Interested in Federal Technology Funding - read on

Full disclosure: Susan Ward is an old colleague of mine from my years at Owens Corning. I thought I'd share some information with all of you interested in Federal technology funding. - thanks Ben

With so many opportunities available for government funding, ITECS is compiling a weekly list of various opportunities for your perusal. More specific information on the announcements can be found simply by following the links that we provided for your convenience. Please note that some of these proposals have extremely tight deadlines.

ITECS helps businesses, universities and non-profits fund, develop, and commercialize technology. We work in tandem with your team to create a proposal that stands out from the competition. To date, we have gotten our clients over $100MM in federal and state research funding with a 70% success rate with industry and a 44% success rate with universities. If you have any questions or would like to speak with me, please feel free to contact Brendan Ward at 404-210-4140.

Army Solicitations

• DoD Defense Medical Research and Development Program Basic Research Award-- This Program Announcement/Funding Opportunity from USAMRAA is focused on basic research, defined as research directed towards attaining greater knowledge and understanding of fundamental principles of science and medicine. The DMRDP Basic Research Award is designed to promote new ideas that are still in the early stages of development and have the potential to yield highly impactful data and new avenues of investigation. This mechanism supports conceptually innovative, high-risk/high-reward research that could ultimately lead to critical discoveries or major advancements that will accelerate the delivery of new medical countermeasures and information to protect military personnel from a variety of health threats inherent in the military operational environment, and to effectively diagnose and treat these personnel when they are ill or injured. These awards will also support basic research to enhance the training and education of military personnel and health care providers. Awards under this announcement will consist solely of assistance agreements. Pre-application Submission Deadline: December 10, 2009. Invitation to Submit Full Proposal: By January 15, 2010. Proposal Submission Deadline: February 17, 2010.

• PEM Fuel Cell Broad Agency Announcement-- U S Army Corps of Engineers --The Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) of the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) will issue a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the execution of research in support of the ERDC-CERL Mission. This BAA will focus on a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Demonstration of PEM Fuel Cells in Federal Facilities. Release is estimated by 13 November 2009. Proposals may be submitted upon issuance of the BAA, for a period of up to one year or until superseded, however, for consideration for award under FY10 funding, proposals must be submitted no later than 30 December 2009 or such other date as specified in the BAA. ERDC intends to award firm fixed-price contracts as a result of this BAA announcement.

DARPA Solicitations

• DARPA is soliciting innovative research proposals in the area of Thermal Management Systems (TMS) for aircraft landing decks. Currently, there are no available strategies to mitigate deck buckling and thermal-mechanical deck failure other than heavy structural modifications. The goal of this effort is to exploit thermal management technologies that incorporate a thermally and functionally stable non-skid surface which meets Navy requirements for application, safety, and performance. Eligible technologies should consist of an integrated Thermal Management System (TMS) that mitigates the thermo-mechanical structural impact of the F-35B engine exhaust plumes. Specifically excluded are efforts that primarily result in evolutionary improvements to the existing technologies or commercially available systems. Last day for question submissions: December 4, 2009. DARPA consolidated Questions and Answers posted: December 14, 2009. Initial Full Proposals are due January 19, 2010.

• Innovative Systems for Military Missions-- The Tactical Technology Office (TTO) of DARPA is soliciting executive summaries, white papers and proposals for advanced research and development of Innovative Systems for Military Missions. Innovative Systems are integrated systems or critical systems components, which often incorporate emerging advanced technologies, and which enable revolutionary improvements to the capability, efficiency and effectiveness of the military. TTO seeks responses relating to three (3) mission thrust areas * Advanced Weapons Systems * Advanced Platforms * Advanced Space Systems. Responses to the thrust areas may be submitted at any time during the open period of this solicitation. TTO's solicitation focuses on the high risk/high payoff development, integration, demonstration and evaluation of innovative systems or critical systems components enabled by, and incorporating, new or emerging technologies. Executive Summary Due Date: August 16, 2010. White Paper Due Date: October 1, 2010. Proposal Due Date: November 16, 2010.

NASA Research Announcements

• Verification and Validation of Flight Critical Systems (VVFCS1) (Recovery Act) ---A NASA goal is to identify and develop tools, methods and technologies for improving overall aircraft safety of new and legacy systems in the NextGen. Research is solicited on new verification and validation (V&V) concepts for advancing safety assurance methods for flight critical systems over their life-cycle to foster innovation within the NextGen air transportation system. The VVFCS project focuses on four research topics: (1) safety cases, (2) integrated distributed systems (2) authority and autonomy, and (4) software intensive systems. Current Closing Date for Applications: Dec 16, 2009

• Aircraft Aging & Durability (AAD) (Recovery Act Funds)--NASA is dedicated to pushing state of the art in durable aircraft structures and systems. A NASA goal is to identify and develop tools, methods and technologies for improving overall aircraft safety of new and legacy systems in the NextGen. Research is solicited on new aging and durability concepts for advancing safety assurance methods for propulsion and airframe systems over their life-cycle to foster innovation within the NextGen air transportation system.

• NextGen-Concepts and Technology Development Project-- The purpose of this NRA solicitation is to invite proposals related to multiple key research subtopics: Trajectory prediction synthesis and uncertainty-----Separation assurance-----Airspace super density operations-----Traffic flow management-----Dynamic airspace configuration-----System-level design analysis and simulation tools. The proposer may address one or more of the above subtopics. However, a separate proposal is required for each subtopic addressed by the proposer.

• Announcement of Opportunity for Solar Probe Plus Investigations-- This AO solicits Principal Investigator (PI)-led instrument science investigations and Observatory Scientist investigations for the Solar Probe Plus (SPP) mission. NASA expects to select sufficient instrument science investigations to address the Solar Probe Plus mission science objectives; NASA expects to select one Observatory Scientist investigation. All proposed investigations must describe a science investigation with goals and objectives that address the Solar Probe Plus mission science objectives. Participation is open to all categories of organizations (U.S. and non-U.S), including educational, industrial, and not-for-profit organizations, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and other Government agencies. This solicitation will be open from December 3, 2009, through March 26, 2010.

NIH Solicitations

• Development of Oral Radionuclide Decorporation Agents for Use in Radionuclide Decorporation in Radiological Emergencies--The purpose of this BAA is to solicit proposals to further advance the development of novel medical countermeasures for the treatment of large affected populations who are acutely exposed to radionuclide contamination as a result of a nuclear detonation, radiological dispersive device (RDD; such as a "dirty bomb"), or other radiological mechanisms, including deliberate contamination. Offerors are invited to submit proposals that request funding to advance the development of lead candidate products that directly address the elimination of a range of radionuclides and physicochemical forms of radionuclides that are relevant to accidental or nonaccidental radioactive contamination and exposure. The goals are to advance the development of novel decorporation agents, conduct translational research and development, and provide additional information and data toward FDA licensure. Because of the needs resulting from a mass casualty situation, the lead candidates that will be supported must be suitable for a mass casualty situation (e.g., orally available) and be able to decorporate radionuclides of interest, such as, but not limited to (listed by increasing atomic number, not priority), Co, Sr, Cs, Ce, Ir, Po, U, Pu, Am, and Cm in physicochemical forms that would be encountered in an actual exposure, and administered by inhalation, ingestion, or transdermal absorption through wounds.

• Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Exploratory/Developmental Projects in Translational Research (R21)--- This FOA requests applications for exploratory/developmental translational research on therapeutics for reducing mortality and morbidity caused by acute exposures to chemical threat agents. Chemical threats include traditional chemical warfare nerve agents such as sarin and VX, toxic industrial chemicals such as cyanide and chlorine, and toxic agricultural chemicals such as parathion and sodium fluoroacetate. Projects supported by this FOA are expected to generate preliminary data that would enable the development of competitive applications for more extensive support from the NIH CounterACT program (see www.ninds.nih.gov/counteract for a description) and other related research and development programs. Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): January 4, 2010, 2011, 2012. Application Due Date(s): February 1, 2010, 2011, 2012.

• NIH Announces the Availability of Recovery Act Funds for Administrative Supplements to Support Core Consolidation--The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announces the opportunity for investigators and United States institutions/organizations with certain active NIH Research Grants that support core facilities to request administrative supplements for the purpose of consolidating multiple cores into a single, more efficient core. Support for these supplements will come from funds provided to NIH through the ARRA of 2009. Approximately $15 million of ARRA funds will be obligated by September 30, 2010 to support requests submitted in response to this notice. Support may be requested for up to 1 year for qualified grants (see eligibility section below). It is expected that this will be a one-time opportunity. Release Date: November 6, 2009. Receipt Date: January 13, 2010.

• NIBIB Quantum Projects: Implementation Phase II (U01)-- This FOA solicits Phase II applications for the Quantum Program at the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. The goal is to achieve a profound (quantum) impact on the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a major disease or national public health problem through the development and implementation of biomedical technologies. This FOA will utilize the U01 Research Project Cooperative Agreement grant mechanism. NIBIB anticipates commitment of up to $8,000,000 in FY2010 for this program, and that one to three awards will be made. Letters of Intent Receipt Date: December 22, 2009. Application Receipt Date: January 22, 2010.

• State and Community Tobacco Control Policy and Media Research (U01)-- This FOA, issued by the NCI, solicits cooperative agreement (U01) applications for research projects to investigate the effectiveness of the State and community tobacco control policy and media interventions. Focal areas include secondhand smoke policies, tax and pricing policies, tobacco industry marketing and promotion, mass media countermeasures, and community and social norms. In addition, this FOA also solicits separate cooperative agreement applications for a Coordinating Center for this program. The Coordinating Center will provide the necessary scientific leadership and administrative framework to facilitate interactive and integrative collaboration and communication among the awardees of individual Research Projects to be funded by this initiative and between the awardees and NCI staff. The NCI expects to commit approximately $12 million in Fiscal Year 2010 to fund approximately four to six Research Project Awards and one Coordinating Center award. Future year amounts will depend on annual appropriations. Letters of Intent Receipt Date: December 22, 2009. Application Receipt Date: January 22, 2010.

• Effectiveness Research on Smoking Cessation in Hospitalized Patients (U01)-- This FOA, issued by NHLBI, NIDA, and NCI of the National Institutes of Health, solicits Cooperative Agreement (U01) applications from institutions/organizations that propose to study the effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions for hospitalized patients. The NHLBI expects to award $13.5 million in total costs over four years to fund approximately three to four awards through this announcement. NIDA and NCI each expect to award $3.8 million in total costs over four years to fund approximately one award each. Together, NHLBI, NIDA, and NCI expect to award $21.1 million over four years to fund five to six awards through this announcement. Letters of Intent Receipt Date: December 18, 2009. Application Due Date: January 19, 2010.

• Development, Application, and Evaluation of Prediction Models for Cancer Risk and Prognosis (R01)-- This Funding FOA, issued by the NCI, encourages research applications from clinicians, epidemiologists, geneticists, statisticians, and translational researchers working in the field of cancer control and prevention to improve existing models for cancer risk and prognosis by developing innovative research projects that use existing data; develop new models for cancer risk and prognosis; and validate new models and evaluate their utility in research and clinic settings. To explore this opportunity, the NCI Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) and the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD) encourage applications for research projects to develop, apply, and evaluate new and existing cancer risk and prognostic prediction models for use by researchers, clinicians, and the general public. This FOA is designed to provide a mechanism of support for investigators to address two major challenges in model development, which are: integrating diverse types of data (e.g., clinical, demographic, pathologic, environmental, epidemiologic, outcomes, and genetic data from varied data marts or warehouses); and ensuring adequate validation (i.e., using multiple separate populations to define sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values). This FOA will utilize the research project (R01) grant mechanism, and runs in parallel with a FOA of identical scientific scope, PA-10-026 that encourages applications under the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant mechanism. Current Closing Date for Applications: Jan 07, 2013

NSF Solicitations

• Power, Controls and Adaptive Networks (PCAN)—this program invests in the design and analysis of intelligent and adaptive engineering networks, including sensing, imaging, controls, and computational technologies for a variety of application domains. The program supports distributed control of multi-agent systems with embedded computation for sensor and adaptive networks. PCAN invests in adaptive dynamic programming, brain-like networked architectures performing real-time learning, neuromorphic engineering, telerobotics, and systems theory. PCAN places emphasis on electric power networks and grids, including generation, transmission and integration of renewable, sustainable and distributed energy systems, such as fuel cells and micro-turbines in large power networks; high power electronics and drives; and understanding of associated regulatory and economic structures. The program also places emphasis on energy scavenging and alternative energy technologies, including solar cells, ocean waves, wind, geothermal, low-head hydro, and the hydrogen economy. In addition, the program supports innovative test beds, and laboratory and curriculum development to integrate research and education. PCAN provides additional emphasis on emerging areas, such as quantum systems engineering, quantum and molecular modeling and simulation of devices and systems, alternate energy sources: generation and integration in the National Grid (InterGrid), and interdependencies of critical infrastructure in power and communications. Areas of interest include: Adaptive Dynamic Programming--Alternate Energy Sources---Embedded, Distributed and Adaptive Control--Neuromorphic Engineering---Power and Energy Systems and Networks---Sensing and Imaging Networks---Telerobotics. Full Proposal Window: January 7, 2010 - February 7, 2010. (January 7 - February 7, Annually Thereafter) Full Proposal Window: September 7, 2010 - October 7, 2010 (September 7 - October 7, Annually Thereafter

• Biomaterials (BMAT)-- supports fundamental research at the intersection of the physical, chemical, and biological sciences. Proposals focused on the preparation, characterization, structure-property relationships, and applications of biomaterials are encouraged. Emphasis is on novel design of biomaterials, including bioderived, bioinspired, biomimetic and biocompatible materials, discovery of new phenomena, and the combination of experiment with theory and/or simulation. General areas of interest include, but are not restricted to, self- and directed molecular assemblies, surfaces and interfaces, membranes and vesicles, gels and networks, carriers and drug delivery systems, smart and self-healing systems, tissue culture scaffolds, mineralization, hybrids and composites, multi-functional biomaterials such as photonic and electronic biomaterials, biomaterials for energy harvesting, conversion and storage, and biomaterials for sensors and actuators. Full Proposal Window: September 1, 2010 - October 31, 2010. September 1 - October 31, Annually Thereafter.

• Ceramics--This program supports fundamental research including combined experiment and theory projects in ceramics (e.g., oxides, carbides, nitrides and borides), glasses, ceramic-based composites and inorganic carbon-based materials. The objective of the program is to increase fundamental understanding and develop predictive capabilities for relating synthesis, processing, and microstructure of these materials to their properties and ultimate performance in various environments and applications. Development of new experimental techniques or novel approaches to carry out projects is encouraged. Topics supported include basic processes and mechanisms associated with nucleation and growth of thin films; bulk crystal growth; phase transformations and equilibria; morphology; surface modification; corrosion, interfaces and grain boundary structure; and defects. The microstructures investigated range from crystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous to composite and nanostructured materials. Full Proposal Window: September 1, 2010 - October 31, 2010. September 1 - October 31, Annually Thereafter.

• The Ecosystem Studies Program supports investigations of whole-system ecological processes and relationships across a diversity of spatial and temporal (including paleo) scales in order to advance understanding of: 1) material and energy fluxes and transformations within and among ecosystems, 2) the relationships between structure, including complexity, and functioning of ecosystems, 3) ecosystem dynamics and trajectories of ecosystem development through time, and 4) linkages among ecosystems at different spatial and temporal scales. Observational and manipulative approaches in field, mesocosm, and laboratory settings are supported, with the expectation that the research, whether hypothesis- or discovery-driven, have a strong conceptual foundation. Inter- and multi-disciplinary proposals that fall across traditional programmatic boundaries are welcomed and encouraged; the Ecosystem Studies Program often co-reviews proposals with related programs across the Foundation. Proposals that incorporate quantitative or conceptual modeling efforts promoting integration and synthesis, or advancing ecosystem science through either the pursuit of new theoretical paradigms or novel modeling efforts, are encouraged. Proposals that, in whole or part, strive to develop new techniques can be supported when a compelling argument exists that there is the potential for a major advance in ecosystem research. Projects that are potentially transformative -- that is, those that may change the conceptual basis of ecosystem science and have broad implications for future research -- are given particular priority. Full Proposal Target Date: January 9, 2010. (January, Annually Thereafter ); Full Proposal Target Date: July 9, 2010. ( July, Annually Thereafter )

• The DMR Polymers Program supports fundamental research and education on polymeric materials. The program portfolio is mainly experimental and highly diverse with components of materials science, chemistry, physics, and related disciplines. While interdisciplinarity is stressed, central goals include advancing the foundations of polymer science through innovative research and education and pushing back the wide horizon of the field. Polymers are studied from the molecular level through the nano-to-macro continuum using fundamental materials-focused scientific approaches. Broad areas addressed include synthesis, molecular assembly, characterization, phase behavior, structure, morphology, and properties. Particular focus is on transformative approaches to innovative materials with superior properties, as well as on fundamental understanding and optimization of structure-property relationships. Materials-focused proposals of high promise that integrate research, education, and other broader impacts are welcome. Full Proposal Window: September 1, 2010 - October 31, 2010 (September 1 - October 31, Annually Thereafter)

• Metals and Metallic Nanostructures-- Using the combined tools of experiment, theory and computer simulations, the goals of this program are to enable the advancement of fundamental understanding of metallic materials from the atomic to nano-structural to bulk length scales via imaginative and, especially, transformational research. A primary objective is to foster the expansion of the activities of synthesis, processing and characterization so that advanced metallic materials and nanostructures with superior physical, mechanical, and/or chemical properties can be predicted and designed, leading to enhanced knowledge of nano- and micro-structure/composition/property relationships at all the relevant length scales. The broad intellectual scope of this program covers the science of advanced structural, high-temperature, hybrid and multifunctional metallic materials; phase transitions, equilibrium and non-equilibrium structures, defects, and phenomena; thermodynamics, kinetics, diffusion, and cooperative behavior across length scales leading to fundamental insights into material properties, nano- and micro-structure evolution; tailored surfaces and interfaces; oxidation; metal-based transducer materials utilizing novel principles for energy conversion; magnetic structures and their interaction with electron transport; metallic clusters and nanoparticles, linear chains and nanowires, low-dimensional structures that exhibit new behavior, quantized electronic, magnetic, or thermal effects, and enhanced physical, mechanical, and chemical properties. Full Proposal Window: September 1, 2010 - October 31, 2010 (September 1 - October 31, Annually Thereafter)

• Electronic and Photonic Materials (EPM)-- The goal of this program is to advance the field of electronics and photonics through basic, potentially transformative materials science research. The scope of the program encompasses the discovery and understanding of materials and material combinations with potential for major technological advantages. Program focus is on identification and understanding of fundamental atomic and molecular level mechanisms and phenomena associated with synthesis and processing of electronic and photonic materials. High risk, high payoff research is encouraged. For example, novel materials are sought that may offer new paradigms in critical computing and communications components, or enable low cost, highly efficient, and stable photovoltaics, solid state lighting, and displays. Research topics include, but are not limited to, nucleation and growth of thin films and nanostructures; self-assembly; nanostructure definition and etching processes; interface bonding and structure; crystal and interface defects; doping; bulk crystal growth; and interrelationships between synthesis/processing, structure, and properties. Full Proposal Window: September 1, 2010 - October 31, 2010 (September 1 - October 31, Annually Thereafter)

• The Evolutionary Processes Cluster Two programs within this cluster: (1) Evolutionary Genetics Program: supports research that investigates the genetic bases of micro- and macroevolutionary processes and their effects on the evolution of genotypes and phenotypes. Both adaptive and non-adaptive processes and their effects will be considered. (2) The Evolutionary Ecology Program: supports research on the evolutionary causes and consequences of ecological interactions (intra-specific, interspecific, and with the abiotic environment). Appropriate topics of investigation include the selective pressures imposed by abiotic or biotic environments and the evolutionary responses to these pressures; the causes and consequences of phenotypic plasticity; life-history evolution; the evolution of interspecific relations (predator-prey, competition, cooperation, mutualism, parasitism, symbiosis); the ongoing evolution of biodiversity; dynamics of natural and sexual selection; and the phylogenetic bases of community assembly. Full Proposal Target Date: January 9, 2010. (January 9, Annually Thereafter); Full Proposal Target Date: July 9, 2010. (July 9, Annually Thereafter)

• The Population and Community Ecology Cluster supports research that advances the conceptual or theoretical understanding of population ecology, species interactions and community dynamics in terrestrial, wetland and freshwater habitats. We encourage projects that integrate theoretical, modeling, and empirical approaches, or that promote synthesis across spatial and temporal scales. The cluster seeks to fund projects that are transformative -- that is, those that will change the conceptual bases of population and community ecology and have broad implications for future research. Proposals that develop research questions within the context of existing theory, consider alternate mechanisms, and design critical tests to distinguish among mechanisms are particularly encouraged, together with those that use contemporary approaches to develop new paradigms. Full Proposal Target Date: January 9, 2010. (January 9, Annually Thereafter); Full Proposal Target Date: July 9, 2010. (July 9, Annually Thereafter)

We look forward to working with you.

Susan Ward
President of ITECS
404 934-9161

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