On Creating Agency, Inter-agency and National Initiatives Jim Kurose Distinguished University Professor University of Massachusetts College of Information and Computer Sciences Previously: NSF Assistant Director for CISE; Co-chair National Science and Technology Council Subcommittees on Network and Information Technology R&D (NITRD), Machine Learning and AI (ML/AI) and Open Science (SoS); Assistant Director for Artificial Intelligence (Office of Science and Technology Policy)
Outline How does Why does What is an Reflections one get one get initiative? started? started? 2
What is an “Initiative”? § New, “named” program, typically with new solicitation § Different scopes: • completely/mostly within NSF/CISE • across NSF all may have inter- agency collaboration • national initiatives § Different funding mechanisms § Different lifetimes
2018 CISE Programmatics: Overview NSF-wide CISE participating $960M (area) Initiatives happen here NSF-wide, CISE-leading role CISE multi-division Core Programs
2018 CISE Programmatics: Overview NSF-wide CISE participating BRAIN Leader- REU CPS CISE CSSI NRI CC* Ship SaTC CDSE RET RI KEY: Computing BI Seed Core Research Programs Spec S&CC SCH EES I&I CS+X Named Research BPC SPX CCC+ FW-HTF CT Programs Domain CI BIGDATA EWF FW- Tri- Ind. BD Hubs CFLT BP CS STC pods HTF EXP CRII CAREER Early Career Res. For All NSF-wide, CISE-leading role ED CISE multi-division Center Industry & Innovation Research Infrastructure Core IIS CNS OAC CCF Programs $10M. Area proportional to FY18 investment level
Why is a new initiative started? § Need for “named” program to increase emphasis/attention/awareness, funding for research topic area • particular importance to CS field • national importance § Community consensus • within research community, NSF § Consistent with NSF mission: “To promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense...”
How is a new initiative started? Within CISE, and some NSF-wide initiatives: The idea! Community building Budget commitments Funding • Research community opportunity • Technical: workshops, • Scope, partners • CISE PDs, DDs, DAD, AD reports (NSF, CCC, NASEM) • Typically from existing • Advisory committees (e.g., budget (e.g., from core CISE-AC) programs, returned to • Identifying partners core programs)
How is a new initiative started? National initiatives : (e.g., CSforAll, Smart Cities/Smart & Connected Communities, AI for America) “existing” funding Existing Agency Programs Community Funding Via OMB PBR opportunities Politics ! new funding, or via “language”
Thoughts, observations The importance of people • Ideas always start somewhere – someone has to step forward! • Passionate champion needed within organization (agency, OSTP, industry). Others must also care (or become convinced to care) • Soft skills needed for community/consensus building and “selling”: good/great ideas don’t “win” on their own • Community consensus (e.g., NRI white papers) Need for thoughtful, scientifically-talented, well-spoken, “aggressive” (in a good way) people to “move the needle” and lead CISE research community (in many different ways) nationally (this is why we have LISPI)
Thoughts, observations § Understanding the larger value proposition: progress of science (yes), but also national economic competitiveness, national health, security, defense, welfare § Active research community support/leadership critical • providing technical foundations/rationale • “circling wagons and shooting in” can kill § Again: it’s all about people!
Looking forward Important: CISE science leadership – dedicated, creative IPA/Fed mix Advisors Deputy Assistant Directors Division/Office Directors Deputy Division/Office Directors
Looking forward Important: strong academic computing presence in agencies, White House
Backups
CISE programs address national priorities Image Credit: CCC and SIGACT CATCS Image Credit: ThinkStock Image Credit: Eliza Grinnell/Harvard SEAS Im age C redit: P hoto by C hrista N eu; Lehigh U niversity Quantum Information Robotics & AI and Big Data Cybersecurity Sciences Manufacturing Image Credit: Texas Advanced Computing Center Image Credit: US Ignite Image Credit: WINLAB, Rutgers University Image Credit: Calvin Lin, University of Texas, Austin Computer Science Advanced Wireless Advanced Smart Communities Education Research Cyberinfrastructure
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