Environmental Sciences

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

TERA will recognize and promote excellence in teaching in the food and agricultural sciences within colleges and universities; teaching is defined to include all aspects of developing human capital in order to help meet current and future national food, agricultural, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH) workplace needs. Examples of relevant activities under this project type include (but are not limited to) the following: formal classroom instruction; laboratory instruction; and practicum experience such as faculty development, student recruitment and services, curriculum development, and innovative teaching methodologies. It also includes activities that directly or indirectly contribute to student learning such as research, extension/outreach, and organizational arrangements needed for the proper functioning of the educational institution.

This program addresses the national priority of developing competent human capital for employment in the food, agriculture, natural resources, and human (FANH) sciences.  NIFA, subject to the availability of funds, will administer this TERA project. This cooperative agreement program also addresses the national priority of developing competent human capital for employment in the food, agriculture, natural resources, and human (FANH) sciences. USDA is designated as the lead federal agency that supports higher education in the FANH sciences. In this context, NIFA has a specific responsibility to initiate and support projects that strengthen higher education teaching programs in these areas.

Program Goals include:

• Annually recognize and honor a select group of college and university teachers who excel at teaching, research and extension.

• Help disseminate best practices in teaching through workshops, conferences, blogs, social media and other appropriate activities; and

• Increase the number and diversity of academic programs participating in TERA.

H-J. Kim (Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics) - Topic 7: Decarbonizing Cement and Concrete.
 

UArizona may submit one proposal to this funding program.

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy announced a $156 million funding opportunity that will advance high impact applied research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) projects to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the U.S. industrial sector. The FOA, led by EERE’s Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO), will drive innovation to develop the next-generation technologies required to decarbonize industry, revitalize American manufacturing, create good-paying jobs, and improve community health.

Decarbonizing the industrial sector is critical to achieving the nation’s climate goals, as it is currently responsible for approximately one third of domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. DOE is building an innovation pipeline to accelerate the development and adoption of industrial decarbonization technologies with investments spanning foundational science; research, development, deployment, and demonstrations (RDD&D); and technical assistance and workforce development. 

IEDO’s efforts in this area are part of DOE’s new Technologies for Industrial Emissions Reduction Development (TIEReD) Program which leverages resources across different technology offices to invest in fundamental science, research, development, and initial pilot-scale demonstrations projects. 

1. F. Duka ( Gastrointestinal Microbiology)
2. One slot is still available.

The Equipment Grants Program (EGP) serves to increase access to shared-use special purpose equipment/instruments for fundamental and applied research for use in the food and agricultural sciences programs at institutions of higher education, including State Cooperative Extension Systems. The program seeks to strengthen the quality and expand the scope of fundamental and applied research at eligible institutions, by providing them with opportunities to acquire one shared-use piece of equipment/instrument that supports their research, research training, and extension goals and may be too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NIFA grant programs. EGP grants are not intended to replace requests for equipment in individual project applications. The program emphasizes shared-use instrumentation that will enhance the capabilities of researchers, educators, and extension specialists both within and outside the proposing organization.

Proposals to the EGP must involve acquisition of a single, well-integrated piece of equipment/instrument. Well-integrated means that the ensemble of equipment that defines the instrument enables specific fundamental or applied research experiments in the food and agricultural sciences, including data science and data systems; separating or removing an element or component of such an integrated instrument would preclude that research from occurring or succeeding. An instrument acquired with support from EGP is expected to be fully operational by the conclusion of the first year of the project. 

M. Chamberland (Maricopa County Cooperative Extension)

The Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust supports education and research in ornamental horticulture through grants to botanical gardens, arboreta, universities, and other charitable organizations strongly-aligned with its funding interests.

Research 
The advancement of research in ornamental horticulture and the publication of the results of such research. Examples include:

• trial/evaluation gardens for horticultural potential of selected plants in a region
• discerning appropriate cultural techniques and best horticultural practices for a specific group of plants
• laboratory freezer for DNA samples

Public gardens
Assisting in the creation, development, preservation, and maintenance of gardens accessible to the public for educational purposes. Examples include:

• new or revised home demonstration gardens or beds
• resurfacing garden trails for all-weather accessibility or ADA compliance
• damage remediation following a natural disaster

Ornamental Plants
Promotion of the environmentally responsible introduction, cultivation, and distribution of plants which have ornamental horticultural value. Examples include:

• testing potential new ornamentals for invasiveness
• promotion and demonstration of the use of local native ornamentals in local or home landscaping
• collections management software for ornamentals

Publications
Assisting in the publication of books or other works relating to ornamental horticulture. Examples include:

• guide to appropriate ornamentals for local and regional landscaping
• guide to best practices for controlling diseases and pests in ornamentals
• online publication of horticultural inventory for public access

Education

Informal and/or formal educational activities that further ornamental horticulture. Examples include:

• classes and workshops on developing and maintaining home gardens
• garden signage that notes cultural requirements, water- or fire-wise properties, or aesthetic attributes of plants
• horticultural internships
• construction or remodeling of educational facilities

No Applicants // Limit: 1 // Tickets Available: 1 


UArizona may submit one proposal as the lead organization of a collaborative project on only one submission per cycle, regardless of track, but may serve as the non-lead organization of a collaborative project more than once per cycle.

The Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) supports the Pathways into the Geosciences - Earth, Ocean, Polar and Atmospheric Sciences (GEOPAths) funding opportunity. GEOPAths invites proposals that specifically address the current needs and opportunities related to education, learning, training and professional development within the geosciences community through the formation of STEM Learning Ecosystems that engage students in the study of the Earth, its oceans, polar regions and atmosphere. The primary goal of the GEOPAths funding opportunity is to increase the number of students pursuing undergraduate and/or postgraduate degrees through the design and testing of novel approaches that engage students in authentic, career-relevant experiences in geoscience. In order to broaden participation in the geosciences, engaging students from historically excluded groups or from non-geoscience degree programs is a priority. This solicitation features three funding tracks that focus on Geoscience Learning Ecosystems (GLEs):

1. GEOPAths: Informal Networks (IN). Collaborative projects in this track will support geoscience learning and experiences in informal settings for teachers, pre-college (e.g., upper level high school) students, and early undergraduates in the geosciences.
2. GEOPAths: Undergraduate Preparation (UP). Projects in this track will engage pre-college and undergraduate students in extra-curricular experiences and training in the geosciences with a focus on service learning and workplace skill building.
3. GEOPAths: Graduate Opportunities (GO). Projects in this track will improve research and career-related pathways into the geosciences for undergraduate and graduate students through institutional collaborations with a focus on service learning and workplace skill building.

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


UArizona may submit no more than two (2) applications in response to this announcement.

The program provides funding to support research and development (R&D) for nuclear science, engineering, technology, and related disciplines to develop a workforce capable of supporting the design, construction, operation, and regulation of nuclear facilities and the safe handling of nuclear materials. University R&D activities provide an opportunity to complement current, ongoing NRC-led research.

More specifically, the program shall be used to provide financial assistance for R&D projects relevant to the programmatic mission of the NRC referenced above, with an emphasis on providing financial assistance with respect to research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of new and advanced nuclear technologies. New this year, non-technical research will be considered under this announcement (for example, projects that would foster the development of innovative community engagement strategies, including incorporation of principles of equity and environmental justice).

The estimated budget for this program is $6,000,000.00 for a project period of three years. 

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Application of wireless communications, drones, robotics, and autonomous control in operations and maintenance activities;

• Digital engineering/analytics, advanced sensors, and digital instrumentation/controls at nuclear facilities;

• Evaluation of technical gaps and major uncertainties in assessing risk for operating, new and advanced reactors (e.g., modeling of complex dependencies, advanced calculation techniques, multi-unit and multi-moule risk, application of risk techniques to radiological consequence analysis, development of improved risk metrics);

• Human and organizational factors and human reliability analysis for advanced nuclear applications, (e.g., improved models for dependency, consideration of organizational factors, dynamic methods, and risk analysis).

• Characterization of fire hazards in new reactor designs (e.g., sodium) and post-fire safe shutdown capability;

• Characterization of natural hazards including but not limited to flooding, high winds, hurricanes, wildfires, climate change;

• Analysis models and methods for fuel and cladding performance;

• Advanced technology approaches (e.g., data and text analytics, data visualization techniques, and artificial intelligence) and applications (e.g., data mining, autonomous control) in nuclear power-related applications; Evaluation of the radiological releases and offsite consequences for fusion reactor accidents;

• Application of innovative and advanced technologies for decommissioning and remediation of radiologically contaminated sites;

• Evaluation of the technical gaps and uncertainties in licensing new veterinary and medical uses of byproduct materials;

• Analytical approaches that combine probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) risk quantification methods with reactor systems sensitivity or uncertainty analysis methods to quantify the risk significance of safety analysis errors or uncertainties; Performance-based technology-neutral safety assurance;

• Evaluation of technical gaps and major uncertainties in assessing risk for decommissioning and waste management; and

• Comparative analysis, consistencies, and harmonization in application of dosimetry and dose coefficients

D.Diaz (Animal&Biomedical Sciences-Res)

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor(DRL) announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications for projects that address the impact of climate change and environmental degradation on democracy and human rights in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

DRL seeks regional projects in the Middle East and North Africa that articulate the linkages between human rights and good governance with climate and the environment, and that prepare citizens to play a key role in mitigating the effects of climate change and environmental degradation. Responsive projects should be designed to achieve outcomes that may include:

• Civil society organizations (CSOs) and natural resource defenders (NRDs) meaningfully and safely contribute to national, regional, and global environmental policy development and reforms.
• Reform efforts that address environment and the challenges of climate change insecurity and include efforts to address governance, corruption, post-conflict recovery, and a just and equitable transition to a clean economy.
• Ensure the public has access to transparent and credible information on climate issues, including by supporting responsible media reporting, the role of independent media in climate coverage, and access to public records on environmental degradation and climate change.
• NRDs and CSOs are better able to safely coordinate and cooperate in their local, national, and regional-level advocacy for preserving natural resources and tackling climate change.

A.Linares-Gaffer (Nutritional Sciences) 

The purpose of the Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP), Assistance Listing 10.220, is to provide scholarships to support recruiting, engaging, retaining, mentoring, and training committed multicultural scholars, resulting in either baccalaureate degrees within the food and agricultural science disciplines or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degrees. The goals and objectives of the scholarships are to encourage outstanding students from groups that are historically underrepresented and underserved to pursue and complete baccalaureate degrees in food and agricultural sciences, or achieve a D.V.M., that would lead to a diverse and highly skilled work force. This may or may not include the teaching and preservation of traditional ecological knowledge.

Limit: 4*  // PIs selected: 

Track 1:

• J. Pyun (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
• D. Sand  (Astronomy)

Track 2:

• J. Schaibley ( Physics)
   

Track 3:

• J. Dai (Chemistry and Biochemistry)

*Number of proposals allowed per organization: Four.

• No more than two submissions in Track 1 (Track 1 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,000 and less than $1,400,000).
• No more than one submission in Track 2 (Track 2 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $1,400,000 up to and including $4,000,000). 
• Track 3: Track 3 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,0001 and less than or equal to $4,000,000 that include the purchase, installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and instrumentation to conserve or reduce the consumption of helium. Institutions may submit no more than one Track 3 proposal. Submission of a Track 3 proposal does not impact limits that apply for Track 1 and Track 2 proposals.

The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program (MRI Program Website) serves to increase access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and research training in our Nation's institutions of higher education and not-for-profit scientific/engineering research organizations. An MRI award supports the acquisition of a multi-user research instrument that is commercially available through direct purchase from a vendor, or for the personnel costs and equipment that are required for the development of an instrument with new capabilities, thereby advancing instrumentation capabilities and enhancing expertise for instrument design and fabrication at academic institutions. MRI instruments are, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs.

MRI provides support to acquire critical research instrumentation without which advances in fundamental science and engineering research may not otherwise occur. MRI also provides support to obtain next-generation research instruments by developing instruments with new capabilities that open new opportunities to advance the frontiers in science and engineering research. Additionally, an MRI award is expected to enhance research training of students who will become the next generation of instrument users, designers and builders.

An MRI proposal may request from NSF up to $4 million for either acquisition or development of a research instrument. Each performing organization may submit in revised "Tracks" as defined below, with no more than two (2) submissions in Track 1 and no more than one (1) submission in Track 2. For the newly defined Track 3, no more than one (1) submission per competition is permitted.  As a result, it is now possible for an institution to submit up to four MRI proposals within the Track limits as described above.

• Track 1: Track 1 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than $100,000[1] and less than $1,400,000.
• Track 2: Track 2 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $1,400,000 up to and including $4,000,000.
• Track 3: Track 3 MRI proposals are those that request funds from NSF greater than or equal to $100,000[1] and less than or equal to $4,000,000 that include the purchase, installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and instrumentation to conserve or reduce the consumption of helium. Track 3 is an institutionally coordinated submission and won't be part of the internal competition.
  
  
  Institutions may submit no more than one Track 3 proposal. Submission of a Track 3 proposal does not impact limits that apply for Track 1 and Track 2 proposals.

Cost sharing requirements for new awards in the MRI Program are waived for a period of 5 years beginning with the FY 2023 MRI competition. Institutional submission limits for Track 1, Track 2 and Track 3 proposals remain.

The MRI Program especially seeks broad representation of groups, institutions, and geographic regions that are underrepresented in STEM disciplines. Proposals from women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities and early-career PIs are encouraged, as are proposals that benefit early-career researchers and proposals with PIs from geographically underserved regions, including EPSCoR jurisdictions. Additionally, proposals are encouraged from under-resourced institutions, including from emerging research institutions, where MRI can significantly build capacity for research

A. Mostafa (Maricopa County Cooperative Extension)

The purpose of Equity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreements is to leverage NRCS and partner resources by developing community-led conservation projectsso that historically underserved producers and underserved communities will be able to access NRCS programs and services and learn of potential career opportunities in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences. Through this NFO, eligible applicants may propose projects that engage historically underserved producers and underserved communities equitably and offer access to opportunities through outreach activities that: 

• promote NRCS programs through education or demonstration of conservation practices;
• develop community conservation partnerships that encourage historically underserved producers to plan and protect farmland ecosystems, watersheds, and wildlife habitat in geographical areas of underserved communities;
• inform small-scale or urban agriculture producers about participation in conservation programs; and
• support education on, planning for, and adoption of conservation practicesthat are climate smart.

Applicants are encouraged to showcase the local environmental and economic value of adopting conservation measures through various methods, such as training and demonstrations. Eligible applicants should consider outreach that is mutually beneficial to both the communities and NRCS,such as partnershipsthat incorporate local needs and prioritize conservation investments. Such outreach should increase awareness of NRCS programs, services, and career opportunities in agriculture and natural resources conservation within historically underserved producers and underserved communities.