The National Science Foundation (NSF) has recently released aprogram to which Wayne State University is allowed only a limited number of submissions. To that end, the Office of the Vice President for Research is requesting that faculty members interested in either of the following programs submit materials to an internal screening so that it may determine who may be allowed to apply.

NSF Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP)
Internal Deadline: Friday, December 16, 2005
Note: Type 1 Proposals only

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP) seeks to increase the number of students (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) receiving associate or baccalaureate degrees in established or emerging fields within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Type 1 proposals are solicited that provide for full implementation efforts at academic institutions. Type 2 proposals are solicited that support educational research projects on associate or baccalaureate degree attainment in STEM.

Program activities under the Type 1 STEP competition should be efforts aimed at implementing strategies that will lead to an increase in the number of students (United States citizens or permanent residents) obtaining STEM degrees at institutions with baccalaureate degree programs; or completing associate degrees in STEM fields or completing credits toward transfer to a baccalaureate degree program in STEM fields at community colleges. The goal of the project must be to increase the total graduation numbers of such students at the institution(s), and all STEP proposals must include specific numerical targets for these increases. If a project focuses efforts on only a subset of STEM fields, increases in those fields must not be at the expense of degrees in other STEM fields. Projects may focus on the retention and/or recruitment of undergraduate students into STEM fields. Projects should consider the importance of attention to broadening the participation of all sectors of the student population in STEM. Outreach efforts are appropriate only if the efforts can be expected to result in additional STEM majors and graduates at the submitting institution(s) within the grant period.

For more information on the program, consult the guidlines at the URL: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2006/nsf06502/nsf06502.htm

Wayne State University may submit only one proposal to this program. Interested applicants are asked to submit the following:

· A brief description (no more than 3-4 pages) of the proposed research;
· A clear declaration of the proposed P.I. for the research and associated WSU personnel; and
· The signature of the appropriate college dean and department chair.

Applications should be sent to:

OVPR
Room 6405.3
5057 Woodward

All proposals must be submitted by noon of Friday, December 16, 2005. Because of the high competition for this program, we must adhere to this date.

There are no limitations on Type 2 proposals that the University may submit.