[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 26, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59199-59200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23327]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Request for Information: Undergraduate Training in Biology 
Mathematics and Computer Science (UBMC)

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Request for information.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Division of 
Undergraduate Education (DUE), the Division of Biological 
Infrastructure (DBI), the Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) and 
the Division of Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) 
request input from interested parties the value and need for an 
interdisciplinary program that trains undergraduate students at the 
intersections of biological science, mathematics and computer sciences. 
This RFI will help inform NSF as it considers programs for educating 
the workforce of tomorrow.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
December 31, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to Mary L. Crowe, [email protected]. 
Submissions should include the ``RFI Response: Undergraduate Training 
Program in Biological, Mathematical and Computer Science UBMC'' in the 
subject line of the message. Phone calls can be made to Mary L. Crowe 
at the following number: 703-292-7177.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 
W18200, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send 
email to [email protected]. Individuals who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 
days a week, 365 days a year (including Federal holidays).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Instructions: Response to this RFI is voluntary. Each individual or 
institution is requested to submit only one response. Responses should 
include the name of the person(s) or organization(s) filing the 
comment. Please include the number of the question or questions to 
which you are responding. Please limit your response to no more than 
six pages.
    In accordance with FAR 15.202(3), responses to this notice are not 
offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding 
contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated 
with responding to this RFI.
    Background Information: The National Science Foundation (NSF) plays 
a critical role in establishing U.S. leadership in science and 
engineering (S&E), creating innovations that drive the nation's economy 
and educating the next generation of scientists and engineers. The NSF 
10 Big Ideas support this role through ideas such as the Future of Work 
at the Human Technology Frontier, Harnessing the Data Revolution, and 
others, that foster

[[Page 59200]]

interdisciplinary science and engineering research and the requisite 
interdisciplinary education and workforce development.
    A program that exemplified the integration of interdisciplinary 
training for undergraduates was the Interdisciplinary Training for 
Undergraduates in Biological and Mathematical Sciences (UBM), a program 
aimed to enhance undergraduate education and training at the 
intersection of the biological and mathematical sciences to better 
prepare undergraduate students to pursue careers in fields that 
integrated the mathematical and biological sciences https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08510/nsf08510.htm. Since the end of the UBM 
program, there has been an increasing amount of digital data that 
necessitates education and training in not just mathematics but also in 
computer science. We note here, for instance, the Data Science Corps 
program, https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2021/nsf21523/nsf21523.htm, one of 
the components of the HDR ecosystem enabling education and workforce 
development by building capacity for harnessing the data revolution in 
the service of science and society.
    NSF is interested in developing a new program that starts with the 
core of the UBM program and expands into computer science as well as 
well as emerging areas in biology and mathematics. This is in 
recognition of the explosion of knowledge in instrumentation, 
computational abilities, information systems, mathematical tools, and 
biological systems from the nano to the macro regimes. NSF is 
interested in input from a variety of stakeholders on the 
interdisciplinary areas proposed for this program. We envision 
stakeholders to be faculty from both 2-yr and 4-yr institutions as well 
as industry, NGOs, and others.
    Response(s) to the question(s) below should focus on effective 
models with specific efforts in at least one of the following:
     Multiple entry and exit points along a career pathway.
     Use of technologies including virtual to enhance training
     Cohort development in cross-disciplinary research and/or 
course experiences.
     Workforce needs in converging areas considering the 
breadth from the skilled technical workforce to Ph.D. level scientists

Questions To Address

    Respondents can answer any of the questions #1-#8; responses to all 
questions are not required.
    1. What are the biggest needs and challenges faced by institutions 
working to develop interdisciplinary courses/programs in the converging 
areas of biology, mathematics, and computer science?
    2. What are the biggest needs and challenges faced by industries in 
these rapidly evolving and converging areas of STEM?
    3. What topics might be included in an NSF program solicitation 
aimed at supporting these rapidly evolving converging areas?
    4. Should a new program include the opportunity for research 
experiences for undergraduates in these converging areas? If so, what 
areas might be specifically targeted? Where (early, later, throughout) 
should these experiences be incorporated in a student's educational 
pathway and why? Is there a place for industry-based internships as 
well as institutional research experiences?
    5. What are effective ways to promote interdisciplinary work within 
a broad range of institutions and disciplinary faculty? What might be 
challenges that a solicitation might address?
    6. Whether you are currently part of a consortium-based model or 
would be interested in participating in one, describe the benefits and 
drawbacks of such a partnership. What type of consortium structure 
maximized the creation of effective and lasting relationships within 
distinct disciplinary areas of institutions and between institutions in 
regard to promoting interdisciplinary STEM education? What would the 
role of the management entity look like, and what partners would be 
involved?
    7. What efforts might support STEM participation by a diverse set 
of students, especially those from groups underrepresented in STEM, 
through the creation of accessible, inclusive STEM learning 
opportunities and promoting STEM careers in these converging areas?
    8. What are effective ways in assessing program impact relative to 
topics mentioned above?
    Requirement: All qualified, experienced, and capable sources are 
welcome to respond to this RFI. Large-scale and small-scale examples of 
programs are of equal interest. Your capabilities should cover any and 
all areas of focus delineated above. There is no target years of 
relevant experience provided a program has evidence-based effectiveness 
and proven results.
    In addition, please provide the following Point of Contact 
information for all responses:

Company:
Address:
Point of Contact:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Business Size:

    Dated: October 21, 2021.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2021-23327 Filed 10-25-21; 8:45 am]
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