Publications

Biological Information Technology and Systems (BITS)

Program Announcement

NSF 01-102
http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf01102

DIVISION OF EXPERIMENTAL AND INTEGRATIVE ACTIVITIES (EIA)
DIRECTORATE FOR COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (CISE)

LETTER OF INTENT DUE DATE(S) (optional): June 8, 2001

FULL PROPOSAL DEADLINE(S):
July 6, 2001; Second Friday in February 2002 and thereafter
              optional letter of intent is requested 4 weeks in advance of
              the due date

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                       SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Program Title: Biological Information Technology & Systems (BITS)

Synopsis of Program: The Biological Information Technology and Systems
(BITS) Program will support high risk/high return research at the interface
of biology and information technology. Biological systems have enormous
capabilities as powerful and agile control systems for robotic and
regulatory systems, and for pattern recognition, adaptability, information
storage, retrieval and processing, sensor fusion and other
information-handling tasks. Biology often performs orders of magnitude
better than systems based on today's silicon device technologies.
Determining what needs to and what can be learned about information
processing in biological systems should lead to important new information
systems (algorithms, software and systems) and technologies (computer
platforms, sensors, robotic devices, etc.). The initial phase of this
program will focus on developing computational models and theories for the
information processing mechanisms encountered in biological systems that
will lead to new information technology systems and hardware platforms.
While these new information technology systems will not necessarily or
exclusively be implemented in biological matter, the Program will emphasize
hybrid (bio-silical) systems, particularly as a means for experimenting
with and validating new theories of biological information technologies and
systems.

Cognizant Program Officer(s):

   * Frederica Darema, Senior Science and Technology Advisor, Computer and
     Information Science and Engineering, Experimental and Integrative
Activities, 1060N, telephone: 703-292-8980, e-mail: fdarema@nsf.gov.
   * James Hickman, Special Advisor to the Division Director, Computer and
     Information Science and Engineering, Experimental and Integrative
Activities, 1060N, telephone: 703-292-8980, e-mail: jhickman@nsf.gov.

AWARD INFORMATION

   * Anticipated Type of Award: Standard or Continuing Grant
   * Estimated Number of Awards: 20-30
   * Anticipated Funding Amount: $5 million for FY 2001; $8 million for FY
     2002; approximately 15-20 awards of 3-5 years in duration; amounts
     ranging between $100,000 to 200,000/year for theoretical proposals and
     $100,000 to 500,000/year for hybrid systems and other experimental
     projects

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