U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Faculty Development Grant

This program provides funding to support nuclear science, engineering, 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. This announcement is for faculty development grants. The objectives of the Faculty Development Program are to attract and retain highly-qualified individuals in academic teaching careers. The grants specifically target probationary, tenure-track faculty during the first 6 years of their career and new faculty hires in the following academic areas: Nuclear Engineering, Health Physics, Radiochemistry, Probability Risk Assessment (Levels 2 & 3) and related disciplines. Grants may include support for developing applications for research and amounts for initiating or continuing research projects in their areas of expertise. Other areas might include course development, equipment, stipends, participation in professional society meetings, and preparation of papers, travel, and associated expenses. The NRC may increase funds to the extent that a portion of the award is matched by the institution. The program provides support to enable newer faculty to enhance their careers as professors and researchers in the university department where employed. The research supported by this announcement is intended to benefit the nuclear sector broadly.


Amount: $450,000


Date due: October 5, 2012


For more information, click here.

Advancing Informal STEM Learning (NSF)

The Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) solicitation invites investigators to propose ideas, concepts, models,and other opportunities for learning and learning environments that will capture the creative and innovative potential of informal STEM learning for the future, and potentially forge new connections across all STEM learning communities.  


Leveraging new and emerging technologies, STEM learning can now be located and situated wherever the learner is and customized to meet the learner's educational needs. New interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships for informal
learning among academia, industry, and government can greatly advance our nation's goals to produce a scientifically and technologically literate population and workforce.


Amount: Varies


Date due: January 14, 2013


For more information, click here.

Transforming Undergraduate Education in STEM (NSF)

The Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (TUES) program seeks to improve the quality of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for all undergraduate students. This solicitation especially encourages projects that have the potential to transform undergraduate STEM education, for example, by bringing about widespread adoption of classroom practices that embody understanding of how students learn most effectively. Thus transferability and dissemination are critical aspects for projects developing instructional materials and methods and should be considered throughout the project's lifetime.?? More advanced projects should involve efforts to facilitate adaptation at other sites.The program supports efforts to create, adapt, and disseminate new learning materials and teaching strategies to reflect advances both in STEM disciplines and in what is known about teaching and learning.?? It funds projects that develop faculty expertise, implement educational innovations, assess learning and evaluate innovations, prepare K-12 teachers, or conduct research on STEM teaching and learning. It also supports projects that further the work of the program itself, for example, synthesis and dissemination of findings across the program. The program supports projects representing different stages of development, ranging from small, exploratory investigations to large, comprehensive projects. 

Amount: Varies

Date due: January 15, 2013

For more information, click here.

Community Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship

Wells Fargo and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation have announced Environmental Solutions for Communities, a new grant program to help communities in the United States create a more sustainable future through responsible environmental stewardship.

The program seeks to support projects that link economic development and community well-being to the stewardship and health of the environment. Collectively, investments under this initiative will promote a sustainable future for communities by supporting sustainable agricultural practices and private lands stewardship; conserving critical land and water resources and improving local water quality; restoring and managing natural habitat, species, and ecosystems that are important to community livelihoods; facilitating investments in green infrastructure, renewable energy and energy efficiency; and encouraging broad-based citizen participation in project implementation.

Priority projects include innovative cost-effective programs that enhance stewardship on private agricultural lands to improve water quality and quantity and/or enhance wildlife habitat for species of concern, while maintaining or increasing agricultural productivity; community-based conservation projects that protect and restore local habitats and natural areas, enhance water quality, promote urban forestry, educate and train community leaders on sustainable practices, promote related job creation and training, and engage diverse partners and volunteers; demonstration projects that showcase innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approaches to the improvement of environmental conditions within urban communities by greening traditional infrastructure and public projects such as storm water management and flood control, public park enhancements, and renovations to public facilities; and projects that increase the resiliency of the nation's coastal communities and ecosystems (including the Great Lakes) by restoring coastal habitats, living resources, and water quality in ways that enhance livelihoods and the quality of life in these communities.

Amount: $250,000

Date due: July 2, 2012

For more information, click here.

U.S. -- Australia Virtual Environmental Partnership

The Youth Programs Division, Office of Citizen Exchanges, of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announces an open competition for the new U.S.-Australia Virtual Environmental Partnership under the Global Connections and Exchange Program. Applicant organizations will identify their own partner organization in Australia. Bi-national teams will work together on joint projects to investigate and develop solutions to local, regional, or global environmental water resource issues by using online tools, videoconferencing, virtual workshops, and other advanced methods of communication. Through this exchange, participants will achieve competency in the chosen topic, expand their vision of the world, and gain perspectives that will help them succeed in the international arena. 

Amount: $100,000

Date due: June 4, 2012

For more information, click here.

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. This solicitation features two mechanisms for support of student research: (1) REU Sites are based on independent proposals to initiate and conduct projects that engage a number of students in research. REU Sites may be based in a single discipline or academic department, or on interdisciplinary or multi-department research opportunities with a coherent intellectual theme. Proposals with an international dimension are welcome.

Amount: Varies

Date due: June 1, 2012

For more information, click here.

Transforming Undergraduate Education in STEM

The Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (TUES) program seeks to improve the quality of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for all undergraduate students. This solicitation especially encourages projects that have the potential to transform undergraduate STEM education, for example, by bringing about widespread adoption of classroom practices that embody understanding of how students learn most effectively. Thus transferability and dissemination are critical aspects for projects developing instructional materials and methods and should be considered throughout the project's lifetime. More advanced projects should involve efforts to facilitate adaptation at other sites. 

The program supports efforts to create, adapt, and disseminate new learning materials and teaching strategies to reflect advances both in STEM disciplines and in what is known about teaching and learning. It funds projects that develop faculty expertise, implement educational innovations, assess learning and evaluate innovations, prepare K-12 teachers, or conduct research on STEM teaching and learning. It also supports projects that further the work of the program itself, for example, synthesis and dissemination of findings across the program. The program supports projects representing different stages of development, ranging from small, exploratory investigations to large, comprehensive projects. 

Amount: Varies

Date due: May 27, 2012

For more information, click here.

Oregon Parks Foundation Grants

The Oregon Parks Foundation Fund, administered by the Oregon Community Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations and public agencies throughout the state that address outdoor recreational issues. Grants are provided to community, district, county, and regional level organizations for the acquisition, preservation, and improvement of land and other property for public parks and recreational areas. Community outdoor recreation and education programs are also supported.

Amount: $1,500 - $5,000

Date due: April 15, 2012

For more information, click here.

Motorola Solutions Innovation Generation (STEM)

The Motorola Solutions Foundation's Innovation Generation program is designed to inspire students to learn about science and generate interest in science-related careers.

Innovation Generation funding equips students with the skills essential to both their lives today and their future success. By making the complex concepts behind math and science real and relevant, students look at their world differently through strengthened problem-solving skills. The Motorola Solutions Foundation accomplishes this through grant-making, engaging employee volunteers, building networks among science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) leaders and conducting research.

Amount: $60,000 (local); $250,000 (national)

Date due: March 23, 2012

For more information, click here.

2012 Conservation Innovation Grant Funding Opportunity

The purpose of Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, while leveraging the Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches into NRCS policy, technical manuals, guides, and references, or to the private sector. CIG does not fund research projects. Projects intended to test hypotheses do not qualify for a CIG grant. CIG is used to apply or demonstrate previously proven technology. It is a vehicle to stimulate development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies thathave been studied sufficiently to indicate a high likelihood of success, and that are a candidate for eventual technology transfer or institutionalization. CIG promotes sharing of skills,knowledge, technologies, and facilities among communities, governments, and other institutions to ensure that scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of users. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. A two-phase evaluation process will be utilized for applications submitted under this notice. The first phase requires the applicant to submit a pre-proposal.

Amount: $1,000,000

Date due: January 31, 2012

For more information, click here.