I got the following from my favorite TIES list. I thought that it would help spread the word – but also I just found it fascintating to read about the spherical display systems.

Title: Spherical Display Systems for Earth System Science-Installations and Content Development

The NOAA Office of Education has issued a request for applications from institutions with interest in developing exhibits featuring spherical display systems showing Earth system science, or developing science modules for these display systems. Spherical display systems are sphere-shaped “screens” onto which global data and other imagery can be shown. Awards will be offered in two priorities, with priority 1 supporting installation of spherical displays systems into public exhibits and priority 2 supporting development and evaluation of Earth system science modules for the spherical display systems. The purpose of these awards is to support the incorporation of spherical display systems and compatible, educationally effective environmental data products into public exhibits. The goal of this program is to build environmental literacy among the general public through increased use of NOAA and NOAA-related data and data products in informal education institutions. See NOAA’s Education Plan for more details on this goal and strategy: http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/NOAA_Ed_Plan.pdf. It is anticipated that recommendations for funding under this announcement will be made by January 30, 2008 and that projects funded under this announcement will have a start date no earlier than April 30, 2008, and possibly as late as March 30, 2009.

The deadline for applications is 5:00 PM EDT on October 30, 2007.

Visit http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/funding_opps.html for the full announcement and additional information.