Research NewsletterIssue: ORN-2023-22

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Global Grand Challenges Funding Opportunity

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today launched a new Grand Challenges (GC) request for proposals, "Catalyzing Equitable Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use".

You can find additional information about the call for proposals at this link.

Harnessing the potential of AI can improve the lives and wellbeing of vulnerable communities everywhere including those of women and children. As AI technology continues to swiftly evolve and advance, the global community must move with urgency to ensure low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are included in the co-creation process.

This request for proposals seeks innovative and safe approaches to the use of Large Language Models (ChatGPT-4, or other credible sources with equivalent capability). The foundation hopes to build an evidence base on this issue – informed by the communities we serve – to ensure this technology ultimately improves the lives of the world's most vulnerable people. This initial call is an opportunity to identify, nurture, and catalyze the creativity, energy, and skills that researchers, implementers, governments, and technical partners have demonstrated in solving specific challenges in their countries and regions through Large Language Models. We are optimistic that this will lead to more investment from the Gates Foundation, GC partners, and other funders.

NSF: Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST Centers); Advancing Microelectronics Education; NSF Boosting Research Ideas for Transformative and Equitable Advances in Engineering (BRITE); Expanding TRIPODS through Partnerships (XTRIPODS); NSF Convergence Accelerator Phases 1 and 2 for the 2023 Cohort - Tracks K, L, M; Community Infrastructure for Research in Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CIRC)

NIH: Assessment of TBI-related ADRD Pathology Related to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Outcomes (U01); Collaborative Opportunities for Multidisciplinary, Bold, and Innovative Neuroscience (COMBINE) (RM1); NINDS Postdoctoral Mentored Career Development Award (K01)

Department of Defense/US Army/DARPA/ONR: DoD Neurofibromatosis Investigator-Initiated Award; High Operational Temperature Sensors (HOTS); DoD Vision Translational Research Award

Department of Energy: WETO Offshore Wind 2023 Centers of Excellence

National Endowment of Humanities: Humanities Connections; Public Humanities Projects; Climate Smart Humanities Organizations

White House Releases New AI National Frameworks, Educator Recommendations: The White House launched a series of new executive initiatives on fostering a culture of responsible artificial intelligence technology usage and practice within the U.S. on Tuesday, featuring a national strategic R&D plan and education objectives. Following previous national frameworks, the three new announcements from the Biden administration act as guidelines to help codify responsible and effective AI algorithm usage, development and deployment, absent federal law. “The federal government plays a critical role in this effort, including through smart investments in research and development (R&D) that promote responsible innovation and advance solutions to the challenges that other sectors will not address on their own,” the strategic plan executive summary reads.  Among the three announcements include a new roadmap of priority R&D areas in the AI sector for federal investments, a public request for information on how the federal government can best mitigate AI system risk, and an analysis documenting benefits and risks to AI technologies in education. More information is posted on the NextGov website.

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Report Estimates Trillions in Indirect Losses Would Follow Quantum Computer Hack: The continued development of quantum computing technologies stands to have a major impact on classically-encrypted digital networks, with a new report emphasizing the financial sector as a potential target for powerful quantum algorithms.  Researchers at the Hudson Institute discussed the report’s highlights concerning quantum computing’s impact on the global financial system, specifically focusing on the Federal Reserve and its networks that facilitate bank-to-bank transactions, called Fedwire. “The combination of the reliance on digital security that will be exposed to quantum intrusion, internally centralized operational design and the overall concentration of network topology within Fedwire drastically increases the potential for a systemically disruptive event,” the report summary reads. 

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IBM to Partner with US and Japanese Universities on Quantum Supercomputer R&D:  IBM is slated to launch a new, decade-spanning partnership with both a Japanese and U.S. university to develop a “quantum-centric supercomputer,” as the emerging technology stands to change the broader computing and cybersecurity landscapes. Detailed in a draft press release obtained by Nextgov, the partnership is set to be announced on May 21 during the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan and will include both the University of Tokyo and the University of Chicago. IBM Chair and CEO Arvind Krishna is expected to appear at the G7 Summit and sign research contracts alongside university presidents, with government leaders—including President Joe Biden—present.  “Over the past several years, IBM has been at the forefront of introducing quantum technology to the world,” said Krishna in the press release. “We have achieved significant progress along our roadmap and mission to globally establish useful quantum technology, so much so that we can now, with our partners, truly begin to explore and develop a new class of supercomputing anchored by quantum.”

In the U.S., Biden has repeatedly issued multiple federal directives to bolster the nation’s quantum information technology research posture, including releasing guidance for post-quantum cryptography and promoting education in the field. The forthcoming partnership with Japanese academic institutions mirrors the Biden administration’s broader push to deepen international partnerships in QIST research ––something experts predict will continue as the nations race to develop a viable quantum computer. 

Question:       How can I add another investigator or my research ambassador to my proposal in order to help on budget preparation and edit proposal details?

Answer:         Select the “Permissions” link from the left hand side of the main proposal screen in any proposal development document. From the Permissions screen you will be able to search for the person you wish to add and grant them a specific level of permission (aggregator, budget creator, viewer). After you select the appropriate person, click “Add” and they will be added to your proposal.

More FAQs on Streamlyne: Please visit https://research.njit.edu/streamlyne