This document has been archived and replaced by NSF 10-507 (http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf10507). Title: DCL Fundamental Research Supplement Opportunity for I/UCRCs Date: 08/22/08 National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA 22230 NSF 08-068 Memorandum To:          NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRCs) From:    Dr. Michael Reischman, Deputy Assistant Director Directorate for Engineering                Dr. Deborah Crawford, Deputy Assistant Director Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering Re:         Fundamental Research Supplement Opportunity for I/UCRCs -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Colleagues: The National Science Foundation (NSF) invites supplemental requests for fundamental research in NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRC). This supplemental opportunity is intended to support fundamental research, an activity designed to broaden scientific and technical knowledge beyond the more applied research interests of the industries served by the I/UCRC. The Fundamental Research Supplement program intends to provide the opportunity for its centers to conduct fundamental research to better position themselves as leaders for emerging areas that could benefit the industries that they serve. Industry members are increasingly reluctant to invest in fundamental research as they are under pressure by investors and other stakeholders to maximize profits and their returns on investments. Supplements must discuss how the proposed research will benefit current industry members and attract new industry members. This document replaces NSF 07-050. Supplement Due Dates: February 4, 2009 by 5:00 PM, submitter’s local time and first Wednesday in February, annually thereafter. Awards Information Number of awards: 10 or more anticipated supplements pending the availability of funds: Maximum Award Request * $150,000 per center for combined supplement requests from multi-university I/UCRCs. * $75,000 for single institution I/UCRCs and multi-university centers with only one participating site. * All awards are pending the availability of funds. An exception to the maximum award amount (see the three bullets above) is possible when a center collaborates with an external non-academic or non-federal government organization. NSF will match the contribution from such organizations up to a maximum of $75,000. The non-academic contribution must appear on Line M of the budget and be justified in the supplemental request. Limit on the number of supplements: One supplemental funding request per center. Multi-university supplemental funding requests must be part of the same integrated research experimental plan of the center. The total budget for all site submissions from a center cannot exceed the maximum award. Eligibility based on center performance: Fundamental research opportunities are available for existing I/UCRCs who continue to meet the criteria as outlined in the current Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers Program (I/UCRC) solicitation. This opportunity requires that centers submitting fundamental research supplement requests have met the following conditions for eligibility: * Maintained sufficient industrial memberships to meet program requirements, * Engage graduate students in center research projects, and * Disseminated current and accurate information to the public about their center via the NSF web site. NSF directory listings must be current and accurate by the supplement deadline date. Updates can be sent to the I/UCRC program director if needed. Supplement Preparation Instructions: The PI from the primary I/UCRC center award (usually the center director) must be listed as the PI for this supplement request. Other researchers may be listed as co-PIs for this supplement. The supplemental request must discuss how the proposed research will better position the center to recruit and attract new members. I/UCRCs may want to submit separate requests for their participating research sites. Care must be taken to ensure that the maximum award is not exceeded. University sites can do this by submitting a collaborative supplement that represents their share of the research that will be done. For example, a center with three university sites (partners) can submit three integrated experimental supplements (one by each university research site) with a request for funding which would then equal the maximum allowable amount of up to $150,000 for a center, subject to the availability of funds. Required for multi-university site supplements - Preference is given to collaborative projects that involve multiple sites in a center. If all sites in a center are not involved, the center's director must include a letter stating that the co-directors from other sites are in agreement as to their level of participation (if any). Proposals for supplemental funding must be submitted through FastLane as a supplement. For FastLane user support, call the FastLane Help Desk at 1-800-673-6188 or e-mail fastlane@nsf.gov. The FastLane Help Desk answers general technical questions related to the use of the FastLane system. When contacting FastLane, inform the technician that you are required to apply for this opportunity as a supplement. Review process: All supplements submitted to this opportunity are peer reviewed by a panel of experts. Additional Information: Please contact one of the following program officials if you have questions about the I/UCRC Fundamental Research Supplement opportunity. * Glenn Larsen, I/UCRC Fundamental Research Program Director, 505 N, telephone: (703) 292-8383, email: glarsen@nsf.gov * Rathindra DasGupta (Babu), I/UCRC Program Director, 585 N, telephone: (703) 292-8383, email: rdasgupt@nsf.gov * Rita Rodriguez, CISE Program Director, 1175N, telephone: (703) 292-8950, email: rrodrigu@nsf.gov * Gregory Misiorek, Industrial Innovation and Partnerships (IIP) Program Specialist, telephone: (703) 292-8383, email: gmisiore@nsf.gov