Sustainable Regional Systems Research Networks (SRS RNs)

Overview

The goal of this solicitation is to fund convergent research and education that will advance sustainable regional systems science, engineering, and education to facilitate the transformation of current regional systems to enhance sustainability. To further the advancement of SRS science, engineering, and education, NSF will support proposals for Sustainable Regional Systems Research Networks (SRS RNs). Advancing SRS science, engineering, and education requires intentional integration across three scales from regional to global: 
 

 i. The study of single urban system/metropolitan region and its connected rural systems where multiple sustainability outcomes are addressed from a multi-scale systems perspective that connects homes, businesses, and communities to regional and global systems.  

ii. The study of multiple urban systems and their connected rural systems, exploring inter-relationships among networks of urban and rural systems, and identifying urban-rural typologies for the study of cohort groups and comparison groups.  

iii. The study of supra-aggregations of connected urban-rural systems, e.g., all urban-rural systems in an electrical grid region, trans-boundary watershed, a nation, a world region, or the world, to assess the collective impact of urban-rural transformation on people and the planet.

While all 3 of these scales (i-iii) include both urban and rural systems, it is important to note that a research project does not have to have an equal emphasis on the urban and rural systems of study, but rather, a consideration of both that is relevant to the research questions. A successful research network does not necessarily have to span all three (i-iii) scales.

Within each of these scales (i-iii), integration of the following seven key elements (A-G) could significantly advance SRS science: 

A. Data and Methods: New data and methods are needed to understand the current drivers and interactions among natural, engineered, and social and behavioral systems in urban-rural areas as they impact multiple sustainability outcomes across scales. 

B. Equity: Expertise and data on best practices in terms of implementing strategies that equitably maximize human well-being within a regional system, with consideration of the historical context, are vital for creating sustainable regional systems. 

C. Generalizable Theories: Comparative, typology, and scalability studies are needed to develop generalizable theories across diverse urban-rural region types. 

D. Modeling: The science to model the future of SRS across scales needs to be advanced. 

E. Outcomes: New science is needed to understand the co-benefits and trade-offs among multiple outcomes for human and planetary wellbeing across spatial and temporal scales. 

F. Partner engagement: Effective participation by tribal and other communities, industry groups, practitioner groups, and governments at multiple levels should be established to leverage real-world experimentation that may be ongoing in many communities. 

G. Theories of Change: New science is needed to understand the drivers of and levers for change in diverse urban-rural systems, with a focus on integrative design, technology innovation, sociotechnical transitions, education, workforce impact, and/or multi-level actors and governance. 
 

The purpose of the SRS RNs competition is to develop and support interdisciplinary, multi-organizational teams working collaboratively to produce cutting-edge convergent research, education, and outreach that addresses grand challenges in sustainable regional systems.

SRS RNs will study multi-scale regional systems to further SRS science, engineering, and education. Key elements will include: 

• New data, methods, and models to understand interactions between natural, human-built, and social systems;  

• Improved understanding of interdependencies, mutual benefits, and trade-offs of different well-being outcomes for humans and the environment;  

• New and generalizable theories of change relevant to SRS;  

• The co-production of knowledge;  

• Exploration of concepts of social equity in sustainable regional systems across spatial and temporal scales.

SRS RN outcomes will have the potential to inform societal actions for sustainability across urban systems and the connected rural communities that make up regional systems. 

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: 1 No more than one

Proposals must include either/or: 

• If the team of core organizations include academic organizations, then at least one must be a university or college that serves populations of students historically underrepresented in STEM. To qualify as a core partner organization, there must be financial support for a minimum of three faculty members participating in the SRS RN along with financial support for a minimum of three students. 

• A core partner, such as a community group, a non-profit, or other group/organization that supports an underrepresented community within the scope of the proposed research project. To qualify as a core partner organization, they must be allocated a minimum of 10% of the total budget request for the entire SRS RN.

Award Information 
Estimated Number of Awards: 1 to 2 as cooperative agreements 

The number of awards is dependent upon the proposals received and the degree to which proposals meet the solicitation goals, NSF merit review criteria, and solicitation-specific review criteria, as well as the availability of funds. 

Anticipated Funding Amount: $30,000,000