Track 1 only. With federal research funding exceeding $50,000,000, Penn State is not eligible to submit for Track 2 and Planning Grant Proposals.
The FORECAST solicitation invites creative proposals designed to prepare students to enter the work environment and conduct community and partner-engaged science in benefit of society. Using a student-centered approach, the goals of the program are to:
- Catalyze entrepreneurship and innovation while fostering supportive student cohorts and professional development opportunities that would result in a new generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and scientists trained in “engaged translational research” and aware of governmental processes;
- Increase capacity for master’s degree programs at ERIs to train diverse cohorts of transdisciplinary STEM professionals for a range of research and research-related careers within the workforce;
- Promote building innovative community flexibility and adaptability to environmental change by fostering community resilience and the translation of core research outcomes for societal benefits.
Creation of sustainable programmatic capacity at institutions is an expected outcome. Consequently, all proposals should describe mechanisms to institutionalize effective training elements after award expiration and provide appropriate documentation of institutional support for such efforts (see Proposal Preparation Instructions, section V.A.).
Track 1 (1 award; Coordination Hub):
There will be one award to a managing hub organization (the coordination hub). The coordination hub will oversee the Track 1 undergraduate senior program and assist with coordination of the Track 2 projects. Track 1 proposals may request a total budget (up to five years in duration) of up to $7.5 million.
The hub organization will develop, design, and deliver professional development for Track 1 participants. The participants will start the program, Phase 1, during their senior year and could continue to participate if they transition to a graduate program, Phase 2. Professional development should include attention to training and building skills necessary for making connections between basic science and translation to societal benefits. These skills include management, having vision, communications, and knowing how to organize science (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2022). The professional development for the cohort should include entrepreneurial and innovative approaches to community and/or campus resilience, as well as an introduction to government processes related to climate resilience. Participants will have the opportunity to develop transdisciplinary projects while engaging communities in setting up research goals.
Track 1 Phase 1: The coordination hub will be expected to use the Education and Training Application Portal (ETAP) to solicit and review participant applications. Each national cohort of senior undergraduate student participants should be comprised of at least 25 students. Facilitated by the coordination hub, participants enrolled in the last year of their undergraduate program will hone skills on translational research, engaged research, and innovation. The undergraduate student participants will design research projects that they could implement as graduate students or develop business plans in support of the goals and interests of companies or communities.
Track 1 Phase 2: Following their undergraduate education, Track 1 participants may continue to be supported during the first two years of a graduate program (Master's or PhD) at a school of their choice. In Phase 2, graduate student participants will become FORECAST Associates and will continue to receive professional development and support as they implement the research projects designed during Phase 1.
The hub will manage funding for all Track 1 participants. Receiving a living wage while engaged in activities is crucial to facilitate participation of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2023). Undergraduate participants (Phase 1) will receive a stipend to be paid for time spent preparing for, traveling to/from, and participating in professional development activities. Undergraduate student participants who become graduate student FORECAST Associates (Phase 2) will receive an educational allowance for up to two years. Phase 2 FORECAST Associates may accept fellowships, tuition assistance, etc. in addition to the educational allowance provided by FORECAST.
Interested applicants should upload the following documents in sequence in one PDF file (File name: [Last name]_NSF24-558_2024) no later than 4:00 p.m. on the internal submission deadline:
1. Cover Letter (1 page, pdf):
- Descriptive title of proposed activity
- PI name, departmental affiliations(s) and contact information
- Co-PI's names and departmental affiliation(s)
- Names of other key personnel
- Participating institution(s)
- Number and title of this funding opportunity
2. Project Description (no more than two pages, pdf) identifying the project scope that addresses the key aspects and elements of the sponsor's solicitation, principal investigators, collaborators, and partner organizations. References may be included on an additional page.
3. Estimated Budget (1 page, including cost share details, if applicable)
4. 3-page CV's of Investigators
Formatting Guidelines:
Font/size: Times New Roman (12 pt.)
Document margins: 1.0” (top, bottom, left and right)
Standard paper size (8 ½” x 11)
Questions concerning the limited submissions process may be submitted to limitedsubs@psu.edu.