Fwd: NSF Reviewer for Persons with Disabilities Track

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From: NSF Convergence Accelerator <Convergence-Accelerator@nsf.gov>
Date: July 8, 2022 at 4:32:42 PM GMT+1
Subject: NSF Reviewer for Persons with Disabilities Track


July 8, 2022

Dear Colleague:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Convergence Accelerator program<https://beta.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/convergence-accelerator> addresses national-scale societal challenges through use-inspired convergence research. Using a convergence approach and innovation processes like human-centered design, user discovery, team science and integration of multidisciplinary research, the Convergence Accelerator program, located in the newly announced Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate<https://beta.nsf.gov/tip/latest> , seeks to transition basic research and discovery into practice — to solve high-impact societal challenges aligned with specific research themes (tracks).

The Convergence Accelerator program recently published a NSF grant solicitation (NSF 22-583<https://beta.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/nsf-convergence-accelerator-phases-1-and-2-2022-cohort-tracks-h-i-j>) and a related Broad Agency Announcement (BAA<https://sam.gov/opp/cad229a574774c038559d0c9fc22d9b4/view>). One of the topics in this is related to Enhancing Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities  (Track H). It will serve as a platform to bring together researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders from a wide range of disciplines and sectors to work on use-inspired solutions to enhance quality of life and employment access and opportunities for PWDs.
Some Examples of areas in which we expect to see proposals include:
Group A: rehabilitation engineering, biomedical, mechanical, industrial engineering, assistive technologies, product design, computer science, robotics, AI/ML, electrical engineering, sensors, advanced materials and manufacturing, ergonomics, healthcare, healthcare related including physical and occupational therapy, other closely related areas.
Group B: employment and opportunities for PWDs, law/policy, workforce inclusion, economics, healthcare policy, social justice, veterans issues related to PWD, healthcare deliver, access, social sciences.
Phase 1 proposals (due July 19, 2022) we expect may be addressing topics from either or both of these groups and many other areas that are not included in the examples listed above.

You have been identified as a possible reviewer based on your responses to prior NSF surveys, your experience in reviewing NSF proposals in the past, as well as relevant experience and expertise in areas related to track H. If you are interested in serving on a review panel, please respond to a quick survey at this link<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T2CKCMJ> as soon as possible but NLT COB July 15, 2022. The Convergence Accelerator team depends heavily on the input received from the panelists and greatly appreciates your time and expertise.

We expect to host about 8 virtual panels on various dates September 2022 (exact days to be decided).  Each panel will be conducted over two days. In one panel, a reviewer will be invited to review about 4-6 proposals consisting of 15 pages of technical description.


Note: If you are going to be part of a Phase 1 proposal team for this track, you have a conflict of interest (COI) and cannot serve on these panels. However, if you know of colleagues who have expertise related to Track H related areas feel free to forward this information to them. Note that these people should also not be on or affiliated with your team and not have a conflict of interest with your planned submission (based on past interactions with them and other situations that often tend to create a COI).

Best wishes,

Pradeep Fulay
Lead Program Director for Track H
on behalf of the
Convergence Accelerator Team
National Science Foundation