NSF Science of Science and Innovation Policy Initiative

Website: www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08520/nsf08520.htm
Application deadline: the deadline of March 18, 2008 has passed. Please consult the Website for the most current information.

Briefly, the Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) at the National Science Foundation (NSF) aims to foster the development of the knowledge, theories, data, tools, and human capital needed to cultivate a new Science of Science and Innovation Policy (SciSIP). The SciSIP program underwrites fundamental research that creates new explanatory models, analytic tools and datasets designed to inform the nation's public and private sectors about the processes through which investments in science and engineering (S&E) research are transformed into social and economic outcomes. SciSIP's goals are to understand the contexts, structures and processes of S&E research, to evaluate reliably the tangible and intangible returns from investments in research and development (R&D), and to predict the likely returns from future R&D investments within tolerable margins of error and with attention to the full spectrum of potential consequences. Specifically, the research, data collection and community development components of SciSIP's activities will:

1. develop usable knowledge and theories of creative processes and their transformation into social and economic outcomes;
2. develop, improve and expand models and analytical tools that can be applied in the science policy decision making process;
3. improve and expand science metrics, datasets and analytical tools; and
4. (4) develop a community of experts across academic institutions and disciplines focused on SciSIP.

For purposes of this solicitation, the term "science metrics" refers to quantitative measures or indicators that provide summary information on the size, scope, quality, and impact of science and engineering activities, with particular focus on inputs and outputs of the science, technology and innovation system. Characterizing the dynamics of discovery and innovation is important for developing valid metrics, for predicting future returns on investments, for constructing fruitful policies, and for developing new forms of workforce education and training.

Contact information:
Philip Paolino, Program Director
Political Science Program, SES Division National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd, Ste. 980
Arlington, VA 22230
(703) 292-7848