Opportunity Information: Apply for 16 577
Apply for 16 577
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Focused Research Groups in the Mathematical Sciences" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.049.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 30, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 27, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity titled "Focused Research Groups in the Mathematical Sciences" (Funding Opportunity Number 16-577) supports small-to-midsize collaborative teams tackling a clearly defined, high-impact research problem in the mathematical sciences. The central idea is to fund groups that bring focused, coordinated effort to a major challenge: an important, widely recognized problem that is unlikely to be solved by isolated work and instead benefits from the synergy of multiple investigators working together. NSF emphasizes that the expected outcomes should matter broadly within the mathematical sciences and may also create meaningful spillover into other fields.
This program is designed for projects that use innovative approaches and that are ambitious in scope, including projects that carry substantial intellectual risk. Interdisciplinary proposals are explicitly encouraged. While the core of the work typically involves mathematicians and statisticians, teams may also include researchers from other science and engineering areas when those perspectives are essential to the proposed research. The aim is not collaboration for its own sake, but rather a tightly organized research plan where the group structure is necessary to make progress on the chosen problem.
Awards are made as grants under NSF's research and development funding category (CFDA 47.049). Projects are intended to be timely and time-bounded, with an expected duration of up to three years. The opportunity notes that projects demonstrating strong progress during the first two years may be recommended for a "creativity extension" of up to two additional years, providing a pathway for continued support when early results indicate exceptional promise or momentum.
In terms of scale, the listed award ceiling is $1,500,000, with approximately 10 awards expected. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may appear in the full solicitation. The opportunity was created on June 30, 2016, with an original closing date of September 27, 2016, and is administered by the NSF. Overall, the program targets concentrated, collaborative research efforts that are substantial enough to move the needle on a major mathematical problem within a defined timeframe, while still leaving room for bold ideas, nontraditional methods, and cross-disciplinary team structures.
FAQs: NSF Focused Research Groups in the Mathematical Sciences (FON 16-577)
What is the purpose of the NSF "Focused Research Groups in the Mathematical Sciences" opportunity (FON 16-577)?
The opportunity supports small-to-midsize collaborative teams working on a clearly defined, high-impact research problem in the mathematical sciences. The program is designed for projects where a coordinated group effort is essential to make progress on an important, widely recognized challenge that is unlikely to be solved through isolated work.
What kind of research problems does this program aim to fund?
The program targets major challenges in the mathematical sciences that matter broadly to the field. NSF highlights problems that are important and widely recognized, and where multiple investigators working together can create synergy that materially improves the chances of breakthrough progress.
How does NSF define the central idea behind "Focused Research Groups"?
The central idea is to fund groups that bring focused, coordinated effort to a major mathematical sciences challenge. The emphasis is on a tightly organized research plan and team structure that is necessary for achieving meaningful progress, rather than collaboration for its own sake.
Are innovative or high-risk approaches appropriate for this program?
Yes. The opportunity is designed for ambitious projects that use innovative approaches, including research that carries substantial intellectual risk.
Are interdisciplinary proposals encouraged?
Yes. Interdisciplinary proposals are explicitly encouraged, especially when perspectives from other disciplines are essential to the proposed research.
Who is expected to be part of a typical project team?
The core of the work typically involves mathematicians and statisticians. However, teams may also include researchers from other science and engineering areas when those perspectives are necessary for the research goals.
Does the program require that a proposal include non-mathematics participants?
No. The information provided indicates that projects typically involve mathematicians and statisticians, and that researchers from other fields may be included when essential. It does not state that non-mathematics participants are required.
What outcomes does NSF expect from funded projects?
NSF emphasizes outcomes that matter broadly within the mathematical sciences. The opportunity also notes that projects may create meaningful spillover into other fields.
How long are projects expected to run?
Projects are intended to be timely and time-bounded, with an expected duration of up to three years.
Is there any possibility of extending a project beyond the initial period?
Yes. Projects demonstrating strong progress during the first two years may be recommended for a "creativity extension" of up to two additional years, offering a potential pathway for continued support when early results show exceptional promise or momentum.
What is the maximum award amount under this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $1,500,000.
How many awards does NSF expect to make?
Approximately 10 awards are expected.
What type of NSF funding mechanism is used for these awards?
Awards are made as grants under NSF's research and development funding category, CFDA 47.049.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may appear in the full solicitation.
Which agency administers this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
When was this opportunity created and what were the key dates listed?
The opportunity was created on June 30, 2016, and the original closing date listed is September 27, 2016.
What makes a proposal a good fit compared to general collaborative research?
A good fit is one where the group structure is necessary to make progress on the chosen problem, supported by a focused and coordinated plan. The program stresses that the aim is not collaboration for its own sake, but a tightly organized effort aligned to a major, clearly defined challenge.
Does the program focus only on mathematical sciences, or can it impact other fields?
The program targets outcomes that matter broadly within the mathematical sciences, while also recognizing that successful efforts may create meaningful spillover into other disciplines.
What is the intended scale of projects supported by this program?
The program supports small-to-midsize teams and provides funding at a scale substantial enough to pursue a major mathematical problem within a defined, time-bounded period.
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