Research Opportunities in Collaborative and Innovative Research-RESPONSE DUE: January 8, 2001
In Reply Refer To:
Mail Stop 300
MEMORANDUM
December 7, 2000
To: All USGS Employees
From: Chip Groat
Director
Subject: Research Opportunities in Collaborative and Innovative Research
RESPONSE DUE: January 8, 2001
Throughout the summer, discussion among Executive Leadership Team members
has focused on mechanisms to facilitate and support the initiation of
collaborative research across disciplines in the U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS). Discussion topics have included integrated planning processes at
the regional and national level, increasing communications and
understanding of priority science goals and customer needs among
scientists from programs throughout the bureau, and broad internal
distributions of significant science accomplishments related to complex
environmental systems. The goal of all these discussions is the
facilitation of innovative, integrated projects that lay the foundation
for new science capability in the bureau and generate new or enhanced
products for our customers.
I am pleased to announce a bureau research and development fund of $1
million dollars endorsed by all disciplines to which interdisciplinary
teams of scientists can apply for project support. As stated in the
attached announcement, the objectives of this modest research fund are to:
1) support projects in which scientific efforts and data from multiple
disciplines are integrated to provide new insights, synergy, and
capability to address complex issues and 2) create more communication and
awareness of multidisciplinary science efforts that can be enhanced by
bureau leadership at all levels, and 3) foster opportunities to plan,
implement, and report science projects in an integrated way.
Science funding priorities, project size, and proposal procedures are
described in the attached announcement. I hope that these initial funds
will lead in a multitude of ways to interactions that produce science of
value to the Nation. Please be sure and send your proposals by January 8,
2001, to spa@usgs.gov .
Attachment
FY2001 CALL FOR PROPOSALS
U.S. Geological Survey Venture Capital Fund
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is requesting proposals for relatively
short-term (1-3 years) focused scientific and technical efforts that will
produce or lay the foundation for new types of products or new science
capabilities in the bureau. The USGS Venture Capital Fund is a national
competitive funding program open to all USGS scientists. The goal of the
program is to support collaboration among scientists from two or more USGS
disciplines for truly integrated scientific and technical efforts that are
high risk and high reward. That is, the program will fund ideas that,
although well founded on scientific principles and well thought out, are
breaking new ground and, therefore, not assured of success. But, if
successful, the results of these efforts will bring high rewards to the
bureau. Additionally the bureau wants to facilitate new efforts that
integrate disciplines or apply existing methodologies and techniques to
new problems. Involvement of partners or collaborators from outside the
USGS is encouraged, but not required.
Background
The USGS Director and the bureau Executive Leadership Team want to foster
collaborative and innovative research and development that will promote
our scientific excellence and keep us at the forefront of natural science.
Combining our unique capabilities in biologic, geologic, hydrologic,
geographic, and mapping science in creative ways will help to achieve
those goals. This announcement defines the objectives, priorities,
submission requirements, and decision process for funding integrated
science proposals.
Scope and Priorities
The total dollar amount available for venture capital projects is
$1,000,000 (gross dollars) annually. Each project proposal should total
no more than $75,000 per year and should be for no more than 3 years in
duration. In order to allow for rollover of these venture capital funds,
approximately ½ of the awards in FY2001 will be for 1-year projects. These
dollars are intended to supplement the support already provided to
scientists by other appropriated and/or reimbursable programs of the U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS). They will be used in support of projects
proposed collaboratively by scientists in two or more divisions to
accomplish joint work.
Priorities for funding include:
(a) Extension of methodologies to applications across temporal and
spatial scales.
(b) Innovative methods to characterize habitat and habitat change,
drawing on multiple disciplines and technologies.
(c) Application of methods and tools developed and used in one
discipline to problems within another discipline. For example,
application of geologic tools to biological problems, or use of genetic
techniques in water quality assessment.
(d) Innovative approaches to the use of multidiscipline-based
understanding and/or information in decision-making.
(e) Development of methods and tools utilizing our traditional
scientific skills and expertise to address non-traditional USGS problems.
For example, application of geologic, hydrologic, biologic, and geographic
tools to economics or human health issues.
An annual progress report to the Director will be required as well as a
final accomplishment report (within 6 months of project completion).
PROPOSALS:
Please use the following proposal format. Project proposals should not
exceed three pages, excluding literature cited, tables, budget layouts,
and any curriculum vitae or letters of support submitters choose to forward.
All proposals are due by January 8, 2000. Please address proposals to:
spa@usgs.gov.
FORMAT:
Title: Please be as descriptive as possible.
Principal Contact(s): Name, title, address, phone, and E-mail address.
Background: Describe the issue, its significance, and the science needed
to address the issue.
Problem/Hypothesis: Explain the scientific or collaborative approach
proposed to address the issue.
Objectives: Please be as concrete as possible in stating your objectives
and the methods you are proposing to address them. Please include enough
information for review team to judge the likelihood of success. Explain
why the proposed approach is innovative -- that is, why is it different
than the standard approach.
Expected Results/Products: Please be explicit concerning data sets,
models, written reports, publications, etc. which will be developed.
Scientists/Cooperators: Name, title, address, phone, and E-mail for each.
Budget: Identify total and annual fiscal year budget for the venture
capital funds, itemizing personnel and operational costs, including any
capital investments, being requested. Also itemize indirect costs. Since
these are dollars to supplement support provided by other appropriated
and/or reimbursable programs, identify the activity being supplemented.
Project Selection and Timetable:
The Associate Directors and/or Chief Scientists will review the proposals
based on scientific merit, feasibility, innovation, and the funding
priorities detailed above. Successful submitters will be notified by
February 8, 2000.
Schedule for FY2001:
Call for proposals 12/05/00
Proposal deadline 01/08/00
Award notification 02/08/00
Allocation of funds 02/08/00