"Instructors provided excellent explanation of framework for phase field and finite elements. Very empowering course."
—TMS2015 Course Attendee

SCOPE

This workshop will cover the fundamentals of successful grant proposal writing for the National Science Foundation (NSF). Participants will learn about key topics, including the components of a successful proposal, finding the right home for your research, and details about the NSF review process. An interactive session will include a mock panel where participants will have the opportunity to review and comment on example research project summaries, providing a glimpse into the review process from the "other side of the table." Program directors from the NSF Directorate of Engineering will discuss the merit review process, funding profiles, and NSF programs, solicitations, and other opportunities. The workshop will be geared toward early career investigators, but is open to all.

WHO ATTENDS?

This workshop will be geared towards early career investigators at U.S. institutions seeking to understand the NSF merit review process, but the information provided will be valuable to principal investigators in any stage of their career seeking to learn more about proposal writing and NSF funding opportunities.

TOPICAL OUTLINE

Session 1: Lecture

• NSF program directors will present slides on successful proposal writing, the merit review process, research ethics, and tips for finding the right home for your research.

Session 2: Interactive

• Participants will discuss sample project summaries in small groups.

Session 3: Lecture

• NSF program directors will discuss funding profiles, and opportunities related to materials science and engineering at NSF. Open Q&A will follow.

INSTRUCTORS

Alexis C. Lewis, is a program director in the Directorate for Engineering at the National Science Foundation (NSF). She directs the Materials Engineering and Processing (MEP) program in the Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI). She is also the CMMI representative for the Foundation's Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future program, NSF's response to and participation in the Materials Genome Initiative. Prior to joining NSF in 2014, Lewis was a materials research engineer at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington D.C. in the Multifunctional Materials Branch. She earned her Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins University and S.B. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, both in materials science and engineering. She has been an active member of TMS for over 15 years, serving on numerous committees, including the Membership and Student Development Committee and the Diversity Committee.

Eric M. Taleff , is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, a member of the Materials Science and Engineering Program, and the Charlotte Maer Patton Centennial Fellow in Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1995. Taleff was a program officer for the Metals and Metallic Nanostructures Program in the Division of Materials Research at the National Science Foundation from 2012 until 2013. Taleff graduated cum laude from Rice University with a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a B.S. in materials science. He then earned an M.S. in materials science and engineering and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. Taleff is recognized for teaching through the Texas Excellence Teaching Award in Engineering from the Texas Exes Association. His professional honors include the 2014 TMS Brimacombe Medalist, Fellow of ASM International, the Most Valuable Colleague Award (John M. Campbell Award) from General Motors, and the 2013 AIME Champion H. Mathewson Medal Award from the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME) and TMS. His research interests are in processing, microstructure, and mechanical properties of structural materials, including superalloys, steels, light alloys, and refractory metals.

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