NSF - Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC)

NSF - Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF) Program: Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) Estimated Award Amount: About $12,000,000 over 6 years JHU Nomination Limit: 1 For more detailed information: NSF MRSEC

Deadlines: JHU Internal Deadline: February 26, 2016 Sponsor Deadline: August 2016 (expected)

The next NSF call for Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) proposals is anticipated in April 2016. A description of the MRSEC program can be found here: http://www.mrsec.org/mrsecprogram-overview. An MRSEC consists of two or more Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs), each of which involves several faculty members addressing a major topic in materials research. MRSECs also include educational activities, collaboration with industry, and support for shared experimental facilities. Because MRSECs are prestigious, competition for them is fierce—in the most recent round there were twelve awards, only one of which was to a new center. For a Hopkins proposal to be successful it is essential that we have a timely and rigorous internal review process to aid in selection of our IRGs. If you are interested in attending an informational meeting on the MRSEC opportunity, please contact Brittany McMahon at [email protected] by January 19.

Procedure White papers describing proposed IRGs are due on February 26, 2016. The white papers will be evaluated by an internal committee (selected by the Vice Provost of Research in consultation with the WSE and KSAS Deans) to narrow the field to a maximum of five proposals deemed to be the most competitive. In mid March 2016 the IRGs will present their proposals to an external review committee. The IRGs will have an opportunity to refine their white papers based on comments from the external reviewers, with final versions due early April 2016. A final decision on which IRGs to include in the Hopkins proposal to NSF, along with the appointment of a center director, will be made by mid-April. We anticipate that the NSF call for pre-proposals will be issued in April with a due date for preproposals in August.

White Paper The most important aspect of the white papers is to provide a compelling description of a potential IRG that maximizes the chances of a successful MRSEC proposal according to the IRG review criteria (see below). To do this, each white paper should identify an important area of materials which requires sustained effort from a carefully-selected group of researchers with complementary talents and expertise. The white paper should provide sufficient background on the chosen area to allow a reviewer fluent in materials research (but not necessarily in the particular IRG topic) to assess its importance and likely impact. The white paper should identify each of the members of the IRG, which should comprise a truly worldclass group of researchers. The anticipated contributions of each member should be described, as well as how the combined efforts of the individuals will enable progress in the chosen area of research over and above what would be possible for them working alone or in smaller teams. Possible areas of industrial collaboration and educational or outreach activities should also be mentioned. No specific format for the white papers is prescribed, but they are limited to three pages, plus an additional one-page NSF-style biosketch for each faculty member or senior researcher.

NSF IRG review criteria 

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A well-integrated, interdisciplinary research program distinguished by intellectual excellence and driven by a clear vision for each interdisciplinary research group leading to fundamental advances, new discoveries, and/or technological developments that could have national and international significance. Capability of the investigators, technical soundness of the proposed approach, and adequacy of the resources available or proposed, including instrumentation and facilities. Clear benefits of a multi-investigator, interdisciplinary approach to address a major topic or area normally supported by the Division of Materials Research for each IRG; cooperation and interdependence of the investigators within the IRG.

Submission Interested applicants should send the white paper and biosketches in one PDF to [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. on February 26, 2016. Each applicant should expect to receive a confirmation of receipt of their materials. If an applicant does not receive an acknowledgement, or has any questions regarding the submission and evaluation process, please contact Brittany McMahon via [email protected] or 443-997-1911.