Centers for Chemical Innovation Phase I (CCI-I)

The CCI Program is designed to support the formation of centers that can address major, long-term basic chemical research problems that have a high probability of both producing transformative research and leading to innovation.  Appropriate research problems are high-risk but potentially high-impact and will attract broad scientific and public interest.  Centers are expected to be agile structures that can respond rapidly to emerging opportunities and make full use of cyberinfrastructure to enhance collaborations.  Center teams may include researchers from disciplines other than Chemistry and from academia, industry, government laboratories and international organizations.  CCIs are expected to integrate research, education, and outreach and to include a plan to broaden participation to under-represented groups.  Proposals should contain a compelling strategy for achieving demonstrable impact in all of these areas.

The CCI program is a two-phase program. The Phase I review process consists of a preliminary proposal that will be peer reviewed, followed by an invited full proposal to explore development of a Phase I CCI.  Phase I CCI's receive significant resources to develop the scientific, educational, innovation and management aspects of a CCI before requesting Phase II funding. Phase I proposals funded in FY 2009 will seek Phase II funding in FY 2012.