Growing Convergence Research is a multidisciplinary method of solving complex and vexing problems. The U.S. National Science Foundation is seeking applications from teams using GCR to develop innovative solutions to complicated problems.

The NSF anticipates awarding 6-10 grants of up to $1.2 million for two years of Phase I work. Continued support of up to $2.4 million for an additional three years of Phase II work will be contingent upon exceptional progress in Phase I. Applications are due through Grants.gov or Research.gov by April 12, 2024 at 5 PM, submitter’s local time.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

• 2 and 4 year institutions of higher education, accredited and located in the United States
• Nonprofit, non-academic organizations such as museums, research laboratories, observatories, and professional societies engaged in educational or research activities

The Primary Investigator must be a full time appointee in a research or teaching position at an eligible organization.

Applications Requirements

All applications must include:

• A long term vision inspired by a societal and/or scientific problem
• An explanation of why the project fits this solicitation and why a growing convergence research approach is required
• An explanation of the challenges that this project hopes to address and how it will tranform scientific understanding
• A five-year, two phase research plan
• A convergence management plan

Review Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

• Intellectual merit – its potential to further knowledge
• Broader impacts – potential benefits to society

The International Peace Research Association Foundation supports research into the causes of conflict and alternatives to violence through their Peace Research Grant. They award up to $5,000 in one time funding to scholars anywhere in the world.

Applications are accepted during two annual cycles: January 1 – February 28/29 and July 1 – August 31. All application materials should be emailed to prg.grants@iprafoundation.org.

Eligibility

This grant is open to individual scholars anywhere in the world. Institutions and organizations are not eligible to apply.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds must be applied to direct research costs for the proposed project. They may not be spent on:

• Overhead
• Fees to administer the grant
• Salaries
• Tuition
• Living expenses, such as rent or utilities
• Airfare other than economy class
• Translation costs without prior approval from the Foundation

Application

Applications must include four parts:

• Application form
• Applicant’s curriculum vitae
• Project proposal – no more than 6 pages not including bibliography
• A letter of support on official letterhead from an organization with which the applicant has been associated. The author should send their letter directly to prg.grants@iprafoundation.org.

The Department of Energy‘s Office of Science has issued a FOA for Integrated Biological and Computational Low Dose Radiation Research. The goal of this program is to conduct laboratory-based research and build datasets to expand on the limited information on the effects of low dose radiation.

DOE anticipates a total of $18 million to fund projects of $250,000 – $500,000 for a project period of 3 years. This is subject to changes in congressional appropriations. Pre-applications are required and must be submitted by February 6, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET through the DOE SC Portfolio Analysis and Management System. Full applications for those encouraged to apply must be submitted through Grants.gov by April 2, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET.

Eligibility

This funding opportunity is open to “(a)ll types of domestic applicants,” except 501(c)4 nonprofit organizations that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995.

Federal agencies may be subrecipients, but may not be the primary applicant.

International applicants may apply, but must demonstrate how they will be able to meet the research criteria in a way that no domestic applicant could. Similarly, international entities may be listed as proposed subrecipients, but the primary applicant must demonstrate why they should be chosen over domestic entities.

Research Topics

Research on the effects of low dose radiation on human health should be conducted within four topics:

1. Development of experimental laboratory model systems representative of human systems for combined experimental and computational analyses
2. Combined Experimental and Computational Approaches for Low Dose Radiation Research
3. Assembly and Analysis of Harmonized Datasets to Support Biological Research
4. Computational Tools Supporting Low Dose Radiation Research

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for expenses such as:

• “Buying out” faculty time
• Support for administrative personnel
• Fringe benefits
• Stipends and benefits for students and post-doctoral researchers
• Purchasing equipment
• Travel to meet with collaborators
• Membership costs in relevant professional societies
• Other direct costs (office supplies, technology)

Review Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

• Scientific and/or Technical Merit of the Project 
• Appropriateness of the Proposed Method or Approach
• Competency of Applicant’s Personnel and Adequacy of Proposed Resources
• Reasonableness and Appropriateness of the Proposed Budget
• Quality and Efficacy of the Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) Plan