In response to the recently signed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that will provide unprecedented opportunities for research support and be funded by several federal agencies, the School of Arts and Sciences is orchestrating a coordinated response among the Natural Science Departments. A primary purpose of the newly allocated funds, which will be distributed within two years, is job creation and preservation. We anticipate in the very near future RFA's to support infrastructure projects and to purchase major equipment items, and the School is currently coordinating efforts regarding infrastructure projects that will enhance the undergraduate learning and research experience, and identifying cross-department equipment needs. RFA's should also be forthcoming that will support both basic and applied research, e.g., the proposed NIH-based Challenge Grant program. Faculty should contact their Program Director to learn of any opportunities for supplements and extensions to existing grants, and whether they will receive relief on pay lines for already reviewed proposals. Faculty should also consult the relevant links to keep abreast about the evolving responses funding agencies are pursuing in response to ARRA.

-- Richard Schultz, Associate Dean of the Natural Sciences