NSF has recently released solicitation NS 17-546: Big Data Regional Innovation Hubs: Establishing Spokes to Advance Big Data Applications (BD Spokes)
This solicitation replaces NSF 16-510 and calls for new BD Spoke proposals to be awarded in FY 2018. Collaborating with BD Hubs, each BD Spoke will focus on a particular topic that requires Big Data approaches and solutions. The set of activities managed by a BD Spoke will promote progress towards solutions in the chosen topic area. The regional BD Hub Steering Committee will provide general guidance to each BD Spoke and will assist the BD Spoke in coordinating with the national BD Hub network, with other BD Spokes, and with the broader innovation ecosystem.
The Big Data activities of a BD Spoke will be guided by the following broad themes:
- Accelerating progress towards addressing societal grand challenges relevant to the regional and national priority areas defined by the BD Hubs (information on priority areas can be found on each Hub’s website listed in the Introduction section below);
- Helping automate the Big Data lifecycle; and
- Enabling access to and spurring the use of important and valuable available data assets, including international data sets where relevant.
There are two proposal categories: Small and Medium BD Spokes. All (SMALL or MEDIUM) BD Spoke proposals submitted in response to this solicitation must include a Letter of Collaboration from a regional BD Hub. Proposals not including a Letter of Collaboration from a BD Hub will be returned without review. No exceptions will be made.
Total Anticipated Funding Amount: 10,000,000
Small BD Spoke Proposals – funded at $100,000 – $500,000 total for up to three years.
Medium BD Spoke Proposals – funded at $500,000-$1,000,000 total for up to three years.
Estimated Number of Awards: 10 to 20
Deadline for full proposals: September 18, 2017
Website: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2017/nsf17546/nsf17546.htm