Mathematics, Computational, & Data Sciences

D. Sand (Astronomy)
J. Su  ( Optical Sciences)

The University of Arizona may submit up to two nominations.

the Polymaths Program intends to make long-term bets on professors who have recently achieved tenure or an equivalent status with remarkable track records, promising futures, and a desire to explore interdisciplinary research. Each Polymath is awarded $500,000 per year for up to five years, paid through their institution. These funds are intended to make possible the exploration of new ideas across disciplines, using emerging technologies and insights to test bold hypotheses that may not otherwise receive funding or support. To find out more about the program and our current Polymaths, please visit our website.

We ask that you only nominate exceptional candidates who satisfy the following criteria:

1. Have achieved tenure or an equivalent status within the past three calendar years (2020 or later),
2. Have a remarkable record of accomplishment in area(s) of science and engineering,
3. Have a demonstrated history of pursuing and publishing results in more than one field,
4. Demonstrate a need for additional funding to enable new experiments, explorations, or shifts in research directions.

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

UArizona may submit one proposal to this funding program. 

The national cyberinfrastructure (CI) ecosystem is essential to computational- and data-intensive research across all science and engineering (S&E) domains. The CI ecosystem is highly dynamic, driven by rapid advances in a wide range of technologies, increasing volumes of highly heterogeneous data, and escalating demands for CI resources and services by the research community. Innovations in CI are consequently key catalysts for new modes of discovery and play a critical role in ensuring U.S. leadership in science, engineering, economic competitiveness, and national security, consistent with NSF's mission. It is thus imperative that CI innovations become available, in a coordinated and sustainable manner, as part of the NSF-funded advanced CI ecosystem.

The Advanced Cyberinfrastructure Coordination Ecosystem of Support and Services (ACCESS) program provides an array of national-scale CI services to the S&E research community, including integrated coordination of users’ requests for computational and data resources; integration of resource providers’ systems; deployment of technical support; monitoring of system usage; user training; and communication and outreach to the CI and research communities. The ACCESS program is envisioned to include a process to enable breakthrough CI innovations of recognized value to researchers to be translated into production-quality sustained services that are deployed and made available to the user community from applicable NSF-funded resource providers. Such a process would also include methods to prioritize which innovations to translate to production services and to identify when these services should be taken out of service or replaced.  

This CITAP solicitation is focused on the translation of innovative research CI software – such as system software, libraries, application codes, and software enabling data services. NSF seeks proposals that aim to design, test, and subsequently operate a pathway service within the ACCESS program that manages and accelerates the translation of promising research CI software to production-quality services across the NSF advanced CI ecosystem in support of the NSF S&E research community. CITAP proposals are expected to create a new workflow process (represented notionally in Figure 1 below) within the ACCESS program that: (1) identifies novel CI software from diverse sources in a strongly community-informed way; (2) establishes an open and merit-based process for selecting and prioritizing/sequencing which of the identified innovations are of highest and most immediate value to users of the advanced CI ecosystem and can be feasibly translated to production level and made available for use by researchers using ACCESS resources; and (3) establishes an operational process that translates innovations into production services, including creation of partnerships where necessary to address each of the technical challenges and intellectual property (IP) considerations faced when integrating novel CI software within the advanced CI ecosystem.

Examples of translation challenges include (but are not limited to): awareness by potential users who could benefit from the technology; systems engineering and software deployment; an initial launch period of collaborative maintenance; anticipation of user support that will be necessary; engagement of people or possibly organizations needed to sustain and upgrade the software/service in response to changes in technology and/or feedback from users and communities served; and determination of when the relative use or value of the software has decreased to an extent that decommissioning is warranted. The pathway must also be designed to evolve as the types of systems and services that are part of the NSF-funded production advanced CI ecosystem evolve and expand.

M. Fox (Center of Excellence in Data for Society).

UofA may submit one proposal as the lead organization. 

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is looking for an organization that can help develop, launch, and run a “Builder Platform” to support its NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) awardees, a signature initiative of NSF’s Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) directorate. The goal of the NSF Engines program is to spur the development of inclusive and diverse innovation ecosystems across the country, with an intentional focus on regions that have not fully participated in the tech boom of past decades. The NSF Engines Builder Platform and accompanying team will be responsible for providing the tailored support structures, networks, and services needed by and vital to the growth of individual NSF Engines. The NSF Engines Builder Platform has been planned as a human-centered portfolio of support structures that empower awardees with the tools, skills, networks, and capital needed to thrive

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

UArizona may only submit one proposal as the lead organization

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), its grantees, and partners have demonstrated the impact of using data to communicate and increase understanding of how the conditions of place impact community health. Structural racism produces a complex set of barriers (often invisible) that undermines opportunities for health and wellbeing for many communities. Yet researchers and data producers—especially those with vital comprehensive, nationwide data that include findings at smaller state and local levels—often struggle to communicate their findings in ways that resonate for policymakers, community partners, and others who are best positioned to make decisions informed by this information. Data visualization, or tools that make it easy to visualize complex measures, can be a powerful means to communicate data showing structural racism’s impact on communities and to contextualize the legacy of racism.

This Call for Proposals will fund up to eight interdisciplinary teams that each consist of researchers/data producers, data scientists, communications experts, designers, and national social change networks/alliances or national-level social change organizations. Funding will support the creation of data visualizations as tools to provide an understanding of structural racism’s impact on place, health, and wellbeing.

Because organizations in individual sectors may find it difficult on their own to communicate an effective understanding of the impact of structural racism to diverse audiences (e.g., policymakers, advocates, funders and investors, or the media), collaboration is needed across organizations and/or disciplines such as academia, design, media, policy, public health, and social services. Together, these sectors can combine their relevant expertise to design new ways to understand and communicate the impacts of structural racism.

The sponsor has confirmed that the  Women in STEM2D Scholars Program is under review; therefore, the solicitation won't be open during 2023. 

• K. Renner (Orthopaedic Surgery) - Engineering discipline
• K. Rodriguez (Veterinary Medicine) - Science discipline
• A. Ryan (Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics) -  Technology discipline

Math, Manufacturing & Design disciplines are still available. 

UArizona may submit a limit of 6 proposals, one per award category: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Manufacturing & Design. 

When the 2023 solicitation and guidelines are posted by the sponsor, the internal competition will be updated. 

The Johnson & Johnson Scholars Award Program aims to fuel development of female STEM2D leaders and feed the STEM2D talent pipeline by awarding and sponsoring women at critical points in their careers, in each of the STEM2D disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Manufacturing and Design. The awards will fund one woman per STEM2D discipline who has completed her advanced degree, who is working as an assistant professor (or global equivalent faculty position) and who is not yet tenured at an accredited university, institution or design school. The goal is to fuel the research passion of the awarded women and inspire career paths in their respective STEM2D fields. Johnson & Johnson is looking to identify global women leading in both their research fields and leading as mentors, to be a vision for girls and other women in STEM2D.

The Scholars Award is a three-year award in the gross amount of $150,000, which will be paid to the University (the “Recipient”) for the benefit of the Johnson & Johnson Scholar and her research, with the understanding that the Recipient will administer the funds. The Scholars Award will be paid in three (3) installments of U.S. $50,000 per year of the three-year scholarship period, payable in 2023, subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of the program’s Agreement. Winners achievements will also be showcased at a symposium.

Judges will use the following criteria to evaluate the applications:

• Scientific/technical expertise exhibited
• Novelty/innovation of the research
• Potential impact of the research
• Feasibility of the research

You must be a woman working in the field(s) of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing and Design (STEM2D).

You must be an early to mid-career women working within a STEM2D university department at the time of application at an accredited academic university, institution or design school. Examples include a non-tenured assistant professor, assistant professor or associate professor.

The female scholar should have a minimum degree for the appropriate field:

• Science; M.D., Ph.D.
• Technology; Ph.D.
• Engineering; Ph.D.
• Math; M.S., Ph.D.
• Manufacturing; Ph.D.
• Design; M.A., M.S., MDes, MArch, MFA, MLA, Ph.D.

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

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

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is an independent agency, established by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, tasked with licensing, and regulating the Nation’s civilian use of byproduct, source, and special nuclear material to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety, to promote the common defense and security, and to protect the environment.

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, nontechnical 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).

K. Skorupski (Nutritional Sciences and Wellness)

NIFA requests applications for the Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship (NNF) Grants Program for one funding cycle, Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, to provide traineeship programs to eligible institutions for meeting the national need to develop scientific and professional expertise in the food and agricultural sciences. The amount available for grants in FY 2023 is approximately $3,100,000.

The purpose of the Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship (NNF) Grants Program, Assistance Listing 10.210, is to provide funding to support graduate student training and completion of master’s and/or doctoral degree programs in identified national need areas within the food and agricultural sciences. The overarching goals and objectives of these graduate fellowships are to encourage outstanding students to pursue and complete graduate degrees in the areas of food and agricultural sciences designated by NIFA as national needs. Awards made by the NNF program are specifically intended to support traineeship programs that engage outstanding students to pursue and complete their degrees in areas where there is a national need for the development of scientific and professional expertise in the food and agricultural sciences. NNF awards invest in graduate training and relevant international experiential learning for diverse individuals who demonstrate their potential to successfully complete graduate degree programs in disciplines relevant to the mission of the USDA. This funding opportunity is open to eligible institutions. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

For this award cycle, NIFA intends to support graduate Fellowship training grants for both master’s and doctoral levels of study only. Post-doctoral Fellowships will not be awarded under this grant announcement.

NIFA is soliciting NNF applications in the following areas:

1. Graduate Fellowships to support the training for and completion of master’s and doctoral degree programs in the food and agricultural sciences; and 

2. Special International Study or Thesis/Dissertation Research Travel Allowances (IRTA) for NEW eligible master’s and doctoral USDA Fellows.

Duplicate or Multiple Submissions – duplicate or multiple submissions are not allowed. NIFA will disqualify both applications if an applicant submits duplicate or multiple submissions. For those new to Federal financial assistance, Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process

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

The DHS S&T Office of University Programs (OUP) is requesting applications from accredited U.S. colleges and universities to lead a consortium of universities for a Center of Excellence for Homeland Security in the Arctic. The Center of Excellence (COE) for Homeland Security in the Arctic will conduct research and education to support homeland security mission goals in the Arctic, including those described in the 2022 National Strategy for the Arctic Region which seeks an Arctic region that is peaceful, stable, prosperous and cooperative; the 2021 DHS Strategic Approach for Arctic Homeland Security, which provides a strategic alignment and vision to protect the homeland and secure prosperity in the region; and the 2019 U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Strategic Outlook, which reaffirms United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) commitment to leadership in the Arctic region.

The U.S. Arctic is dynamic; evolving environmentally, operationally, and strategically. A challenging landscape and seascape, combined with the sheer vastness of distance from the mainland United States, austere communications, and limited infrastructure, exacerbate the harshness of Arctic operations. This new operating environment will not only require additional maritime security presence but will also necessitate new operational capabilities and additional resources to perform cyber and infrastructure security missions, trade and travel facilitation, and natural disaster response in the near term; and inevitably, additional mission sets. 

For example, as changing conditions such as receding sea ice increase access to waters and land across the region, the homeland security mission in the Arctic is expanding.6 This includes furthering collaborative efforts to strengthen security and resilience with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities; private and non-profit industry; and communities and individuals. This will also involve efforts to ensure the resilience of the Arctic infrastructure necessary for basic and surge operations as well as lifeline functions against a range of natural and man-made threats; the advancement of situational awareness in the Arctic; the ability to respond to and recover from adverse events; identification of best practices, actions, technologies and policies that could prevent or help plan and prepare for adverse events; and fostering collaborative efforts via interagency and international fora to address areas of mutual interest.

The COE for Homeland Security in the Arctic will conduct interdisciplinary basic and applied research, education, and technology transition to inform those efforts and support DHS components having an operational presence in the Arctic, including the USCG, FEMA, CBP, CISA and other HSE entities in coordination with partner agencies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of State (DoS), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Areas of Interest 

Theme Area One: Advance All-Domain Situational Awareness

• Topic 1A. Impacts of Emerging Technology on Operations
• Topic 1B. Technology Suitability and Adaptability for the Operational Environment
• Topic 1C. Trend Analysis of Dynamic Human and Non-Human Systems in a Changing Environment

Theme Area Two: Improve Understanding of Risks and Potential Impacts

• Topic 2A: Foundational Risk Assessment and Analysis for Operations
• Topic 2B: Risk Management for Crisis Response

Theme Area Three: Enable Adaptation for Resilience

• Topic 3A: Operational Adaptation for Security (multiple problem statements)
• Topic 3B: Planning and Analysis for Future Conditions
• Topic 3C: Advanced Technologies and Tools for Remote and Harsh Operating Conditions
• Topic 3D: Building Capacity to Adjust to Future Conditions

Theme Area Four: Expand Collaboration and Cooperation across the Homeland Security Enterprise

• Topic 4A: Training, Education, and Workforce Development
• Topic 4B: Outreach and Engagement
• Topic 4C: Collaboration with Local Communities

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

UArizona may submit only one Concept Paper and one Full Application.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is being issued by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) on behalf of the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO). EERE’s AMMTO collaborates with industry, small businesses, universities, national laboratories, state and local governments, and other stakeholders to advance emerging energyrelated materials and manufacturing technologies to increase domestic competitiveness and build a clean, prosperous economy. This FOA seeks to:

• Strengthen the domestic manufacturing base and associated supply chains, for manufacturing large near net shape (NNS) metallic components through technology development;
• Reduce the U.S. dependence on foreign supply chains to achieve the nation’s clean energy and national strategic goals; and
• Increase U.S. competitiveness, reshore manufacturing, grow the economy, create skilled jobs, and ensure national energy security.

The intent of this FOA topic is to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative manufacturing technologies to increase the competitiveness of the domestic Near Net Shape (NNS) manufacturing base and strengthen the clean energy manufacturing supply chains. The technical and economic viability of the proposed manufacturing technologies will be established by producing a full-scale component as part of the requirements. The component must be relevant to a clean energy manufacturing application with a weight over 10 tons (20,000 lbs.). Project teams are expected to represent multiple segments of the value/supply chain.

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

Multiple Applications: Applicants can submit up to two applications under this RFA so long as each application is separately submitted and is for a different geographic area(s) (e.g., an applicant cannot submit two applications for geographic area 1). 

EPA is issuing this solicitation to request applications for the design and management of a new Environmental Justice (EJ) competitive pass-through program where EPA will competitively select multiple pass-through entities to provide grant funds via subawards to community-based nonprofit organizations and other eligible subrecipient groups representing underserved and disadvantaged communities. The definition of the term Pass-through entity in 2 CFR 200.1 provides that a pass-through entity is a non-Federal entity that provides a subaward to a subrecipient to carry out part of a federal program. The EPA provides extensive guidance to pass-through entities in the EPA Subaward Policy and related materials available on the EPA internet website.

EPA plans to award cooperative agreement(s) to pass-through entities (referred to as Grantmakers by the program) who will collaborate with EPA to design and build their own processes to receive and evaluate competitive community project applications from communities for EJ Thriving Communities Subgrant activities. These activities consist of assessment, planning, and/or project development activities addressing local environmental and/or public health issues. Grantmakers will provide EJ Thriving Communities Subgrants (i.e., subawards) to Eligible Subrecipients.

Consistent with EPA’s mission and Administration priorities, including those set forth in Executive Orders 13985 and 14008, and using funding available for environmental justice, and other potential funding as available and appropriate, EPA is seeking applications from eligible entities as described in Section III to become an Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker. EPA is making available up to approximately $550 million total for the EJ TCGM program. EPA expects to make up to 11 awards for the Grantmakers.

EJ Thriving Communities Subgrants will be available for three distinct phases:

• Phase I = Assessment projects for up to $150,000 for a one-year project period
• Phase II = Planning projects for up to $250,000 for a 1-2 year project period, and
• Phase III = Project Development projects for up to $350,000 for a two-year project period.