacity building in AI, and a statement of the commitment of institutional support for the proposed activities. Proposals that substantiate a strong case in this need and support statement are likely to be most compelling for the funding opportunity. Further guidance for this supporting document can be found in Proposal Preparation Instructions.

Successful proposals will feature a Capacity Building Plan that features clear and measurable outcomes/benefits of capacity building. Suitable activities for such a plan are:

  • establishment or significant enhancement of foundational or use-inspired AI research, marked by increased faculty research output;
  • design of academic pathways or innovative models for teaching and learning in AI, incorporating how students learn effectively in AI activities, and bringing AI disciplinary advances into the undergraduate and graduate experience;
  • establishment or significant expansion of AI career pathways for students resulting from new AI activities;
  • enhanced AI research infrastructure;
  • significant increase in the participation of investigators and students who have been traditionally underserved and underrepresented in AI; and
  • a plan for objective process evaluation in support of the proposed efforts.

Note that this list is representative of suitable activities and outcomes for this track. CAP activities need not be limited to this list, and proposals do not have to include every type of outcome represented in that list. Proposers are encouraged to select and integrate the activities most appropriate for their institutional context and their vision for capacity building toward partnerships. 

Early partnership development between the proposing MSI and one or more AI Institutes is neither required nor encouraged in a CAP proposal.

Track 2: ExpandAI Partnerships

The ExpandAI Partnership (PARTNER) track is an opportunity for MSIs to scale up already-established AI research and/or education programs and to initiate/leverage new collaborations with AI Institutes. These partnerships will be multi-organization collaborations submitted by an MSI and will include a subaward to an AI Institute. PARTNER projects are centered around shared, complementary goals. Proposals will be submitted as single-organizational collaborative proposals. PARTNER proposals may only be submitted by a qualifying MSI as indicated in Eligible Institutions in this solicitation. 

PARTNER proposals should scale up and make fully productive an appropriate existing capacity in AI research, education/workforce development, and/or infrastructure capacity. The proposing MSI in this track is not required to have previously been awarded a CAP project under this program. PARTNER proposals must constitute a significant new partnership that has the clear potential to build on the institution’s current AI capacity as well as leverage the intrinsic strengths and talents of the MSI for mutual benefit in collaborative AI activities.

MSIs applying for this track must demonstrate readiness to leverage external expertise and financial resources to focus on medium- and long-range plans to leverage this funding opportunity and new partnerships to develop AI capacity within the MSI, including but not limited to further development of the MSI’s envisioned methodological thrusts, use cases, educational and/or workforce development activities, and the potential for the MSI to expand and scale these efforts through formal, mutually beneficial partnerships. Proposals should include at least one (and if appropriate, more) established AI Institutes in developing a roadmap for collaborative work in some unifying theme or focus. 

PARTNER proposals must feature a compelling Partnership Roadmap for collaborative work in some unifying theme or focus. Roadmaps are the beginning of a joint strategy between organizations for collaborative work. These roadmaps may also include community building activities (e.g., workshops) to further develop common interests, objectives, and goals for the growth of collaborative activities. Effective roadmaps are both depicted visually (e.g., conceptual diagram, logic model, table, etc.) and fully explained by a descriptive narrative. The roadmap should address all proposed projects involving research, education/workforce development, infrastructure, and any other types that are applicable to the collaboration. Roadmaps might address:

  • enhancement of existing projects by virtue of new collaboration;
  • initiation of new projects made possible by the collaboration;
  • community building activities (e.g., workshops) to further develop common interests, objectives, and further growth of the partnership;
  • potential and plans for scaling nascent programs;
  • an evaluation plan for measuring the growth and mutual benefit of activities in all projects.

DoD W911NF-23-S-0001-0002: 2024 U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)/Minority - Serving Institutions (MI) Early Career Program (ECP)

Limit: 3 // PIs:
Y. Vitaliy (Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering)
B. Revil-Baudard (Materials Science and Engineering)
H. Rastgoftar (Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering)

 

The DEVCOM Army Research Lab seeks unclassified research proposals from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI) under Broad Agency Announcement (FOA) W911NF-23-S-0001-0002 (hereafter referred to as the DEVCOM ARL BAA”) to establish an Army HBCU/MI Early Career Program (ECP) which embodies the high priority placed by the government on maintaining the leadership position of the United States in science by producing outstanding scientists and engineers and nurturing their continued development. Each award will support basic research contributing to Army modernization needs conducted by outstanding scientists and engineers beginning their careers at HBCU/MI institutions. ECP awards are funded by the Army to support early career scientists and engineers who show exceptional ability and promise for conducting basic research. This targeted opportunity is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. Nationals, or Lawful Permanent Residents of the U.S. who have held a tenure- track position at a covered educational institution for fewer than five years at the time applications are due in response to this special notice. Faculty at an institution of higher education which does not designate a faculty appointment as "tenure track" are eligible if that fact is so indicated in the proposal, and the supporting letter from the institute states that the faculty member submitting the proposal will be considered for a permanent appointment, or it is demonstrated that the faculty member is within five years of receiving his or her first competitively awarded federal research funding (as principal investigator), excluding funds secured during graduate school or postdoctoral training/fellowship and funds secured for training, fellowship, education, or career development. The objective of the ECP Award is to foster creative basic research in science and engineering; enhance development of outstanding early career investigators; and increase opportunities for early career investigators to pursue research in areas relevant to the Army. Proposals that do not meet these criteria for the Principal Investigator (PI) will be considered ineligible and not reviewed or considered for funding.

 

The eleven DEVCOM ARL competencies are:

  •   Biological and Biotechnology Sciences

  •   Electromagnetic Spectrum Sciences

  •   Energy Sciences

  •   Humans in Complex Systems

  •   Mechanical Sciences

  •   Military Information Sciences

  •   Network, Cyber, and Computational Sciences

  •   Photonics, Electronics, and Quantum Sciences

  •   Sciences of Extreme Materials

  •   Terminal Effects

  •   Weapons Sciences

DEVCOM ARL plans to award up to eight (8) new HBCU/MI ECP grants at a total cost of $990,000 each over a duration of 5 years, with funding profile of $110,000 in year one, $165,000 in year two, $220,000 in year three, $330,000 in year four, and $165,000 in year five. Note this is more funding and longer duration than the typical ECP award specified in the DEVCOM ARL BAA.

USDA USDA-NIFA-EXCA-010106: 2023 4-H Military Extension Educator Program

No applicants // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1 

 

UArizona may submit one proposal. 

The overarching goals and desired outcomes for the MEE program are: Provide support to Military Service Youth Programs (CYP) staff and DoD CYP staff in delivering and promoting positive youth development programs and activities;  Coordinate the establishment, sustainment, and expansion of opportunities for military-connected children, youth, and teens in 4-H and across the Cooperative Extension System; and  Identify opportunities and needs for military-connected youth, on and off installation, through information gathering and knowledge sharing. 

Research Category
Funding Type
Internal Deadline
External Deadline
09/05/2023

DOD W911NF-23-S-0015: 2023 Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI) Research and Education Program

Limit: 3  // PIs: 
O. Zhupanska (Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering)
E. Butcher (Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering)
H. Fasel (Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering)

 

 

For more information about this funding program, please contact:


UArizona may submit three (3) applications.

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), in the Department of Defense (DOD), released a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for the fiscal year (FY) 2024 DOD Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI).  As you know, this effort is DOD’s premiere program in providing support to advance basic research at HBCUs and MIs.  In particular, this FOA seeks to:

  • Improve the programs and capabilities of HBCUs/MIs in science and engineering disciplines relevant to DOD;
  • Increase the participation of HBCUs and MIs in flagship DOD research programs by furthering HBCU/MI capacity; and
  • Increase the number of underrepresented minority graduates in STEM fields relevant to the Department.

 

Principal Investigators (PIs) should consider novel approaches for proposed projects, with a focus on enhancing the capabilities of their institutions to develop stronger STEM programs to better HBCU/MI participation in competitive defense research programs.  The ultimate goal of the program is to promote STEM research to underrepresented students and encourage them to pursue STEM careers in disciplines of importance to DOD.  Proposed research should align with the areas of interests that have been identified by each of the branches, which can be found in previous broad agency announcements (BAAs) from the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR).  More information on each of these BAAs can be found in the full solicitation.  

 

DOD anticipates awarding a total of $50 million, up to $1 million per grant, for a performance period of 48 months. 

DoD W911NF-23-S-0014 : 2023 Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI) - Equipment/Instrumentation

Limit: 3  // PIs selected: 
Shafae & Satam (Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing)
H.Rastgoftar (Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering)
Y. Vitaliy (Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering) 

 




Number of applications allowed per institution: 3

The Department of Defense (DoD) is soliciting applications for the acquisition of equipment/instrumentation under the Fiscal Year 2024 Research and Education Program for HBCU/MI. The Research and Education Program is designed to enhance the research capabilities of HBCUs and MIs and to strengthen their STEM education programs. The purpose of funding under this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to (1) support the acquisition of equipment/instrumentation to augment existing capabilities or to develop new capabilities in research areas of interest to DoD, and (2) attract students to pursue studies leading to STEM careers. Although funding provided under this FOA cannot be used for student support, in order to further DoD’s objective of attracting students to pursue studies leading to STEM careers, applicants must address the impact of the requested equipment/instrumentation on student participation in research. 

DoD W911NF-19-S-0013: 2023 DoD HBCU/MI Centers of Excellence (COE)

No applicants // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1 



The CCDC ARL invites applications/proposals from covered educational institutions for research and education programs that will meet the following objectives:

a. Enhance research and engineering capabilities in areas important to national defense;
b. Increase the number of graduates in STEM disciplines; and
c. Encourage research and education collaborations with other institutions of higher education and with defense organizations.

Support for research, development, testing, evaluation, or educational enhancements will be through the competitive awarding of grants or cooperative agreements.


The Department of Defense, through the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E) Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI) Program will establish four new Centers of Excellence (COE) in critical technology areas.  

COE critical technology focus areas ( UofA may submit under one of these topics):

 


Funding and Performance Period: $2 million per year, over 5 years
DoD will host a webinar to overview the RFPs and to address any questions that arise


Please find the registration link for the webinar below. Please also note the date/time for the webinar is 12 April 2023 at 1:30 pm ET.

Webinar Registration - Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dVnGm8cHTCCpc2E03aIPHg

 

EONS 2021: MUREP Aerospace High-Volume Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management Cooperative Agreement

No applicants // Limit:2 // Tickets Available: 2 

 

UArizona may submit two proposals as the lead institution.

The Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) in NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM), in collaboration with the NASA Aeronautics Research Institute (NARI) of the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) calls for eligible U.S. Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) to lead post-secondary education teams that will collaborate with other domestic entities including small businesses, to respond to gaps in the U.S. aerospace high-volume manufacturing supply chain ecosystem. The goal: Develop a significant scientific, engineering, and/or technology manufacturing and supply chain network led by MSIs that aligns with aerospace NASA and/or industry (public or private) high-volume manufacturing and supply chain ecosystem needs for national competitiveness.

No applicants.

DOD Air Force Office of Strategic Research

AFOSR continues to expand the horizon of scientific knowledge through its leadership and management of the Air Force's basic research program. As a vital component of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), AFOSR's mission is to support Air Force goals of control and maximum utilization of air, space, and cyberspace.
Source Type
Federal