Sustainable Regional Systems Research Networks
The United States is made up of regional systems comprising interdependent urban and rural systems and every community category between urban and rural. Urban systems and rural systems are interdependent for the provisioning of food, energy sources, water, other materials and natural resources, markets, manufactured goods, and medical resources. These systems are also connected by ecological processes that both influence and are influenced by human behavior. The vital interconnection of urban-rural systems underscores the critical need for the advancement of sustainable regional systems (SRS). The goal of this solicitation is to fund convergent research and education that will advance sustainable regional systems science, engineering, and education to facilitate the transformation of current regional systems to enhance sustainability. To further the advancement of SRS science, engineering, and education, NSF will support proposals for Sustainable Regional Systems Research Networks (SRS RNs). Sustainable regional systems are connected urban and rural systems that are transforming their structures and processes collaboratively with the goal of measurably and equitably advancing the well-being of people and the planet. The purpose of the SRS RNs competition is to develop and support interdisciplinary, multi-organizational teams working collaboratively to produce cutting-edge convergent research, education, and outreach that addresses grand challenges in sustainable regional systems. SRS RNs will study multiscale regional systems to further SRS science, engineering, and education. Key elements will include new data, methods, and models to understand interactions between natural, human-built, and social systems; improved understanding of interdependencies, mutual benefits, and trade-offs of different wellbeing outcomes for humans and the environment; new and generalizable theories of change relevant to SRS;theco-production of knowledge; andexploration of conceptsof social equity in sustainable regional systems across spatial and temporal scales. SRS RN outcomes will have the potential to inform societal actions for sustainability across urban systems and the connected rural communities that make up regional systems. Subject to availability of funds and quality of proposals, this SRS RN solicitation will support: SRS RN Awards.These awards will supportfundamental convergent research, education, and outreach that addressesengineering, chemistry, biology, geosciences, mathematics, statistics, environmental, data, computational, education, and social, behavioral, and economic sciences ofsustainable regional systems in partnerships thatmay embrace universities, colleges, federal, state, and local governments, tribal communities, non-governmental and international bodies, non-profit organizations, industry, practitioners, and other community groups. The award size is up to $15 million totalwith a duration of 5 years. SRS RNs will conduct innovative and pioneering fundamental research and education that is of a scale and complexity that would not be possible within a single organization, center, or through the normal collaborative modes of NSF research support in core programs.
Award Range
$15,000,000 - Not specified
Total Program Funding
$30,000,000
Number of Awards
2
Matching Requirement
No
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -For-profit organizations: U.S.-based commercial organizations, including small businesses, with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education and a passion for innovation. -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) - Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members.Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus. - Additional Requirements: Proposals must include either/or: ;lt;ul type="discgt; ;lt;li;gt;If the team of core organizations include academic organizations, then at least one must be a university or collegethat serves populations ofstudents historically underrepresented in STEM.To qualify as a core partner organization, theremust be financial support for a minimum of three faculty membersparticipating in the SRS RN along with financial support fora minimum of three students.;lt;/li;gt; ;lt;li;gt;A core partner, such as a community group, a non-profit,or other group/organization that supports an underrepresented communitywithin the scope of the proposed research project. To qualify as a core partner organization, they must be allocated a minimum of 10% of the total budget request for theentire SRS RN.;lt;/li;gt; ;lt;/ul;gt; *Who May Serve as PI: Individuals from the following types of organizations can participate, including as co-PIs or Senior Personnel(but not the PI), as follows: ;lt;ul type="discgt; ;lt;li;gt;Other Federal Agencies: Researchers or participantsfrom other Federal agenciesor Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) may be supported bysubawards or participate asunfunded collaborators. A letter of collaboration is required for non-NSF sponsored FFRDCs and other Federal agencies.;lt;/li;gt; ;lt;li;gt;State and Local Governments:Individuals fromstate educational offices or organizations and local school districts may be supported bysubawards or participate asunfunded collaborators. A letter ofcollaboration from their organization is required.;lt;/li;gt; ;lt;li;gt;Scientists, engineers or educators in the U.S. who are U.S. citizens may be supported bysubawards or participate asunfunded collaborators. A letter of collaboration is required.;lt;/li;gt; ;lt;/ul;gt;
Geographic Eligibility
All
Application Opens
January 27, 2024
Application Closes
May 15, 2024
Grantor
NSF grants.gov support
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