Update on Research Funding via Federal Agencies November 3, 2022
Research Development's Strategic Intelligence team monitors the federal budget and funding landscape and produces this memo on a bi-weekly basis to share information that may impact ASU research.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Announcing the Inaugural UNITE Progress Report
https://www.nih.gov/ending-structural-racism/announcing-inaugural-unite-progress-report
NIH has published its first NIH UNITE Progress Report. Covering Fiscal Years 2021–2022, the UNITE Progress Report describes NIH’s actions to identify and address structural racism that may exist within the NIH and in the biomedical and behavioral research enterprise. It discusses UNITE’s initial efforts across four focus areas that aim to elevate health disparities and minority health research across Institutes and Centers (ICs), promote equity in the NIH-supported biomedical and behavioral research ecosystem, promote equity in the internal NIH workforce, and improve accuracy and transparency of data. The report states that NIH "intend[s] to expand UNITE’s efforts in the coming years—from new funding opportunities, to expanded educational programs, to enhanced data transparency."
NIH NIAMS Seeking Feedback on Next Strategic Plan
Every five years, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) revisits and updates its strategic plan, a document designed to guide decision making about the research the Institute will support. This is an important opportunity for individuals and organizations to provide input on NIAMS’ priorities and direction moving forward.
National Science Foundation (NSF)
NSF announces name changes to education directorate
https://beta.nsf.gov/news/nsf-announces-name-changes-education-directorate
NSF announced on 10/25/22 changes to the names of the Directorate for Education and Human Resources and the Division of Human Resource Development. To more accurately reflect and communicate the values and totality of the agency’s work with STEM education including supporting the missing millions, the directorate will now be known as the Directorate for STEM Education, or EDU, and the division will be known as the Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM, or EES.
NSF to end cost-sharing mandate for some grants to level the playing field
https://www.science.org/content/article/nsf-end-cost-sharing-mandate-some-grants-level-playing-field
This year, Congress directed the NSF to eliminate the requirement in two of the five agency programs that require cost sharing and see what happens. For the next 5 years, NSF will no longer require universities and other organizations to cover 30% of an award from its major research instrumentation (MRI) program. It is also ending the 50% match required by two of the four funding tracks in the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. The change was tucked into the new CHIPS and Science Act. The new law orders NSF to report back in 5 years on how the waiver for MRI and Noyce has affected participation and the quality of the research, as well as whether it should become permanent. It also requires NSF to assess its impact on the demographics of the applicant pool.
NSF announces $10 million partnership with Micron to support semiconductor design and manufacturing workforce development
https://beta.nsf.gov/news/nsf-announces-10-million-partnership-micron
On 10/28/22, NSF announced a cross-sector partnership with Micron Technology, Inc. to develop bold, potentially transformative solutions to address semiconductor manufacturing challenges and workforce shortages. NSF and Micron will each invest $5 million. Projects funded through this agreement will focus on semiconductor industry research, education, infrastructure capacity building, and/or workforce development for high-technology fields that are critical to future semiconductor design and manufacturing. This will include advancing research in fields that will spur innovation for the semiconductor industry and developing new structures and functions of the STEM learning and teaching enterprise.
Department of Commerce (DoC)
Manufacturing USA Semiconductor Institute Request for Information
https://www.nist.gov/oam/manufacturing-usa-semiconductor-institute-rfi
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking public input on the development of up to three new Manufacturing USA institutes focused on semiconductor manufacturing. The institutes, authorized by the recently passed Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act, will enhance U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing through advanced research, education, and workforce development.
Department of Energy (DoE)
DOE Issues NOI to Fund Applied R&D for Materials and Technologies to Drive Innovation in Clean Manufacturing
The $52 million “FY22 Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies—Building Technologies Office Multi-topic FOA” is expected to include the following topics when released in November:
- Next Generation Materials and Manufacturing
- Secure and Sustainable Materials
- Energy Technology Manufacturing and Workforce
DOE Launches New Energy Earthshot to Cut Industrial Heating Emissions By 85 Percent
DOE recently announced the launch of the Industrial Heat Shot™, a new effort aimed at dramatically reducing the cost, energy use, and carbon emissions associated with the heat used to make everything from food to cement and steel. The latest DOE Energy Earthshots Initiative™, the Industrial Heat Shot ™ seeks to develop cost-competitive solutions for industrial heat with at least 85% lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. If this target is achieved, the American industrial sector will be on course to reduce its carbon equivalent emissions by 575 million metric tons by 2050, roughly equal to the annual emissions generated by all passenger cars currently on the road.
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
HHS Announces Actions to Counter Biological Threats, Enhance Pandemic Preparedness, and Achieve Health Security
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced actions the department will take following National Security Memorandum 15, signed by President Biden, directing implementation of the 2022 National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan for Countering Biological Threats, Enhancing Pandemic Preparedness, and Achieving Global Health Security. The plan details a coordinated approach to address the challenges from naturally occurring, deliberate, and accidental biological threats. Efforts include strengthening early warning and awareness of pandemics and biological threats, enhancing diagnostic capabilities, and enhancing vaccine and therapeutic capabilities.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
NASA Continues Psyche Asteroid Mission
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-continues-psyche-asteroid-mission
Earlier this year, Psyche missed its planned 2022 launch period as a result of mission development problems, leading to an internal review of whether the mission would be able to overcome these issues to successfully launch in 2023. With a new October 2023 launch date, the Psyche spacecraft will arrive at the asteroid in August 2029. Note: Arizona State University leads the Psyche mission.