Interdisciplinary Research: NSF's Role and Practical Examples

This essay discusses the importance of interdisciplinary research, highlighting the role of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in promoting such endeavors. The NSF recognizes the value of combining education and research to prepare researchers for future scientific challenges and innovations, encouraging researchers to submit novel research proposals. The essay provides examples of interdisciplinary research, such as the Manufacturing Academy of Denmark (MADE) project, a joint venture between the Technical University of Denmark and CBS to develop blood poisoning treatments, and interdisciplinary assistance at the South Denmark University for drone technology. These examples illustrate the practical applications and significant impact of interdisciplinary research in addressing complex problems and fostering innovation.

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INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
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SUMMARY
National science foundation or NSF has played a crucial role in identifying the importance of
interdisciplinary research in advancing the field of scientific discovery. NSF or national science
foundation understands that the combination of education and research with the help of training
prepares the researchers in dealing with scientific challenges which helps them in scientific
innovations in the future. The NSF put great emphasis on promoting and developing
interdisciplinary research and also promotes their support to any such venture. The NSF
appreciates and encourages researchers to submit their research proposals for ideas that are new
and emerging and beyond the particular programmes undertaken by national science foundation.
The site provides complete guide to the various mechanisms with the help of which national
science foundation support and promotes research. The site provides every kind of assistance for
the researchers about the procedure of interdisciplinary proposal. It provides assistance on how
and to whom the proposals need to be submitted. The primary goal of the site is to provide every
kind of assistance to investigators in their submission of interdisciplinary proposal.
Example
In the modern millennium to cater to the health and various needs of the people single and
interdisciplinary approach is getting popular (Carr, Loucks & Blöschl, 2018). Here are few
examples of interdisciplinary researches.
One prominent example of interdisciplinary research is the project MADE and MADE which
stand for manufacturing academy of Denmark. MADE digital represents the nationwide attempt
to preserve jobs in Denmark and to improve the development of the digital movement, a crucial

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part of which is the interdisciplinary joint venture among the universities and educational
institutions. Its main purpose is to improve the manufacturing in Denmark through research,
education and further innovation. This joint venture across sector can be exciting.
Another example is the joint venture between technical university of Denmark and CBS.
Technical university of Denmark is making instruments to develop treatment to blood poisoning
and the latter is looking after making the product a commercial success (Derry, Schunn &
Gernsbacher, 2014). Every year around the year some nine people die due to blood poisoning
which is also known as sepsis. This risk can be reduced if this venture is successfully carried out.
The project would help to detect blood poisoning in a much earlier stage. As per report the
chance of survival in case3 of blood poisoning drops eight percent in an hour. In the present
procedure it takes six days to get the results and in many cases the reports do not show the
disease (Taebi et al., 2014). Hence if this collaboration is carried out successfully, it would help
the entire race of mankind to a great extent.
Danish companies are trying to get their hands on drones which are an essential innovation of the
future (Van Noorden, 2015). In the south Denmark university interdisciplinary assistance is
being provided for this project.
Thus from the above example the role of interdisciplinary research works is understood. They
not only help young researchers in establishing their ideas but they also lead to several important
inventions.

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References
Carr, G., Loucks, D. P., & Blöschl, G. (2018). Gaining insight into interdisciplinary research and
education programmes: A framework for evaluation. Research Policy, 47(1), 35-48.
Derry, S. J., Schunn, C. D., & Gernsbacher, M. A. (Eds.). (2014). Interdisciplinary
collaboration: An emerging cognitive science. Psychology Press.
Taebi, B., Correlje, A., Cuppen, E., Dignum, M., & Pesch, U. (2014). Responsible innovation as
an endorsement of public values: The need for interdisciplinary research. Journal of
Responsible Innovation, 1(1), 118-124.
Van Noorden, R. (2015). Interdisciplinary research by the numbers. Nature News, 525(7569),
306