Notice to research community | |
Use of generative artificial intelligence technology in the NSF merit review process—A Summary | |
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In the last Research Weekly Issue, we published NSF’s guidance on the use of AI technology in the NSF Merit Review process. Below is a quick summary of this guidance put together by Michael Littman the Director of NSF’s Division of Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS) who also wrote the guidance published last week. He wrote this summary to help the research community better understand and remember NSF’s AI guidance.
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Reviewers shouldn’t enter information from proposals into GAI tools. This rule stems from existing rules on confidentiality. Reviewers who enter proposal information into a cloud-hosted GAI system relinquish control over who can access it, and that’s not ok. So, at present, uploading a proposal into a chatbot to get help with reviewing is strictly forbidden. (Yes, we kind of finessed for now the deeper question about using GAI to aid in forming assessment of proposals. For now.)
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Reviewers can apply GAI tools to publicly available information. For example, abstracts of funded proposals are fair game. We could imagine it being useful to generate summaries of publicly released information or quick reminders about scientific topics.
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Proposers can use GAI in the development of the proposals, but they are expected to describe, in the project description, how it was used. This rule stems from existing rules around the inclusion of text in proposals not written by the proposer—including students and professional grant writers. (I hadn’t realized that this kind of disclosure existed. I know some institutions offer proposer writers help in composing their proposals. This rule applies to them as well. But I like the idea that getting help with grammar and flow is more broadly available now!)
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Proposers should be careful with machine-written text, however. The use of GAI-generated text carries risks in terms of accuracy and originality. Existing rules on misconduct and plagiarism are still in force, so delegating to a GAI the task of generating an original idea could very well land you in hot water.
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K-State events and announcements | |
Spring 2024 FDA and USRG Open for Submissions | |
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Deadline: March 4, 2024 by 5:00 p.m.
The Office of Research Development announces the spring 2024 Faculty Development Award, or FDA, and University Small Research Grants, or USRG, call for proposals for K-State tenured or tenure track faculty who are interested in receiving assistance in their scholarly activities and professional development.
Note: faculty must have at least some percentage of their appointment devoted to research.
The President’s Faculty Development Awards program provides support for travel to international meetings — primarily at international locations — or to meet with program officers from potential external sponsors.
The University Small Research Grants program is a seed grant program to support early research, scholarly activity, and other creative efforts.
More information about the program can be found here.
Please contact the Office of Research Development if you have any additional questions: ord@k-state.edu or 785-532-6195.
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Changes to the Electronics Design Lab Schedule of Charges and Processes | |
Effective January 1, 2024, there is a new schedule of charges, or SOC, for the Electronics Design Lab. The updated schedule of charges is posted on the EDL website. Additionally, there is a new standard practice moving forward as it relates to sponsored program records within the Cayuse system and the SOC billing process. Effective January 1, 2024, EDL personnel should no longer be named on the research team. EDL will only bill for their services based on the approved SOC and therefore will be included in the Cayuse budget form section. This change will require a transition period as there are several proposals/awards with EDL staff listed as personnel. It will not be a requirement to modify existing projects. | |
Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program 2025-26 Competition to Open February 2024 | |
John W. Fountain, U.S. Scholar to Ghana, 2022 | |
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In February 2024, the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program will launch our 2025-26 competition! Hundreds of awards across all world regions will allow academics, professionals and artists to teach, research, and carry out professional projects abroad. Curious to see what awards in 2025-26 have to offer? Join our first webinar of the year to learn more about the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program, awards and the application process:
The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program: Opportunities for 2025-26
Thursday, February 15 2:30-3:30 PM EST
Register here to join us!
Already know a region, country or award that interests you? Register to join our webinars featuring specific Fulbright U.S. Scholar opportunities. Visit our Webinar Schedule for events throughout the competition starting with:
Note that any times listed for webinars or other live resource events are in U.S. Eastern standard time.
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CNAP 2024 Pilot Project Request for Application | |
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A primary objective of the Cognitive and Neurobiological Approaches to Plasticity Center at Kansas State University is to support the development of junior investigators into independently funded investigators and to develop a critical mass of investigators who can compete for peer-reviewed extramural funding in neuroplasticity research. In support of this objective, CNAP invites Pilot Project proposal applications from junior investigators whose research interests include neural plasticity.
CNAP’s 2024 annual Pilot Project grant funding opportunity RFA can be downloaded here: CNAP Pilot Grant RFA Yr 8.pdf.
Note the below timeline:
February 1, 2024 (5 PM central) - Submit a letter of intent with the pilot grant title, abstract (500 words max), proposed project grant mentor(s) names, email addresses, and a brief description of qualifications. The letter should also include the names of 3-5 recommended reviewers along with their institution, email address, and a brief description of their relevant research interests.
March 1, 2024 (5 PM central) - Submit all pilot grant materials as a single compiled PDF file with items arranged in the order listed on page 2.
April 12, 2024 - Scientific review completed; grants sent to EAC for review.
May 3, 2024 - Pilot grant decisions are sent to NIGMS for approval. Note that the timeline for reviews is aspirational, as reviewers may take longer to complete their assignments, and the time frame for NIGMS approval may take longer than planned. We will do our best to adhere as closely to the timeline as possible.
June 1, 2024 - Pilot grant awards begin.
It is possible that some grantees may be asked to revise and re-submit their grants. In these cases, we will construct a new timeline in consultation with the applicant.
All materials should be submitted through the applicant’s pre-award services/research office at their host institution. The face page should be signed by the applicant organization’s signing official. Materials should be submitted as a single package via email to cnap@ksu.edu.
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External events and announcements | |
NSF EPSCoR Office Hour on EPSCoR Research Fellows Opportunity | |
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Thursday, January 25, 202
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm (EST)
The U.S. National Science Foundation is excited to announce the first Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or EPSCoR, Office Hour of 2024!
This Office Hour will be of particular interest to early- and mid-career researchers in EPSCoR jurisdictions, as well as leaders within research administration.
In this session, Dr. Chinonye Whitley and colleagues will discuss the EPSCoR Research Fellows opportunity, which aims to transform the career trajectories of non-tenured and tenured investigators through extended visits to private, government, or academic institutions. EPSCoR Program Officers will also facilitate a Q&A session related to this funding opportunity.
Advance registration is required. Register here to receive the link for the session. Please use an institutional email address for registration.
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EPSCoR Webinar: Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers | |
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The IUCRC program catalyzes breakthrough pre-competitive research by enabling close and sustained engagement between industry innovators, world-class academic teams, and government agencies. IUCRCs help industry partners and government agencies connect directly and efficiently with university researchers to achieve three primary objectives:
- Conduct high-impact research to meet shared and critical industrial needs in companies of all sizes;
- Enhance U.S. global leadership in driving innovative technology development, and
- Identify, mentor and develop a diverse, highly skilled science and engineering workforce.
The program currently supports 80+ Centers with 120+ participating universities and 800+ research-intensive member organizations involved.
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Interactive Webinar with Kraft Heinz | |
EPSCoR Webinar: The Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships | |
National Institute of Justice's Graduate Research Fellowship Program | |
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Wednesday, February 14, 2024
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. EST
This webinar will give an overview of NIJ’s Graduate Research Fellowship, which invites applications for doctoral dissertation research on preventing and controlling crime, advancing knowledge of victimization and effective victim services, or ensuring the fair and impartial administration of criminal or juvenile justice in the United States. This solicitation will be open to doctoral students in all science and engineering fields.
The presenters will discuss program scope, eligibility, application elements, and frequently asked questions.
Register to attend and to be notified when materials are available online.
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Agency news and trending topics | |
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Researchers at UC San Diego have developed modular nanoparticles that can be customized to target biological entities such as tumors, viruses or toxins. The surfaces of the nanoparticles are engineered to host biological molecules, making it possible to tailor the nanoparticles for applications from targeted drug delivery to neutralizing biological agents. NSF
Three different HIV antibodies each independently protected monkeys from acquiring simian-HIV (SHIV) in a placebo-controlled proof-of-concept study intended to inform development of a preventive HIV vaccine for people. The antibodies—a human broadly neutralizing antibody and two antibodies isolated from previously vaccinated monkeys—target the fusion peptide, a site on an HIV surface protein that helps the virus fuse with and enter cells. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, was led by the Vaccine Research Center (VRC) at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIH
Combining testosterone-blocking drugs in patients with prostate cancer relapse prevents the spread of cancer better than treatment with a single drug, a multi-institution, Phase 3 clinical trial led by UC San Francisco researchers has found. EurekAlert!
Just like the land and the ocean, the atmosphere is marred by a variety of pollutants. In recent years, a new form has been identified: micron-size microplastic debris that can be carried by the jet stream across oceans and continents. The debris' shape, scientists have found, plays a crucial role in how far it travels. NSF
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