National Science Foundation (NSF)

Earlier this spring an #NSFfunded research team, led by University of Colorado Boulder, arrived at the North Slope in Alaska, where they began fieldwork in the region. During the trip, the team collected water samples, organic matter samples and water discharge measurements from the Canning River. In May, the ice was still breaking up along its course, winding across the North Slope to the Beaufort Sea. Before departing, the team installed a slew of scientific instruments — timelapse cameras, seismic stations, pressure transducers and temperature sensors — which will continuously collect data in their absence until the equipment is retrieved in August. Insights gleaned from data obtained in this study will be used to quantify carbon release from sources like thawing permafrost in the far north, which is key to predicting landscape shifts and enhancing resiliency plans for the communities who call this fast-changing region home. 📷: Marisa Repasch

Announced last week, the U.S. National Science Foundation is investing $18 million across six inaugural awards, funded through the new NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER) program. The NSF TRAILBLAZER awards will support researchers who have proven track records of creativity and an ability to produce paradigm-shifting outcomes. Each will receive up to $3 million over three years to pursue novel engineering projects that will open new vistas into discovery and innovation — from creating biodegradable autonomous robots to designing scalable photonic quantum technologies. "Through the TRAILBLAZER program, NSF is enabling innovative researchers to explore new directions beyond today's frontiers," said Susan Margulies, NSF assistant director for Engineering. "Our investment in NSF TRAILBLAZER will lead to engineering impacts in biotechnology, sustainability, quantum technology and other areas that ultimately strengthen U.S. resilience and competitiveness." Learn more: https://bit.ly/4c1mRmQ 📷: Tasphong - https://adobe.ly/4c5psMI

Climate change is affecting species that rely on the shifting seasons for their life cycles. 🐧🐣 Retreating sea ice and increased daylight in the spring are triggering a sequence of seasonal events, or phenological events, like snowmelt and penguins laying eggs. #NSFfunded researchers recently published these discoveries from along the Western Antarctic Peninsula. They used environmental and biological data from the Palmer Station Antarctica Long-Term Ecological Research program, which has operated since 1991 and maintains continuous routine monitoring on the West Antarctic Peninsula. With polar regions experiencing the most rapid rates of air and sea temperature warming, the new study provides a valuable record of seasonal events.https://bit.ly/3y7s5zK 📷: Mike Lucibella, NSF #Antarctica #AntarcticData #data

📣 NSF's webinar, “Becoming a Reviewer for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP),” will take place on July 31 from 1 to 2 p.m. ET. Don’t miss the chance to explore #NSFGRFP, learn more about the review process, and ask questions about how to become a reviewer. Register now to secure your spot at https://bit.ly/3LFMIGi.

The #NSFfunded Catalyzing Across Sectors to Advance the Bioeconomy (CASA-Bio) initiative aims to foster collaboration among federal agencies, industry and nonprofit organizations by forming strategic partnerships to tackle the critical challenges of the bioeconomy. Now, there is an opportunity for the research community to provide input for the next step in the CASA-Bio activity and help plan a future to advance the U.S. bioeconomy. Join one (or more) of the six interactive advancement workshops that will focus on specific research and development challenges and opportunities for the bioeconomy, bringing together experts from academia, industry and government. Each fully virtual workshop will include participants selected from open applications from the community and suggested by CASA-Bio organizations, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives and expertise. Topics include: 🟢 Creating value from waste carbon for a circular bioeconomy (Orientation: August 12, 2024; Workshop: Aug. 14-15, 2024) 🟢 Enabling resilient bio-based supply chains (Orientation: August 19, 2024; Workshop: Aug. 21-22, 2024) 🟢 Food protein diversification (Orientation: August 21, 2024; Workshop: Aug. 22-23, 2024) 🟢 Improving carbon and energy efficiency of biomanufacturing (Orientation: August 26, 2024; Workshop: Aug. 28-29, 2024) 🟢 Personalized health and medicine for vaccine and biologics delivery (Orientation: September 9, 2024; Workshop: Sept. 11-12, 2024) To apply, visit https://bit.ly/3WgEwkE and sign up for a workshop relevant to your work to help outline a future for the topic. Learn more about CASA-Bio: https://bit.ly/3M3QMQZ 📷: Top left: J. Stoughton/National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Top right: University Communication/University of Nebraska-Lincoln Bottom left: Berkeley Lab - Roy Kaltschmidt Bottom right: Photo from ATE Impacts 2018-2019 Book (https://bit.ly/3ykmnud)

On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens in the state of Washington erupted. It caused the largest landslide in recorded history, destroying everything in its path. Inspired by this event and the efforts to restore the area, ecologists and video game developers at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, created "Resilience: After the Eruption." This interactive video game engages the player in the roles of ecologist, resource manager, recreation manager and forester to reach the goal of managing the new landscape. This game — funded in part by an NSF Opportunities for Promoting Understanding through Synthesis grant — aims to teach about basic ecological concepts. The game has been recognized as a "2024 GEE! Learning Games Awards" finalist. One of its creators, Parker Maynard, recently presented the game and his work at the Play Make Learn Annual Conference in Madison, Wisconsin. Congratulations to Parker and the team. To learn more and download the free game, visit https://bit.ly/3A2t197 #ConservationDay #NSFfunded 📷: Parker Maynard

This week, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan participated in a series of pivotal discussions and events, underscoring the U.S. National Science Foundation’s role at the forefront of scientific innovation and workforce development in the United States. At the National Science Board (NSB) meeting, the director welcomed new NSB Chairman Darío Gil and highlighted NSF's dynamic initiatives. These included the $18 million Trailblazer Engineering program and the transformative impact of the NSF Research Traineeship Program, now celebrating its 10th year. On Tuesday, the director spoke in Washington, D.C., at a Capital Convening focused on NSF Engines and U.S. Economic Development Administration Tech Hubs, which are part of the largest place-based science and technology investment in over 150 years. He emphasized the collaborative efforts needed to catalyze a vibrant, future-ready economy and praised the "CHIPS and Science Act of 2022's" pivotal role in fostering such innovation. Later that day at the Innovative Capital Summit reception, the Director reiterated the significance of place-based innovation and NSF's commitment to spreading economic opportunity nationwide, outlining how NSF Engines and EDA Tech Hubs are cultivating local talents and transforming regional economies into national assets. The Director spoke alongside Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), acknowledging their instrumental roles in championing the "CHIPS and Science Act of 2022" and propelling America's global leadership in STEM. This week also spotlighted NSF's strategic initiatives. NSF announced a $50 million investment in its Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials program aimed at expanding materials science education and careers, particularly at minority-serving institutions. Additionally, a $67 million investment for the new NSF Safeguarding the Entire Community of the U.S. Research Ecosystem (SECURE) Center and SECURE Analytics will bolster U.S. research security, protecting scientific integrity against global threats. Moreover, NSF, in collaboration with NIST, is leading a new initiative to train the semiconductor workforce, further highlighted by the establishment of a national network for microelectronics education. NSF remains dedicated to fostering an inclusive and innovative scientific enterprise, setting the stage for a future where every community can participate in and benefit from the expanding frontiers of science and technology.

Today is National Disability Independence Day. Around 15% of the world’s population, or an estimated 1 billion people, live with disabilities. Bansen Labs, an #NSFfunded startup, developed a hardware and software platform to help people with disabilities gain control over their experience with technology. The company’s platform, Xogo, is a universal adapter that connects assistive technology to smart home devices, cable boxes and game consoles. Xogo not only gives people with disabilities access to use technology in a way that works for them but also provides access to all people. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/4dlN7tj. 📷: Bansen Labs #NationalDisabilityIndependenceDay #SBIR

Sometimes called "failed stars," brown dwarfs are stellar objects bigger than planets and smaller than stars. Although brown dwarfs don't emit much visible light, they are a key ingredient for understanding the history of the Milky Way. These elusive objects have existed since the early universe and have remained relatively unchanged. Starting in 2025, the NSF-DOE Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time will detect a population of ancient brown dwarfs about 20 times bigger than previously seen, revealing the processes that shaped our home galaxy. Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3A049Pi #CaptureTheCosmos 📷: NSF-DOE Rubin Observatory/NSF NOIRLab/AURA/J. da Silva

Calling all nominations for the 2025 Alan T. Waterman award! As the nation's highest honor for early-career scientists and engineers, the Alan T. Waterman award recognizes an outstanding young researcher in any field of science or engineering supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation. The awardee will receive an honorary medal and a grant worth $1 million over a five-year period to support their research. To learn more about the nomination process, including FAQs, past recipients, eligibility, dates, deadlines and more, please visit: https://bit.ly/4c6DKwE