National Science Foundation (NSF)

This week, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan continued making significant strides toward fostering innovation and collaboration. On Tuesday, Panchanathan participated in the Quantum World Congress. He spoke about how the U.S. is poised to lead the global quantum revolution, underscoring NSF's investments in infrastructure and quantum research to propel innovation forward. On Wednesday, the director joined the State of the Science Ecosystem roundtable alongside host Steve Clemons, contributing editor, publisher and editor of The Washington Note; Sudip Parikh, CEO and executive publisher of Science Family of Journals at AAAS; and Mary Woolley, president and CEO of Research!America. Panchanathan emphasized the importance of federal investments in science and private-sector collaborations to maintain a strong U.S. science and technology ecosystem. Additionally, NSF announced a $10.5 million investment in Ideas Lab projects via the NSF Advancing Research Capacity at HBCUs through Exploration and Innovation (ARC-HBCU) opportunity. The Ideas Lab will bolster the research capacity at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). "The inaugural NSF ARC-HBCU Ideas Lab is a unique opportunity to connect talent and build research networks across our HBCUs to further advance an integrated and collaborative vision for the most critical research capacity needs of HBCUs," said Panchanathan.

The U.S. National Science Foundation is investing $10.5 million to enhance research capacity at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) through NSF Advancing Research Capacity at HBCUs through Exploration and Innovation (ARC-HBCU) Ideas Lab projects. These projects will address infrastructure needs, build sustainable collaboration networks, and promote diversity in STEM research. "The inaugural NSF ARC-HBCU Ideas Lab is a unique opportunity to connect talent and build research networks across our HBCUs to further advance an integrated and collaborative vision for the most critical research capacity needs of HBCUs," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. https://bit.ly/3XJo2T1

NSF invests $14 million in seven interdisciplinary projects through the NSF Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation: Biocomputing through EnGINeering Organoid Intelligence program. These projects from different institutions across the U.S. focus on the ethical and responsible development of organoid intelligence systems, which are biological computing systems that emulate the flexibility, robustness and efficiency of cells and organs. "Advances in biocomputing will open new opportunities for artificial intelligence, biotechnology and more sustainable computing," said Susan Margulies, assistant director for NSF Engineering. The projects also aim to expand and diversify the U.S. STEM workforce through workshops, hands-on training and mentorship opportunities. To learn more about these projects and read the full announcement, visit: https://bit.ly/3zflFPm

??Attention! The National Science Board (NSB)-NSF Commission on Merit Review has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to inform its recommendations. The commission is reexamining NSF's merit review criteria, policy and processes to see whether it should be revised to increase clarity and alignment with the agency's statutory mission and improve fairness, competitiveness and transparency. To offer insights and suggestions, please respond by 5 p.m. ET, Sept. 20 via the RFI form: https://bit.ly/3TirGS3

There’s still time to apply to be a program director in NSF’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs — also known as America’s Seed Fund, powered by NSF! ? These positions entail helping entrepreneurs and small businesses transform scientific and engineering discoveries into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Program directors manage the NSF review process and fund startups to create the next game-changing technologies that promote social good. Each year, America’s Seed Fund awards more than $200 million in research and development funding to about 400 startups across the United States. Check out https://bit.ly/3Zgf1mI to learn more about NSF funding for startups. Want to join a team of experts and foster innovation? Learn more about this exciting opportunity and apply by Sept. 13, 2024: https://bit.ly/4eefEBw ???? ??: Shmulik Almany #NSFSBIR

??Attention teachers, mentors and parents! ?? Are you looking for an exciting way to engage your K-12 students in STEM education? Look no further than The NSF Game Maker Awards. The challenge invites students to create a video game focused on "Life in 2100," where they can explore the role of science and technology in shaping our future. Why should your students participate? 1. Prizes: Students and mentors can win a share of the $100,000 prize pool, with top individual prizes of up to $8,500. 2. National recognition: Participants have the chance to be featured in national media and NSF publications, showcasing their hard work and creativity. 3. Networking opportunities: Connect with other young innovators and industry leaders in the gaming and STEM fields. 4. Educational impact: This challenge is a fantastic way to integrate STEM learning with fun, encouraging students to think critically and creatively about the future. Don't miss this chance to motivate your students and support their journey in STEM education. For more details and to get started, visit https://bit.ly/3XwUMjl. Submissions are due Jan. 31, 2025. #GameMakerAwards #LifeIn2100 #NSF75 #STEM

This week, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan met with representatives from Australia, including Doug Hilton, CEO of CSIRO, Dharmini Robertson, U.S. and Canada Science Counsellor at CSIRO, and Geoff Mason, Australian Ambassador to the U.S. The group discussed opportunities to advance joint research on a range of topics, including artificial intelligence (AI), clean energy and critical minerals to benefit both nations. The exchange of ideas with the Australian delegation provided a valuable opportunity to align strategic priorities and explore new avenues for joint initiatives. In support of the growing need for an AI-ready workforce, NSF announced an investment of nearly $8 million in five innovative projects under the NSF EducateAI initiative. These projects are designed to provide state-of-the-art, inclusive AI education nationwide. By leveraging the resources of the NSF National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Pilot, these efforts will expand access to AI research and training, particularly for underrepresented groups and institutions across a wide range of regions. This investment aligns with national priorities and ensures that the next generation is equipped with the skills to navigate and lead in the AI-driven future. Yesterday, NSF announced an amazing discovery, one that combines fundamental science and mathematics with cutting-edge engineering to create an entirely new way of seeing inside a living body. With NSF support, Stanford University researchers used common food dye to safely and temporarily render skin and other tissues transparent in mice. From digestion to blood circulation, the invisible was now visible. If proven safe and effective for people, the implications are profound, from detecting injuries to detecting cancers. This medical breakthrough was supported by a number of federal and private sources, but it would not have succeeded without the sustained, forward-looking investments of NSF's CAREER, EAGER, National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure and Graduate Research Fellowship Program programs. Learn more about this incredible study in Science Magazine and at https://bit.ly/3AUS8ek All of this would not have been possible without the hardworking and passionate individuals behind the scenes, whose invaluable efforts and commitment continue to push the boundaries of discovery and innovation. Director Panchanathan was delighted to celebrate the NSF staff and their achievements yesterday at the NSF Director's Awards— which highlights the talent and dedication that drive the agency's mission forward. Their work exemplifies the core values that are central to the NSF mission. Together, these initiatives reflect NSF's commitment to fostering groundbreaking research, broadening access to emerging technologies and strengthening global partnerships to tackle today's most pressing challenges. ??: Charlotte Geary/NSF

The U.S. National Science Foundation is investing $39 million to expand quantum research across America through the NSF Expanding Capacity in Quantum Information Science and Engineering (NSF ExpandQISE) program. This investment supports 23 innovative research projects, training and educational activities at up-and-coming programs at institutions seeking to build their own quantum research and development infrastructure. "Maintaining our country's global leadership in quantum information science demands that we engage the full spectrum of talent that's waiting to be unleashed from each and every U.S. community," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. The 23 new investments will benefit faculty and staff across various U.S. higher education institutions. This includes seven states engaged in the NSF Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, which aims to bolster research in areas historically underfunded. Additionally, 19 emerging research institutions — colleges and universities with established programs but less than $50 million in annual federally supported research expenditures — will receive support. The grants also extend to seven minority-serving institutions, encompassing four historically Black colleges and universities and three Hispanic-serving institutions. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3ThuKy1

I can see into you…? While much investigation remains before this can be tested with people, #NSFfunded researchers at Stanford University have used common food dye to make skin and muscle safely and reversibly transparent, revealing organs, blood flow and even digestion in sleeping animals. This groundbreaking discovery has the potential to be applied to various medical diagnostics, from locating injuries to monitoring digestive disorders to identifying cancers. Results were published in Science Magazine. Learn more at: https://bit.ly/3yXxQjV (Do not try this at home!) #science

On July 7, 2024, Hurricane Beryl hit Houston, Texas, devastating entire communities with injury and loss of life and leaving more than two million people without power. In the aftermath, officials estimate the hurricane’s damage around $3.3 billion. To aid in the relief effort, the Houston-based #NSFfunded startup Resilitix.AI partnered with local organizations to assist with "disaster situational awareness" — a term which Resilitix's founder, Ali Mostafavi, describes as information for emergency teams to identify areas in need and reduce the response time typically experienced in emergencies. By harnessing community-scale data and machine learning through NSF-supported digital twin technology, Resilitix offers a predictive lens in community preparedness, evacuation measures, protective actions and post-event recovery. This innovative technology promises effective aid for future climate hazards, with great potential to enhance public safety and improve the societal well-being of millions of people. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e4FPgDkS