Research Coordination Networks (RCN)

The goal of the RCN program is to advance a field or create new directions in research or education by supporting groups of investigators to communicate and coordinate their research, training and educational activities across disciplinary, organizational, geographic and international boundaries. RCN provides opportunities to foster new collaborations, including international partnerships, and address interdisciplinary topics. Innovative ideas for implementing novel networking strategies, collaborative technologies, and development of community standards for data and meta-data are especially encouraged. RCN awards are not meant to support existing networks; nor are they meant to support the activities of established collaborations. RCN awards do not support primary research. RCN supports the means by which investigators can share information and ideas, coordinate ongoing or planned research activities, foster synthesis and new collaborations, develop community standards, and in other ways advance science and education through communication and sharing of ideas.Proposed networking activities directed to the RCN program should focus on a theme to give coherence to the collaboration, such as a broad research question or particular technologies or approaches. Participating core programs in the Directorates for Biological Sciences (BIO), Geosciences (GEO), Engineering (ENG) and Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE), and Offices of Cyberinfrastructure (OCI) and Polar Programs (OPP) will accept General (non-targeted) RCN proposals. Submission deadlines for the General RCN proposals vary by program; consult program websites. These directorates and offices are joined by the Directorates for Education and Human Resources (EHR) and Mathematics and Physical Sciences (MPS), and the Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE) in participating in the targeted Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability (RCN-SEES) track described below. Only BIO and EHR participate in the Undergraduate Biology Education (RCN-UBE) track described below. Additional targeted tracks within the RCN programs are intended to foster linkages across directorates.RCN-SEES: The Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability track focuses on interdisciplinary topics that will advance sustainability science, engineering and education as an integrative approach to the challenges of adapting to environmental, social and cultural changes associated with growth and development of human populations, and attaining a sustainable energy future. RCN-UBE: The Undergraduate Biology Education track focuses on any topic likely to lead to improved participation, learning, or assessment in undergraduate biology curricula. Several other NSF solicitations accept RCN proposals, or support research networking activities if appropriate to the solicitation. Please see section IX. Other Information of this solicitation for a listing.