MSU Center for Water Sciences

External RFPs Related to Water

Funding opportunities are listed below by due dates. Click on the month link below to view requests for proposals (RFPs) due that month or scroll through the list. For additional funding opportunities see MSU resources and links for finding funding.

Links to RFPs with deadlines in:

July 2008
August 2008
September 2008
October 2008
Ongoing or open RFPs

 

Deadlines in July 2008

NSF Ecological Biology
The Ecology Program supports studies of interspecific interactions and species diversity at diverse spatial and temporal scales.  These include, but are not limited to, (1) food-web structure and trophic dynamics, (2) biotic interactions, including mutualism, competition, predation and parasitism, (3) mechanisms of coexistence, community assembly and the maintenance of species diversity, (4) co-evolution and (5) landscape ecology, habitat fragmentation and macroecology.  Ecology particularly encourages studies that can be applied to a wide range of habitats and taxa across multiple scales. Proposals due July 9, 2008 Link to RFP>>

NSF Ecosystems Science
The Ecosystem Science Cluster supports research that advances our understanding of: 1) material and energy transformations within and among ecosystems, 2) the composition and structure of ecological systems, 3) ecosystem dynamics and trajectories of ecosystem development through time, and 4) linkages among ecosystems at different spatial and temporal scales. Research on natural, managed and disturbed ecosystems is supported, including terrestrial, freshwater, wetland, coastal (including salt marsh and mangrove), and human-dominated environments. Observational and manipulative approaches in field, mesocosm, and laboratory settings are supported, with the expectation that the research is driven by questions or hypotheses. Proposals that incorporate quantitative or conceptual modeling efforts promoting integration, synthesis, and theory development and testing are encouraged. 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.  The Ecosystem Science Cluster funds projects within the Ecosystem Studies Program as well as CAREER, LTER, LTREB and OPUS. Proposals due July 9, 2008 Link to RFP>>

China Solicitation Request for Assistance
As part of the U.S. Government’s (USG’s) participation in the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP), the Department of State (DOS) is issuing this Request for Assistance (RFA) seeking proposals from U.S. and Chinese organizations interested in contributing to the Partnership’s goals through innovative public-private partnerships. These goals include reducing greenhouse gas emissions; advancing sustainable economic growth; reducing poverty; creating new investment opportunities; building local capacity; and improving economic and energy security.
Proposals due July 11, 2008 Link to RFP>>

NSF Behavioral Systems
The Behavioral Systems Cluster supports research on the development, function, mechanisms, and evolutionary history of behavior, with emphasis on a vertically integrated understanding of the behavioral phenotype in nature. To foster this integrative goal, the Cluster specifically encourages projects that seek to understand how combinations of neural, hormonal, physiological, and developmental mechanisms act synergistically as a system from which behavior emerges.  Laboratory work or the study of animals in captivity is encouraged, to the extent that it contributes to the understanding of behavior in natural systems. Proposals due July 12, 2008 Link to RFP>>

Marine Mammal Research
The U.S. Marine Mammal Commission is seeking proposals for research and related activities that will further the conservation and management goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Proposals should be tailored to address either of two focused research topics: (1) Conservation of Critically Endangered Marine Mammal Species or Populations and (2) Indirect Effects of Fisheries on Marine Mammals. Proposals are due July 15, 2008. Link to RFP>>

NSF Geomorphology and Land Use Dynamics
Geomorphology and Land-Use Dynamics supports innovative research into processes that shape and modify landscapes over a variety of length and time scales. The program encourages research that investigates quantitatively the coupling and feedback between such processes, their rates, and their relative roles, especially in the contexts of variation in climatic and tectonic forcings and in light of changes due to human impact. Proposals due July 16, 2008 Link to RFP>>

The MSU Biogeochemistry Environmental Research Initiative (BERI) in collaboration with the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering are pleased to announce a Request for Proposals to develop Ecosystem Sensors. BERI will provide up to $10,000 each to support two ecosystem sensor projects.  Lead investigators will be teamed with senior electrical and/or mechanical engineering undergraduate students and an engineering faculty mentor who will develop the sensor in fulfillment of their Senior Capstone Design course requirement.  The total award must include $3,000-6,000 for the cost of the engineering team with the remainder available for supplies.  Three to five pages of text are requested that explain the overall goal of the sensor and the electrical and/or mechanical requirements of the system.  Proposals will be evaluated by BERI and the instructors of the Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design courses.  One award will be issued for the fall and spring semesters in 2008-2009.  Proposals should be submitted to Dr. David Rothstein, Department of Forestry, MSU, rothste2@msu.edu. Questions may be directed to either David Rothstein (432-3353) or Nathaniel Ostrom (355-4661; ostromn@msu.edu).
Proposals due July 21, 2008.

NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program
The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation's most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations. Such activities should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research. NSF encourages submission of CAREER proposals from junior faculty members at all CAREER-eligible organizations and especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply. Proposals due: BIO, CISE, EHR: July 22, 2008, ENG: July 23, 2008 and GEO, MPS, SBE, OPP: July 24, 2008 Link to RFP>>

Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF)
WERF has $500,000 available to fund groundbreaking research that will advance knowledge and understanding of water quality — which could transform how WERF subscribers perform their business. WERF will also consider proposals that would take existing research to the next level of completion, resulting in practical solutions to water quality problems. Pre-prooposals due July 29, 2008. Link to RFP>>

NSF Physics of Living Systems (PoLS)
The program “Physics of Living Systems” (PoLS) at the National Science Foundation evolved from the successful Biological Physics program, which supported projects that applied analytical and experimental tools of physics to the study of biological problems at the molecular level. PoLS is replacing the Biological Physics program and will target theoretical and experimental research exploring the most fundamental biological processes that living systems utilize to perform their functions in dynamic and diverse environments. PoLS will stimulate those investigations that have the potential to transform the study of living systems. Proposals due July 31, 2008 Link to RFP>>

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Deadlines in August 2008

NSF Advances in Biological Informatics
The Advances in Biological Informatics program seeks to support research that enables investigators to make use of biological data and information for the discovery of new knowledge and the advancement of the field of biology. The Program supports a range of activities along a continuum, from the formative, theoretical development of new algorithms, data structures, and tools specific to the curation of biological information, through the development of new information resources to the enhancement of established resources needed by whole communities of biological researchers. However, the highest priority of the ABI program as reflected in this solicitation is on supporting proposals that address the formative stages of this continuum. Examples include new tools which scale well to complex biological data, theoretical research on data structures, design of easy-to-use interfaces and tools for data input, manipulation, analysis and extraction, and planning and prototype development of new types of biological data- or knowledge-bases. Research supported by ABI must lead to the solution of problems in biology. Multidisciplinary research is encouraged and requires prior coordination with the program manager. Proposals due August 12, 2008 Link to RFP>>

NSF Decision, Risk and Management Sciences
The Decision, Risk and Management Sciences program supports scientific research directed at increasing the understanding and effectiveness of decision making by individuals, groups, organizations, and society. Disciplinary and interdisciplinary research, doctoral dissertation research, and workshops are funded in the areas of judgment and decision making; decision analysis and decision aids; risk analysis, perception, and communication; societal and public policy decision making; management science and organizational design. The program also supports small grants for exploratory research of a time-critical or high-risk, potentially transformative nature (see Small Grants for Exploratory Research.) Proposals due Aug 18, 2008 Link to RFP>>

 

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Deadlines in September 2008

NSF Environmental Implications of Emerging Technologies
The Environmental Implications of Emerging Technologies program provides support to develop and test the environmental effects of new technologies. Fundamental and basic research is sought to establish and understand outcomes as a result of the implementation of new technologies such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, and information technology.  The program also supports research on the development and refinement of sensors and sensor network technologies that can be used to measure a wide variety of physical, chemical, and biological properties of interest in characterizing, monitoring, and understanding environmental impacts. Proposals due Sept 15, 2008 Link to RFP>>

NSF Environmental Sustainability
The Environmental Sustainability program supports engineering research with the goal of promoting sustainable engineered systems that support human well-being and that are also compatible with sustaining natural (environmental) systems - - which provide ecological services vital for human survival.  The long-term viability of natural capital is critical for many areas of human endeavor.  Research in Environmental Sustainability considers long time horizons and incorporates contributions from the social sciences and ethics. Proposals due Sept 15, 2008 Link to RFP>>

NSF CreativeIT
The CreativeIT Program solicits proposals for projects that explore synergistic cross disciplinary research in creativity and computer science and information technology. Information technology is playing an increasing role in extending the capability of human creative thinking and problem solving. The study of creativity and computing as a way to advance computer science and information technology, cognitive science, engineering, education, or science can lead to new models of creative computational processes, innovative approaches to education that encourage creativity, innovative modes of research that include creative professionals, and new technology to support human creativity. Proposals due Sept. 26, 2008. Link to RFP>>

 

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Deadlines in October 2008

NSF Engineering Design and Innovation (EDI)
The EDI program supports research leading to design theory and to tools and methods that enable implementation of the principles of design theory in the practice of design across the full spectrum of engineered products.   The program focus is on gaining an understanding of the basic processes and phenomena underlying a holistic, life-cycle view of design.  The program funds advances in basic design theory, tools and software to implement design theory, and new design methods that span multiple domains, such as design for the environment and for manufacturability. Proposals due Oct 1, 2008. Link to RFP>>

NIH Outstanding New Environmental Scientist Award (ONES) (R01)
The Outstanding New Environmental Scientist Award is intended to identify outstanding scientists who are in the early, formative stages of their careers and who intend to make a long term career commitment to research in the mission areas of the NIEHS and assist them in launching an innovative research program focusing on problems of environmental exposures and human biology, human pathophysiology and human disease. Letters of Intent due October 1, 2008; Applications due October 31, 2008. Link to RFP>>

 

Ongoing or Open Deadlines

New America’s Bernard L. Schwartz Fellows Program
The purpose of New America's Bernard L. Schwartz Fellows Program is to train and support a new generation of aspiring public intellectuals. Toward this end, the New America Foundation provides economic, professional, and intellectual support to exceptionally promising young writers, thinkers, and analysts who wish to establish themselves as leading voices in the national policy debate. By investing in the career development of many of the best and brightest civic-minded writers of the day, the Foundation seeks to enrich the quality of America's public debate for years to come. Link to application information>>

Graduate Fellowship in Adaptive Management: Water, Wetlands and Watersheds
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Application deadline: Every January

National Geographic
The National Geographic Society awards grants for scientific field research and exploration through its Committee for Research and Exploration. All proposed projects must have both a geographical dimension and relevance to other scientific fields and be of broad scientific interest. Applications are generally limited to the following disciplines: anthropology, archaeology, astronomy, biology, botany, geography, geology, oceanography, paleontology, and zoology. In addition the committee is emphasizing multidisciplinary projects that address environmental issues (e.g., loss of biodiversity and habitat, effects of human-population pressures). For more information see http://www.nationalgeographic.com/research/grant_application.html
The National Geographic Conservation Trust program also provides small grants. See http://www.nationalgeographic.com/conservation/

US Army Corps of Engineers. Numerical Water Quality and Contaminant Modeling. The Environmental Laboratory announces research opportunities involving numerical water quality and contaminant modeling. This area of research involves development and application of water quality and contaminant fate/transport models for both surface water and the subsurface, or groundwater. Emphasis is on formulation of the appropriate physical, chemical and biological algorithms; improvement of mathematical and numerical methods; collection and assemblage of data for model evaluation; conduct of field and laboratory process investigations designed to develop/improve model descriptions; dynamic linkage of water quality and biological models, including biomass-based, individual-based, and population-based biological models; integration of contaminant exposure models with biological effects data or models to quantify risk; incorporation of uncertaintly analysis into modeling; and development of software to provide graphical user interfaces and modeling environments to enhance model utility and ease of application. www.mvk.usace.army.mil/contract/other.asp

US Army Corps of Engineers. Limnological Investigations and Water Quality Management. The Environmental Laboratory announces research opportunities involving limnological investigations and water quality management. Current research encompasses a wide range of investigations designed to increase the Corps of Engineers' understanding of important limnological processes influencing tailwater, reservoir, wetland and coastal quality. Emphasis is on both short- and long-term field and laboratory investigations, the development of improved techniques for evaluating water quality conditions, formulation of sample design methodologies, and development of improved water quality management guidelines. Research is also conducted in the area of simplified techniques for the description and prediction of water quality conditions and problems and watershed management. Integrated methods for water quality management are developed and evaluated. Proposals for research categories are invited. www.mvk.usace.army.mil/contract/other.asp

Pepsico Foundation Grants
The PepsiCo Foundation focuses its grant making in the following areas:

  • Health and Wellness
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Environment
  • Employee Engagement

The Foundation's mission around the Environment is to advance the knowledge and methods of water resource management which are sustainable and positively impact both quantity and quality of water supply. Grant requests are accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis and are evaluated by the PepsiCo Foundation's Executive Committee, made up of three Foundation officers. Grant requests in excess of $100,000 must comply with more specific guidelines. Major grant requests are reviewed two times a year by the PepsiCo Foundation's Board of Directors. Link to RFP >>

Earthwatch Institute Call for Proposals in Limnology
The Center for Field Research (CFR) is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1973 to promote significant scholarship and to improve communication between scholars and the public. The center receives, reviews, and recommends projects for support by Earthwatch, the funding organization. CFR will consider proposals for field research in any discipline that can gainfully employ non-specialists in the implementation of a carefully constructed pure or applied research project. The volunteers, who are recruited and screened to meet scientists' needs, are highly educated citizens dedicated to improving environmental understanding. The center encourages proposals that are interdisciplinary or transnational. Field-based projects that address a broad range of questions and issues in limnology are encouraged. Link to RFP >>

NSF International Research and Education: Planning Visits and Workshops
This solicitation describes International Planning Visit/Workshop awards to support the early phases of developing and coordinating a research and education activity with a foreign partner(s). Full Proposal Accepted Anytime for Planning Visits, Full Proposal Target Date: May 20, 2008; September 20, 2008; February 20, 2009 Link to RFP>>

Saginaw Bay Water Initiative Network Grants
WIN welcomes proposals that advance the search for sustainable solutions to current watershed and community challenges. WIN is responsive to new ideas, new research and new approaches, recognizing that such innovation is necessary to move the concept of sustainability forward in the Saginaw Bay watershed. The sustainability approach integrates economic goals with environmental and social goals and is based on the premise that meeting human needs for all people today should not impair the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Proposals accepted continuously. Link to RFP>>

 

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