The Ethical and Responsible Research (ER2) program aims to support fundamental research about what constitutes or promotes responsible and ethical conduct of research (RECR). The ER2 program seeks to encourage science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) researchers, practitioners and educators at all career stages to conduct research with integrity and to educate others about RECR. Research questions of interest to the program could address ethical issues involving diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, bias, culture, transparency and mentoring or other interpersonal behaviors in research environments, as well as the following:
Proposals from or involving substantial collaboration with organizations in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions, minority-serving institutions, women’s colleges or organizations primarily serving persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged. Proposals that include international collaborations are encouraged if the unique resources, expertise, facilities or locations of international partners enhance the merit of the proposed work. Please see the NSF PAPPG for guidance on international collaborations.
Full Proposal Deadline Date: January 25, 2024
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
The leadership of project teams must have appropriate expertise. This might include expertise in the STEM domains on which the project focuses, or in ethics, values, evaluation and pedagogy. For an Institutional Transformation Research Project proposal, it is highly recommended that at least one senior member of the submitting organization's administration (for example, the provost, a vice provost, and/or the campus president) serve as the PI or co-PI on the project.
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: 2
An individual may appear as PI, co-PI, or Senior Personnel on no more than two proposals submitted in response to this solicitation.
In the event that an individual exceeds this limit, the first two proposals received prior to the target date will be evaluated by the program for review, and the remainder of the individual's proposals will be returned without review. This limitation includes proposals submitted by a lead organization and any subawards included as part of a collaborative proposal involving multiple institutions. No exceptions to this rule will be made.
This solicitation will consider proposals for four types of projects:
Project durations and budgets must be commensurate with the scope of the work proposed and with guidance provided elsewhere in this solicitation regarding anticipated program resources. NSF anticipates a portfolio of awards with a range of budgets and durations up to the maximum amount.
Estimated program budget, number of awards, and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.
