New Investigator’s WorkshopNew Investigator’s WorkshopU.S. Antarctic ProgramU.S. Antarctic Program

Scott BorgScott Borg

Head, Antarctic Sciences SectionHead, Antarctic Sciences Section

NSF/Office of Polar ProgramsNSF/Office of Polar Programs

21-22 August 2006 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop

Why this workshop?Why this workshop?

• To enrich the USAP by attracting new minds to Antarctic science

• To offer a glimpse of the research opportunities that can be found

• To show that, while NSF funding is very competitive, many science opportunities exist and working in the Antarctic is not as forbidding as many people think

21-22 August 2006 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop

For newcomers. . . .For newcomers. . . .A word about NSFA word about NSF

• Independent Agency – since 1950

• Supports basic research and education through grants and related mechanisms

• Vision – Enabling the nation’s future through discovery, learning, and innovation

• Ensures a world-class science/engineering workforce & promotes public understanding of science

21-22 August 2006 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop

For newcomers. . . .For newcomers. . . .A word about NSF and OPPA word about NSF and OPP

• National Science Board• Broad range of basic science• Many cross-directorate opportunities• Office of Polar Programs

– Special responsibility as lead agency for US national investment in Antarctica

– US Antarctic Program in OPP– A current emphasis is on the International

Polar Year (IPY)

NSF Recent Trends: FY 02 to 05NSF Recent Trends: FY 02 to 05Change FY02 to FY05

Funds Obligated(Millions of Dollars) $4,95

4$5,579

OrganizationalExcellence

FTE

# of Proposals

# of Competitive Awards

Aver. Annual Res. Grant Size

Aver. Grant Duration (years)

14%

59%

3%

19%

-7%

24%

-

$5,871

2.9 2.9 2.9

$115,666

FY05FY04FY03FY02

$135,609 $139,637

10,406 10,844 10,380

35,164 40,075 43,851

1,239 1,242 1,274

$184

$196 $268

$5,654

$292

1,279

41,722

9,757

$143,669

2.9

21-22 August 2006 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop

Average Reviewer Ratings – FY05Average Reviewer Ratings – FY05

Distribution of Average Reviewer RatingsFY 2005

1 46

3,060

590

8,522

1,323 1,798

3,564

5,141

1,124

15,415

1,174

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

18,000

No Score Poor to Fair Fair to Good Good to VeryGood

Very Good toExcellent

Excellent

Nu

mb

er

of

Pro

po

sa

ls

Awards Declines

Number of Proposals: 31,966 Declines, 9,792 Awards

21-22 August 2006 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop

Taxpayer’s InvestmentTaxpayer’s Investment

An average NSF research award in FY99 (about $70,000 annually) was equivalent to committing the revenues from 10.6 average-sized income tax return statements. (Based on FY99 estimates.)

The average NSF research award in FY04 was about $139,000 annually – 23.9 income tax return statements.

21-22 August 2006 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop

NSF and People: FY 2001 NSF and People: FY 2001 EstimateEstimate

Senior researchers

Postdoctoral associates

Other professionals

Graduate students

Undergraduate students

K-12 students

K-12 teachers

10,710

5,320

28,380

24,350

32,000

11,390

80,830

192,980Total

21-22 August 2006 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop

Key DocumentsKey Documents

• FY 2007 NSF Budget Request

– http://www.nsf.gov/about/budget/fy2007

• Grant Proposal Guide (NSF 04-23)

– http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=GPG

• Science and Engineering Indicators

– http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/seind04/start.htm

• When in doubt –

– http://www.nsf.gov/

21-22 August 2006 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop

OPP/ANT Program OfficersOPP/ANT Program Officers

• Aeronomy & Astrophysics – vacant/search underway• Biology & Medicine – Roberta Marinelli• Ocean & Climate Systems – Bernhard Lettau• Geology & Geophysics – Tom Wagner• Glaciology – Julie Palais• Artists and Writers – Kim Silverman• OPP-IPY coordinator – Marie Bundy• See: http://www.nsf.gov/dir/index.jsp?org=OPP

21-22 August 2006 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop

U.S. Antarctic ProgramU.S. Antarctic Program

o Antarctic Treaty

o Research and Education – very broad range

o Environmental Stewardship

o Antarctic Conservation Act

o International Cooperation and Collaboration

o Ships, planes, labs, and specialized support

o International Polar Year: Mar 07 – Mar 09

21-22 August 2006 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop

Los Angeles

Denver

Washington, D.C.

Santiago

McMurdo

ChristchurchPalmer

South Pole

Punta Arenas

Scope of OrganizationScope of Organization

21-22 August 2006 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop

USAP Sites of Major ActivitiesUSAP Sites of Major Activities

21-22 August 2006 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop

Questions?Questions?

21-22 August 2006 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop

Antarctic Research Budget, 1996 to 2002 Antarctic Research Budget, 1996 to 2002 In Millions of DollarsIn Millions of Dollars

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

AB&M 6.9 6.9 7.06 7.2 7.7 8.8 9.4 9.88 10.44AG&G 5.08 5.08 5.16 5.3 5.7 6.5 7.3 7.9 8.4AOCS 4.42 4.42 4.36 4.4 4.73 5.1 5.7 6.55 6.85AA&A 6.92 3 3.06 3.1 3.57 5.7 9.5 9.86 10.3AG 4.06 4.06 4.46 4.36 4.45 5.1 6.1 6.75 7.18Coord/Info 0.67 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.28 0.3 0.3 0.765S&T Centers 3.92 3.95 4.07 3.32 2.6 0.2 0 0

Reserve 0.03 0.34 0.1 0.07 0.24 0 0 0 [2.83]

TOTAL 28.08 28.32 28.55 28.9 30.11 34.08 38.5 41.24 43.93