This solicitation has been archived.

Title: Continental Dynamics (CD) (nsf04512)
Date: 07/21/2011
Replaces: NSF 96-50

Continental Dynamics (CD)

[1]Program Solicitation
NSF 04-512

Replaces Document(s):
NSF 96-50

   NSF Logo

   National Science Foundation
   Directorate for Geosciences
        Division of Earth Sciences

   Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's
   local time):

     April 01, 2005

     and April 1 annually thereafter

     Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):

     November 15, 2004

     November, Annually Thereafter

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND REVISION NOTES

   A revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures
   Guide (PAPPG), [2]NSF 11-1, was issued on October 1, 2010 and is
   effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after January 18,
   2011. Please be advised that the guidelines contained in [3]NSF 11-1
   apply to proposals submitted in response to this funding opportunity.

   Cost Sharing: The PAPPG has been revised to implement the National
   Science Board's recommendations regarding cost sharing. Inclusion of
   voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited. In order to assess the
   scope of the project, all organizational resources necessary for the
   project must be described in the Facilities, Equipment and Other
   Resources section of the proposal. The description should be narrative
   in nature and must not include any quantifiable financial information.
   Mandatory cost sharing will only be required when explicitly
   authorized by the NSF Director. See the PAPP Guide Part I: Grant
   Proposal Guide (GPG) [4]Chapter II.C.2.g(xi) for further information
   about the implementation of these recommendations.

   Data Management Plan: The PAPPG contains a clarification of NSF's long
   standing data policy. All proposals must describe plans for data
   management and sharing of the products of research, or assert the
   absence of the need for such plans. FastLane will not permit
   submission of a proposal that is missing a Data Management Plan. The
   Data Management Plan will be reviewed as part of the intellectual
   merit or broader impacts of the proposal, or both, as appropriate.
   Links to data management requirements and plans relevant to specific
   Directorates, Offices, Divisions, Programs, or other NSF units are
   available on the NSF website at:
   [5]http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/dmp.jsp. See
   [6]Chapter II.C.2.j of the GPG for further information about the
   implementation of this requirement.

   Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan: As a reminder, each proposal
   that requests funding to support postdoctoral researchers must
   include, as a supplementary document, a description of the mentoring
   activities that will be provided for such individuals. Please be
   advised that if required, FastLane will not permit submission of a
   proposal that is missing a Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan. See
   [7]Chapter II.C.2.j of the GPG for further information about the
   implementation of this requirement.

   Revision Summary: The preliminary proposal deadline date has been
   changed from June 1 annually to April 1 annually. This will allow
   enough time for the review of the preproposals and feedback to the
   Principal Investigators for the development of full proposals by the
   November 15 deadline. This is the only change in the CD program
   solicitation. The program solicitaion number remains NSF 04-512. The
   full proposal deadline date remains November 15 annually.

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

General Information

   Program Title:

     Continental Dynamics (CD)

   Synopsis of Program:

     The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) will consider proposals for
     multidisciplinary research that focuses on an improved
     understanding of the processes governing the origin, structure,
     composition, and dynamical evolution of the continents and
     continental building blocks. The program is particularly oriented
     toward projects whose scope and complexity require a cooperative or
     multi-institutional approach and multi-year planning and execution.
     The intent of the program is to fund only relatively large projects
     that do not fit easily within other Earth Sciences programs and
     that have broad support of major sections of the Earth Science
     community.

   Cognizant Program Officer(s):

   Please note that the following information is current at the time of
   publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of
   contact.
     * Leonard E. Johnson, Program Director, 785 S, telephone: (703)
       292-8559, fax: (703) 292-9025, email: [8]lejohnso@nsf.gov

   Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):
     * 47.050 --- Geosciences

Award Information

   Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant or Continuing Grant or
   Cooperative Agreement

   Estimated Number of Awards: 20 to 30

   Anticipated Funding Amount: $10,250,000 in FY 2004 and similar amounts
   in future years.

Eligibility Information

   Organization Limit:

     None Specified

   PI Limit:

     None Specified

   Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:

     None Specified

   Limit on Number of Proposals per PI:

     None Specified

Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions

   A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
     * Letters of Intent: Not Applicable

     * Preliminary Proposals: Submission of Preliminary Proposals is
       required. Please see the full text of this solicitation for
       further information.

     * Full Proposals:
          + Full Proposals submitted via FastLane: NSF Proposal and Award
            Policies and Procedures Guide, Part I: Grant Proposal Guide
            (GPG) Guidelines apply. The complete text of the GPG is
            available electronically on the NSF website at:
            [9]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg.
          + Full Proposals submitted via Grants.gov: NSF Grants.gov
            Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission
            of NSF Applications via Grants.gov Guidelines apply (Note:
            The NSF Grants.gov Application Guide is available on the
            Grants.gov website and on the NSF website at:
            [10]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gran
            tsgovguide)

   B. Budgetary Information 
     * Cost Sharing Requirements: Inclusion of voluntary committed cost
       sharing is prohibited.

     * Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations: Not Applicable

     * Other Budgetary Limitations: Not Applicable

   C. Due Dates
     * Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m.
       proposer's local time):

     April 01, 2005

     and April 1 annually thereafter

     Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):

     November 15, 2004
     November, Annually Thereafter

Proposal Review Information Criteria

   Merit Review Criteria: National Science Board approved criteria.
   Additional merit review considerations apply. Please see the full text
   of this solicitation for further information.

Award Administration Information

   Award Conditions: Standard NSF award conditions apply.

   Reporting Requirements: Additional reporting requirements apply.
   Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

     [11]Summary of Program Requirements 

    I. [12]Introduction
   II. [13]Program Description
   III. [14]Award Information
   IV. [15]Eligibility Information
    V. [16]Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
         A. [17]Proposal Preparation Instructions
         B. [18]Budgetary Information
         C. [19]Due Dates
         D. [20]FastLane/Grants.gov Requirements
   VI. [21]NSF Proposal Processing and Review Procedures
         A. [22]NSF Merit Review Criteria
         B. [23]Review and Selection Process
   VII. [24]Award Administration Information
         A. [25]Notification of the Award
         B. [26]Award Conditions
         C. [27]Reporting Requirements
   VIII. [28]Agency Contacts
   IX. [29]Other Information

  I. INTRODUCTION

   For more than three decades, the principles of the theory of plate
   tectonics have been successfully applied to help understand the
   history of and processes active in forming the major structural
   subdivisions of the earth. One significant advance is an understanding
   of the clear distinction between oceanic and continental crust. It has
   been shown that the oceans are the cradle of crustal formation and
   represent the result of a single episode in the plate tectonic cycle.
   The greatest advances have been made in quantitatively understanding
   the process of ocean crust formation and associated processes that
   contribute to the nature of the oceanic crust, its sediments and
   biota, and the global distribution of continents and oceans.

   In contrast, the continents represent an accumulation of the residues
   of previous tectonic cycles and the addition of new material through
   geologic processes restricted to the continental crust and
   lithosphere. Although the result is a complex mass of superimposed
   units whose history is difficult to unravel, it is the library that
   stores the record of previous tectonic cycles and the principal data
   source to reconstruct the long-term history of the earth. In addition,
   the growth of the continents has resulted in structural units with
   bulk physical, chemical, and mechanical properties sufficiently
   different from those of the oceanic crust that the principles of plate
   tectonics have yet to be fully applied. Correspondingly, the
   geological, geophysical, and geochemical structure and evolution of
   the continents is still not clearly understood nor can the processes
   that control continental phenomena always be confidently placed within
   the plate tectonic theory.

   A major unifying frontier of future research in the Earth Sciences is
   the study of the dynamical evolution of continents. In this
   perspective, the continent as a system includes continental crust, the
   subjacent lithosphere and asthenosphere, and the building blocks of
   continental evolution that include oceanic sediments, arcs, plateaus,
   and marginal basins. The dynamics of continental evolution involve
   processes that are currently active at the surface and extend into the
   mantle, including earthquakes, structural deformation, generation and
   movement of magmas, and the migration of chemically active fluids. The
   exposed rocks of the crystalline basement that record up to 4 billion
   years of earth history are the only resource of data to study
   continental evolution. The study of continental dynamics requires a
   combination of geological, geophysical, and geochemical studies of
   these rocks in the context of major studies of modern processes and
   three-dimensional structure.

  II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

   An effective organizational schema for the mobilization of scientific
   creativity and project implementation for continental dynamics
   research involves the concept of a field laboratory. Each field area
   would become an outdoor laboratory, in which techniques such as
   sampling, mapping, geophysical studies, and drilling are combined,
   over a number of years and a number of investigators. Data and samples
   that originate in the field laboratory then go indoors where many
   participating investigators engaged in sample analysis, computer
   modeling, and data processing work together to develop quantitative
   synthesis. In this context, research projects supported by the
   Continental Dynamics Program will normally be characterized by many of
   the following criteria:
     * Be interdisciplinary, requiring coordination of efforts in
       geophysics, geology, and geochemistry.
     * Be critically dependent on the ability to mobilize high technology
       tools for acquisition of data in the field, for study of materials
       in the laboratory, and for modeling systems on the computer.
     * Include three-dimensional study of the subsurface by geophysical
       means, direct measurement of plate motions, detailed monitoring of
       earthquakes and of deformation near plate boundaries, and
       instrumentation and sampling of the subsurface through drilling.
     * Often involve increased coordination and collaboration among
       scientists from universities and other government agencies as well
       as from industry.
     * Be of such a scope that they will require a multiple year effort
       to complete.
     * Be focused projects of finite duration.
     * Involve an initial screening by means of a preliminary proposal
       process (see section on "Preliminary Proposals").

  III. AWARD INFORMATION

   Anticipated funding is $10,250,000 for new awards. The estimated
   number of awards is 20 to 30 standard or continuing grants or
   cooperative agreements per year.

   Estimated program budget, number of awards and average award
   size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.

  IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

   The categories of proposers eligible to submit proposals to the
   National Science Foundation are identified in the [30]Grant Proposal
   Guide, Chapter I, Section E.

   Organization Limit:

     None Specified

   PI Limit:

     None Specified

   Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:

     None Specified

   Limit on Number of Proposals per PI:

     None Specified

  V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

    A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

   Preliminary Proposals (required): Preliminary proposals are required
   and must be submitted via the NSF FastLane system, even if full
   proposals will be submitted via Grants.gov.

   Proposals for CD projects will normally be submitted in a two-step
   process; step 1: a preliminary proposal, and step 2: a full proposal.
   The two steps have separate deadlines and separate formats as
   described below. The submission of a preliminary proposal is intended
   to provide a review of the basic concept of the project at an early
   stage of development, so that if the review is negative the principle
   investigators will not have invested a large amount of time and
   resources in the preparation of a full proposal. This process is also
   expected to improve the success rate at the full proposal review
   stage. Preliminary proposals will be treated as informal documents
   involving no commitment on the part of either the applying
   organization or the Foundation. They will not in any way preclude
   later submission of, or affect the review of, a full proposal and no
   signatures of institutional representatives or other formal commitment
   are required.

   The submission of preliminary proposals is optional, but strongly
   encouraged. The preliminary proposal should provide a brief
   description of the proposed research, the need for a
   multidisciplinary, cooperative or multi-institutional consortia
   approach, the management structure, the key personnel and their
   duties, and a rough estimate of cost and duration. Preliminary
   proposals may not exceed ten pages in length (inclusive of figures).
   No appendices are to be included.

   Preliminary proposals must be submitted using the Proposal Preparation
   module in FastLane.  Complete the sections of the Cover Sheet that are
   appropriate for the preliminary proposal, and click on the
   "preproposal" check box.

   Full Proposal Preparation Instructions: Proposers may opt to submit
   proposals in response to this Program Solicitation via Grants.gov or
   via the NSF FastLane system.
     * Full proposals submitted via FastLane: Proposals submitted in
       response to this program solicitation should be prepared and
       submitted in accordance with the general guidelines contained in
       the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG). The complete text of the GPG
       is available electronically on the NSF website at:
       [31]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg.
       Paper copies of the GPG may be obtained from the NSF Publications
       Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from
       [32]nsfpubs@nsf.gov. Proposers are reminded to identify this
       program solicitation number in the program solicitation block on
       the NSF Cover Sheet For Proposal to the National Science
       Foundation. Compliance with this requirement is critical to
       determining the relevant proposal processing guidelines. Failure
       to submit this information may delay processing.

     * Full proposals submitted via Grants.gov: Proposals submitted in
       response to this program solicitation via Grants.gov should be
       prepared and submitted in accordance with the NSF Grants.gov
       Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of
       NSF Applications via Grants.gov. The complete text of the NSF
       Grants.gov Application Guide is available on the Grants.gov
       website and on the NSF website at:
       ([33]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgo
       vguide). To obtain copies of the Application Guide and Application
       Forms Package, click on the Apply tab on the Grants.gov site, then
       click on the Apply Step 1: Download a Grant Application Package
       and Application Instructions link and enter the funding
       opportunity number, (the program solicitation number without the
       NSF prefix) and press the Download Package button. Paper copies of
       the Grants.gov Application Guide also may be obtained from the NSF
       Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail
       from [34]nsfpubs@nsf.gov.

   In determining which method to utilize in the electronic preparation
   and submission of the proposal, please note the following:

   Collaborative Proposals. All collaborative proposals submitted as
   separate submissions from multiple organizations must be submitted via
   the NSF FastLane system. Chapter II, Section D.4 of the Grant Proposal
   Guide provides additional information on collaborative proposals.

   Except as modified below, full proposals should be prepared in
   accordance with the guidelines in the Grant Proposal Guide.

   In the Project Description section, particular attention should be
   given to the following:
    1. Description of Research: The proposal should describe the proposed
       research activities in sufficient detail to allow assessment of
       their scientific merit. Indicate what impact the research will
       have on an improved understanding of the processes governing the
       origin, structure, composition, and dynamical evolution of the
       continents.
    2. Rationale for a Collaborative Approach: Justify the need for a
       cooperative or multi-institutional approach. Indicate what unique
       opportunities will be provided by the collaborative approach
       compared to separate individual research projects.
    3. Management Plan: Outline the capability of the group to conduct
       the research and manage the required personnel and equipment
       needed to successfully complete the proposal objectives. If there
       is joint use of equipment or facilities, describe the provisions
       for maintenance and a management plan for operation of shared-use
       equipment or facilities. Include specific details on the role of
       each principal investigator.
    4. Duration of Project: The proposal should contain a carefully
       thought-out plan to complete the proposed research in a specified
       amount of time. Any project lasting more than five years will
       normally be required to submit a new formal proposal at the end of
       five years.
    5. Distribution of Data and/or Samples and Publication of Results:
       Where data or samples are collected as part of the project, it is
       necessary to provide a management plan for the secure preservation
       of all materials, and the mechanisms by which they may be used by,
       or distributed to, responsible scientists. Provisions must also be
       made for the rapid publication of reports that describe the nature
       of stored data and sample resources and research results of the
       project.
    6. Education and Human Resources: A statement must be included
       specifying the potential of the proposed research to contribute to
       the education and the development of human resources in science
       and engineering at the postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate
       levels. This statement may include, but is not limited to, the
       role of the research in student training, course preparation, and
       seminars, particularly for undergraduates. Special effectiveness
       or achievement in the area of producing professional scientists
       and engineers from groups presently underrepresented should be
       addressed.
    7. Include at the front of the Project Description section a summary
       budget sheet indicating the total annual project cost for each
       institution.
       NOTE: THE SECTIONS OF THE PROPOSAL DEALING WITH ITEMS 1 THROUGH 7
       ABOVE SHOULD NOT EXCEED A TOTAL OF 36 PAGES. THIS COUNT INCLUDES
       LISTS, TABLES AND FIGURES .
    8. Biographical Sketches: Provide a biographical sketch that includes
       a list of only up to five (5) publications most relevant to the
       research proposed and only up to five (5) other significant
       research publications. Include biographical sketches for principal
       and co-principal investigators only.
    9. Current and Pending Support: A table should be provided to
       summarize the current and pending support of each principal and
       co-principal investigator from all sources. The project title,
       current year's amount, source of funding, and future commitments
       should be included. Pending proposals should also be listed.
   10. Budget: Include separate annual budget pages indicating the cost
       for each year. For any subawards, provide separate budget pages
       for each subawarding organization.
   11. Official letters of support and/or participation: Only official
       letters that verify specific institutional and other sector
       resource commitments or participants should be included. (This
       information should be uploaded to Supplementary Documents.) NOTE:
       Cost sharing is not required. Any information submitted under this
       item is not considered to be cost sharing and is not auditable.

   Continental Dynamics projects usually will involve principal
   investigators from several different institutions, each submitting
   his/her own proposal. Only the lead institutions proposal need contain
   the full text as described above. The other institutions' proposals
   need only contain cover sheets, project summary, budgets, and PI
   information (biographical sketches, current and pending support
   statements, results from prior NSF support) particular to the
   institution submitting the proposals.

   Proposals that are related to a CD project or to the research focus of
   the CD Program, but do not meet the criteria for a CD proposal, will
   normally go to other EAR programs. If favorably reviewed, they may be
   eligible for split-funding by the CD Program and the other program.

    B. Budgetary Information

   Cost Sharing: Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is
   prohibited

    C. Due Dates

     * Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m.
       proposer's local time):

     April 01, 2005

     and April 1 annually thereafter

     Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):

     November 15, 2004
     November, Annually Thereafter

    D. FastLane/Grants.gov Requirements

     * For Proposals Submitted Via FastLane: 
       Detailed technical instructions regarding the technical aspects of
       preparation and submission via FastLane are available at:
       [35]https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a1/newstan.htm. For FastLane user
       support, call the FastLane Help Desk at 1-800-673-6188 or e-mail
       [36]fastlane@nsf.gov. The FastLane Help Desk answers general
       technical questions related to the use of the FastLane system.
       Specific questions related to this program solicitation should be
       referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section
       VIII of this funding opportunity.
       
       Submission of Electronically Signed Cover Sheets. The Authorized
       Organizational Representative (AOR) must electronically sign the
       proposal Cover Sheet to submit the required proposal
       certifications (see Chapter II, Section C of the Grant Proposal
       Guide for a listing of the certifications). The AOR must provide
       the required electronic certifications within five working days
       following the electronic submission of the proposal. Further
       instructions regarding this process are available on the FastLane
       Website at: [37]https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/fastlane.jsp.
     
     * For Proposals Submitted Via Grants.gov: 
       Before using Grants.gov for the first time, each organization must
       register to create an institutional profile. Once registered, the
       applicant's organization can then apply for any federal grant on
       the Grants.gov website. Comprehensive information about using
       Grants.gov is available on the Grants.gov Applicant Resources
       webpage: [38]http://www07.grants.gov/applicants/app_help_reso.jsp.
       In addition, the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide provides
       additional technical guidance regarding preparation of proposals
       via Grants.gov. For Grants.gov user support, contact the
       Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or by email:
       [39]support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov Contact Center answers
       general technical questions related to the use of Grants.gov.
       Specific questions related to this program solicitation should be
       referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section
       VIII of this solicitation.
       
       Submitting the Proposal: Once all documents have been completed,
       the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) must submit the
       application to Grants.gov and verify the desired funding
       opportunity and agency to which the application is submitted. The
       AOR must then sign and submit the application to Grants.gov. The
       completed application will be transferred to the NSF FastLane
       system for further processing.

  VI. NSF PROPOSAL PROCESSING AND REVIEW PROCEDURES

   Proposals received by NSF are assigned to the appropriate NSF program
   where they will be reviewed if they meet NSF proposal preparation
   requirements. All proposals are carefully reviewed by a scientist,
   engineer, or educator serving as an NSF Program Officer, and usually
   by three to ten other persons outside NSF who are experts in the
   particular fields represented by the proposal. These reviewers are
   selected by Program Officers charged with the oversight of the review
   process. Proposers are invited to suggest names of persons they
   believe are especially well qualified to review the proposal and/or
   persons they would prefer not review the proposal. These suggestions
   may serve as one source in the reviewer selection process at the
   Program Officer's discretion. Submission of such names, however, is
   optional. Care is taken to ensure that reviewers have no conflicts of
   interest with the proposal.

    A. NSF Merit Review Criteria

   All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two National
   Science Board (NSB)-approved merit review criteria: intellectual merit
   and the broader impacts of the proposed effort. In some instances,
   however, NSF will employ additional criteria as required to highlight
   the specific objectives of certain programs and activities.

   The two NSB-approved merit review criteria are listed below. The
   criteria include considerations that help define them. These
   considerations are suggestions and not all will apply to any given
   proposal. While proposers must address both merit review criteria,
   reviewers will be asked to address only those considerations that are
   relevant to the proposal being considered and for which the reviewer
   is qualified to make judgements.

     What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity?
     How important is the proposed activity to advancing knowledge and
     understanding within its own field or across different fields? How
     well qualified is the proposer (individual or team) to conduct the
     project? (If appropriate, the reviewer will comment on the quality
     of the prior work.) To what extent does the proposed activity
     suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially
     transformative concepts? How well conceived and organized is the
     proposed activity? Is there sufficient access to resources?

     What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity?
     How well does the activity advance discovery and understanding
     while promoting teaching, training, and learning? How well does the
     proposed activity broaden the participation of underrepresented
     groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc.)? To
     what extent will it enhance the infrastructure for research and
     education, such as facilities, instrumentation, networks, and
     partnerships? Will the results be disseminated broadly to enhance
     scientific and technological understanding? What may be the
     benefits of the proposed activity to society?

   Examples illustrating activities likely to demonstrate broader impacts
   are available electronically on the NSF website at:
   [40]http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/gpg/broaderimpacts.pdf.

   Mentoring activities provided to postdoctoral researchers supported on
   the project, as described in a one-page supplementary document, will
   be evaluated under the Broader Impacts criterion.

   NSF staff also will give careful consideration to the following in
   making funding decisions:

     Integration of Research and Education
     One of the principal strategies in support of NSF's goals is to
     foster integration of research and education through the programs,
     projects, and activities it supports at academic and research
     institutions. These institutions provide abundant opportunities
     where individuals may concurrently assume responsibilities as
     researchers, educators, and students and where all can engage in
     joint efforts that infuse education with the excitement of
     discovery and enrich research through the diversity of learning
     perspectives.

     Integrating Diversity into NSF Programs, Projects, and Activities
     Broadening opportunities and enabling the participation of all
     citizens -- women and men, underrepresented minorities, and persons
     with disabilities -- is essential to the health and vitality of
     science and engineering. NSF is committed to this principle of
     diversity and deems it central to the programs, projects, and
     activities it considers and supports.

   Additional Review Criteria: 
       Preliminary proposals will be evaluated by EAR Program Staff and
       the Continental Dynamics Review Panel. The response to the
       principal investigator will be a letter containing a summary of
       review comments that either encourages or discourages a full
       proposal. This response is the consensus of review by EAR staff
       members and the panel and represents their collective opinion of
       the prospect for eventual funding. The opinion is informal and
       does not preclude submission of a full proposal.
       Review of full proposals is described above, with additional
       criteria as follows:

    1. The scientific merit of the research for the overall project and
       the special justification for adopting a collaborative approach.
    2. The relation of the project to the current, major scientific
       questions regarding the dynamic evolution of the continents.
    3. The degree to which the proposed mix of principal investigators
       and their specialties match to achieve the broad objectives
       outlined in the proposal.
    4. The proposed management plan to achieve the overall objectives of
       the project.
    5. The adequacy and appropriateness of the budget items, including
       those in the subawards.

    B. Review and Selection Process

   Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will be
   reviewed by Ad hoc Review and/or Panel Review.

   Reviewers will be asked to formulate a recommendation to either
   support or decline each proposal. The Program Officer assigned to
   manage the proposal's review will consider the advice of reviewers and
   will formulate a recommendation.

   After scientific, technical and programmatic review and consideration
   of appropriate factors, the NSF Program Officer recommends to the
   cognizant Division Director whether the proposal should be declined or
   recommended for award. NSF is striving to be able to tell applicants
   whether their proposals have been declined or recommended for funding
   within six months. The time interval begins on the deadline or target
   date, or receipt date, whichever is later. The interval ends when the
   Division Director accepts the Program Officer's recommendation.

   A summary rating and accompanying narrative will be completed and
   submitted by each reviewer. In all cases, reviews are treated as
   confidential documents. Verbatim copies of reviews, excluding the
   names of the reviewers, are sent to the Principal Investigator/Project
   Director by the Program Officer. In addition, the proposer will
   receive an explanation of the decision to award or decline funding.

   In all cases, after programmatic approval has been obtained, the
   proposals recommended for funding will be forwarded to the Division of
   Grants and Agreements for review of business, financial, and policy
   implications and the processing and issuance of a grant or other
   agreement. Proposers are cautioned that only a Grants and Agreements
   Officer may make commitments, obligations or awards on behalf of NSF
   or authorize the expenditure of funds. No commitment on the part of
   NSF should be inferred from technical or budgetary discussions with a
   NSF Program Officer. A Principal Investigator or organization that
   makes financial or personnel commitments in the absence of a grant or
   cooperative agreement signed by the NSF Grants and Agreements Officer
   does so at their own risk.

  VII. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

    A. Notification of the Award

   Notification of the award is made to the submitting organization by a
   Grants Officer in the Division of Grants and Agreements. Organizations
   whose proposals are declined will be advised as promptly as possible
   by the cognizant NSF Program administering the program. Verbatim
   copies of reviews, not including the identity of the reviewer, will be
   provided automatically to the Principal Investigator. (See Section
   VI.B. for additional information on the review process.)

    B. Award Conditions

   An NSF award consists of: (1) the award letter, which includes any
   special provisions applicable to the award and any numbered amendments
   thereto; (2) the budget, which indicates the amounts, by categories of
   expense, on which NSF has based its support (or otherwise communicates
   any specific approvals or disapprovals of proposed expenditures); (3)
   the proposal referenced in the award letter; (4) the applicable award
   conditions, such as Grant General Conditions (GC-1); * or Research
   Terms and Conditions * and (5) any announcement or other NSF issuance
   that may be incorporated by reference in the award letter. Cooperative
   agreements also are administered in accordance with NSF Cooperative
   Agreement Financial and Administrative Terms and Conditions (CA-FATC)
   and the applicable Programmatic Terms and Conditions. NSF awards are
   electronically signed by an NSF Grants and Agreements Officer and
   transmitted electronically to the organization via e-mail.

   *These documents may be accessed electronically on NSF's Website at
   [41]http://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/award_conditions.jsp?org=NSF.
   Paper copies may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse,
   telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from [42]nsfpubs@nsf.gov.

   More comprehensive information on NSF Award Conditions and other
   important information on the administration of NSF awards is contained
   in the NSF Award & Administration Guide (AAG) Chapter II, available
   electronically on the NSF Website at
   [43]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag.

    C. Reporting Requirements

   For all multi-year grants (including both standard and continuing
   grants), the Principal Investigator must submit an annual project
   report to the cognizant Program Officer at least 90 days before the
   end of the current budget period. (Some programs or awards require
   more frequent project reports). Within 90 days after expiration of a
   grant, the PI also is required to submit a final project report, and a
   project outcomes report for the general public.

   Failure to provide the required annual or final project reports, or
   the project outcomes report will delay NSF review and processing of
   any future funding increments as well as any pending proposals for
   that PI. PIs should examine the formats of the required reports in
   advance to assure availability of required data.

   PIs are required to use NSF's electronic project-reporting system,
   available through FastLane, for preparation and submission of annual
   and final project reports. Such reports provide information on
   activities and findings, project participants (individual and
   organizational), publications, and other specific products and
   contributions. PIs will not be required to re-enter information
   previously provided, either with a proposal or in earlier updates
   using the electronic system. Submission of the report via FastLane
   constitutes certification by the PI that the contents of the report
   are accurate and complete. The project outcomes report must be
   prepared and submitted using Research.gov. This report serves as a
   brief summary, prepared specifically for the public, of the nature and
   outcomes of the project. This report will be posted on the NSF website
   exactly as it is submitted by the PI.

   Data Policy: Principal investigators are required to adhere to the EAR
   Data Policy available on the NSF website. Final reports for all awards
   should include a statement describing how the data policy requirements
   have been met.

  VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS

   Please note that the program contact information is current at the
   time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points
   of contact.

   General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:
     * Leonard E. Johnson, Program Director, 785 S, telephone: (703)
       292-8559, fax: (703) 292-9025, email: [44]lejohnso@nsf.gov

   For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact:
     * FastLane Help Desk, telephone: 1-800-673-6188; e-mail:
       [45]fastlane@nsf.gov.

     * Lerome D. Jackson, Program Technology Specialist, 785 S,
       telephone: (703) 292-8551, fax: (703) 292-9025, email:
       [46]ljackson@nsf.gov

   For questions relating to Grants.gov contact:
     * Grants.gov Contact Center: If the Authorized Organizational
       Representatives (AOR) has not received a confirmation message from
       Grants.gov within 48 hours of submission of application, please
       contact via telephone: 1-800-518-4726; e-mail:
       [47]support@grants.gov.

  IX. OTHER INFORMATION

   The NSF Website provides the most comprehensive source of information
   on NSF Directorates (including contact information), programs and
   funding opportunities. Use of this Website by potential proposers is
   strongly encouraged. In addition, National Science Foundation Update
   is a free e-mail subscription service designed to keep potential
   proposers and other interested parties apprised of new NSF funding
   opportunities and publications, important changes in proposal and
   award policies and procedures, and upcoming NSF Regional Grants
   Conferences. Subscribers are informed through e-mail when new
   publications are issued that match their identified interests. Users
   can subscribe to this service by clicking the "Get NSF Updates by
   Email" link on the [48]NSF web site.

   Grants.gov provides an additional electronic capability to search for
   Federal government-wide grant opportunities. NSF funding opportunities
   may be accessed via this new mechanism. Further information on
   Grants.gov may be obtained at [49]http://www.grants.gov.

  ABOUT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

   The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent Federal agency
   created by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42
   USC 1861-75). The Act states the purpose of the NSF is "to promote the
   progress of science; [and] to advance the national health, prosperity,
   and welfare by supporting research and education in all fields of
   science and engineering."

   NSF funds research and education in most fields of science and
   engineering. It does this through grants and cooperative agreements to
   more than 2,000 colleges, universities, K-12 school systems,
   businesses, informal science organizations and other research
   organizations throughout the US. The Foundation accounts for about
   one-fourth of Federal support to academic institutions for basic
   research.

   NSF receives approximately 40,000 proposals each year for research,
   education and training projects, of which approximately 11,000 are
   funded. In addition, the Foundation receives several thousand
   applications for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships. The agency
   operates no laboratories itself but does support National Research
   Centers, user facilities, certain oceanographic vessels and Antarctic
   research stations. The Foundation also supports cooperative research
   between universities and industry, US participation in international
   scientific and engineering efforts, and educational activities at
   every academic level.

   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. See Grant
   Proposal Guide Chapter II, Section D.2 for instructions regarding
   preparation of these types of proposals.

   The National Science Foundation has Telephonic Device for the Deaf
   (TDD) and Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) capabilities that
   enable individuals with hearing impairments to communicate with the
   Foundation about NSF programs, employment or general information. TDD
   may be accessed at (703) 292-5090 and (800) 281-8749, FIRS at (800)
   877-8339.

   The National Science Foundation Information Center may be reached at
   (703) 292-5111.

   The National Science Foundation promotes and advances scientific
   progress in the United States by competitively awarding grants and
   cooperative agreements for research and education in the sciences,
   mathematics, and engineering.

   To get the latest information about program deadlines, to download
   copies of NSF publications, and to access abstracts of awards, visit
   the NSF Website at [101]http://www.nsf.gov

        * Location:                    4201 Wilson Blvd. Arlington,
                                       VA 22230
        * For General Information      (703) 292-5111
          (NSF Information Center):
        * TDD (for the                 (703) 292-5090
          hearing-impaired):
        * To Order Publications or
          Forms:
             Send an e-mail to:        nsfpubs@nsf.gov

                  or telephone:        (703) 292-7827

        * To Locate NSF Employees:     (703) 292-5111
		

  PRIVACY ACT AND PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENTS

   The information requested on proposal forms and project reports is
   solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act
   of 1950, as amended. The information on proposal forms will be used in
   connection with the selection of qualified proposals; and project
   reports submitted by awardees will be used for program evaluation and
   reporting within the Executive Branch and to Congress. The information
   requested may be disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff assistants
   as part of the proposal review process; to proposer
   institutions/grantees to provide or obtain data regarding the proposal
   review process, award decisions, or the administration of awards; to
   government contractors, experts, volunteers and researchers and
   educators as necessary to complete assigned work; to other government
   agencies or other entities needing information regarding applicants or
   nominees as part of a joint application review process, or in order to
   coordinate programs or policy; and to another Federal agency, court,
   or party in a court or Federal administrative proceeding if the
   government is a party. Information about Principal Investigators may
   be added to the Reviewer file and used to select potential candidates
   to serve as peer reviewers or advisory committee members. See Systems
   of Records, [52]NSF-50, "Principal Investigator/Proposal File and
   Associated Records," 69 Federal Register 26410 (May 12, 2004), and
   [53]NSF-51, "Reviewer/Proposal File and Associated Records," 69
   Federal Register 26410 (May 12, 2004). Submission of the information
   is voluntary. Failure to provide full and complete information,
   however, may reduce the possibility of receiving an award.

   An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to
   respond to, an information collection unless it displays a valid
   Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The OMB control
   number for this collection is 3145-0058. Public reporting burden for
   this collection of information is estimated to average 120 hours per
   response, including the time for reviewing instructions. Send comments
   regarding the burden estimate and any other aspect of this collection
   of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:

   Suzanne H. Plimpton
   Reports Clearance Officer
   Division of Administrative Services
   National Science Foundation
   Arlington, VA 22230


   [54]Policies and Important Links

   |
   [55]Privacy | [56]FOIA | [57]Help | [58]Contact NSF | [59]Contact Web
   Master | [60]SiteMap

   National Science Foundation

   The National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington,
   Virginia 22230, USA
   Tel: (703) 292-5111, FIRS: (800) 877-8339 | TDD: (800) 281-8749

   Last Updated:
   11/07/06
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References

   1. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#toc
   2. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf11001
   3. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf11001
   4. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappguide/nsf11001/gpg_2.jsp#IIC2gxi
   5. http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/dmp.jsp
   6. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappguide/nsf11001/gpg_2.jsp#IIC2j
   7. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappguide/nsf11001/gpg_2.jsp#IIC2j
   8. mailto:lejohnso@nsf.gov
   9. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg
  10. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgovguide
  11. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#summary
  12. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#pgm_intr_txt
  13. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#pgm_desc_txt
  14. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#awd_info
  15. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#elig
  16. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#prep
  17. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#prep
  18. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#budg_cst_shr_txt
  19. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#dates
  20. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#fastlane
  21. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#review
  22. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#reviewcrit
  23. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#reviewprot
  24. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#awardadmin
  25. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#awardnotify
  26. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#grantcond
  27. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#reportreq
  28. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#cont
  29. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2004/nsf04512/nsf04512.htm#othpgm
  30. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg
  31. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg
  32. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov
  33. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgovguide
  34. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov
  35. https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a1/newstan.htm
  36. mailto:fastlane@nsf.gov
  37. https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/fastlane.jsp
  38. http://www07.grants.gov/applicants/app_help_reso.jsp
  39. mailto:support@grants.gov
  40. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/gpg/broaderimpacts.pdf
  41. http://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/award_conditions.jsp?org=NSF
  42. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov
  43. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag
  44. mailto:lejohnso@nsf.gov
  45. mailto:fastlane@nsf.gov
  46. mailto:ljackson@nsf.gov
  47. mailto:support@grants.gov
  48. http://www.nsf.gov/
  49. http://www.grants.gov/
  50. http://www.nsf.gov/
  51. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov
  52. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/SOR_PA_NSF-50_Principal_Investigator_
  Proposal_File.pdf
  53. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/SOR_PA_NSF-51_Reviewer_Proposal_File.pdf
  54. http://www.nsf.gov/policies
  55. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/privacy.jsp
  56. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/foia.jsp
  57. http://www.nsf.gov/help/
  58. http://www.nsf.gov/help/contact.jsp
  59. mailto:webmaster@nsf.gov
  60. http://www.nsf.gov/help/sitemap.jsp
  61. http://transcoder.usablenet.com/tt/referrer