Opportunity Information: Apply for 16 508
Apply for 16 508
- The NSF in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Integrative Strategies for Understanding Neural and Cognitive Systems" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041, 47.070, 47.075, 47.076,.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 21, 2015 and posted on Oct 21, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 26, 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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 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 "Integrative Strategies for Understanding Neural and Cognitive Systems" (Funding Opportunity Number 16-508) is designed to push forward ambitious, cross-disciplinary research aimed at explaining how brains give rise to behavior and cognition. The central premise is that neural and cognitive systems are too complex to be fully understood from any single disciplinary viewpoint, and that recent progress in multiple fields has created a timely opening for integrated approaches that blend theories, models, tools, data, and educational strategies. NSF is explicitly looking for proposals that cross traditional boundaries between disciplines and research communities, and that pursue ideas that might be considered too risky or unconventional for standard, single-field programs.
This solicitation is part of NSF's broader, multi-year "Understanding the Brain" effort and aligns with NSF's participation in the federal BRAIN Initiative (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies). The program is framed around building a connected portfolio of transformative projects rather than isolated studies. In practice, that means NSF wants a set of awards that reinforce one another by creating links across investigators and communities, ultimately enabling new ways to study the brain "in action and in context" and not just in simplified laboratory settings or narrow experimental paradigms.
In its second phase (the FY2016 version reflected in this announcement), the program focuses proposals around four integrative research themes. Two themes are continuations from the prior year: (1) Neuroengineering and Brain-Inspired Concepts and Designs, which broadly covers engineering approaches to interfacing with neural systems and designing technologies or computational systems inspired by brain principles, and (2) Individuality and Variation, which emphasizes understanding differences across individuals, including variability in neural structure and function, cognition, learning, development, and behavior. Two additional themes were introduced for this cycle: (3) Cognitive and Neural Processes in Realistic, Complex Environments, which encourages research that studies brains and cognition in settings that better reflect real-world complexity, and (4) Data-Intensive Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, which targets the growing need for methods and infrastructure to handle large, complex datasets and to extract meaning from them using modern computational and statistical techniques. Across all themes, the program highlights interest not only in scientific results but also in enabling advances such as new theories and methods, technological innovations, educational approaches, research infrastructure, and workforce development.
A defining feature of this opportunity is its emphasis on high-risk, high-reward research. NSF signals that it expects proposals to be bold and potentially transformative, but it also requires applicants to be candid and specific about the risks involved and how they will be managed. Proposals are expected to clearly articulate the potential payoff, why the approach is worth the uncertainty, and how the project design balances risk with credible plans for learning and progress even if parts of the idea do not work as hoped. Another key requirement is alignment with the missions of the participating NSF directorates, reflecting the cross-directorate nature of the program.
The solicitation accepts two main classes of proposals. The first is "Integrative Foundations" awards, which support projects that deliver foundational advances connected to a broad range of important questions in neural and cognitive systems, with strong potential for transformative impact in one or more of the four themes. These awards span multiple NSF directorates, including CISE (Computer and Information Science and Engineering), EHR (Education and Human Resources), ENG (Engineering), and SBE (Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences). The second class is "Core Supplements," which provide additional funding to new or existing NSF awards (within participating directorates, noted here as CISE, EHR, and ENG) so investigators can add activities that connect their current projects to new integrative opportunities in neural and cognitive systems. In other words, supplements are meant to extend or redirect ongoing work toward the program's multidisciplinary brain and cognition goals.
Administratively, this is a discretionary NSF grant opportunity open to essentially any eligible applicant type (described as unrestricted, subject to any additional eligibility notes in the full solicitation). The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $1,000,000 and an anticipated total of about 30 awards. It was posted on October 21, 2015, created the same day, and had a closing date of January 26, 2016. The listing includes CFDA numbers 47.041, 47.070, 47.075, and 47.076, reflecting NSF program and accounting categories associated with research and education activities across the participating areas.
Overall, the program is best understood as NSF's invitation for teams and investigators to combine neuroscience, cognitive science, engineering, computation, data science, and education research in ways that produce new foundational capabilities and insights. The most competitive proposals under this call would typically make a strong case that integrating disciplines is not just a nice add-on, but is essential to solving the core scientific or engineering problem, and that the project could change how researchers study and understand the brain and cognition going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF "Integrative Strategies for Understanding Neural and Cognitive Systems" (16-508)
What is the goal of the NSF opportunity "Integrative Strategies for Understanding Neural and Cognitive Systems" (16-508)?
This NSF funding opportunity supports ambitious, cross-disciplinary research aimed at explaining how brains give rise to behavior and cognition. The program is built on the idea that neural and cognitive systems are too complex to be fully understood from a single disciplinary viewpoint, so NSF is seeking integrated approaches that combine theories, models, tools, data, and education strategies.
How does this solicitation relate to NSF's broader brain research efforts?
This solicitation is part of NSF's multi-year "Understanding the Brain" effort and aligns with NSF participation in the federal BRAIN Initiative (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies).
What kinds of projects is NSF trying to build through this program?
NSF describes the program as building a connected portfolio of transformative projects rather than isolated studies. In practical terms, NSF is looking for a set of awards that reinforce one another by linking investigators and research communities and enabling new ways to study the brain "in action and in context," not only in simplified laboratory settings or narrow experimental paradigms.
Does the program require cross-disciplinary or boundary-crossing research?
Yes. NSF explicitly seeks proposals that cross traditional boundaries between disciplines and research communities and that integrate theories, models, tools, data, and/or educational strategies. The opportunity also encourages ideas that may be considered too risky or unconventional for standard, single-field programs.
Is this a high-risk, high-reward program?
Yes. A defining feature of the opportunity is its emphasis on high-risk, high-reward research. NSF signals it expects proposals to be bold and potentially transformative, while also requiring applicants to clearly describe the risks and how those risks will be managed.
What does NSF expect applicants to say about risk?
Proposals are expected to be candid and specific about what is risky, why the potential payoff justifies the uncertainty, and how the project balances risk with credible plans for learning and progress even if parts of the idea do not work as hoped.
What are the four integrative research themes in this FY2016 version of the program?
The solicitation focuses proposals around four integrative research themes:
- Neuroengineering and Brain-Inspired Concepts and Designs (engineering approaches to interfacing with neural systems and designing technologies or computational systems inspired by brain principles)
- Individuality and Variation (understanding differences across individuals, including variability in neural structure and function, cognition, learning, development, and behavior)
- Cognitive and Neural Processes in Realistic, Complex Environments (studying brains and cognition in settings that better reflect real-world complexity)
- Data-Intensive Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (methods and infrastructure for large, complex datasets, and modern computational and statistical techniques for extracting meaning)
Are these themes limited to scientific findings only?
No. Across all themes, NSF highlights interest not only in scientific results but also in enabling advances such as new theories and methods, technological innovations, educational approaches, research infrastructure, and workforce development.
What proposal types are accepted under this solicitation?
The solicitation accepts two main classes of proposals: (1) Integrative Foundations awards and (2) Core Supplements.
What are "Integrative Foundations" awards?
Integrative Foundations awards support projects that deliver foundational advances connected to a broad range of important questions in neural and cognitive systems, with strong potential for transformative impact in one or more of the four themes.
Which NSF directorates participate in Integrative Foundations awards?
Integrative Foundations awards span multiple NSF directorates, including CISE (Computer and Information Science and Engineering), EHR (Education and Human Resources), ENG (Engineering), and SBE (Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences).
What are "Core Supplements" in this program?
Core Supplements provide additional funding to new or existing NSF awards (within participating directorates) so investigators can add activities that connect their current projects to new integrative opportunities in neural and cognitive systems. The intent is to extend or redirect ongoing work toward the program's multidisciplinary brain and cognition goals.
Which directorates are noted as participating in Core Supplements?
The solicitation notes Core Supplements within participating directorates as CISE, EHR, and ENG.
Does NSF require proposals to align with participating directorate missions?
Yes. A key requirement is that proposals align with the missions of the participating NSF directorates, reflecting the cross-directorate nature of the program.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is described as a discretionary NSF grant opportunity open to essentially any eligible applicant type (described as unrestricted), subject to any additional eligibility notes in the full solicitation.
What is the award ceiling for this opportunity?
The listing includes an award ceiling of $1,000,000.
How many awards does NSF anticipate making?
The opportunity anticipates about 30 awards.
When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted (and created) on October 21, 2015, and had a closing date of January 26, 2016.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 16-508.
Which CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The listing includes CFDA numbers 47.041, 47.070, 47.075, and 47.076, reflecting NSF program and accounting categories associated with research and education activities across participating areas.
What makes a proposal competitive under this call, based on the description provided?
The most competitive proposals would typically make a strong case that integrating disciplines is essential to solving the core scientific or engineering problem (not just an add-on), and that the project could change how researchers study and understand the brain and cognition going forward.
Is the program only about neuroscience?
No. The program is described as an invitation to combine neuroscience, cognitive science, engineering, computation, data science, and education research to produce new foundational capabilities and insights.
Does the program encourage studying cognition and the brain in real-world conditions?
Yes. One of the integrative themes specifically encourages research on cognitive and neural processes in realistic, complex environments, emphasizing brains and cognition "in action and in context" rather than only in simplified laboratory settings.
Does the solicitation support data-intensive work?
Yes. One of the integrative themes is Data-Intensive Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, targeting the need for methods and infrastructure to handle large, complex datasets and to extract meaning using modern computational and statistical techniques.
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| BLM (Arizona), Arizona Fossil Recovery and Curation, Arizona State Office Apply for L16AS00002 Funding Number: L16AS00002 Agency: DOI-BLM Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Basin CESU Apply for G16AS00011 Funding Number: G16AS00011 Agency: DOI-USGS1 Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ideas Lab: Measuring "Big G" Challenge Apply for 16 520 Funding Number: 16 520 Agency: NSF Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Critical Techniques, Technologies and Methodologies for Advancing Foundations and Applications of Big Data Sciences and Engineering Apply for 16 512 Funding Number: 16 512 Agency: NSF Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Rapid Attack Detection, Isolation and Characterization Systems (RADICS) Apply for DARPA BAA 16 14 Funding Number: DARPA BAA 16 14 Agency: DOD-DARPA-I2O Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Exploiting Parallelism and Scalability Apply for 16 507 Funding Number: 16 507 Agency: NSF Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Award - Center for the Development and Use of Alternative Water Supplies Apply for R16 NOI DO 005 Funding Number: R16 NOI DO 005 Agency: DOI-BOR Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,100,000 |
| Nanomanufacturing Apply for PD 16 1788 Funding Number: PD 16 1788 Agency: NSF Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| ROSES 2015: Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team Apply for NNH15ZDA001N HAQST Funding Number: NNH15ZDA001N HAQST Agency: NASA-HQ Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2015: Earth Science Applications: Socioeconomic Benefits Apply for NNH15ZDA001N SEB Funding Number: NNH15ZDA001N SEB Agency: NASA-HQ Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Joint Program Committee/Military Infectious Diseases Clinical Study Award Apply for W81XWH 17 DMRDP MID CSA Funding Number: W81XWH 17 DMRDP MID CSA Agency: DOD-AMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Joint Program Committee-2/Military Infectious Diseases Applied Research Award Apply for W81XWH 17 DMRDP MID ARA Funding Number: W81XWH 17 DMRDP MID ARA Agency: DOD-AMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Use of the NASA Physical Sciences Informatics System – Appendix B Apply for NNH15ZTT001N 15PSI B Funding Number: NNH15ZTT001N 15PSI B Agency: NASA-HQ Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Genealogy of Life Apply for 16 522 Funding Number: 16 522 Agency: NSF Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| MacroSystems Biology and Early NEON Science Apply for 16 521 Funding Number: 16 521 Agency: NSF Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| International Research Network Connections Apply for 16 523 Funding Number: 16 523 Agency: NSF Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2015: K2 Guest Observer Cycle 4 Apply for NNH15ZDA001N K2GO4 Funding Number: NNH15ZDA001N K2GO4 Agency: NASA-HQ Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2015: Astrophysics Research and Analysis Program Apply for NNH15ZDA001N APRA Funding Number: NNH15ZDA001N APRA Agency: NASA-HQ Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Air Force Studies Requirement Apply for BAA AFRL AFOSR 2016 0001 Funding Number: BAA AFRL AFOSR 2016 0001 Agency: DOD-AFOSR Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $25,000,000 |
| Ecosystem Restoration on Desecheo NWR Apply for F16AS00065 Funding Number: F16AS00065 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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