Welcome to the Social and Ethical Implications (SEI) Portal

SEI at NNIN

The National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN) is a collective of university-based open facilities that support the pursuit of research and development in all areas that can benefit from the rapid developments of the science, engineering and technology of the nanoscale. The facilities train and support nearly 4,700 users from academia, industry and federal laboratories. As such, NNIN offers unique strengths and opportunities for research in social and ethical issues (SEI) through the presence of its large academic and industrial community, the breadth of scientific directions being pursued, and the connections of the research and development being undertaken to issues of societal impact of technology and of human resources.
 
With a goal of becoming the nation’s first open-access research facility for the social scientific study of science, the NNIN maintains a commitment to facilitating SEI research on NNIN users and technologies. The network will open itself to outside SEI researchers for data collection, ethnographic study, experimentation, and other research. A fundamental objective of the federal SEI initiative is to develop national self-awareness and self-reflection regarding the impact of nanotechnology research.
 

Announcing New NNIN SEI Travel Grants Program

To assist in the conduct of research on social and ethical issues (SEI) at NNIN sites, the NNIN is pleased to announce its new SEI Travel Grants program. This program will provide one-time, per project funding of up to $15,000 to support travel to one or more NNIN sites to conduct SEI research on NNIN users and technologies. We are particularly interested in funding projects that capitalize on the unique characteristics of the NNIN user community, thus taking advantage of the nation’s most diverse, dynamic, and ambitious nanoscale research enterprises. Faculty members and graduate students, who are working under the close guidance of a faculty member, are eligible to apply. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. An external review panel of SEI researchers will review submitted proposals and select projects for funding.

 

    • Proposal format
      • Proposals must be no more than 5 pages, double-spaced, and should include the following:
        • one-paragraph abstract of the project (250 word limit)
        • comprehensive description of proposed activities and their significance, including some description of the research design (if applicable)
        • plans for future research
        • plans for pursuing additional funding, if any
      • In addition to the proposal, investigators must submit a:
        • budget and detailed budget justification, including the specific total requested
        • budget must include 59% indirect cost, with total cost not to exceed $15,000.
        • 2-page bio-sketch following NSF guidelines
        • Institutional Review Board approval, where necessary
      • We prefer proposals in PDF format with all the parts of the application compiled into one document, or as few documents as possible.
      • Questions and finished proposals should be directed to the NNIN’s SEI Coordinator, Dr. Katherine McComas, kam19@cornell.edu.
 

Guidelines for gaining access to NNIN to conduct SEI research

Investigators wishing to initiate SEI research at one of NNIN’s sites should follow the following set of guidelines. These guidelines are intended both to facilitate access and provide a record of research conducted on the NNIN.
    • Prior to starting research, investigator contacts NNIN SEI Coordinator (Katherine McComas, kam19@cornell.edu)
    • Investigator presents SEI Coordinator with brief written summary of proposed research, specifying:
      • Goals
      • Methods
      • Location(s) of contact
      • Number of NNIN users expected to participate
      • Evidence of Institutional Review Board approval from appropriate university if research involves human participants
      • Commitment to provide follow up summary once study is complete
    • Investigator will receive an approval document from NNIN in electronic form.
    • Having received approval, investigator forwards electronic document to SEI Coordinator at specific site(s) and arranges specifics (see About Us section).
    • Site SEI Coordinators and investigators are encouraged to follow up with NNIN SEI Coordinator with any questions, comments, or concerns.
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