CCR supported student awarded fellowship!

Matt Paolella, a formerly supported the CCR on an NSF Cyberteams CAREERS grant, was awarded the Moissan Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship for the summer of 2024 (One per year from the American Chemical Society, Division of Fluorine Chemistry). His application for this fellowship was largely built on the basis of his CAREERS project. Matt also plan to submit a manuscript, with him as the first author, this month to report the discovery from his CAREERS project. 

Matt’s faculty advisor is Dr. Fang Wang from the Dept. of Chemistry. 

Speed Networking Event AI, Quantum, and Computationally Enhanced Research & Innovation

Invitation, URI Speed Networking Event

AI, Quantum, and Computationally Enhanced Research & Innovation  

Friday October 11, 2024, 9:30-noon

Galanti Lounge, 3rd Floor, URI Library

Center for Computational Research, ITS (Joan Peckham & Gaurav Khanna)

URI Innovation Lab (Jim McGwin)

College of Business, Business Analytics and AI (Drew Zhang)

 URI Division of Research and Economic Development (Karen Markin)

 

PURPOSE: To support scholars at URI to respond to solicitations that increasingly request interdisciplinary, convergence1, use-inspired2, and data enabled research. 

APPROACH: This event will provide a means for scholars of all disciplines with computational needs, and applied & theoretical data, quantum computing, mathematics, statistics and AI/analysis/management scholars to meet and explore interdisciplinary research collaborations that can result in publications, external funding and/or startups.  URI scholars and students of all disciplines who are actively engaged in research and innovation are invited.

PROCESS: We will use a structured and timed speed dating approach that will give each scholar short segments of time to exchange their expertise, interests, and innovative ideas with other participants. Snack and beverages will be available upon arrival. At the end we will provide a grab and go lunch, but all will be welcome to stay and further discuss promising collaborations. 

Registration by Friday, October 4, 2024 (So that we can order food): https://forms.gle/YHsFW3bRhhjgsw7B8

Questions? Contact jpeckham@uri.edu (Joan Peckham)

 

1 Convergence Research (https://beta.nsf.gov/funding/learn/research-types/learn-about-convergence-research): It is driven by a specific and compelling problem, whether that problem arises from deep scientific questions or pressing societal needs. It shows deep integration across disciplines. Convergence research intentionally brings together intellectually diverse researchers to develop effective ways of communicating across disciplines. As experts from different disciplines pursue a common research challenge, their knowledge, theories, methods, data and research communities increasingly intermingle. 

 

2 Use-Inspired Research – From NSF solicitation on AI Institutes – NSF 22502 (https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2022/nsf22502/nsf22502.htm):  We use the phrase “use-inspired” rather than “applied” to emphasize that this solicitation seeks to support work that goes beyond merely applying known techniques and adds new knowledge and understanding in both foundational AI and use-inspired domains. Ideally there is a virtuous cycle between foundational and use-inspired research, where foundational results provide a starting point for use-inspired research, and the results from use-inspired research are generalized and made foundational.

 

—

There is funding available for student travel to the major Supercomputing ’24 conference (Atlanta) this November and IPDPS conference (Milan, Italy) in June ’25. The goal is to help a cohort of students engage regularly with the HPC community, and enable frequent and continued interactions among members of the cohort, leading to more effective networking. The cohort formed will be of students spanning diverse backgrounds and include undergraduates, Masters, early stage and late stage doctoral students.Find out more about this opportunity at this link.

https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2024/nsf24111/nsf24111.jsp

Planning Grants funded through this DCL are expected to cultivate research teams that actively address the expansion or enhancement of an existing test bed to evaluate the impact on and interaction with users of novel AI methods. 

Examples of application domains cover all major areas, such as: urban and regional transportation networks; telecommunications networks; power grid control; development, monitoring, maintenance, and repair of urban infrastructure; multi-level healthcare delivery systems: criminal justice system; human and social services requiring coordination across several city or community offices; allocation of public services; public safety; automated farming and food distribution; autonomous scientific laboratories; and manufacturing including the industrial Internet of Things (IIOT), materials and labor pipelines, warehousing, and distribution

NAIRR Pilot Resource Requests to Advance AI Research

The National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) Pilot has opened calls for projects with a 12 month duration for computational resources funded by federal agencies as well as resources contributed by private and non-profit sector partners. This call for allocation proposals encompasses projects covering any of the cross-cutting or domain focus areas for the NAIRR Pilot.

Cross-cutting focus areas:

  • Advancing AI methods that enable scientific discovery.
  • Creating open-source foundation models for specific applications.
  • Using large-scale models to explore complex datasets interactively.
  • Advancing approaches for integrating simulations and AI.
  • Using experimental data from sensors, detectors, or other edge instruments.
  • Empowering use of scientific data by other stakeholders and the public.
  • Training and educating a cohort of scholars in AI technologies and their responsible use.
  • Probe key AI challenges using sensitive data including privacy-preserving methods.
 
Domain specific areas: 
  • Accelerating societally-relevant research on AI safety, reliability, security, and privacy.
  • Empowering advances in cancer treatment and individual health outcomes.
  • Supporting resilience and optimization of agricultural, water, and grid infrastructure.
  • Improving design, control, and quality of advanced manufacturing systems.
  • Addressing earth, environmental, and climate challenges via integration of diverse data and models.
Proposals will be reviewed on an ongoing monthly cycle. Requests submitted by the 15th of the month will be reviewed and have their outcome decided by the end of the month. Projects will be awarded for twelve (12) months duration.

To find out more, please check out: https://nairrpilot.org/opportunities/allocations

In addition to the above research call, resources for classroom use are also available: https://nairrpilot.org/opportunities/education-call

Funding opportunities for AI related research

Artificial Intelligence (AI) — Examples of Recent Research Opportunities and General Information

National Science Foundation (NSF)

 

— National Science Foundation (NSF)

Research on Innovative Technologies for Enhanced Learning (RITEL)

Annual Deadlines: January 24, 2024, November 05, 2024, November 04, 2025

URL: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2023/nsf23624/nsf23624.htm

 

— National Science Foundation (NSF)
Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE): Core Programs
Proposals Accepted Anytime — Small Projects
Submission Window Dates: December 01 – December 22, Annually — Medium Projects
                                                  December 1 – December 22, Annually — OAC Core Projects
URL: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2022/nsf22631/nsf22631.htm

 

— National Science Foundation (NSF) and Others
National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institutes
Accelerating Research, Transforming Society, and Growing the American Workforce
Proposals Accepted Anytime — Small Projects
Submission Window Dates: October 1 – October 23, Annually  — Medium Projects
October 1 – October 23, Annually  — OAC Core Projects
URL: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2023/nsf23610/nsf23610.htm

 

— National Science Foundation (NSF)
Dear Colleague Letter: Advancing education for the future AI workforce (EducateAI)
NSF 24-025
URL: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2024/nsf24025/nsf24025.jsp

 

— National Science Foundation (NSF)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Smart Health and Biomedical Research in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Data Science (SCH)
Full Proposal Deadlines: October 03, 2024, October 3, 2025
URL: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2023/nsf23614/nsf23614.htm

 

— National Science Foundation (NSF)
Human Networks and Data Science (HNDS)
  *Annual Deadline for direct submissions to Human Networks and Data Science – Core Research (HNDS-R) by permission only: First Thursday in August
Note: Submissions with HNDS-R as secondary should follow the primary program’s submission dates.
  *Annual Deadline for Human Networks and Data Science – Infrastructure (HNDS-I) proposals only: Second Thursday in January
  *Annual Deadline for direct submissions to Human Networks and Data Science – Core Research (HNDS-R) by permission only: Second Thursday in January
Note: Submissions with HNDS-R as secondary do not require permission and should follow the primary program’s submission dates.
  *Annual Deadline for Human Networks and Data Science – Infrastructure (HNDS-I) proposals only: First Thursday in February
URL: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2023/nsf23568/nsf23568.htm

 

— National Science Foundation (NSF)
Responsible Design,  Development and Deployment of Technologies (ReDDDoT)
Full Proposal Deadlines:
  *Phase 1: Planning Grants, Translational Research Coordination Networks, Workshops:
April 08, 2024
  *Phase 2: Project proposals: April 22, 2024
URL: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2024/nsf24524/nsf24524.htm

 

— National Science Foundation (NSF)
Incorporating Human Behavior in Epidemiological Models (IHBEM)
Submission Window Dates:
  *February 1, 2024 – February 14, 2024, Annually Thereafter
URL: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2024/nsf24507/nsf24507.htm

 

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

— National Science Foundation (NSF)
— National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Smart Health and Biomedical Research in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Data Science (SCH)
Full Proposal Deadlines: October 03, 2024, October 3, 2025
URL: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2023/nsf23614/nsf23614.htm

 

Department of Defense (DoD)

— Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
Defense Sciences Office (DSO)
2023-24 DSO Office-wide Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)
Open Submissions until BAA Closing Date: September 26, 2024
URL: https://sam.gov/opp/972be70efd7e4608b01311466edf6b0f/view

 

— Office of Naval Research (ONR)
Class of 2024 Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship (VBFF) Program
Offered annually — Check after February 2024 for 2025 Solicitation
URL: https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/funding-opportunities/class-2024-vannevar-bush-faculty-fellowship-vbff-program

 

— Washington Headquarters Services Acquisition Directorate (WHS/AD)
Minerva Research Initiative’s (Minerva) Defense Education and Civilian University Research (DECUR) Partnership
Offered annually — Check later for Class of FY2025 Solicitation
URL: https://minerva.defense.gov/Programs/DECUR-Partnership/

 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

— National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)
NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER)
Ocean Exploration Fiscal Year 2024 Funding Opportunity
Look for FY2025 Funding Opportunity later
URL: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/about/funding-opps/welcome.html

 

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

— General Information
URL: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/artificial-intelligence

— Agriculture and Food Research Initiative – Foundational and Applied Science Program

The subsections of the AFRI Foundational and Applied Science program that provide funding in AI are Agriculture Systems and Technology; Bioenergy, Natural Resources and Environment; Agricultural Economics and Rural Community program areas.
Check the website, URL below for varied deadlines
URL: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-12/FY24-AFRI-FAS-RFA-P_0.pdf

 

Department of Energy (DOE)

— Department of Energy (DOE)
Initiative: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
General Information
URL: https://www.energy.gov/science/artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning

 

— Department of Energy (DOE)
Office of Science (SC)
Early Career Research Program (ECRP)
Topic of Interest: Data Management, Visualization, and Analytics
Submission Deadline for required Pre-Applications: January 30, 2024
Submission Deadline for Applications: April 25, 2024
URL: https://science.osti.gov/ascr/-/media/grants/pdf/foas/2024/DE-FOA-0003176.pdf

 

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

— Grants for Arts Projects
Submission Deadline: February 21-28, 2024

URL: https://www.arts.gov/grants/grants-for-arts-projects

 

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)

— National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
Office of Digital Humanities
FY 2024 Dangers and Opportunities of Technology: Perspectives from the Humanities (DOT)
Application Deadline: September 12, 2024
URL: https://www.neh.gov/program/dangers-and-opportunities-technology-perspectives-humanities

— National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
Humanities Research Centers on Artificial Intelligence
Application Deadline February 14, 2024
URL: https://www.neh.gov/program/humanities-research-centers-artificial-intelligence

 

Education

— Institute of Education Sciences (IES)
Education Research and Development Center Program
Using Generative Artificial Intelligence to Augment
Teaching and Learning in Classrooms
Application Due Date: March 7, 2024

URL: https://ies.ed.gov/ncer/projects/program.asp?ProgID=13

 

 

For questions about funding information and proposal assistance contact:

Charlene Dunn
Proposal Development Manager
Division of Research and Economic Development
University of Rhode Island
401-874-5475
candyd@uri.edu

    

 

Twelve computational research projects benefit from National Science Foundation funding

The CAREERS (Cyberteam to Advance Research and Education in Eastern Regional Schools) CyberTeam Program is a 3-year workforce development initiative funded by the National Science Foundation to build a regional pool of Research Computing Facilitators (RCF) to support researchers at small and midsized institutions in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. RCFs are experts at figuring out how to match the right computational resources to the task at hand, something that can stymie researchers who are, for example, sifting through billions of records to find a specific pattern of genes that correlates with a particular form of cancer; or examining massive quantities of sensor data to understand movements of the sea floor; or modeling complex molecular structures. When computing needs exceed the capacity of the researcher’s laptop, the RCF’s role is to help make use of local, regional, and national high-performance computing resources to meet the researcher’s needs.

URI is the anchor institution for CAREERS in Rhode Island and this academic year ’23 — ’24 is leading 12 distinct research projects within this program in a wide variety of disciplines. This effort is aiding new computational research while training student RCFs in the region. The full project listing appears below. 

College of Arts & Sciences
• Dr. Fang Wang and student RCF Matt Paolella: Quantum mechanical simulation of fluorine-containing biomolecule
• Dr. Michael Puerrer and student RCF Sam Clyne: Waveform Systematics for Black Hole Binary Mergers Models

College of Engineering 
• Dr. Ash Giri and student RCF Jaymes Dionne: Developing machine learning interatomic potentials for classical molecular dynamics simulations of complex perovskites
• Dr. Angelo Lucia and student RCF Eason Chen: Does HPC Offer Advantages in Metabolic Network Modeling, Simulation and Optimization?
• Dr. Liqun Zhang and student RCF Cole Pepin: Steered Molecular Dynamics Simulations on Human beta Defensin Crossing

College of Environment and Life Sciences 
• Dr. Ying Zhang and student RCF Aidan McCrillis: Computational pipelines for the analysis of plastic-degrading genes

Graduate School of Oceanography 
• Dr. Yang Shen and  student RCF Zhangbao Cheng: Improving earthquake detection and localization with deep learning
• Dr. Kei Inomura and student RCF Gabrielle Armin: Biogeochemical cycling consequences due to the impacts on the cellular response to warming oceans 
• Dr. Tetsu Hara and student RCF Josh Port: Effects of wind-wave misalignment on air-sea momentum flux and drag coefficient
• Dr. Matt Wei and student RCF Lingchao He: Numerical simulation of earthquake cycles on oceanic transform faults

College of Health Sciences 
• Dr. Maya Vadiveloo and student RCF Anthony Francisco: Development of personalized healthy food incentives to improve diet and cardiovascular risk
• Dr. Manshu Yang and student RCF Elizabeth Pauley: An Evaluation of Methods for Handling Missing Data in Randomized Controlled Trials with Omitted Moderation Effects

Computational projects are being funded in nearly all major Colleges at URI and the outcome of these efforts will result in a growth in computational research all across the university. This research work will be supported by URI’s new UNITY computational infrastructure at the Massachusetts Green HPC Center.  

“I’m really excited to have helped enable such a diverse array of computational research at URI while also contributing towards workforce development in the region and nationally.” said Dr. Gaurav Khanna who is the Rhode Island PI of this NSF program and also the Director for the URI Center for Computational Research and ITS Research Computing. 

CI Compass Fellowship Program (CICF) for Undergraduates

https://ci-compass.org/student-fellowships/

The program provides student fellows the opportunity to:

  1. Learn about CI development and Major Facilities (MFs).
  2. Develop CI-related skill sets that are important to the work of MFs.
  3. Engage with CI Compass and MF personnel through a virtual training and research program, and related professional workshops/symposia.

CICF is open to all undergraduate students in the United States.

Fill out the program application: here

CCR new initiative — funding available

Today, we are really excited to announce a major new initiative. 

We launched this new research center earlier this year — URI Center for Computational Research ccr.uri.edu — with a mission to support and help grow computational research at URI. The Center is solely funded by indirect cost return. More detail is available here: https://its.uri.edu/ccr-proposal-submission/

We are really happy to report that to-date ~25 submitted proposals have included the CCR as an affiliated Center and ~8 have received funding already. Today, we are launching a major new program that invests these indirect cost return funds back into the URI computational researchers community :-). 

In brief, this new “seed funding” program is looking to support new computational projects that are interdisciplinary and convergent. The max budget request is $25,000 (direct costs) and the 5-page proposals are due on November 15th. 

Please contact us on details and how to apply by emailing ccr-group@uri.edu