WELCOME
to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho 2013 - 2018
ABOUT 04 04 04 05 06 08 08 09
EPSCoR ISHEN Idaho STEM Pipeline Idaho EPSCoR Committee Idaho EPSCoR Office Staff MILES Executive Leadership Team Component Team Leads
RESEARCH 10 12 14
Boise-Treasure Valley Coeur d’Alene Pocatello
EDUCATION 16 18 20
Adventure Learning MURI Ambassador Program
REVIEW 21 21
Project Advisory Board External Evaluation
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION 22 24 26
Participation Financial Reporting
ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES 28 IWG 30 iSEED 32 CCD
COMMUNICATION 34 34 34 35 35
GoTo Meeting Teleconferencing Videoconferencing Websites Social Media
WHAT IS EPSCoR 34 Goals and Objectives
2 • Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho
WELCOME On behalf of the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) in Idaho, we welcome you as a participant in the statewide Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the State of Idaho. EPSCoR is the only state-based program at the NSF. Idaho won a $20M award in 2013 focused on building research capacity related to Managing Idaho’s Landscapes for Ecosystem Services (MILES). This program is based on strong collaboration among Idaho’s public universities University of Idaho, Boise State University, and Idaho State University - as well as participation of Idaho’s 2-year and 4-year colleges. The purpose of an NSF EPSCoR RII grant is to provide support for lasting improvements in a state’s academic research infrastructure and its research and education capacity in areas that support state and university Science and Technology Strategic Plans. Idaho EPSCoR is governed by the Idaho EPSCoR Committee. The intent of NSF EPSCoR is to partner with Idaho to increase our national competitiveness for research funding in strategic areas of importance to the State and to enhance our reputation within the science community for high impact research. Idaho’s NSF RII award IIA-1301792 is a cooperative agreement to the University of Idaho, where the Idaho EPSCoR Office resides. The RII research theme, MILES, is summarized later in this document and more fully in the NSF EPSCoR RII proposal submitted to NSF. This NSF award is a continuing award that has been approved for five years starting June 2013; however, funds are awarded one year at a time based on ongoing demonstration of progress in meeting the goals and objectives of Idaho’s MILES project. The goals and objectives are articulated in the MILES Strategic Plan. Meaningful collaboration and integration among MILES participants is essential to effectively develop, leverage, and add value to Idaho’s research capabilities. This project is designed to help Idahoans make science-based decisions about natural resources as rproject esults and products provide us all with a better understanding of the complex relationship between people and the environment. Again, welcome and congratulations on your participation in this unique statewide infrastructure improvement award. We hope this booklet gives you a glimpse of the exciting nature of an EPSCoR award, and we look forward to seeing how MILES will enhance Idaho’s contributions to the national science community. Sincerely,
Editor Althea Sheets, althea@uidaho.edu
Peter Goodwin Project Director Idaho EPSCoR
Rick Schumaker Assistant Project Director Idaho EPSCoR
Graphic Design Mandi Coulter, mandi@uidaho.edu Version 1.0, August 2014 Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 3
about
EPSCoR
idahoepscor.org
The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) initiative to partner with eligible states to promote the development of science and technology capacity throughout the United States. NSF establishes partnerships with government, higher education, and industry that are designed to effect lasting improvements in a state’s or region’s research infrastructure, R&D capacity and hence, its national R&D competitiveness.
IDAHO STEM HIGHER EDUCATION NETWORK
idahoepscor.org/ishen
To promote state-lead coordination for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Idaho EPSCoR established the Idaho STEM Higher Education Network (ISHEN). The Network fosters communication across university and college campuses to encourage the formation and dissemination of new ideas, values, and learning and provides leadership to carry out integrative activities. The Network involves Idaho’s three public universities and 2-year and 4-year colleges, assists in creating sustainable partnerships, and strengthens recruitment and retention efforts, particularly for underrepresented minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. See the Idaho EPSCoR website for more information idahoepscor.org.
IDAHO STEM PIPELINE There is a growing need in our Nation to prepare more students, teachers, and practitioners in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). There are many excellent programs in Idaho designed to prepare and encourage students to pursue STEM fields. To better integrate various efforts and establish online access to multiple programs, the “Idaho STEM Pipeline” was created as a user-friendly web portal that provides easily accessible information on these Idaho programs to students, parents, teachers, and Idaho communities. 4 • Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho
idahostem.org
IDAHO EPSCoR COMMITTEE
Dr. Doyle Jacklin, Dr. Laird Noh, Chairman Vice-Chairman Idaho State Riverbend Commerce Park Senate (ret.)
Dr. Jean’ne Shreeve University of Idaho
Dr. Howard Grimes Idaho State University
Dr. John McIver University of Idaho
Dr. Mark Rudin Boise State University
Gynii Gilliam Economic Development Consultant
Dr. Dennis Stevens Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Leo Ray Fish Breeders of Idaho
Matt Borud Idaho Department of Commerce
Dr. David Tuthill Idaho Water Engineering
Dr. Frank Roberto Newmont Mining Corporation
Idaho EPSCoR is led by a State Committee of volunteer members with diverse professional backgrounds from both the public and private sectors and from all regions of the state. The EPSCoR Committee is appointed by and reports to the Idaho State Board of Education and receives matching funds via the Higher Education Research Council (HERC). In addition to ongoing oversight, the EPSCoR Committee is responsible for identifying research themes having the best potential to improve Idaho’s future R&D competitiveness.
Maxine Bell Idaho State Representative
John Goedde Idaho State Senate
Doug Chadderdon Great Floors LLC
David Barneby Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Power (ret.)
Dr. David Hill Idaho National Laboratory (ret.)
Bill Goesling Ex Officio Member State Board of Education Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 5
Contact Us: 875 Perimeter Drive, MS 3029 Moscow, Idaho 83844-3029 208-885-7102 208-885-5111 fax idahoepscor.org
IDAHO EPSCoR OFFICE
As a statewide program interacting with hundreds of participants at all levels, the Project Director is assisted by a professional staff to ensure the effficient and effective performance of all project responsibilities. The Idaho EPSCoR Office and Project Director are located at the University of Idaho. Idaho EPSCoR currently administers the $20 million, 5-year Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Track 1 grant (MILES - IIA-1301792) and the $6 million, 3-year RII Track 2 Tri-State (Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico) grant (WC-WAVE - IIA-1329513). Detailed information is available on idahoecosystems.org (MILES) and westernconsortium.org (WC-WAVE).
MANAGEMENT Dr. Peter Goodwin
Rick Schumaker
Project Director
Assistant Project Director
pgoodwin@uidaho.edu
Project Administrator
208-850-1211
rschumak@uidaho.edu 208-885-5742
RII Principal Investigator Scientific & technical leadership
Program coordination
Maintain cohesive research enterprise
Monitoring goals and objectives
Implement EPSCoR Committee directive
EPSCoR Office operations
Promote excellence in STEM
Liaison with NSF & EPSCoR Committee
Promote productive research environment
Program evaluation and reports Fiscal oversight Fostering state & institutional partnerships
6 • Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho
FINANCE AND HUMANAND RESOURCES EDUCATION, OUTREACH, DIVERSITY Sarah Penney Education. Outreach, and Diversity Manager sarahp@uidaho.edu 208-885-2345 Idaho STEM Pipeline Diversity and broadening statewide participation in STEM MILES Undergraduate Research and Internships (MURI) Program MILES and WC-WAVE Workforce Development 2-yr and 4-yr College Ambassadors Program
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS, REPORTING, MEETINGS & EVENTS Althea Sheets
Mandi Coulter
Communications Manager
Events Coordinator
althea@uidaho.edu
mandi@uidaho.edu
208-885-4144
208-885-1295
Media/news, communications, highlights
Event coordination, planning & logistics
Newsletter Editor
Videoconference and technology support
Website(s) Administrator
Graphic design
Social Media & Events Supervisor
Social Media
Reporting
FINANCE AND HUMAN RESOURCES Michele Mattoon
Kay Trotter
Finance & Human Resources Manager
Administrative/Financial Coordinator (part-time)
mmattoon@uidaho.edu
kaytrotter@boisestate.edu
208-885-5842
208-426-2912
Sub awards, service contracts & purchase orders
BSU financial management
Budget planning & management
Administrative support
Financial compliance & policies
Track-1 RII
UI hiring process and procedures, finance, human resources & admin. supervisor Maria S. Horta-Vorse
Julie Bachman
Administrative/Financial Coordinator
Administrative/Financial Coordinator (part-time)
mariah@uidaho.edu
bachjuli@isu.edu
208-885-7102
208-282-4630
Administrative support
ISU financial management
EPSCoR teleconference numbers & GoToMeeting
Administrative support
Reimbursements & invoice processing
Track-1 and Track-2 RII
UI travel authorizations & reimbursements and payroll updates & changes Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 7
MILES
MANAGING IDAHO’S LANDSCAPES FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES The VISION of the MILES program is for Idaho to be widely recognized as a national leader and model state for applying coupled natural-human systems research focused on ecosystem services to inform sustainable development of mid-sized cities.
The MISSION of MILES is to: 1) advance understanding of changes in ecosystem services at the interface between urban and rural environments, 2) relate those changes to societal and climate drivers, and 3) provide science-based tools and training to inform policy decisions about the sustainable management of these ecosystem services.
The GOAL of MILES is to create new knowledge about relationships between ecosystem services, landscape change, and associated social ecological systems (SES), and establish the infrastructure to provide science-based decision support needed to sustainability management Idaho’s resources.
EXECUTIVE
LEADERSHIP TEAM Dr. Shawn Benner
Boise State University sbenner@boisestate.edu 208-850-9033
Dr. Jan Boll
University of Idaho jboll@uidaho.edu 208-885-6113
Dr. David Rodgers Idaho State University rodgdavi@isu.edu 208-282-3460
8 • Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho
The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) includes three faculty members, one representing each university as scientific and administrative leaders on MILES. The ELT directs, guides and monitors the implementation of the MILES project. It is responsible for: • Serving as their institution’s primary point of contact for coordinating MILES. • Coordination of new personnel (faculty, postdocs, etc.) at their respective campuses. • Overseeing seed-funding awards such as iSEED and IWG. • Integration of multiple RII components. • Coordination with institutional initiative and priorities. • Serving as liasons between their home institution’s scientists with other Idaho universities and the Idaho EPSCoR Office. • Leveraging of the EPSCoR project into other proposals and fostering groups of faculty to pursue funding opportunities related to MILES.
COMPONENT
Components represent strategic priority areas of the MILES project. Component Leads are responsible for the respective intellectual and collaborative leadership to ensure statewide progress toward the goals and objectives identified in the MILES proposal and Strategic Plan.
SES CHARACTERIZATION & VULNERABILITY
INTEGRATIVE MODELING OF SES
LEADERS
Dr. Colden Baxter Idaho State University baxtcold@isu.edu 208-251-5980
VISUALIZATION & VIRTUALIZATION Dr. John Anderson University of Idaho jwa@uidaho.edu 208-885-5844
CYBERINFRASTRUCTURE Dr. Nancy Glenn Boise State University nancyglenn@boisestate.edu 208-426-2933
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Alejandro Flores Boise State University lejoflores@boisestate.edu 208-426-2903
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT Dr. John Tracy University of Idaho tracy@uidaho.edu 208-332-4422
INTEGRATION Dr. Jan Boll University of Idaho jboll@uidaho.edu 208-885-6113
MANAGEMENT
External Engagement and Adventure Learning Dr. Lee Vierling University of Idaho leev@uidaho.edu 208-885-5743
Sustainability Dr. Peter Goodwin Idaho EPSCoR pgoodwin@uidaho.edu 208-850-1211
Diversity & MURI Sarah Penney Idaho EPSCoR sarahp@uidaho.edu 208-885-2345
Evaluation & Assessment Rick Schumaker Idaho EPSCoR rschumak@uidaho.edu 208-885-5742
CASE STUDIES RESEARCH
To advance this fundamentally integrated work, MILES is developing three, place-based case studies. These studies allow project integration at a manageable scale. The capacity to integrate all components and the integrative nature of our work will increase throughout the project. Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 9
research
Water resources in the face of a growing population and a changing climate.
BOISE-TREASURE VALLEY This project strives to better understand how population growth, coupled with climate change, will alter the Treasure Valley’s landscape. Our initial focus is on water resources guided by the question: How will water availability and water use change in the Treasure Valley into the future? Our goal is to develop science-based support tools that can inform decisions by policy makers to sustainably manage Idaho’s resources.
Questions: Dr. Shawn Benner sbenner@boisestate.edu 208-850-9033 10 • Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho
The project will build a modeling framework that will allow researchers and stakeholders to identify potential trajectories of change to the landscapes of the Treasure Valley. The project will bring together researchers with broad backgrounds in hydrology, public policy, ecology, and economics to develop an integrative understanding of how
Now
Training the next generation of researchers who will have the capacity to conduct research in this challenging arena.
Future
human activities will alter the landscape into the future and how the landscape and it’s economic, ecological, and physical characteristics will change in response to stressors like urban growth and climate change. A key component of the project is a modeling framework that explicitly integrates biophysical (e.g. climate, water flow, vegetation growth) and societal processes (economics, policy, values) to produce projections of landscape change under different scenarios (alternative futures). Initially, the project will focus its activities on better understanding the future of water resources in the Treasure Valley, but will expand to include topics
of interest to the community including water quality, wildfire, and recreation. The project depends on a robust stakeholder engagement process to focus research on topics and questions of interest to stakeholders and decision makers in the Treasure Valley. A robust and ongoing stakeholder engagement process will help ensure that the project creates value for the community.
We hope to provide tools that allow society to view their alternative futures: How will decisions now influence what the Treasure Valley, its landscapes, and its ecosystem services look like in the future?
Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 11
Urban and exurban growth are increasing vulnerability of recreational fishery to algal blooms and cyanobacteria outbreaks.
COEUR D’ALENE Idaho scientists are learning how citizens and decision-makers envision goods and services that their local environment provides. Through engagement with stakeholder groups, they are developing new knowledge on how urban growth and climate change influence how a watershed’s functions affect the ability of the landscape to provide the water-based ecosystem services stakeholders have come to rely on. Decision makers, whether individuals or delegated authorities, often operate in a data poor environment that may fail to optimize opportunity. Accurate, replicable characterization of the complex web of individual and social behaviors is a necessary first step in identifying and reducing the changes in the goods and services ecosystems provide and humans rely on. Using new computer expertise and social media, UI scientists are creating interactive data-driven virtual worlds as cutting edge stakeholder decision-making tools. We are closing the social ecological feedback loop, providing informed iteration of future urban development and climate change scenarios to Idaho’s citizenry and decision-making bodies.
Questions: Dr. Jan Boll jboll@uidaho.edu 208-885-6113
NOW To support management decisions, complex datasets that describe the Fernan Lake social ecological system now and in the future are being created and made accessible and available to individuals, communities, and agencies. The eagerness of stakeholders to participate in the greater Coeur d’Alene area study is palpable and growing.
FUTURE Stakeholders maintain desired ecosystem services in the face of urban growth and climate change.
Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 13
What are the tradeoffs between flood protection and the aesthetic, recreational, and water quality services associated with the Portneuf river system in and near the mid-sized city of Pocatello, Idaho?
POCATELLO Idaho Scientists are engaging with stakeholders in finding tradeoffs between flood protection and aesthetic, recreational and water quality services associated with the Portneuf River system on the outskirts and through the city of Pocatello, Idaho. Decision-makers will have available model-based visualizations of the past and present along with future outgrowth scenarios.
Questions: Dr. David Rodgers rodgdavi@isu.edu 208-282-3460 14 • Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho
Pocatello is a mid-sized city poised to expand along the length of the Portneuf River. Through this research community leaders and decision-makers will learn to work with scientists to improve or protect ecosystem services in concert with urban expansion. MILES project will provide a means to track the history and future of mid-sized city growth, informing the decisions by city-officials, policy-makers, and the general public through effective communication.
Now
Documenting flood histories, ground water quality, and community values.
Future Understanding ecosystem service behavior and trajectories requires data for characterization and vulnerability assessment. The project uses spatial data layers on land use, flooding, nitrate contamination, and wildlife habitat gleaned from historic archives. In addition, the investigation involves assessing changing perceptions and attitudes of the community toward the river. A constraint is federal legislation, which on the one hand caused channelization to prevent floods, while on the other hand demands that the community restore the river to meet the “beneficial uses� provisioned under the Clean Water Act. Idaho scientists meet regularly with stakeholders and partners including
the City of Pocatello, Idaho DEQ, Corps of Engineers, interested citizen organizations, and Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and formal surveys of these stakeholder groups and citizens are underway.
We can inform the public how to develop ecosystem services in concert with urban expansion, in a way best suited to community values.
Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 15
education education
ADVENTURE LEARNING JOIN THE ADVENTURE
I
daho’s EPSCoR project, MILES, is creating opportunities for Idaho scientists, other educators, decision makers, students, and the public to explore these social ecological interactions in hands-on, place-based, team-oriented approach, and to share their adventure with the world through an online environment idahoecosystems.org/education/adventure. Teams of university scientists, educators, community decision makers and land managers (stakeholders), K-12 teachers, and students, together, are embarking on summer learning adventures, called expeditions, to explore the complexities of how social and ecological issues affect the communities and landscapes that span their own Gem State.
16 • Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho
Questions: Dr. Karla Eitel kbradley@uidaho.edu 208-310-7081 Dr. Brant Miller bgmiller@uidaho.edu 208-885-4077
The complex interaction of society and the environment, and the societal benefits that the environment provides (called “ecosystem services”) can create difficult decisions for policy makers and land managers. Adventure Learning expeditions are laying an important foundation for better research, better education, and better science-based policy decisions to benefit local communities and the health of surrounding landscapes. 450 teachers will participate in the Adventure Learning program throughout the five year award through in-person, on-line, and in-classroom modes of statewide participation.
A truly amazing adventure! Much more than I ever expected and so much I am going to take back to my classroom. I really appreciated how hands-on and “real life learning” this week was. The information and ideas from the week have changed the way in which I will teach this subject and others in my classroom.”--Luke Waldron, 2014 Summer Pocatello Adventurer Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 17
MURI
MILES UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AND INTERNSHIPS The MILES Undergraduate Research and Internships (MURI) Program is designed to engage undergraduates in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields in hands-on, paid summer and academic year research experiences Undergraduate interns are analyzing historical and current patterns of landscape change, identify social and political drivers of change, and identify vulnerable ecosystem services. All interns are part of an exciting statewide effort. Interns must have interests or expertise in one or more of these areas: social sciences, political science, urban planning, chemistry, geosciences, biology, ecosystem sciences, environmental education, GIS, computer modeling, and visualization.
A central goal of the MILES project is to produce a workforce in Idaho than can sustainably manage urbanization, landscape change, and ecosystem services. Up to 60 MURI Scholars positions will be offered each year across Idaho, with a goal of recruiting a large number of students traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields (e.g., women, ethnic minorities, and students with disabilities). MURI students will primarily work within MILES Study Areas located in Boise (Treasure Valley), Coeur d’Alene/Post Falls/Moscow, and Pocatello/Idaho Falls.
Questions: Sarah Penney sarahp@uidaho.edu 208-885-2345
Working with many mentors was amazing. I gained a great deal of knowledge about stream ecology. I got a close look at how much work goes into obtaining a doctorate degree or a masters degree. Learning about the process of designing a thesis and having to change things on the fly when part of the project isn’t working really made me appreciate how scientific process are unstoppable and they always find a way to move forward.” --Adam Eckersell, Spring 2014 MURI student 18 • Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho
OUTCOMES The first cohort of MURI, Spring 2014, provided internships for 31 undergraduate students working under faculty mentors from many different disciplines on projects ranging from incorporating social-ecological data in a virtual reality game, to non-invasive DNA sampling of endangered species populations, to water column phosphorus loading from lakebed sediments. •
First research experience for 74%
•
52% now plan to pursue a Master’s degree in STEM
•
The largest gains, 75% of participants’ experience, were “understanding the research process” and “how scientists work on real problems”
Collecting pollinators out in the field! Photo by Cole Morrison, Summer 2014 MURI student Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 19
AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
Questions: Sarah Penney sarahp@uidaho.edu 208-885-2345
The EPSCoR Ambassador Program is designed to foster stronger relationships between Idaho’s 2-year and 4-year colleges and research universities, and increase the number of students in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) pipeline of research and education. Ambassadors are ‘campus champions’ who can connect instructors and students to EPSCoR and related STEM opportunities throughout the State.
Dr. David Makings College of Southern Idaho DMakings@csi.edu 208-732-6866
Dr. Keegan Schmidt Lewis-Clark State College klschmidt@lcsc.edu 208-792-2283
Willard Pack College of Western Idaho WillardPack@cwidaho.cc 208-562-3327
Julie Van Middlesworth North Idaho College jmvanmiddlesworth@nic.edu 208-769-3256
20 • Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho
review
PROJECT ADVISORY BOARD The Project Advisory Board is a group of independent external experts who annually review the progress of the MILES project and provide guidance to help ensure its success. Their recommendations are provided in written reports to EPSCoR leadership and the National Science Foundation.
Dr. Anna Waldron (PAB Chair) Director, Office of Science Outreach University of Missouri
Dr. Joshua Collins Chief Scientist San Francisco Estuary Institute and Aquatic Science Center
Dr. Sharon Nunes IBM (ret.)
Dr. Jeanne Small Officer and Co-Owner Quantum Northwest, Inc.
James Hoehn EPSCoR/IDeA Foundation (ret.)
Dr. Jeffrey Keay Deputy Regional Director Pacific Region, USGS
EXTERNAL EVALUATION The RII program includes review and evaluation by an independent external evaluator. Our evaluator regularly contacts project participants during preparation of her reports; your positive reponse to her requests will be appreciated.
Dr. Rose Shaw Metrica, Inc.
Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 21
participant information
PARTICIPATION Questions: Dr. Shawn Benner sbenner@boisestate.edu 208-850-9033 Questions: Dr. David Rodgers rodgdavi@isu.edu 208-282-3460 Questions: Dr. Jan Boll jboll@uidaho.edu 208-885-6113 Questions: Rick Schumaker rschumak@uidaho.edu 208-885-5742 22 • Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho
Faculty participation in MILES is coordinated by the Executive Leadership Team member at each university. Policies and procedures governing participation are administered by the Idaho EPSCoR Office. Here are some important points to remember.
1.
Support of Ongoing Management and Oversight: The cooperative agreement with NSF requires that project participants participate in site visits, reverse site visits, and/or other activities to demonstrate progress relative to established goals and objectives of the EPSCoR program. This may include requests for information or on-site reviews, and timely access to appropriate project documentation.
2.
Participant Performance and Success Factors: A primary goal of NSF EPSCoR and this project is to help teams of investigators become nationally competitive for external research funding and thus to help Idaho win major externallyfunded research initiatives. MILES infrastructure improvements should help to increase Idaho’s funding substantively.
3.
Acknowledgments: If your work benefited from the use of EPSCoR equipment, an EPSCoR sponsored student worked in your lab, or you received money from EPSCoR that contributed to your research or career, cite EPSCoR on all publications, presentations, press releases, requests for proposals, bid invitations, or any other documents or applications that describe projects or programs that were supported by EPSCoR. (i.e. This publication was made possible by the Idaho NSF EPSCoR program and by the National Science Foundation under award number IIA-1301792.) Where appropriate, also add: It’s contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NSF.
6. 7.
Safety: Participating faculty should enforce high safety standards in the laboratory and in the field at all times. Participants are expected to use best safety practices.
Responsible Conduct of Research Training: Responsible Conduct of Research training is required by NSF for all participating postdocs, graduate students and undergraduate students. Training is available through each institution directly.
8.
Collaboration: Activating productive collaborations among disciplines and institutions across the state is a key objective of the NSF EPSCoR program. Participants are encouraged to seek opportunities to expand collaborations with faculty and students throughout the state.
4.
Selection of New Participants: Faculty participation in MILES is coordinated by the Executive Leadership Team member at each university. Selection of new investigators to fill program vacancies will ensure that strategic goals set forth in the RII proposal are met. Selection will be grounded in the nominee’s potential to contribute and benefit from the theme of the NSF-Idaho EPSCoR plan.
5.
Idaho NSF EPSCoR Annual Meeting: Annual meetings will be attended by members of the state legislature, the State Board of Education, university officials, and members of the research community. Annual meeting attendance is expected of each participant. Investigators may be asked to make a formal presentation to an external Project Advisory Board, the State EPSCoR Committee and/ or representatives of the NSF at the annual meeting.
Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 23
FINANCIAL Questions: Michele Mattoon mmattoon@uidaho.edu 208-885-5842
Questions: Julie Bachman bachjuli@isu.edu 208-282-4630
Questions: Kay Trotter kaytrotter@boisestate.edu 208-426-2912
Questions: Michele Mattoon mmattoon@uidaho.edu 208-885-5842
Funding
Expenditures
NSF EPSCoR funding is to be a catalyst for sustainable improvements in research and education capacity. It is not the appropriate mechanism to fund individual research projects.
Project expenditures are governed by the federal cost principles (OMB circular A-21) and must conform to NSF policies, grant provisions, grantee internal policies, and Idaho EPSCoR Office requirements.
MILES funding may be provided to participants in a one-time award amount or on an annual basis according to the MILES scope of work.
Boise State University - Transactions will be processed by the BSU EPSCoR Administrative/Financial Coordinator, Kay Trotter.
Annual Funding - Annual funding amounts will be reviewed and determined by the Executive Leadership Team based on the RII proposal.
Idaho State University - Transactions will be processed by the ISU EPSCoR Administrative/Financial Coordinator, Julie Bachman.
One Time Funding - One-time funding awards will be reviewed and awarded by the Executive Leadership Team, by an appointed committee, or by an appointed individual.
University of Idaho - Transactions will be processed by the UI EPSCoR Administrative/Financial Coordinator, Maria Horta Vorse; except for departmental credit card statements. Credit card charges must be pre-approved by the Idaho EPSCoR Office and documentation must be provided along with the corresponding journal number.
Funding Allocations - Future funding allocations depend on the successes of the participants, the State in meeting the award requirements, goals, and milestones established in the strategic plan and the appropriate and timely investment of previously allocated funds.. Meeting Reporting Requirements - Future NSF and State funding allocations may be suspended if reporting requirements are not met. Carry Funds Forward - Participants must not expect to carry forward funds from one project year to the next or end-date of a one-time award.. 24 • Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho
Documentation - Timely submission of expenses to the institutional financial coordinator that are allowable, allocable, and reasonable with proper documentation is expected. Retroactive Payments - Retroactive payments are not allowed. This includes, e.g., payments for travel performed prior to proper travel authorization documentation; salaries or wages for services performed prior to personnel action dates; and payment for goods/services prior to receiving them.
Human Resources
Travel
Minimum Idaho EPSCoR-supported student compensation levels have been established and must be followed to help foster a culture of recruitment and retention of the best students and personnel.
Foreign Airline Tickets - Foreign airline tickets purchased with EPSCoR funds must conform to the Fly America Act (U.S. airline carriers).
Graduate Students - The minimum compensation for graduate students working on EPSCoR funds is $26,010 for Ph.D. students and $22,440 for M.S. students per 12-month appointment, plus fringe benefits.
Travel Expenses - Travelers will be provided the full allowable university standard travel funding to fully cover their EPSCoR business travel costs, unless limits are mutually agreed upon in writing prior to the travel taking place.
The graduate student compensation package also includes instate fees and the enhanced student health/accident insurance offered through each university in the same proportion to their EPSCoR appointment.
Prior Authorization - Without proper travel authorization prior to travel, reimbursement will not be allowed.
Undergraduate Students - The minimum compensation for undergraduate students supported by EPSCoR is $11.00/hr. plus fringe benefits. Undergraduate students participating in the project on an hourly wage must also be covered by worker’s compensation insurance provided via university appointment procedures. Summer Salary - Most faculty will not be eligible for summer salary on the RII award. Component Leads are eligible for summer salary (one month maximum). Summer salary must be consistent with NSF guidelines, which dictate that NSF EPSCoR summer salary combined with all other NSF summer salary must not be more than 2/9 of the participant’s academic year salary.
Did you know? Idaho has won $224 Million in direct EPSCoR/IDeA Funding since it’s inception in 1989.
Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 25
REPORTING To showcase achievements to NSF, which may be highlighted for general public; to show compliance with award requirements; and to show how EPSCoR supported research and education is positively affecting quality of life, education, and economic prosperity in Idaho.
reporting requirements EPSCoR reporting requirements are greater than those of a standard award. Participants must be willing to provide ad hoc and regular reports of progress. Annual reports will be due via an Idaho EPSCoR online reporting system by February 1st. Reports will include topics such as technical progress, key outcomes and achievements, and anticipated or achieved impacts linked to the Strategic Plan; training and professional development; broadening participation; outreach activities; publications; proposals; websites, data 26 • Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho
and other products; technologies & techniques, patents, inventions, licenses; organizational collaborations; and honors and awards.
broadening participation EPSCoR reports must include the number of women and members of underrepresented groups in STEM fields that participate in activities funded by the award. Idaho EPSCoR will work with participants to ensure that demographic data can be reported to NSF in aggregate for
QUESTIONS: ALTHEA SHEETS ALTHEA@UIDAHO.EDU 208-885-4144 the project AND for each participating institution. Future EPSCoR funding will be based, in part, on the project’s progress in increasing the number of women and members of underrepresented groups in STEM activities and positions.
leveraging nsf programs NSF is particularly interested in linkages, coordination, and collaboration with other NSF-funded projects that add value to and enhance Idaho’s research infrastructure improvement efforts.
Please submit photographs and any recognition (e.g., newspaper stories, magazine articles, websites, etc.) about EPSCoR supported research and education or other accomplishments to POST award reporting Upon reasonable request, participants must provide Idaho EPSCoR with updated information about their research, education, and outreach activities and accomplishments for five years after RII award completion. This information will be important to promote the lasting
impacts of the EPSCoR investments and to the state when the Idaho EPSCoR State Committee applies for future EPSCoR support.
Althea Sheets althea@uidaho.edu.
Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 27
ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
IWG INNOVATION WORKING GROUPS Increasing trans-disciplinary collaboration related to Social Ecological Systems will enhance Idaho’s ability to secure competitive funding and tackle complex research agendas. Therefore, Innovation Working Group (IWG) funds are being made available to support collaborative, trans-disciplinary workshops by MILES researchers. These workshops will lead to collaboration among scientists and stakeholders from different disciplines and development and submission of proposals to NSF crosscutting programs and/or the publication of synthesis papers in peer reviewed journals. The workshops will also be used to enhance intra-state collaboration. The IWG program is managed by the MILES Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and Idaho EPSCoR staff.
MILES is predicated on the supposition that integration is key to expanding Social Ecological Systems (SES) research capacity in Idaho. The MILES IWG program is designed to support this goal.
28 • Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho
WHAT WILL IWG FUNDS SUPPORT IWG workshops will provide a venue to engage Idaho scientists and educators, along with invited nationally and internationally recognized experts, in activities modeled after those hosted by the NSF-supported National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis. IWG funds are designed for working groups that are clearly related to MILES integrative goals (see MILES Strategic Plan for more information) and advance MILES research and education objectives: (1) increasing the human and physical resource base for advancing research capacity in the delivery and sustainability of ecosystem services, (2) advancing fundamental science that informs landscape management policy; and (3) developing and implementing education and workforce programs to prepare a diverse group of students to succeed in a 21st Century economy. IWG support is aimed at working groups that emphasize cross-site integration among MILES institutions and the collaborative development and testing of important ideas and theories. An IWG typically will support ~8-12 researchers who work collaboratively for ~1-3 days on an issue. IWG topics may address one or many of the MILES project areas: integration, SES characterization and vulnerability, integrative modeling, visualization and virtualization, stakeholder engagement, and workforce development.
WHO SHOULD APPLY Any faculty member and/or postdoc from an Idaho academic institution participating in MILES may submit IWG proposals. IWGs are not intended to fund the collection of new data or field research.
Questions: Rick Schumaker rschumak@uidaho.edu 208-885-5742
Proposals are normally solicited four times per year. IWG due dates are posted in “Important Announcements” on the Idaho EPSCoR website idahoepscor. org
Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 29
iSEED IDAHO SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL EXPLORATORY DYNAMICS
30 • Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho
Through MILES, Idaho EPSCoR offers internally competitive awards for Idaho Social-Ecological Exploratory Dynamics awards (iSEED) once per year. Research proposals submitted under the RFP are intended to address social ecological research questions of significance to the MILES project, with the principal objectives to: (1) Conduct research relevant to social ecological systems in one or more of the MILES study areas or with cross-site implications; (2) Serve as seed funding for projects that can grow into larger programs; (3) Foster graduate and undergraduate student involvement in social ecological research; and (4) Encourage highly innovative, integrative and creative investigation. Integration in the MILES RII program is essential. Proposals must describe how the proposed research or results advance the social ecological topics inherent in any one of the MILES elements outlined in the Strategic Plan. Interdisciplinary and/or multi-institutional proposals (i.e., multiple investigators from different institutions in Idaho) are required. Funding through the MILES RII is not intended to provide a substitute for NSF individual investigator funding. Proposals that integrate with or leverage other components of the EPSCoR grant (MURI, CI, Workforce Development, External Engagement, etc.) are encouraged.
Request for iSEED proposals and due dates are posted in the “Important Announcements” on the Idaho EPSCoR website idahoepscor.org
Approximlatey $150,000 in total iSEED funding is available under the internal RFP each year. The maximum awards (direct costs only) for multi-investigator, interdisciplinary proposals are $50,000; for two-institution proposals $60,000; for three-institution proposal $90,000. Projects normally begin each June with a duration of either one or two years.
QUESTIONS: RICK SCHUMAKER RSCHUMAK@UIDAHO.EDU 208-885-5742 Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 31
QUESTIONS: RICK SCHUMAKER RSCHUMAK@UIDAHO.EDU 208-885-5742
CCD COURSE AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT Courses and curriculum can support Idaho’s vision “to be widely recognized as a national leader for applying coupled natural-human systems research focused on ecosystem services to inform sustainable development of mid-sized cities.” The CCD announcement solicits multidisciplinary, multi-institutional proposals to develop courses or curriculum that will address the social ecological topics inherent in any one of the MILES elements. Courses and curriculum developed under the MILES CCD program must clearly contribute to the mission of MILES, which 32 • Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho
is to: (1) Advance understanding of changes in ecosystem services at the interface between urban and rural environments (2) Relate those changes to societal and climate drivers, and (3) Provide science-based tools and training to inform policy decisions about sustainable management of these ecosystem services. Examples of competitive MILES CCD proposals include those with: • multiple contributors or instructors from different Idaho institutions, • instructors from different disciplines,
collaboration with MILES stakeholders, • course delivery to multiple campuses, and/or • enrollment by students from multiple Idaho institutions. Proposals that have synergy with or leverage other components of the MILES award (MURI, CI, Workforce Development, Research, External Engagement, etc.) are also encouraged. A total of up to $20,000 direct cost is available statewide for all CCD awards. Two awards of no more than $10,000 each (direct cost) are anticipated each year.
Requests for Proposals and due dates are posted in the “Important Announcements” section on the Idaho EPSCoR website www.idahoepscor.org
EPSCoR Jurisdictions
Did you know?
1980
1985
Arkansas Maine Montana South Carolina West Virginia
Alabama Kentucky Nevada North Dakota Oklahoma Puerto Rico Vermont Wyoming
1987 Idaho Louisiana Mississippi South Dakota 1992 Kansas Nebraska
2000 Alaska 2001 Hawaii New Mexico 2002
2003 Delaware 2004
2009 Iowa Utah
Despite a national decline in proposal success rates due to tightening federal R&D budgets, Idaho is the only EPSCoR jurisdiction to double its number of NSF proposal submissions during the past two decades with no decline in succes rate.
2012 New Hampshire Rhode Island Guam Tennessee Missouri
U.S. Virgin Islands Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 33
communication Questions: Althea Sheets althea@uidaho.edu 208-885-4144
COMMUNICATE
COLLABORATE, INTEGRATE Communication is key for collaboration and integration! Idaho EPSCoR hosts a number of websites, social media venues, and blogs
to enhance communication and promote the positive impacts of STEM research and education in Idaho. GoTo Meeting, videoconferencing, and teleconferencing services are also available for participant use.
SERVICES
VIDEOCONFERENCING Do you want to connect 4 or fewer videoconference sites? EPSCoR‘s videoconference system is available at no cost. Contact Mandi Ortiz Coulter at mandi@uidaho.edu or 208-8851295.
GOTO MEETING Reserve the GoToMeeting account, contact Maria Horta-Vorse at mariah@uidaho.edu or 208-885-7102.
TELECONFERENCING Reserve a teleconference number contact Maria Horta-Vorse at mariah@uidaho.edu or 208-885-7102.
University of Idaho Campus: A videoconference room is located in Morrill Hall, Room 402. Reserve this room through UI Videoconference Services and/ or for hosting a meeting involving more than 4 sites; a link is provided on the www.idahoepscor.org website. Boise State University Campus: Contact Kay Trotter for assistance kaytrotter@boisestate.edu. Idaho State University Campus: Contact Julie Bachman for assistance bachjuli@isu.edu.
Did you know? Idaho Public Television is working to promote MILES research; your positive response to their request for information will be appreciated. 34 • Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho
WEBSITES
Idaho EPSCoR idahoepscor.org
MILES idahoecosystems.org
This site provides important EPSCoR announcements, call for proposals, news, highlights, calendar of events, headlines on twitter, plans and policies, office staff contact information, online report system, videos, and other resources.
This site provides information specific to MILES study sites, research teams, stakeholders, virtualization, strategic plan, blogs, contact information, media galleries, documents, adventure learning, MURI, and other MILES resources.
SOCIAL MEDIA twitter
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@IdahoEPSCoR @IDSTEMPipeline @Idaho_adventure @IdahoMURI
IdahoEPSCoR IdahoAdventureLearning IdahoMURI
idahoepscor advlearning idahomuri
Welcome to NSF EPSCoR in Idaho • 35
What is EPSCoR? National Science Foundation (NSF) Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) is intended to improve the research competitiveness of states by enhancing their academic research infrastructure in areas of science and engineering supported by NSF and critical to the jurisdiction’s science and technology efforts.
EPSCoR goals are: • to provide strategic programs and opportunities for EPSCoR participants that stimulate sustainable improvements in their R&D capacity and competitiveness; • to advance science and engineering capabilities in EPSCoR jurisdictions for discovery, innovation and overall knowledge-based prosperity. EPSCoR objectives are: • to catalyze key research themes and related activities within and among EPSCoR jurisdictions that empower knowledge generation, dissemination and application; • to activate effective jurisdictional and regional collaborations among academic, government and private sector stakeholders that advance scientific research, promote innovation and provide multiple societal benefits; • to broaden participation in science and engineering by institutions, organizations, and people within and among EPSCoR jurisdictions; • to use EPSCoR for development, implementation and evaluation of future programmatic experiments that motivate positive change and progression.
IDAHO EPSCoR 875 PERIMETER DRIVE MS 3029 MOSCOW, ID 83844-3029 208-885-7102 ~ IDAHOEPSCoR.ORG