NSF encourages proposals for centers at minority-serving institutions for research advancing emerging technologies A new dear colleague letter from the U.S. National Science Foundation encourages submission of new Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST Center) proposals focusing on social, behavioral and economic sciences research. The CREST program supports the creation of research centers that will lead to strong societal impacts. Projects supported under the CREST program are 5-year research awards that increase research capacity and infrastructure at minority-serving institutions (MSIs). The new dear colleague letter calls for CREST Center proposals that address the social, political, cultural or cognitive dimensions of the theme advancing emerging technologies. Examples of research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Large Language Models (LLM) Machine Learning Smart and Connected Devices Virtual and Augmented Reality Cybersecurity Assistive and Adaptive Technology   Read the Dear Colleague Letter

NSF invests $35M in future manufacturing NSF awards for research and education will catalyze new manufacturing capabilities that do not exist today. Manufacturing is a linchpin of the U.S. economy, bolstering national security, economic growth, and American employment. Through the Future Manufacturing program, the U.S. National Science Foundation makes targeted investments in the future of manufacturing research and helps grow the manufacturing workforce.  The 21 NSF Future Manufacturing awards for 2023 invest over $35 million across 40 institutions in 25 states. This is the fourth year of NSF investment in the program, totaling more than $137 million. Read the announcement

In case you missed it NSF and partners invest $45 million in the future of semiconductors The U.S. National Science Foundation announced 24 research and education projects with a total investment of $45.6 million — including funding from the "CHIPS and Science Act of 2022" — to enable rapid progress in new semiconductor technologies and manufacturing as well as workforce development. The projects are supported by the NSF Future of Semiconductors (FuSe) program through a public-private partnership spanning NSF and four companies: Ericsson, IBM, Intel and Samsung. Read the announcement