Short-term Visits to NIMBioS

Description

While COVID-19 concerns have limited traditional NIMBioS Short-term Visits, NIMBioS is encouraging collaboration through NIMBioS Interactive, a virtual collaboration platform using Sococo. We are accepting applications for visits of several days to several weeks for small groups working on projects that conform to the NIMBioS mission to foster interdisciplinary collaborations, research and education at the interface of the quantitative and life sciences. Visitors will be provided collaborative space within the NIMBioS Interactive platform to facilitate full group and breakout discussions as well as interaction with other members of the NIMBioS Interactive community. Projects may link to a previous Working Group or other activity at NIMBioS, or to collaborations with DySoC, SAL, or the NIMBioS Education and Outreach program, but new areas are open as well. We particularly welcome collaborative projects involving NIMBioS resident or local researchers; joint applications from two or more researchers to spend time interacting on the virtual platform; or applications from participants in other NIMBioS activities to work on their project with NIMBioS computational science staff. Visits must be concluded by December 31, 2020.

Applications should clearly elucidate how the proposed project will take advantage of the resources available at NIMBioS, why the focal questions are important, and should reflect the interdisciplinary mission of NIMBioS. NIMBioS will not fund collection of new experimental data or field research, but encourages the analysis and synthesis of existing data and the development of new models and mathematical approaches. Products might include (but are not restricted to):

• Synthetic papers and reviews
• Development and analysis of new mathematical models
• Software that provides new capabilities to investigate a major research area

NIMBioS is committed to making databases, software and other products that are developed as part of NIMBioS activities available to the broader scientific community.

Applications for Short-term Visits are considered on a rolling basis. Proposed visit dates should be at least two weeks after the submission date. Applications will be evaluated in terms of both the scientific value of the project and the qualifications of the applicant(s). Particular priority will be provided to students and junior researchers. There is a $15 per calendar month per person registration fee; visitors may request this fee be covered by NIMBioS. Successful applicants are expected to submit a brief report summarizing their activities at NIMBioS.

NIMBioS is also open to requests for self-supported visits lasting up to several months duration, with the length of stay determined by the objectives of the proposed project. If approved, these self-supported visitors would be required to pay a $15 per calendar month per person registration fee for access to the NIMBioS Interactive platform. Click here for more information and how to apply.

Application and Submission Process

To apply, you must complete an application on our online registration system:

1. Click here to access the system
2. Login or register
3. Complete your user profile (if you haven't already). ALL people planning to participate in the Short-Term Visit must create user profiles on our system.
4. Find "Short Term Visitor Request for Support" under "Current Events Open for Application" and click on "Apply". ONLY ONE person should submit the actual application through the system.

Guidelines for PDF upload required in online application:

1. Title (descriptive title of planned research, 80 characters max)
2. Name and contact information for all proposed visitors
3. Project summary (200 words max) - appropriate for public distribution on the NIMBioS web site
4. Introduction and goals - What important problem at the math/biology interface is being addressed?
5. Proposed activities and rationale for NIMBioS support - Why can this activity be most effectively conducted at NIMBioS? Also specify whether you are requesting coverage of the registration fee.
6. Anticipated IT needs - Briefly describe any needs for IT support that are important to the success of the proposed project, including support for coding, high performance computing, and development and maintenance of public databases.
7. List of proposed collaborators (if any) and timetable (including start date).
8. Anticipated results
9. Short CVs for all proposed visitors (2 pages)

Applicants with local collaborators must have the collaborator(s) send a short letter to NIMBioS confirming they are interested and available. The letter must be sent separately from the online application process, emailed to Chris Welsh at cwelsh@nimbios.org.

Note that information contained in applications for NIMBioS support are governed by the NIMBioS Privacy Policy.

Reporting Requirements

The primary responsibility of NIMBioS researchers – visitors and residents – is to fulfill their goals regarding the scholarly activities undertaken at the Institute. Results produced from NIMBioS research activities are very important in measuring the success of NIMBioS. Researchers are expected to report to NIMBioS any publications and/or other products that have resulted from activities at NIMBioS. In addition, copies of articles published should be sent to the Institute in electronic form. All research products derived in whole or in part through activities funded by NIMBioS are expected to formally acknowledge the role that NIMBioS funding played in the product development. The following links will help you in reporting your results:
Online Form to Report Results/Products
Suggested Acknowledgement Formats
NIMBioS Logo Files (for inclusion in presentations about NIMBioS-related work)
How to Write A Press Release

Within two weeks of your visit, you must supply the following two documents to the Associate Director for Scientific Activities (Sergey Gavrilets, sergey@tiem.utk.edu):

1. Public Information (to be linked on the NIMBioS website) – Provide a single paragraph (8-10 lines) on what exactly was done during the visit and on future plans. At the end of this paragraph, list the names and affiliation (including departments) of all participants.
2. Additional reporting (for internal use and for reporting to sponsors, the Board of Advisors, and the site visit team; will not be made public) – Answer the following questions (1 paragraph for each):
   1. What exactly did you do during your visit to NIMBioS?
   2. What are the deliverables from your visit (e.g. papers, software, database), including things that are in progress? Be specific, e.g. for papers, list tentative titles and any co-authors.
   3. What are the next steps in your research activities related to this visit?
   4. Are there any students/postdocs at your home institution who are involved in projects related to your visit at NIMBioS? List names and departmental affiliation.

Click here for a PDF version of the NIMBioS reporting policy.

NIMBioS
1122 Volunteer Blvd., Suite 106
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996-3410
PH: (865) 974-9334
FAX: (865) 974-9461
Contact NIMBioS

From 2008 until early 2021, NIMBioS was supported by the National Science Foundation through NSF Award #DBI-1300426, with additional support from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.