The Responsible Design, Development, and Deployment of Technologies (ReDDDoT) program invites proposals from multidisciplinary, multi-sector teams that examine and demonstrate the principles, methodologies, implementations, and impacts associated with responsible design, development, and deployment of technologies in practice, focusing especially on the key technologies specified in Section 10387 of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. The program is a collaboration between NSF and philanthropic funders Ford Foundation, The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, Pivotal Ventures, The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation, and Siegel Family Endowment. A key goal of the program is to support and strengthen collaborations across disciplines and sectors, for example, academia, industry, and non-profits. The program also aims to ensure that ethical, legal, and societal considerations and community values are embedded across technology lifecycles to generate products that promote the public’s wellbeing and mitigate harm.
The broad goals of the ReDDDoT program include:
- Stimulating activity and filling gaps in research, innovation, and capacity building in the responsible design, development, and deployment of technologies;
- Creating broad and inclusive communities of interest that bring together key stakeholders to better inform practices for the design, development, and deployment of technologies;
- Educating and training the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce on approaches to responsible design, development, and deployment of technologies;
- Accelerating pathways to societal and economic benefits while developing strategies to avoid or mitigate societal and economic harms; and
- Empowering communities, including economically disadvantaged and marginalized populations, to participate in all stages of technology development, including the earliest stages of ideation and design.
In FY 2024, the program includes a Phase 1 for proposals for Planning Grants—to facilitate collaborative transdisciplinary and multi-sector activities in anticipation of submission of larger proposals; Translational Research Coordination Networks—to help initiate a community of practice relevant to one or more of the FY 2024 priority areas described below; and Workshop proposals1—to raise awareness and identify relevant approaches and needs in one or more technology area(s). The program also includes a Phase 2 for Project proposals in topics in the priority areas where there is already demonstrable maturity.
In FY 2024, the Planning Grant, Translational Research Coordination Network, and Phase 2 Project proposals should all focus on one or more of the following three technology areas, selected as priority areas from the list of technology areas enumerated in the CHIPS & Science Act: artificial intelligence, biotechnology, or natural and anthropogenic disaster prevention or mitigation including, but not limited to, climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability. Projects that cover multiple of these priority areas, and/or include other areas in addition to one or more of the priority areas are also welcome.
Workshop proposals, on the other hand, may choose foci from the full range of key technology areas and national, societal, and geostrategic challenges described in Section 10387 of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, as listed in section II.C.1 below.
Deadlines:
- April 8, 2024: Phase 1: Planning Grants, Translational Research Coordination Networks, Workshops
- April 22, 2024: Phase 2: Project proposals
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
- Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) - Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.
- For-profit organizations: U.S.-based commercial organizations, including small businesses, with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education and a passion for innovation.
- Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, community organizations, and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities or that bring relevant expertise/perspectives.
- State, Local, and Tribal governments, limited to agencies, offices, divisions, or other units specifically dedicated to innovation, economic and/or workforce development.
- Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131.
The project leadership team should include individuals with experience and expertise in topics and areas broadly associated with responsible design, development, and/or deployment of technologies.
Estimated Number of Awards: 28 to 36
Phase 1 will fund an estimated ~10-12 Planning Grants (up to $300,000 each for no more than 2 years), 2 Translational Research Coordination Networks (up to $500,000 each for 3-4 years), and ~8-10 Workshops (up to $75,000 each).
Phase 2 will fund an estimated 8-12 Project proposals ($750,000-$1,500,000 each for 3 years).
Anticipated Funding Amount: $16,000,000
Total funding is $16,000,000, subject to availability of funds.