Deadline: Call for IEEE RAS-Funded Project Proposals on Creation of Educational Material in Robotics and Automation (CEMRA Projects)

On 30 Jun, 2017
Categories: Deadlines

Purpose

These RAS-funded projects shall create good educational materials in wide variety of RA science and technologies for broad users including young students who are beginning to learn this area and top-class researchers/practitioners/educators who need the newest deep knowledge. The developed material will be distributed worldwide at RAS webpage, IEEE Press, conference tutorials, robot competitions and/or exhibitions.

Background

As a leader in the field of robotics and automation, IEEE RAS is expected to provide good educational material to its members and general public. However, RAS does not have enough volume of such contents, except for excellent books and conference tutorials. The new RAS webpage has no contents for education by which people can learn robotics and automation.

Examples of Content

The projects can create some of the followings but not limited to
- open contents/courses for every RAS members (scientific/technical specialists);
- open contents/courses for general public (outreach, school teachers, children);
- material on webpage, by PDF books, multimedia contents, paper books, or whatever;
- for developing countries and regions as well as advanced countries and regions;
- for free, or partially sold by IEEE;
- may be translated into several languages (EN, CN, ES, FR, DE, KR, JP, ...); and/or
- any other contents to contribute RA education.

Funding

IEEE RAS will fund about 10,000 USD for each project for one year or multiple years. In 2014, five projects were accepted. In 2015, five projects were accepted. In 2016, four projects were accepted. In 2017, four projects were accepted. Up to five projects will be accepted in 2018. The approved project can use the budget for webpage, assisting student work, translation, meetings, travel, etc. on the basis of the proposer's budget plan with following the IEEE financial rule. A project of multiple years can be accepted, if the reason is clear.

Proposal

RAS Technical Committees (TCs), RAS MAB Education Committee (EC), or groups endorsed by TC or EC are eligible to submit a proposal. The proposal should state the following in no more than five pages:
(1st Page)
title of proposal; names and affiliations of the corresponding proposer and the group members; name(s) of TC or EC; executive summary of the proposal; way of distribution (webpage, books, etc.)
(2nd - 5th Pages)
scope (purpose, area of technical fields, target zone of education, ...); goal (contents, courses, materials, cost, ...); exams for checking the success; schedule (action plan, development process, ...); budget plan; and short CVs of the corresponding proposer and some of major members.

Submission

The proposals of project in 2018 should be submitted by e-mail to RAS VP for Technical Activities, Fumihito Arai <arai@mech.nagoya-u.ac.jp> by 30 June 2017. All the proposals will be reviewed by RAS Technical Activity Board (TAB) CEMRA Project Review Committee consisting of anonymous senior reviewers without conflict of interest. Note that this RAS initiative is planned to continue for five years in 2014-2018.

Final Project Review

The final results of accepted proposals will be reviewed on the basis of the exams stated in the proposal. All the created materials will be displayed at RAS sponsored conference (ICRA or CASE or IROS) next year. The financial report must be submitted by the deadline specified by TAB.

Important Dates

Proposal Due for 2018 Projects: 30 June 2017
Presentation for 2018 Projects: TAB at IROS2017 in Vancouver, Canada