ABOUT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent Federal agency, created by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950. Its aim is to promote and advance scientific and engineering progress in the United States (U.S.). The Foundation is also committed to ensuring the nation's supply of scientists, engineers and science educators.

NSF funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. It does this through grants, contracts and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000 colleges, universities and other research and/or education organizations in all parts of the U.S. NSF receives more than 40,000 proposals annually for new or renewal support for research, graduate and postdoctoral fellowships, and math/science/engineering education projects, and makes approximately 10,000 new awards. These typically are awarded to universities, colleges, academic consortia, non-profit institutions and small businesses. The agency operates no laboratories itself but does support National Research Centers, certain oceanographic vessels and Antarctic research stations. The Foundation also supports cooperative research between universities and industry and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

NSF is generally structured by fields of science and engineering and also considers activities that cross traditional fields by coordinating review across the Foundation.

The NSF's staff is assisted by advisors, primarily from the scientific and engineering communities who serve on formal committees or as ad hoc reviewers of proposals. NSF staff members who are experts in the field or area of the proposal are responsible for final award recommendations.

Grantees are wholly responsible for conducting their project activities and preparing the results for publication. Thus the Foundation does not assume responsibility for such findings or their interpretation.

NSF welcomes proposals on behalf of all qualified scientists, engineers and science educators. The Foundation strongly encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to participate fully in its programs.

In accordance with Federal statutes, regulations and NSF policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin or disability shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from NSF.

Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities to work on NSF-supported projects. (For more information, see Section V.G.)

NSF has Telephonic Device for the Deaf (TDD) capability, which enables individuals with hearing impairments to communicate with the NSF Information Center regarding NSF programs, employment or general information. The telephone number is (703) 306-0090.

Copies of this brochure (NSF 95-27) or the NSF Proposal Forms Kit (NSF 95-28) (which is contained as part of NSF 95-27) may be ordered from:

National Science Foundation

Forms and Publications Unit

4201 Wilson Boulevard - Room P15

Arlington, VA 22230

Telephone: (703) 306-1130

Internet: pubs@nsf.gov

FOREWORD

This brochure provides guidance for the preparation of unsolicited proposals to NSF. Some NSF programs have specific program announcements/solicitations which may modify the general provisions of this brochure. Contact with NSF program personnel prior to proposal preparation is encouraged.

Information in this brochure applies to all programs listed in Appendix A and related activities, such as foreign travel, conferences, symposia, equipment and facilities. Sources of additional information on these related activities are noted in the text or are available from appropriate Foundation programs.

The Proposal Forms Kit contained in Chapter IX of this brochure is also available separately as NSF 95-28.

General information about NSF programs may be found in the NSF Guide to Programs. Additional information about special requirements of individual NSF programs may be obtained from the appropriate Foundation program offices. Information about program deadlines and target dates for proposals appears in the NSF Bulletin, issued monthly except June, July and August and in individual program announcements.

NSF generally utilizes grants in support of research and education in science, mathematics and engineering. In cases where an assistance project requires substantial NSF technical or managerial involvement during the performance period, NSF utilizes cooperative agreements. While this brochure is generally applicable to both types of assistance awards, cooperative agreements may include different or additional requirements.

Informal information about NSF activities can be obtained on the Grants Bulletin Board. To make arrangements to access the bulletin board, send your electronic mail address along with your complete name, address and telephone number to grants@nsf.gov (Internet).

For detailed information about the award and administration of NSF grants and cooperative agreements, proposers and grantees may refer to the NSF Grant Policy Manual (GPM) (NSF 95-26) or to Chapter VI of title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations . The Manual is a compendium of basic NSF policies and procedures for use by the grantee community and NSF staff and is available only by subscription from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. GPO subscription prices and terms are subject to change without notice.

The NSF documents referenced above, including all forms contained in the GPG, may also be accessed through STIS. (See inside cover.)

1995 Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

NSF programs fall under the following categories in the latest Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance issued by the Office of Management of Budget and the General Services Administration:

47.041 - Engineering

47.049 - Mathematical and Physical Sciences

47.050 - Geosciences

47.070 - Computer and Information Science and Engineering

47.073 - Office of Science and Technology Infrastructure

47.074 - Biological Sciences

47.075 - Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences

47.076 - Education and Human Resources

47.077 - Academic Research Facilities and Instrumentation

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