Brief Description:

Description:

The Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship supports innovative basic research within academia, as well as opportunities intended to develop the next generation of scientists and engineers for the defense workforce. This FOA seeks distinguished researchers for the purpose of conducting innovative basic research in areas of interest to the Department of Defense (DoD) and fostering long-term relationships between the VBFF Fellows and the DoD. As defined by the DoD, basic research is “systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind. It includes all scientific study and experimentation directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding in those fields of the physical, engineering, environmental, and life sciences related to long-term national security needs. It is farsighted high payoff research that provides the basis for technological progress.” VBFF is oriented towards bold and ambitious “blue sky” research that may lead to extraordinary outcomes such as revolutionizing entire disciplines, creating entirely new fields, or disrupting accepted theories and perspectives.

This FOA is for single investigator grant proposals for basic research in one or more of the following technical subject categories of interest to the DoD:

Engineering Biology
Quantum Information Science
Cognitive Neuroscience
Novel Engineered Materials
Applied Mathematics (theory and experiments) and Statistics
Manufacturing Science
Other fields of research with high potential

Application Information:

Detailed information on the application requirements and submission instructions can be found in the full solicitation.

Summary of application process:

In order to submit materials applicants must be registered through the AcquTrak portal by August 15, 2018.
All applicants must submit a white paper and supporting documentation through the AcquTrak portal by August 17, 2018. White papers must include:
- Cover page: Include the PI’s name and university. Include a protective legend for proprietary information, if applicable.
- Abstract (not to exceed 300 words): Describe the research objective, technical approaches, and anticipated outcome of the specific research.
- Basic Research Statement (one page limit, single-sided): Describe how the proposed research meets the DoD definition of basic research provided in Section I entitled, “Research Opportunity Description” of the solicitation. Describe the extraordinary outcomes that may be achieved as a result of the proposed project.
- Identify anticipated human or animal subject research (where applicable).
- White paper (three page limit, single-sided): Describe the basic scientific or technical research to be undertaken. Describe the technical approach. Summarize the state of the field and describe what is innovative about the proposed approach. Given the successful completion of the course of investigation, what results, new knowledge, or insights might it afford compared to alternate approaches other researchers in this field have taken. Include approximate yearly costs for the project. Reference citations are not required but may be included within the three-page limit.
- PI’s Curriculum Vitae (CV) (two page limit, single-sided): The CV should include relevant experience, publications, and funding received in the area of interest, and any previous involvement and experiences with the DoD. List all previous DoD funding including project titles within the last eight years.
- Documents must be submitted in the following format:
- Paper Size – 8.5 x 11 inch paper
- Margins - 1 inch
- Spacing – single spaced
- Font – Times New Roman, 12 point
Full Proposal Packages will only be accepted from PIs invited to submit full proposals. If invited, proposal packages and confidential letters of recommendation must be submitted no later than January 18, 2019. All full proposals must be submitted for review by the Office of Sponsored Programs at least five business days in advance of the sponsor deadline.

Eligibility Criteria:

Faculty with tenure and full-time research staff with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to conduct the proposed research as the principal investigator (PI) are invited to submit an application. Applicants should have a record of substantial scientific contributions.

The PI must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

The PI may submit only one application in response to this FOA.

Additional Information, Related Websites, and Proxy Instructions:

Please see the full program solicitation for more detailed information on the program and research areas of interest.

Recent Fellows from Harvard include Adam Cohen (CCB, 2018), Marcus Greiner (Physics, 2018), Philip Kim (Physics, 2018), Michael Brenner (SEAS, 2017), Jennifer Lewis (SEAS, 2016), Honkun Park (CCB, 2016), Alan Aspuru-Guzik (CCB, 2015), Mikhail Lukin (Physics, 2015), Lene Hau (Physics, 2010), and Charles Lieber (CCB, 2009).

For questions about this announcement and proposal development support please contact Erin Hale (erin_hale@fas.harvard.edu, 617-496-5252) or Susan Gomes (sgomes@fas.harvard.edu, 617-496-9448).

Search Filters:

Institution

Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Position

Professor
Other Academic/Research Appointment

Type of Competition

External Funding (Not Limited)

Discipline

Basic Science
Environmental Science
Engineering
Life Science
Multidisciplinary
Physical Science
Social/Behavioral Science

Type of Award

Fellowship
Research
STEM Education