International Engagement

The National Science Foundation encourages and supports international collaborations.

Keep the United States globally competitive at the frontiers of knowledge by increasing international partnerships and collaborations. NSF Strategic Plan, Performance Goal #3

Good science anywhere is good for science everywhere provided that a free and open flow of information through a transparent process with measures to promote scientific ethics and integrity flourishes everywhere.NSF Director, January 23, 2012

Join Resources: Team Science• Access to unique facilities and equipment

• Share costs and risks- exploit capacity

• Exchange techniques and insights

Build Capacity• Strengthen/Expand knowledge base

• Attract talent

• Boost S&T-led economic performance

Achieve Objectives• Address national and global problems

• Share and develop synergy among parties

• Enhance research and education

• Advance personal/professional goals

Why International Research Collaborations?

S&T Development in China Expenditure: 2009 to 2012

4

R&D Investment at ¥10,240 billion in 2012-- 17.9% over 2011 at 1.97% of GDP. The goal is to reach 2.2% by 2020. [Of this

total amount, 5% at ¥49.8 billion was for basic research]

Core Values for International EngagementWhat we’re looking for…

• Intellectual Partnerships • Mutual Benefit from expertise,

facilities, or resources• New international collaborations• U.S. Students & Researchers gain

international experience• Networking to link expertise and

resources and develop trust

Research/Education CommunityEPSCoR

NSF

DisciplinaryPrograms

NSFInternational & Integrative

Programs

$$$$$$Co-funding &Supplements

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International activities at NSF are supported through a variety of mechanisms.

• Success rate for proposals from EPSCoR jurisdictions=34% with 57 awards

• Top states are Louisiana, Alabama, Rhode Island

Supports initial phases of NEW international collaboration

• Planning visits• Research visits• Initial data gathering activities• Proof-of-concept

$10k-$100k for a year (including IDC)12 months maximum durationStudent travel encouraged

Successful result is follow-up full research proposal

Catalyzing New International Collaborations (CNIC)

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The CNIC Route

International Research Experiences for Students (IRES)

• U.S. undergraduate & graduate students

• Organized by U.S.-based faculty for an international research experience

• Foreign mentorship required• Focused research experiences overseas (> 4 weeks)• $150,000 maximum ($50,000 per year for up to 3 years)

REU – USC 2011 UseIT Intern Class Earthquake Information Technology

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East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI)

Graduate Students

• Research experiences at host institutions in Australia,

China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, or Taiwan

− $ 5,000 stipend for 8-10 weeks from June to August

− Pre-departure orientation in Washington, D.C.

− International round-trip airfare to the host location

− Orientation to science and culture at each location

− Abroad living expenses by host country

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(A game changer for Prof. Datye, Univ. New Mexico)

Senior researchers and multi-institutional team:

• Bold, forward-looking research

• Facilitate student participation in international research collaborations

• Strengthen the capacity for mutually beneficial international collaborations

• 50+ PIRE awards have engaged collaborators in more than 70 countries

• Typically, five-year duration and average total budget of ~$3.0 million

• Next competition in 2014

Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE)

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Science Across Virtual Institutes (SAVI)

Groups of Researchers• Platform for teams of NSF-funded investigators:

− Network with partners abroad − Leverage resources to advance shared research interests − Engage students, postdocs, early career in international collaboration− Stimulate international interaction − Collaborate in emerging multidisciplinary areas, as appropriate

• SAVI is a mechanism, not a stand-alone program• Initiated by NSF-supported teams for collaboration with non-U.S. teams

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Graduate Research Opportunities Worldwide

Open to awardees of NSF’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program

Partnership between NSF and international funding agencies• 3-12 month international research collaborations • GROW Fellows receive:

− International travel allowance of $5,000 to cover travel and research costs associated with the international research collaboration

− While overseas, Fellows receive a living allowance from the host country• Ten partners in 2013: Denmark, Finland, France, Japan, Korea, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Chile

− Expanding partnerships in future

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Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER)

• Support scientists in developing countries who work with NSF-funded scientists

• Build scientific capacity and empower researchers in developing countries to use science and technology to address local and global development challenges

• Link to NSF-funded research• USAID PEER-Science funding may be used to:

− Train students and faculty− Equip laboratories and field stations − Fund research − Build scientific networks

• Administered by The National Academies for USAID

peer@nas.edu

Keys to successful funding of international collaborations

• Scientific Merit -- Good Idea with goal of accelerating progress• Know why you are invested• Address how the collaboration will enhance the research

− Value added: bring assets to bear− Mutual benefits: engage really good people

• Obtain commitment from foreign collaborators• Involve U.S. students, junior researchers

− Meaningful attention to diversity− Prepare, mentor, and assess− Pay them - travel, living costs, stipends

• Know and observe special rules− Visa regulations− Import and export rules

• Work with others in your institution• Consult NSF staff

− Disciplinary Program Officer− International Program Officer

Nancy Sungnsung@nsf.gov

Bonnie Thompsonbhthomps@nsf.gov

National Science FoundationOffice of International and Integrative Activities