The National Science Foundation (NSF) is pleased to introduce the Ethical and Responsible Research (ER2) program, designed to support fundamental research on the principles and promotion of responsible and ethical conduct of research (RECR) across STEM fields.
Program Overview: Ethical and Responsible Research (ER2)
ER2 is a program with a mission: to encourage individuals engaged in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at all career stages to conduct research with the highest standards of integrity while also promoting education about Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR). This program addresses various ethical concerns within the research community, including diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, bias, culture, transparency, and mentoring. The NSF invites researchers to explore questions that delve into these critical ethical topics.
Key Research Themes
The ER2 program invites proposals that tackle vital questions related to ethical research, including:
- Defining RECR: What constitutes responsible and ethical conduct of research, and why is it essential in the scientific community?
- Comparing RECR Norms: What are the similarities and differences between RECR norms in different fields, sectors (academia, industry, non-profit), or locations (states, regions, countries), and how can they inform one another to promote ethical research practices?
- Organizational Practices and Ethical STEM Research: Which organizational practices, contexts, and incentives effectively promote ethical and responsible STEM research, and why?
- Cultivating Ethical Research Cultures: Which practices contribute to establishing and maintaining ethical research cultures, and how can these practices be shared and integrated into other research and learning settings?
Collaboration and Inclusivity
The ER2 program places a strong emphasis on collaboration and inclusivity. It encourages substantial collaboration with organizations in EPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions, minority-serving institutions, women’s colleges, and organizations primarily serving individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, it welcomes proposals that include international collaborations, especially when international partners bring unique resources, expertise, facilities, or locations that enhance the research’s merit.
Awards and Funding Details
The ER2 program anticipates offering various types of awards:
- Conference Projects: These projects can receive a total budget of $50,000 and have a maximum duration of 12 months.
- Incubation Projects: Funding of up to $90,000 is available, with a maximum project duration of 12 months.
- Standard Research Projects: Researchers can request funding of up to $400,000, with a maximum project duration of 3 years.
- Institutional Transformation Research Projects: For those with ambitious projects, funding of up to $700,000 is possible, with a maximum project duration of 5 years.
The ER2 program aims to create a diverse portfolio of awards, catering to a range of budgets and durations, depending on the proposed work’s scope and program resource guidance.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible entities for proposal submission include:
- Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Both two- and four-year IHEs, including community colleges, are accredited in the US, and with a campus located in the US.
- Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar organizations located in the US directly associated with educational or research activities.
View the full announcement for more details.
