The Significant Faculty Awards page on the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs website provides information about funding opportunities for which we hope to generate more proposals from and awards to our campus. (For more on Significant Faculty Awards, see the March 2005 and October 2006 Research Highlights newsletters.) Note that many of these awards are available only to those who apply, some are limited submission (meaning an internal selection process is necessary), and some are by nomination only. Deadlines are coming up soon for two of these important opportunities.

National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowships
Deadline May 1, 2007
NEH Fellowships support individuals pursuing advanced research in the humanities that contributes to scholarly knowledge or to the general public's understanding of the humanities. Recipients usually produce scholarly articles, monographs on specialized subjects, books on broad topics, archaeological site reports, translations, editions, or other scholarly tools. Fellowships support full-time work on a humanities project for a period of six to twelve months. NOTE: 2007 guidelines for this program have not yet been published. The 2006 guidelines posted on the NEH website (link below) can be used for reference but should not be used to prepare an application.
Website: http://www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/fellowships.html
COS Record: http://fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=48068

National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Awards
Deadlines July 17-18-19, 2007 (see either link below for details)
The NSF CAREER Program is a foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation's most prestigious awards in support of the early career-development activities of those teacher-scholars who most effectively integrate research and education within the context of the mission of their organization. Such activities should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of integrated contributions to research and education. NSF encourages submission of CAREER proposals from junior faculty members at all CAREER-eligible organizations and especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply. Each year NSF selects nominees for the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from among the most meritorious new CAREER awardees. The PECASE award is an honorary award and does not provide additional funds.
Website: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf05579
COS Record: http://fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=70293

Increasing UM’s rate of applications and nominations for these and other forms of research recognition and support is a goal that can bear fruit in a number of ways and may lead to higher national rankings of our institution. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs encourages UM faculty and post-docs to review the guidelines for these awards and, when appropriate, apply for them.

At the University of Mississippi it is our faculty and staff who strive toward and achieve the University's mission and goals, and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs exists to help them get that job done. The ORSP staff is available to help with any funding opportunities, regardless of the sponsor, the award size, or whether it will appear directly in future rankings of the University. Contact your Program Development Specialist in the ORSP for more information and assistance.

COS is for Everyone
Faculty and staff in some disciplines may be reluctant to use COS services because they think it’s all about science — after all, COS originally stood for “Community of Science.” But rest assured, COS covers all functions and all disciplines, from the physical and social sciences to the arts and humanities. Just take a look at the Program Announcements and Deadlines section below — several of those listings were drawn from a COS search incorporating humanities and social sciences. It’s true that COS started out serving primarily the “hard sciences” research community, but it’s grown over its 17-year history and now serves a full spectrum of constituencies. If you think of “science” in its most basic sense as “knowledge,” then you’ll understand that COS is for everyone.

COS Workbench is Key to Using COS Anywhere, Everywhere
UM has domain-enabled access to COS services, which means your username and password are not required as long as you are accessing COS from a campus computer. But of course you CAN use COS from elsewhere — just log in to your COS Workbench from any computer (home, hotel, off-campus office, anywhere), using your COS username and password. Log in regularly to manage your COS Profile, set preferences, and access other features — the ORSP provides this service for you.

COS Help is Available Online Any Time
Did you know? for every major function of the COS database service there are online tutorials, instructions, and user tips to help you learn the ins and outs and maximize your results when you use the system. Look for the “Instructions” navigation tab on the Funding Opportunities page and the Expertise page, or the “Help” link under Funding Alerts on your COS Workbench page.

Don't Know About COS?
Check out our COS page, the January 2005 and September 2006 newsletter articles, and/or the COS home page. COS is for all UM faculty in all academic disciplines and research areas.

Mississippi Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting ~ February 22-23, 2007
The Mississippi Academy of Sciences (MAS) is an organization of scientists, engineers, technicians, science educators and others from schools and universities, government, industry and business. These individuals, joined by the state's academic institutions and other MAS institutional members, support science in our state. The 2007 MAS annual meeting will be held on the Mississippi State University campus. The deadline for abstracts was November 1. www.msacad.org/

Creating Futures Through Technology Conference ~ February 25-27, 2007
The eleventh annual Creating Futures through Technology Conference and Trade Show 2007 serves as a venue for community college and university faculty, administrators, and staff to share their best practices in course delivery, utilizing partnerships in program delivery, creative uses of new and existing technology, and planning for tomorrow’s learner. The theme for this year’s conference is “Building Minds and Community.” Faculty and staff are invited to submit proposals to make presentations at the CFTTC 2007; the call for proposals is at www.outreach.olemiss.edu/cfttc/call_for_applications.html.

CUR Dialogues: The Art of Grantsmanship ~ March 8-10, 2007
The Council on Undergraduate Research invites you to participate in a conference where you will have an opportunity to meet with program officers from federal agencies such as NSF, NIH, NEH, and others. Successful grant writers will also share tips on how to write effective proposals, assessment strategies, and ethical considerations in research. Register online at www.cur.org.

NIH Regional Seminar ~ April 24-26, 2007
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and local partners will sponsor an NIH Regional Seminar on the NIH funding process – from application preparation to post-award administration – April 24-26, 2007 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The NIH Regional Seminar is designed for researchers and research administrators from academic institutions and private organizations in the eastern United States. Discussions of issues affecting NIH funding and grant administration will give conference participants a comprehensive, up-to-date view of NIH-sponsored research. Other discussion topics will include the fundamentals of conducting business with NIH (grant application preparation, electronic submission, peer review, budget analysis, and award determination), and current topics (strategic and financial management plans, indirect costs, and effective administration between NIH and recipients). The format will also include time for conference participants to meet informally with NIH representatives to discuss topics of special interest.
Registration is available online at www.ncbiotech.org/services_and_programs/intellectual_exchange/2007NIHRegionalSeminar.html

SICU2: An International Workshop on Historic Scientific Instrument Collections in the University ~ June 21-24, 2007
The first international conference on Scientific Instrument Collections in Universities (SICU) was held at Dartmouth College in 2004. The SICU1 conference began addressing the unique challenges faced by those who deal with university collections, while also striving to increase awareness among those who may not recognize the importance of their collections. The purpose of the SICU2 workshop (hosted by the University of Mississippi) is to continue solidifying the foundation for finding, describing, organizing, preserving, and utilizing the vast resource of historic scientific instrument collections that reside in academic institutions. These instruments are a vital part of our cultural and scientific heritage. Scientists, junior scholars, advanced graduate and undergraduate students, and people from outside academia are particularly encouraged to participate. home.olemiss.edu/~sicu2web/index.html

Sea Grant Programs Regional Coastal Community Resiliency Grants ~ Preproposal Deadline February 21
The Sea Grant programs bordering the Gulf of Mexico (Florida, Mississippi-Alabama, Louisiana and Texas) are requesting proposals for a regional project on Coastal Community Resiliency. The total funding available is $400,000 for one or more projects. Each proposal must include investigators from at least two of the five Gulf of Mexico states. Priorities include, but are not limited to: hazard mapping and mitigation; risk assessment; improving structures for hazard resistance; ecologically-friendly redevelopment strategy; and public awareness. The full announcement and preproposal submission guidelines are at www.flseagrant.org/funding/GOM/index.htm.

Department of Energy EPSCoR Grants ~ Pre-Application Deadline April 30, Application July 16
The Office of Basic Energy Sciences of the Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in keeping with its energy-related mission to assist in strengthening the Nation's scientific research enterprise through the support of basic science, engineering, and mathematics, announces its interest in receiving grant applications for collaborative partnerships between academic or industrial researchers from states eligible for the DOE Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program and researchers at DOE's National Laboratories, facilities, and centers. The purpose of the DOE/EPSCoR program is to enhance the capabilities of designated EPSCoR states to conduct nationally competitive, energy-related research and to develop science and engineering human resources in energy-related areas to meet current and future needs. The purpose of this program notice is to initiate and promote partnering relationships that build beneficial energy-related research programs with strong participation by students, postdoctoral fellows, and young faculty from EPSCoR states. For complete information and application materials, go to https://e-center.doe.gov/iips/faopor.nsf/UNID/A616F4E02E82F5868525724A0071740C?OpenDocument

National Science Foundation CAREER Program ~ Deadlines July 17-18-19
July 17: Biological Sciences; Computer & Information Sciences & Engineering; Education & Human Resources
July 18: Engineering
July 19: Geosciences; Mathematical & Physical Sciences; Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences; Office of Polar Programs
The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is an NSF-wide activity that offers the NSF’s most prestigious awards in support of the early career-development activities of those teacher-scholars who most effectively integrate research and education within the context of the mission of their organization. NSF encourages submission of CAREER proposals from junior faculty members at all CAREER-eligible organizations and especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply.
Agency URL: www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf05579
COS Record: fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=70293

National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowships for University Teachers ~ Deadline May 1
Projects may contribute to scholarly knowledge, to the advancement of teaching, or to the general public's understanding of the humanities. Such work might eventually produce scholarly articles, a monograph on a specialized subject, a book-length treatment of a broad topic, an archaeological site report, a translation, an edition, or other scholarly tool in either traditional or electronic formats.
Agency URL: www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/fellowships.html
COS Record: fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=20532

Mallinckrodt Foundation Grants ~ Deadlines May 1/August 1
The Mallinckrodt Foundation funds projects in the areas of multidisciplinary biomedical research, health and medicine, and medical education. Support is for worthy projects that are in need of initial start-up funding to move the projects forward to the point of other independent support or to support highly promising young investigators at the time when start-up funds are limited and initial progress is dependent on additional funding.
Agency URL: none
COS Record: fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=3691

Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion Grants ~ Deadlines May 1/September 1
The Wabash Center provides funds for activities that enhance teaching and learning in the fields of religion or theology. It seeks to fund projects that improve practical application of teaching and learning methods, that create a supportive environment for teachers, or that promote a sustained conversation about pedagogy. Projects might involve meetings of scholars across schools, regions, denominations, or subject areas to think about syllabi, teaching strategies, student learning styles, or teaching as a vocation. Projects might involve a single department experimenting with creative ways to enhance teaching or a doctoral institution helping their students prepare for teaching careers.
Agency URL: www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/grants/index.html
COS Record: fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=100135

Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Grants ~ Deadlines May 1/October 1
The Society wishes to support scientific research in social problem areas related to the basic interests and goals of SPSSI and particularly those that are not likely to receive support from traditional sources. Especially encouraged are proposals involving unique and timely research opportunities, underrepresented institutions, new investigators, volunteer research teams, and actual (not pilot) projects.
Agency URL: www.spssi.org/GIAflyer.html
COS Record: fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=19815

Dreyfus Foundation Special Grant Program in the Chemical Sciences ~ Deadline June 1
The Special Grant program is intended to strengthen chemistry teaching and research, with the expectation that awardees will find continuing funding from other sources. The foundation prefers to fund projects that are not already receiving substantial support from government agencies or other foundations. Past areas of support include development of curricular and instructional materials, including new media; institutional enhancement of education and research; public understanding of the role of chemistry in society, and encouragement of high school students and teachers.
Agency URL: www.dreyfus.org/sg.shtml
COS Record: fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=2652

National Science Foundation Ecosystem Science ~ Deadline July 9
The NSF Division of Environmental Biology Ecosystem Science Cluster supports research on natural, managed, and disturbed ecosystems, including those in terrestrial, freshwater, and wetland (including salt marsh) environments. Descriptive and manipulative approaches in field, mesocosm, and laboratory settings are supported, with the expectation that the bulk of the research is question- or hypothesis-driven. Proposals are encouraged, but not necessarily required to incorporate new or existing quantitative or conceptual models for the purpose of integration or synthesis.
Agency URL: www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12822&org=NSF&from=fund
COS Record: fundingopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/getRec?id=28861

Find MORE on the ORSP Funding Opportunities Recent Announcements page

SEARCH using COS Funding Opportunities

NCPA Director Receives National Award
Henry E. Bass, Director of the National Center for Physical Acoustics and the F.A.P. Barnard Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Mississippi, has been awarded the Acoustical Society of America's Silver Medal in Physical Acoustics. Professor Bass has contributed to the understanding of how sound propagates through the atmosphere by investigating the nature of sound at the molecular level. Specific topics of his research include how sonic booms are affected by atmospheric turbulence and how sound can be used in refrigeration devices. Dr. Bass has been a member of the physics faculty at the University of Mississippi since 1971 and is a fellow of the Acoustical Society of America, the premier international scientific society in acoustics devoted to the science and technology of sound.

NIUST Director Consults on Oil Spill Impact
Ray Highsmith (Executive Director, National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology) has been asked by Exxon Mobil Corporation to be an expert consultant for organisms potentially impacted by the Exxon Valdez oil spill. He has worked on the spill impacts for several years. The spill occurred about 18 years ago and the concern is whether residual oil might be impacting just two species. Highsmith’s role would be to read and comment on materials and models generated by their staff, various scientists and other consultants. He views this effort as a service to the community as part of the continuing effort to determine long-term effects of the oil spill on certain species.

New NIH Salary Cap Announced
From NIH Notice No. NOT-OD-07-033 ~ For the past eighteen years Congress has legislatively mandated a limitation on direct salary for individuals under NIH grant, cooperative agreement and contract awards (referred to here as a grant). The mandate appears in the annual appropriation act that provides authority for the NIH to incur obligations for a given Fiscal Year (FY). At this time NIH has not received a FY 2007 appropriation, and is operating under a Continuing Resolution that applies the terms of the FY 2006 Appropriation Act. The FY 2006 Appropriation Act (P.L. 109-149) restricts the amount of direct salary to Executive Level I of the Federal Executive Pay scale. The Office of Personnel Management has recently released new salary levels for the Executive Pay scale. Effective January 1, 2007 , the salary limitation for Executive Level 1 is $186,600. Once the Department of Health and Human Services Appropriation for FY 2007 is enacted, NIH will publish the annual notice of legislative mandates to provide information on any statutory provisions that limit the use of NIH grant funds in FY 2007. Final guidance on the salary cap will be provided at that time.

National Center for Research Resources
The NIH's National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) provides laboratory scientists and clinical researchers with the environments and tools they need to understand, detect, treat, and prevent a wide range of diseases. NCRR's four integrated and complementary divisions accelerate and enhance research along the entire continuum of biomedical science. The Division of Biomedical Technology supports a broad spectrum of technologies, techniques, and methods through BT Resource Centers at academic and other research institutions nationwide. The Division of Comparative Medicine provides scientists with essential resources—including specialized laboratory animals, research facilities, and training—that enable health-related discoveries. The goal of the Division of Research Infrastructure is developing and invigorating the nation's research capacity and infrastructure at all stages of research, from basic discoveries in the laboratory to advanced treatments for patients. The Division for Clinical Research Resources is taking a lead in NIH efforts to re-engineer the clinical research enterprise by helping institutions create a new integrated discipline of clinical and translational sciences. For more information, visit www.ncrr.nih.gov.

Mississippi Humanities Council Announces New Grant Deadlines
The Mississippi Humanities Council has revised its deadlines for grant applications exceeding $2,000. Applications for Regular Grants will now be accepted September 15 and April 15 annually. Decisions will be announced November 15 and June 15. Visit www.mshumanities.org and click on “Downloads” to review and/or download grant guidelines and application forms. The deadlines for Mini-grants, less than $2,000, remain unchanged.

FedEx Business Plan Competition
The ORSP Division of Technology Management would like to make all faculty, staff and students aware of the FedEx Institute Business Plan Competition (http://fedex.memphis.edu/bizplan/) which launches this January. The program will award a total of over $40,000 prize monies to top teams, including a $25,000 grand prize to the winner. Last year a graduate student from the University of Mississippi won Third Place with a teammate from the University of Southern Mississippi. This competition is designed to encourage students and researchers in the regional community to produce top business firms. It brings together business, engineering, and science professionals with students to explore the development of new companies, with the ultimate outcome being to help the region learn about entrepreneurship and collaborate to form successful businesses. For more information on this or other programs of its kind, please contact our office 915-1604 or techmgmt@olemiss.edu.

Proposal Activity ~ Proposal Development Specialists Lesha Agnew and Mickey McLaurin processed 19 external funding proposals during December 2006 and 49 during January 2007. For a complete listing, see the Monthly Report page.

Award Activity ~ SPA Division staff (Scottie Casey, Euphiazene Gray, Anita Randle, Linda Stone) processed 4 external funding awards during December 2006 and 31 during January 2007. For a complete listing, see the Monthly Report page.

For complete information about the ORSP — mission, structure, services, responsibilities, and more — visit the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs page

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs oversees funding for research, service,
education projects. These activities complement the fundamental aspects of The University of Mississippi’s mission and are among its most tangible contributions to the future. Funding for these activities is one of the best measures of a university’s success in engaging with national and international communities.

All of us who have sought funding to test our ideas know that it is difficult and that the communities to which we belong are highly competitive. That spirit of competition is critical and it contributes more than a little to the relief and excitement a researcher feels on receiving a funding award.

Listed below are our colleagues who have been notified of external funding awards in the last two calendar months. Please join me in congratulating them. The news of their discoveries and the importance of their contributions are part of all of our futures and the future of Ole Miss.

Alice M. Clark, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Research and Sponsored Programs

Monthly Report: A list of awards received and proposals submitted by The University of Mississippi in the previous month.

December-January Proposals Submitted: 68

December-January Awards Received: 35 totaling $7,993,085

FY07 Year-to-Date Number of Active Sponsored Projects: 480

FY07 Year-to-Date Number of Active Investigators: 221