Enhancing the Mathematical Sciences Workforce in the 21st Century (EMSW21)

The long-range goal of the EMSW21 program is to increase the number of U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents who are well-prepared in the mathematical sciences and who pursue careers in the mathematical sciences and in other NSF-supported disciplines. EMSW21 builds on the VIGRE program and now includes a broadened VIGRE activity, an additional component for Research Training Groups (RTG) in the Mathematical Sciences and an additional component for Mentoring through Critical Transition Points (MCTP)  in the Mathematical Sciences. 

Traditionally, the Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) has supported students and junior researchers through such long-standing mechanisms as individual investigator awards, Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), and postdoctoral fellowships. More recently, the DMS Grants for Vertical Integration of Research and Education (VIGRE) activity supported students at different stages of their careers through grants that were largely departmentally based. In many cases, however, students at a variety of levels can be also trained through the leadership of a smaller, more focused group of researchers, based in a sub-area of the mathematical sciences or linked by a multidisciplinary theme. Mentoring of students and junior researchers through critical transition points in the career pathway can also support and increase the number of well-prepared scientists in NSF-supported disciplines. For these reasons the VIGRE program will be expanded to include three distinct opportunities: a modified VIGRE activity, an additional component for Research Training Groups (RTG) in the Mathematical Sciences and an additional component for Mentoring through Critical Transition Points (MCTP)  in the Mathematical Sciences.  Those institutions applying for more than one category of this program must include a section on how the various projects will interact if more than one proposal is successful. 

Participants (undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral associates) supported with NSF funds in EMSW21 must be citizens, nationals or permanent residents of the United States and its territories and possessions. For purposes of this solicitation, a postdoctoral associate is defined as a mathematical scientist within two years of having received the Ph.D. degree, regardless of the title of the position held.

The long-range goal of the EMSW-21 activity  is to increase the number of well-prepared U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents who pursue careers in the mathematical sciences and to broaden their background and perspective. The program is intended to help stimulate and implement permanent positive changes in education and training within the mathematical sciences in the U.S. 

GRANTS FOR VERTICAL INTEGRATION OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION (VIGRE)

The focus of this component is enhancing the educational experience of all students and postdoctoral associates in a department (or departments).  Broad faculty commitment and a team approach to enhancing learning are necessary.  A principal element of VIGRE activity is increasing the interaction among undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral associates, and faculty members, whether pair-wise or collectively.  Integrating research and education for graduate students and postdoctoral associates, involving undergraduates in substantial learning by discovery, and developing a team approach are keys to successful VIGRE projects.  These goals can be accomplished in many ways and proposers should develop creative approaches that suit their circumstances.

The enhancement of educational experiences of all students should stem from an understanding of current patterns of student participation in the life of the department(s).  All VIGRE proposals are required to include the outcome of a curriculum review and at least five years of data on past performance in attracting and retaining well-qualified U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents as graduate students and postdoctoral associates in the mathematical sciences, including women and those from underrepresented groups.  Those departments who have had previous VIGRE awards should present data through the period of the award.  Departments can use this information to describe its capacity to host a VIGRE project that will create a significant improvement in the educational experiences of their students and postdoctoral associates.  These data may also inform recruitment and retention plans and mechanisms for assessment of the project.

In conjunction with NSF's goal of a globally-oriented science and engineering workforce, possibilities for international interaction are now included among VIGRE options.  VIGRE student and postdoctoral associates and their mentors may participate in international research and education collaborative activities, including activities in other countries that are integrated into and benefit the overall VIGRE program at the institution.  When incorporating this option in the program, organizers will need to give careful attention to the practical aspects of sending U.S. students abroad, including logistical arrangements, language and cultural issues, and administrative requirements and how effective mentoring will take place in the foreign host institution.

Graduate Traineeships. Graduate trainees, at the center of the training continuum, form a pivotal component of the integration. Their participation in VIGRE should result in

(1) Involvement with research activities that include undergraduates, other graduate students, postdoctoral associates, and faculty members

(2) Graduate education that is both broad and deep;

(3) Significant teaching experience; and

(4) Communication skills appropriate for both expert and non-expert audiences.

Mentoring is a critical strategy for enhanced learning, preparing the graduate trainees to become successful researchers, communicators, and mentors. Opportunities such as internship experiences in industry, business, government laboratories, or other science and engineering departments can contribute to broadening the education program.  Graduate trainees are expected to have a minimum of one year of supervised teaching, with at least one term in which the student has substantial responsibility for a class.  Some element of traineeship activities should help students develop proficiency in the presentation of mathmatical research in both written and oral formats and the ability to place their research in context.

The VIGRE activity is meant to allow significant time for research, course work and related activities, rather than to follow traditional patterns of graduate support through teaching assistantships that require substantial time on the part of the student. A graduate trainee can receive up to 33 months of non-teaching support from a VIGRE activity. The institution is expected to bear the cost of a graduate trainee's required teaching.  Departments should demonstrate how the traineeships will improve the quality of the education their graduate students receive.  The traineeships are not meant to promote expansion of graduate programs and should not replace existing institutional funding of research fellowships or scholarships. 

Undergraduate Experience.  In this program solicitation, the term "substantial learning by discovery" includes all activities that introduce undergraduates to the thrill of discovery and generate within them excitement for the mathematical sciences. Examples of research experiences include: faculty directed projects, whether involving one or many undergraduates, either during part of the academic year or the summer; internships in industry, business, or government laboratories; and participation in interdisciplinary research teams. Such experiences are intended to involve students in the creative aspects of mathematics in a non-classroom setting. They are also expected to enhance the development of students' communication skills, with particular emphasis on the presentation of mathematical concepts in both written and oral contexts. In all cases, it is expected that these undergraduates receive mentoring to stimulate their further interest in the mathematical sciences.

Postdoctoral Associates. Effective VIGRE activities better prepare postdoctoral associates for their future careers, whether in academia, industry, or government. It is expected that at the end of the postdoctoral experience, each associate will have a well-defined independent research program, well-developed communication skills, a broad perspective of his or her field, and the ability to mentor.

The postdoctoral program can provide opportunities not commonly found in mathematical sciences education and training, including interdisciplinary research experiences in connection with other departments and programs; participation in international research programs; internships in business, industry, or government laboratories; or participation in research institute programs suitably aligned with the associate's research interests.  Postdoctoral associates are expected to teach (on average) one course per term while in residence at the sponsoring university.  Over the duration of the postdoctoral appointment, this teaching should encompass a diverse set of instructional experiences.  Likewise, it is expected that each VIGRE postdoctoral associate will submit a research proposal to a funding agency at some time during the course of the postdoctoral appointment.  Mentoring to ensure that all postdoctoral associates become successful researchers, communicators and mentors is a critical element of a VIGRE postdoctoral program, as is interaction of postdoctoral associates with undergraduate and/or graduate students.

The typical VIGRE postdoctoral appointment is for three years, beginning within 18 months of completion of the Ph.D.  Exceptions to the 18 month restriction require approval of the cognizant program officer.

Organization and Management: VIGRE provides funds to support postdoctoral associate positions in order to provide enhanced opportunities for research and advanced training; graduate research traineeships; and undergraduate research experiences.  VIGRE expects extended participation in the VIGRE program from the entire departmental faculty, particularly in mentoring participating students and postdoctoral associates.  Thus, the numbers of students and postdoctoral associates should reflect the capability of the department to provide them with appropriate resources for their education and training and participation in research.  VIGRE will provide limited faculty salary for the purpose of organizing and managing the program

A successful VIGRE project will help attain the program goal of motivating more students to pursue advanced education in the mathematical sciences.  It will: 

• be based in a U.S. academic institution that grants the Ph.D. in the mathematical sciences
• integrate research with educational activities;                                  
• increase  interaction among undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral associates, and faculty members (either pair-wise or collectively);                                  
• broaden the educational experiences of its students and postdoctoral associates to prepare them for a wide range of career opportunities;                                     
• provide for developing professional and personal skills, such as communication, teamwork, teaching, mentoring, and leadership;                                  
• include an administrative plan and organizational structure that ensures effective management of the project resources;                                   
• have an institutional commitment to furthering the plans and goals of the VIGRE project and to create a supportive environment for integrative research and education; and                                  
• have a plan to increase the number and diversity of U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents in the graduate and postdoctoral programs.        
• have a post-VIGRE plan.  The VIGRE program is intended to help stimulate and implement permanent positive changes in education and training within the mathematical sciences in the U.S.  Thus it is critical that a VIGRE site adequately plan how to continue the pursuit of VIGRE goals when funding terminates.

RESEARCH TRAINING GROUPS IN THE MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES (RTG)

This component will provide groups of researchers with related research goals in the mathematical sciences with funds to foster research-based training and education. The groups may include researchers and students from different departments and institutions, but the research-based training and education activities must be based in the mathematical sciences. The RTGs are expected to vary in size, scope, proposed activities and in their plans for organization, participation, and operation, but will all have the following characteristics:

• based in a U.S. academic institution that grants the Ph.D. in the mathematical sciences (faculty and students from a predominately undergraduate institution may participate);                                
• focused on a major research theme in the mathematical sciences;
• have a convincing plan showing how the proposed activity would create new or enhanced research-based training and education experiences in the mathematical sciences for the students and post-doctoral investigators; 
• have a significant collective mentoring component;                               
• be directed by a principal investigator, with at least two other faculty members, who will assist in management and participate fully in the educational and research plans of the RTG;          

Proposals may include support requests for graduate and advanced undergraduate students, postdoctoral investigators, visitors and consultant services, travel, conferences, and workshops. Other budget items that are deemed to be essential to the success of the proposed activities may be proposed.  

MENTORING THROUGH CRITICAL TRANSITION POINTS IN THE MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES (MCTP)

This component will provide a system of mentoring devoted to points of transitions in a mathematical sciences career path that are critical for success from undergraduate studies to the early years in a tenure track position. The program may be a comprehensive  department effort or a more focused endeavor involving a few faculty mentors and aimed towards a specific transition point or group of points. However, department-wide programs that include components for undergraduates, graduates, and postdocs, may be more appropriate for the VIGRE component. Successful proposals will be those that provide ways to increase the number and the quality of training of U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents entering the scientific workforce with strong mathematical training including the number of degrees awarded in the mathematical sciences.  Examples of critical transition points and some associated activities are given below. The list is not meant to be exhaustive. 

• The transition from undergraduate to graduate studies:  A program designed for strong undergraduate students who are motivated to pursue advanced mathematical studies. Such a program might navigate the student through an accelerated curriculum that would allow one to complete both the B.S. and M.S. degrees in four to five years. Work with faculty mentors could lead to a wide exposure to various fields of mathematical interest and mathematical research experiences. Interdisciplinary programs are encouraged, e.g., one degree (B.S. or M.S.) might be in the mathematical sciences and the other in a related science or engineering field.  Programs could be proposed for upper division undergraduate students or beginning graduate students that provide preparation for the first year of graduate school. 
• The transition from course work to original research: Topics might include choosing a Ph.D. advisor; how to identify good research topics; reading research papers, etc.
• The transition from graduate work to a postdoctoral position: Points of concern could include good practices in writing research papers or research proposals or oral presentations, development of independent research activity. 
• The transition from postdoctoral studies to a tenure-track position in a research university:  Development of independent research activity.
• The transition from Ph.D. work to a position in an undergraduate institution: Programs to help new faculty at undergraduate institutions to remain active scholars. 
• The transition from Ph.D. work to work in industry: Graduate student summer internships with industry could be included.  Support may be requested for travel, conferences or workshops related to these activities.  

The MCTPs will vary in size, scope, proposed activities, and plans for organization, participation, and operation, but will all have the following characteristics:

• A convincing plan describing the critical transition point(s) to be addressed and showing how the proposed activity would address the transition.
• Plans for recruitment and selection of participants, including members of underepresented groups                                
• A strong plan for mentoring of the participants. 

The categories of proposers identified in the Grant Proposal Guide are eligible to submit proposals under this program announcement/solicitation. 

Eligible Participants: Participating undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral associates supported with NSF funds in EMSW21 must be citizens, nationals or permanent residents of the United States and its territories and possessions.  For purposes of this solicitation, a postdoctoral associate is defined as a mathematical scientist within two years of having received the Ph.D. degree, regardless of the title of the position held.

Estimated program budget, number of awards and average award size/duration are as follows but are subject to the availability of funds:

VIGRE component-

Each proposal for the VIGRE component should describe a five-year program. Awards will initially fund the first three years of the project. Funding for the remaining two years is not guaranteed, and is contingent upon a satisfactory outcome of a comprehensive third-year assessment by NSF. Funding after the first year is always subject to availability of funds. VIGRE funds will provide awards in amounts from $400,000 to $1,000,000 per year (including direct and indirect costs) to support the main activities for a duration not to exceed five years. A modest amount of additional funding may be available to support optional activities. (Funding for these activities may also be requested as a supplement at a later date.) In determining the number and size of awards, NSF considers the advice of reviewers, and availability of funds. The Division of Mathematical Sciences anticipates making between 6 and 7 awards each year in this competition. It is projected that awards resulting from the competition will be announced in March each year.

RTG component-

MCTP component-

(1) Cover Sheet. So that your proposal is properly identified, select the number for the EMSW21 program announcement from the pull-down list. From the ensuing screen, select the Division of Mathematical Sciences and the Infrastructure program. In the title of the project, include the label "EMSW21-VIGRE", "EMSW21-RTG" or "EMSW21-MCTP" depending on which component the proposal addresses.

(2) Information about Principal Investigators. This form is automatically generated by FastLane. A single individual should be designated clearly as Principal Investigator. This individual will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the EMSW21 award. However, the institution may designate additional persons as co-principal investigator, should developing and operating the EMSW21 award involve such shared responsibility. 

(3) Project Summary(1-page limit). Provide a description of the activities that would result if the project is funded including comments on its objectives, people to be supported, and intended impact. The project summary should include the following information: name of the host institution/organization and of any other institutions/organizations involved; the group(s) of people to be affected; number of people involved; number of summer weeks or academic year activity.  The EMSW21 component should be identified at the top of the summary page.  The project summary must clearly address in separate statements (within the one-page summary): (1) the intellectual merit of the proposed activity; and (2) the broader impacts resulting from the proposed activity.

(4) Project Description. The project description contains the following items: 

For the VIGRE Component (page limitations as described below):

The proposed project should have a five-year duration. Particular attention must be paid to the following items in preparing the description: 

• Introduction. Discuss the vision, scope, objectives, and anticipated impact of the program, at the local institution and beyond. (Not to exceed 2 pages)                           
• Outcome of curriculum review.  Describe the nature of the curriculum review and any planned or implemented changes based on it. (Not to exceed 2 pages)                           
•  Proposed VIGRE project. Provide a discussion of the programs envisioned for graduate trainees, undergraduate research experiences, and postdoctoral associates. Proposals should describe the proposed mechanisms for interaction among undergraduates, graduate trainees, postdoctoral associates, and faculty, and how these mechanisms will achieve the VIGRE goals. Proposals should also describe how education will be integrated with research and ways in which the project will broaden the experience of the students and postdoctoral associates involved and enhance their career opportunities. In addition to research activities and the broadening of course work, describe activities such as industrial internships or arrangements with government laboratories, businesses, or other academic departments and how these activities contribute to meeting the VIGRE goals. Describe teaching requirements for the graduate trainees and the postdoctoral associates. Include a discussion of adequate mentoring for each of these activities. Discuss the proposed means of improving communication skills at all levels. Finally, include a discussion of how the VIGRE activities might affect students and postdoctoral associates not supported on VIGRE funds. (Not to exceed 15 pages)                           
• Recruitment and Retention. Describe plans for the recruitment and retention of students and postdoctoral associates as. Plans to motivate more students to pursue an education in the mathematical sciences should also be discussed. Specific provisions for the recruitment of U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents as well as women and members of other groups underrepresented in the mathematical sciences must be included. (Not to exceed 2 page).                          
• Organization and Management Plan. Describe the plans, procedures, and personnel for the development and monitoring of all aspects of the project. In particular, discuss plans to ensure appropriate mentoring of students and postdoctoral associates, as well as the roles of the faculty involved.  Provide evidence of the faculty commitment necessary for the implementation of the proposed program. If the project involves international collaborations, industrial internships or arrangements with government laboratories, businesses, or other departments, then the proposal should discuss existing arrangements, any plans for expanding these arrangements, and the personnel involved in managing these linkages. If the proposal describes a joint project between two or more departments at the same institution, describe organization and management plans for the necessary interactions between the departments. (Not exceed 3 pages)                           
• Performance Assessment. Each proposal should describe a plan to assess the progress towards the achievement of the VIGRE goals. This plan should describe the quantitative and qualitative information that will be used to monitor the VIGRE activities and determine necessary mid-course corrections. The performance assessment can also help prepare VIGRE sites for the comprehensive third year review that will be conducted by NSF. (Not exceed 5 pages)                           
• Dissemination. The VIGRE program is intended to have a positive impact at the national level on the mathematical sciences community. Broad dissemination of VIGRE site activities, experiences, and insights is critical to achieve this. Each proposal must include a plan for this dissemination. It is important to disseminate both successful activities as well as information on less successful activities and mid-course corrections. (Not to exceed 2 pages)          
• Results from Prior Support.  Existing VIGRE departments should include a summary of what has been accomplished with a previous VIGRE award.  This should include information on career paths of VIGRE-supported graduate students and postdocs.  (Not to exceed 5 pages)         
• Post-VIGRE plan. The VIGRE program is intended to help stimulate and implement permanent positive changes in education and training within the mathematical sciences in the U.S. Thus it is critical that a VIGRE site adequately plan how to continue the pursuit of VIGRE goals when funding terminates. (Not to exceed 2 pages)

For the RTG Component (not to exceed a total of 15 pages) include:

• a description of the group's research program;        
• a description of a significant group effort to train students and postdoctoral associates in the context of a vigorous research program;        
• a description of any new activities (courses, seminars, workshops, special programs, etc.) that will result from this support;        
• a list of the faculty members involved with the group, together with a description as to how each individual will contribute to the training efforts of the group;        
• recruitment and selection plans for the undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral associates who will be members of the group.  In particular, describe plans for the recruitment and selection of students and postdoctoral associates who are members of under-represented groups;        
• plans for how the group will function to provide collective mentoring of the students,  and how the resources will be allocated;        
• evidence of past success in training graduate students or postdocs, including names and degree dates.

For the MCTP component (not to exceed a total of 15 pages) include:

• a description of the transition point(s) to be addressed;        
• a description of any activities (courses, seminars, workshops, special programs, etc.) that will result from this support;        
• a list of the faculty members involved with the project, together with a description as to how each individual will contribute to the project activities;        
• recruitment and selection plans for the participants.  In particular, plans for the recruitment and selection of participants who are members of under-represented groups should be included.        
• plans for how the project will function to enhance the transition of the participants, and how the resources will be allocated.

(5) References Cited. A listing of references to pertinent literature is desirable.

(6) Current and Pending Support. This form should be provided for all persons listed as Senior Personnel (up to a total of 12 people).

(7) Biographical Sketches. The basic GPG guidelines for biographical material apply; however, senior personnel are encouraged to include other activities or accomplishments relevant to the proposed activities. Senior personnel are the principal investigator; the co-principal investigators, if any have been designated; and other faculty/professionals who are anticipated to serve in the project. The number of biographical sketches is limited to 12. 

(8) Project Budget. The proposal should include a detailed project budget and budget justification, as described in the GPG. The budget justification (not to exceed 3 pages) should explain and justify major cost items and any unusual situations/inclusions and address the cost-effectiveness of the project. Project costs may include such items as faculty salaries and participant stipends, housing, meals, travel, tuition, or laboratory use.  Include a breakdown of numbers by types of participants and stipend levels for undergraduates, graduate trainees and postdoctoral associates.  Since expenditures can not be funded beyond the fifth year of the project, the budget justification should also address how the project will enable the continued progress of individuals supported in Year 5 of the project.   

Graduate Trainees: EMSW21 funds will provide $22,500 per student for eleven months each year, with an allowance for tuition and fees of up to $10,500 per year per student. Stipends may be supplemented during non-teaching periods with support from other sources. The institution must bear the cost of the one-year teaching requirement for EMSW21 graduate trainees.

Undergraduate Students: The stipends for summer projects are expected to be at least $1,000 per month for full-time research, with academic year stipends comparable on a pro rata basis.

Postdoctoral Associates: The typical EMSW21 postdoctoral associate will have a 3-year appointment, but this appointment should not go beyond the expiration date of the EMSW21 award. An EMSW21 postdoctoral appointment must not exceed 3 years. The full-time rate for the university appointment should be at least $45,000 for the academic year. No more than $22,500 per academic year of EMSW21 funds can be used toward the stipend of a full-time EMSW21 postdoctoral associate. Postdoctoral associates who receive any support from EMSW21 funds must be full-time postdoctoral associates when in residence and supported by EMSW21 funds for at least half the academic year. Each EMSW21 postdoctoral associate is expected to teach, on average, one course per term.  In addition, the grant will provide summer support for two summers at the rate of $10,000 per summer. The associate is expected to apply to an appropriate external funding agency for support for the third summer. Funding for the postdoctoral appointments should include a total of $7,500 for the three years to cover travel, equipment, and supplies. 

Faculty and staff salary may be requested only for the purpose of organization and management of the program. 

(9) Supplementary Documentation.: 

For the VIGRE component proposals must provide the following supplemental information:

(1)   Data indicating: (a) the number of baccalaureate degrees in the mathematical sciences awarded by the relevant department(s) in each of the past five years; (b) the number of full-time Ph.D. students for each of the past five years; (c) a list of Ph.D. recipients during the past five years, along with each individual's citizenship status, baccalaureate institution, time-to-degree, post-Ph.D. placement, and thesis advisor; (d) the names of postdoctoral associates (e.g., holders of named instructorships, 2- or 3-year terminal assistant professors) during the past five years, their Ph.D. institutions, postdoctoral mentors, and post-appointment placements; (e) the dollar amount of non-teaching (i.e., research assistantship) support of graduate students supplied by the university for each of the past five years and the anticipated changes in university support of this kind in the event of an award; (f) the dollar amount of funding by federal agencies for REUs, for graduate students and for postdoctoral associates in each of the past five years; (g) the anticipated size of the graduate program should this award be received. This information will provide baseline data to be used in subsequent performance assessments. 

Existing VIGRE institutions should also include data for five years prior to the beginning of their existing award.

(2)   Letters of commitment by the institution and other sources in support of the project. If industrial internships are planned, letters indicating the willingness of the industrial organization and of individual industrial mentors (if known) to participate should also be included. These documents should be scanned and uploaded into the FastLane supplementary documentation section.

For the RTG and the MCTP component you may include:

Letters of Commitment. Signed letters of commitment documenting collaborative arrangements of significance to the proposal should be scanned and placed in this section. Letters may be relevant where the awardee and performing organizations are different, where faculty or facilities of more than one institution are to be employed, or where international activities are arranged. Letters of endorsement are not permitted.

Award sizes will be as follows:

VIGRE component- $400,000 to $1,000,000 per year

RTG component- up to $500,000 per year

MCTP component- up to $500,000 per year

Research Experiences for Undergraduates
(https://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf02136)

Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program
(https://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf02111)

Focused Research Groups in the Mathematical Science
(https://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf02129)

Interdisciplinary Grants in the Mathematical Sciences
(https://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf01115)

Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
(https://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf01126)