FYI Opportunities

On behalf of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Smithsonian Institution are seeking input on the development of an updated national climate literacy guide. Last released in 2009, the guide is intended for policymakers, scientists, and educators, and it has informed state educational standards across the U.S. 

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is seeking input on methods for ensuring that systems using artificial intelligence are “legal, effective, ethical, safe, and otherwise trustworthy.” The input will inform a forthcoming report on AI accountability policy, building on the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights and the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s AI Risk Management Framework. 

NASA is soliciting public comments on “barriers and challenges that prevent members of underserved communities … from participating in NASA's procurements, grants, and cooperative agreements,” following up on a similar request for information issued in 2021. The agency aims to assess whether conditions have changed since the last RFI and to ensure new recipients have an opportunity to provide input.

The Department of Energy is soliciting nominations for the Enrico Fermi Presidential Award, which recognizes scientific, technical, policy, and management achievements broadly related to the department’s mission. It is one of the U.S. government’s most prestigious science awards and has been presented at irregular intervals since 1956. 

The Kavli Foundation is hiring a director of physical sciences, who will oversee a portfolio of grantmaking and scientific convening activities related to astrophysics and theoretical physics. Candidates must have a doctorate in a physical sciences field, preferably astrophysics, and at least 10 to 15 years of management experience.

The National Science Foundation is accepting recommendations for potential members of its advisory committees. NSF maintains advisory committees for each of its directorates as well as more specialized committees on astronomy and astrophysics; environmental research and education; equal opportunities in science and engineering; cyberinfrastructure; international science and engineering; and business and operations. Recommendations will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking members for its six Technical Advisory Committees, which assess prospective export controls on dual-use technologies in specific domains: information technologies, biological and chemical materials, sensors and instrumentation, transportation equipment, and emerging technologies. Committee members serve terms of up to four years and must obtain secret-level clearances prior to their appointment. 

The National Science Foundation is soliciting input to inform the development of a roadmap for its newly established Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships. The roadmap will help the directorate prioritize its investments over the next three years in the 10 key technology focus areas and five societal challenges identified in the CHIPS and Science Act

The National Science Foundation is soliciting nominations for members of the National Science Board, who will replace the eight current members whose terms are expiring in 2024. The 24-member board is the governing body for NSF and members serve six-year terms that can be renewed once. Nominees must have a distinguished record in science or public service and the board is particularly seeking members with expertise in areas such as national security, private-sector research and partnerships, STEM workforce development, and advanced manufacturing.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is soliciting nominations of members for its eleven federal advisory committees, including the Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology, National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee, and Earthquake Hazards Reduction Advisory Committee. Terms run for two to three years and generally may be renewed once.