This document has been archived and replaced by NSF 10-503
(http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf10503).
Title: Arctic Research Opportunities Arctic Natural Sciences; Arctic Social
Sciences; Arctic System Science; and Arctic Observing Networks
Date: 08/19/08
Replaced: NSF 06-603
The status for 08-597 has changed from Cleared to Waiting for New Publication.
Arctic Research Opportunities Arctic Natural Sciences; Arctic Social
Sciences; Arctic System Science; and Arctic Observing Networks
Program Solicitation
NSF 08-597
Replaces Document(s):
NSF 06-603
[NSF Logo] National Science Foundation
Office of Polar Programs
Division of Arctic Sciences
Full Proposal Target Date(s):
November 18, 2008
October 15, 2009
October 15, Annually Thereafter
REVISION NOTES
Important revisions to the program descriptions, proposal preparation
instructions and review criteria are included in this solicitation and
should be read carefully by all proposers.
Changes have been made to encourage proposers to carefully consider the
full cost of field work in developing their plans. Field experiments must
be both effective and efficient in order to gain NSF support. A process
has been established for assisting proposers in developing a complete cost
estimate for complicated projects. If NSF determines that the cost
estimate submitted with the proposal requires more detail, the proposer
will be contacted.
A significant change to this solicitation is that we are not soliciting
proposals for the Arctic Research Support and Logistics Program or the
Arctic Research and Education Program, explicitly. Individuals who have
creative ideas they would like to propose to the these programs should
contact the Program Officers identified with these programs on the OPP
Arctic Sciences Division website,
http://www.nsf.gov/staff/sub_div.jsp?org=ARC&orgId=284&from_org=ARC
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
General Information
Program Title:
Arctic Research Opportunities
Arctic Natural Sciences; Arctic Social Sciences; Arctic System
Science; and Arctic Observing Networks
Synopsis of Program:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) invites investigators at
U.S. organizations to submit proposals to conduct research about
the Arctic. Arctic research includes field and modeling studies
and data analysis. Arctic research is supported at NSF by the
Office of Polar Programs (OPP), Arctic Sciences Division
(http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=ARC), in the Office of the
Director, as well as by a number of other programs within the
Foundation.
The goal of the NSF Division of Arctic Sciences is to gain a
better understanding of the Arctic's physical, biological,
geological, chemical, social and cultural processes, and the
interactions of ocean, land, atmosphere, biological, and human
systems in the Arctic. The Division of Arctic Sciences and other
NSF programs support projects that contribute to the development
of the next generation of researchers and scientific literacy for
all ages through education, outreach, and broadening
participation in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics. Program representatives from OPP and other NSF
programs that support arctic research coordinate across NSF,
including joint review and funding of arctic proposals and mutual
support of special projects with high logistical costs.
The Arctic Research Opportunities solicitation provides
investigators with information about available programs and
priorities to determine the program best suited to their proposed
work. The Proposal Preparation section (Section V.A.) has
specific instructions for proposers conducting field work,
including information about requesting logistics support or ship
time, working with arctic communities and complying with
environmental policies that should be adhered to by all
proposers. Proposals should be written and planned in accordance
with NSF's Grant Proposal Guide
(http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg), OPP's
Guidelines and Award Conditions for Scientific Data (OPP 9-91
available on the OPP web site
http://www.nsf.gov/dir/index.jsp?org=OPP) and the Principles for
Conduct of Research in the Arctic
(http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/arctic/conduct.jsp).
Cognizant Program Officer(s):
* Renee D. Crain, Arctic Research and Education Assistant Program
Director, 755 S, telephone: (703) 292-4482, fax: (703) 292-9082,
email: rcrain@nsf.gov
* Patrick Haggerty, Arctic Research Support and Logistics Program
Director, 755 S, telephone: (703) 292-8577, fax: (703) 292-9082,
email: phaggert@nsf.gov
* Martin Jeffries, 740 S, telephone: (703) 292-8029, email:
mjeffrie@nsf.gov
* Anna Kerttula de Echave, Arctic Social Sciences Program Director, 740
S, telephone: (703) 292-7432, fax: (703)292-9082, email:
akerttul@nsf.gov
* Brendan P. Kelly, Arctic Natural Sciences Program Manager, 755,
telephone: (703) 292-7434, email: bkelly@nsf.gov
* Neil R. Swanberg, Arctic System Science Program Director, 755 S,
telephone: (703) 292-8029, email: nswanber@nsf.gov
* William J. Wiseman, Arctic Natural Sciences Program Director, 740 S,
telephone: (703) 292-4750, fax: (703) 292-9082, email:
wwiseman@nsf.gov
Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):
* 47.078 --- Office of Polar Programs
Award Information
Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant or Continuing Grant or
Cooperative Agreement
Estimated Number of Awards: 40 per year, pending availability of
funds.
Anticipated Funding Amount: $16,000,000 per year approximately, pending
availability of funds.
Eligibility Information
Organization Limit:
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
* U.S. Organization
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 Proposal Submission: Not Applicable
* 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:
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:
http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/docs/grantsgovguide.pdf)
B. Budgetary Information
* Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost Sharing is not required under this
solicitation.
* Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations: Not Applicable
* Other Budgetary Limitations: Not Applicable
C. Due Dates
* Full Proposal Target Date(s):
November 18, 2008
October 15, 2009
October 15, 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: Additional award conditions apply. Please see the full
text of this solicitation for further information.
Reporting Requirements: Additional reporting requirements apply. Please
see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Summary of Program Requirements
I. Introduction
II. Program Description
III. Award Information
IV. Eligibility Information
V. Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
B. Budgetary Information
C. Due Dates
D. FastLane/Grants.gov Requirements
VI. NSF Proposal Processing and Review Procedures
A. NSF Merit Review Criteria
B. Review and Selection Process
VII. Award Administration Information
A. Notification of the Award
B. Award Conditions
C. Reporting Requirements
VIII.Agency Contacts
IX. Other Information
I. INTRODUCTION
The Division of Arctic Sciences in the Office of Polar Programs (OPP)
invests in scientific research about the arctic region and related research
and operational support. Science programs are suitable for disciplinary,
multidisciplinary and broad, interdisciplinary investigations directed
toward both the Arctic as a region of special scientific interest and a
region important to the global system. Models indicate that the Arctic is
among the regions most sensitive to environmental change. Climate records
and human settlement spanning thousands of years, as well as vast
landscapes and partially ice-covered oceans, provide a unique basis for
integrated research on global systems and human adaptation.
OPP disciplinary interests appropriate to the Arctic Natural Sciences
program encompass the atmospheric, biological, cryospheric, earth, and
ocean sciences. A broad spectrum of social sciences research is funded
through the Arctic Social Sciences program. The Arctic System Science
program provides the unique opportunity for interdisciplinary
investigations of the Arctic as a system. OPP also encourages research
relevant to both polar regions, especially glaciology, permafrost, sea ice,
oceanography, and ecology. The Arctic Observing Network program supports
the design and implementation of a broad network of long-term observations
of the Arctic useful to a wide segment of the arctic community. The
integration of research with education is consistent with NSF�s merit
review criteria and is encouraged in research proposals. Proposals may seek
funding for pilot projects linking research with education through the
Arctic Research and Education program. Arctic research projects that
partner with schools, students (K-12 and higher), and communities in the
North and that improve the public�s understanding of science and basic
research are strongly encouraged.
The Foundation is one of 12 Federal agencies that sponsor or conduct arctic
science, engineering, and related activities. As mandated by the Arctic
Research and Policy Act of 1984, Federal interagency research planning is
coordinated through the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee
(IARPC), which is chaired by NSF.
The United States Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 defines the Arctic
as all areas north of the Arctic Circle and all United States territory
north and west of the boundary formed by the Porcupine, Yukon, and
Kuskokwim Rivers; all contiguous seas including the Arctic Ocean and the
Beaufort, Bering, and Chukchi seas; and the Aleutian chain. Field projects
falling outside these boundaries but directly related to arctic science and
engineering conditions, or issues, such as laboratory and theoretical
studies, may also be appropriate; OPP recommends contacting the program
director to verify the appropriateness of the proposed study before
preparing a proposal.
Because the Arctic is the homeland of numerous Native peoples, special
attention must be given to all aspects of research and education that may
potentially impact their lives. An interagency statement of �Principles for
the Conduct of Research in the Arctic� has been developed. All arctic
research grantees are expected to abide by these principles, which can be
found at http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/arctic/conduct.jsp. Researchers may find
helpful information in the �Guidelines for Improved Cooperation between
Arctic Researchers and Northern Communities� at
http://www.arcus.org/guidelines.
The Study of Environmental ARctic CHange (SEARCH) is an interagency effort
to study changes occurring in the arctic system
(http://www.arcus.org/SEARCH/index.php). NSF is among the agencies
contributing to this effort, which is also gaining support as a major
international effort as the International Study of Arctic Change (ISAC).
SEARCH themes supported by the Arctic Sciences Division will be guided by
the research community through avenues such as the SEARCH Science Steering
Committee, the SEARCH Open Science Meeting and the SEARCH Implementation
Workshop held in May 2005. The Division of Arctic Sciences has funded
components of SEARCH research through special announcements of opportunity
and expects to continue supporting the development of SEARCH through
special announcements and through this program solicitation, depending on
the availability of funds.
Projects requesting support for post-doctoral associates must include a
detailed mentoring plan for the associate.
II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This Division provides detailed information and descriptions of the
following programs, emphasis areas and special research opportunities:
A. Arctic Natural Sciences Program
B. Arctic Social Sciences Program
C. Arctic System Science Program
D. Arctic Observing Network
The descriptions below should help guide investigators in determining the
appropriate program for their proposals. In addition, please consult the
full text of this announcement for further information on proposal
preparation, field work, data management, review criteria, award conditions
and other pertinent information.
---------------------------------------------------------------
A. Arctic Natural Sciences Program
The Arctic Natural Sciences (ANS) Program provides core
support for disciplinary and interdisciplinary research
on arctic processes and coordinates its support of
arctic research with the Directorates for Geosciences;
Mathematical and Physical Sciences; Social, Behavioral,
and Economic Sciences; and Biological Sciences.
Areas of special interest include marine and
terrestrial ecosystems, arctic atmospheric and oceanic
dynamics climatology, arctic geological and
glaciological processes, and their connectivity to
lower latitudes. The Program particularly encourages
proposals that treat uniquely arctic processes and that
provide hypothesis testing required to produce the
understanding needed to develop predictive tools based
on first principles. Proposals to perform monitoring
per se are discouraged. Similarly, proposals that treat
generic processes that could be adequately studied
outside the Arctic are more appropriate to other
programs within the Foundation.
ANS supports projects that emphasize understanding the
adaptation of organisms to the unique aspects of the
arctic environment. Terrestrial and marine geology and
geophysics projects of greatest interest are those that
will improve our ability to interpret the geologic
record of environmental change in the Arctic,
particularly during the Quaternary. Understanding the
processes responsible for the evolution of permafrost
and consequences of changing permafrost remains a
priority, as well. Projects that focus on the history
and dynamics of all naturally occurring forms of arctic
snow and ice, including seasonal snow, glaciers, and
the Greenland ice sheet, are encouraged. The Program
supports ocean science projects that advance knowledge
of the processes of the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas
and their interactions with their boundaries. The
development of sensors necessary to observe these
processes is also supported by ANS.
---------------------------------------------------------------
B. Arctic Social Sciences Program
The OPP Arctic Social Sciences Program (ASSP)
encompasses all social and behavioral sciences
supported by NSF. These include, but are not limited to
anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography,
linguistics, political science, psychology, science and
technology studies, sociology, traditional knowledge
and related subjects.
Although proposals in any of the social sciences
mentioned above are welcome, areas of particular
interest include culture and environment, resources and
economic change, development of social and political
institutions, ethnic (cultural) and regional
identities, and knowledge systems. These five research
areas are identified and explained in the report,
Arctic Social Sciences: Opportunities in Arctic
Research (Arctic Research Consortium of the United
States, June 1999, Fairbanks, Alaska; available for
download at
http://www.arcus.org/ASSP/1999_report.html).
The Arctic Social Sciences Program especially
encourages projects that are circumpolar and/or
comparative; involve collaborations between researchers
and those living in the Arctic; or form partnerships
among disciplines, regions, researchers, communities,
and/or students (K-12, undergraduate, or graduate).
Dissertation research proposals are accepted by the
Arctic Social Sciences program. Please consult the
"Dissertation Panel Advice to Students" guidelines in
the Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences
(DBCS; http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/bcs/anthro/cultdadv.jsp).
These guidelines are to provide the applicant with a
basic outline for their proposals. Applicants should
apply to this OPP solicitation and talk to the ASSP
program director about funding limits, which vary from
those in DBCS.
Projects involving research with human subjects must
ensure that subjects are protected from research risks
in conformance with the relevant federal policy known
as the Common Rule (Federal Policy for the Protection
of Human Subjects, 45 CFR 690). Advice is available at
http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/hsfaqs.jsp#top.
Researchers proposing work that may affect cultural or
historic properties, or whose work involves tribal
lands, must cooperate with the agency in complying with
the consultation requirements of section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act. Researchers are
encouraged to contact OPP for more information about
cultural or historic impact considerations of their
proposed field work. For additional information on
cultural or historic preservation issues, see the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's web site at
http://www.achp.gov/work106.html.
The Arctic Social Sciences Program considers joint
review and funding within OPP, with other NSF programs,
other agencies and international efforts when
appropriate. Researchers interested in linguistics are
encouraged to examine the announcement of opportunity
on Documenting Endangered Languages
(http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12816)
released to support projects to develop and advance
knowledge concerning endangered languages.
---------------------------------------------------------------
C. Arctic System Science (ARCSS) Program
Proposals to ARCSS must strive to advance our knowledge
of the arctic system as a whole. Most successful ARCSS
proposals focus on the relationships amongst the
components of the arctic system rather than on the
pieces themselves. Detailed studies at the subcomponent
level are probably best submitted to other, more
disciplinary programs.
The research supported under ARCSS is mostly
interdisciplinary, although that does not mean that
every project funded must encompass several
disciplines. The program supports most of its research
through special targeted solicitations, but ARCSS does
support a small number of proposals received through
this general program solicitation. Generally proposals
to this solicitation should put forth new ideas for
field, laboratory, or modeling efforts that would not
fit well under more organized banners and that are
smaller in scope than one might find in a specialized
solicitation. ARCSS also supports efforts that
synthesize our knowledge of how the arctic system
works. With the exception of proposals that were
specifically encouraged by NSF to resubmit as filling
an essential gap in a particular ARCSS effort, this
program solicitation should not be viewed as a
mechanism to re-submit proposals that were declined in
a special solicitation.
The current goal of the program is to answer the
following question:
* What do changes in the arctic system imply for the
future?
Defining an ARCSS Proposal
Both ANS and ARCSS strive to understand the arctic
environment, and there is not a sharp boundary between
the kinds of research the two programs support. This is
by design, as such a boundary could lead to an
undesirable gap in the kind of research the Arctic
Division would support, however, it can make it
difficult to determine whether a given proposal belongs
in the ANS or ARCSS program. A guideline is that if a
proposal is focused mostly on some piece of the arctic
system, then it is probably not a good fit to ARCSS,
unless the understanding to be achieved about that
piece is demonstrably essential to system-level
understanding.
A proposal suitable for competition in the ARCSS
program will normally be expected to:
* have a direct connection to and be essential to
success of the ARCSS effort,
* determine or investigate the important relations
amongst components of the arctic system,
* help explain the range of states for the arctic
system, or
* contribute significantly to our understanding of
the structure and function of the arctic system
through synthesis and further study.
Usually the Division of Arctic Sciences strives to make
this as simple for the investigator as possible by
reviewing proposals for ANS and ARCSS jointly and
asking panelists to consider program fit as a merit
criterion, with the intent that if a proposal is
submitted to ARCSS but does not fit well it will be
considered in ANS and vice versa.
To be successful, a proposal to the ARCSS program
should have several or all of the above
characteristics. Moreover ARCSS proposals MUST define
explicitly and in detail how they contribute to broad
system understanding. It is not sufficient to state
that one meets ARCSS goals, one must demonstrate how
one does so. Failure to do so will likely result in the
return of a proposal without review. The degree to
which a proposal contributes to system understanding
will be one of the key factors in judging its
intellectual merit.
---------------------------------------------------------------
D. Arctic Observing Network
Proposals contributing to the Arctic Observing Network
will be accepted in response to this solicitation
beginning with the 15 October 2009 target date.
The Arctic Observing Network (AON) is NSF�s
contribution to a pan-Arctic, science-driven, observing
system that will enable the SEARCH program. NSF will
listen closely to the advice provided by the community
through the SEARCH Science Steering Committee and the
SEARCH Observing, Understanding, and Responding panels
when developing priorities for its investments in AON.
AON will provide data necessary for understanding and
responding to the ongoing changes in the arctic system.
The AON program focuses on observations, the deployment
and operation of observing systems, and data and
information management. It is anticipated that AON
ultimately will provide long-term observations of the
Arctic useful to a broad segment of the arctic
community. Proposals for the deployment of parts of
such an observing system are solicited by this program,
as well as proposals to link these systems into a
smoothly functioning network. Proposals involving
community-based observing and local and traditional
knowledge are encouraged. Proposals treating data and
information management and policy are also appropriate
to AON. It is expected that the data recovered from AON
will be made freely and openly available to the
research community quickly. The continued support of
such systems will be justified, at least in part, by
the value of these data to the broader science
community.
Proposals for the development of sensors and
measurement systems critical to AON are also supported
by the program.
Proposals for data analysis, data synthesis, and
modeling that lead to understanding will not be
considered by the program.
---------------------------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Other NSF Funding Opportunities
See Section IX on Other Programs of Interest and
consult the NSF online program guide to browse for
funding opportunities
(http://www.nsf.gov/funding/browse_all_funding.jsp).
III. AWARD INFORMATION
Pending availability of funds, $16,000,000 may be available for proposals
to this solicitation. This does not include logistics support that may be
provided through the Arctic Research Support and Logistics program. NSF
estimates 40 awards per year as standard or continuing grants, or
cooperative agreements. The number of awards and average award size and
duration are subject to the availability of funds.
IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
Organization Limit:
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
* U.S. Organizations
PI Limit:
None Specified
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:
None Specified
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI:
None Specified
Additional Eligibility Info:
Only U.S. organizations are eligible to submit proposals under
this solicitation. There is no limit on PI eligibility, and there
is no limit on the number of proposals that may be submitted.
V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
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:
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 pubs@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:
(http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/docs/grantsgovguide.pdf). 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 pubs@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.3 of the Grant Proposal Guide
provides additional information on collaborative proposals.
Proposals may be returned without review for failing to comply with the
Grant Proposal Guide, this solicitation and the instructions that
supplement the GPG (if submitted via FastLane) or the NSF Grants.gov
Application Guide (if submitted via Grants.gov).
Please note:
* Proposals that are re-submissions must be substantially changed from
the original,
* Proposals must comply with specifications for minimum font size and
maximum lines and characters per centimeter,
* Biosketches must follow formatting rules, in particular, do not
include more than 10 publications,
* For efficiency of processing, please arrange entries alphabetically by
last name in lists such as collaborators, students, advisors, other
affiliations, and suggested reviewers.
Principles for the Conduct of Research in the Arctic
Researchers should conform to the Principles for the Conduct of Research in
the Arctic, prepared by the Social Science Task Force of the U.S.
Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) and approved by IARPC
in 1990. These principles apply to all researchers and are listed at
http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/arctic/conduct.jsp. Proposers may also find the
�Guidelines for Improved Cooperation between Northern Communities and
Arctic Researchers� helpful (http://www.arcus.org/guidelines).
Proposals Involving Human Subjects
The NSF Grant Proposal Guide
(http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg) provides
procedural information for projects with human subjects in the section
Projects Involving Human Subjects. Investigators must ensure that human
subjects are protected from research risks in conformance with the relevant
federal policy known as the Common Rule (Federal Policy for the Protection
of Human Subjects, 45 CFR 690). Additional information is available at
http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/guidance.jsp. Letters of permission or
approval, such as those from Native organizations or communities in which
the work will take place, should be included in the Supplementary Documents
section of proposal.
Proposals Involving Arctic Field Work
The Arctic Research Support and Logistics (RSL) program was created to
enhance access and safety in the Arctic and interactions with arctic
communities. Proposers should understand that rising fuel and other costs
may well render some field-based research proposals unsupportable. A
process has been established for assisting proposers in developing a
complete cost estimate for complicated projects. If NSF determines that the
cost estimate submitted with the proposal requires more detail, the
proposer will be contacted. Investigators are encouraged to propose
effective and efficient use of logistics resources to reach research goals
and cooperate with communities near field research sites. Support from the
RSL program is available to projects funded by the Arctic Sciences
Division, pending availability of funds. The program endeavors to leverage
support to projects funded by other divisions at NSF or other federal
agencies also pending availability of funds. More information is available
on the RSL program web site
(http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/arctic/res_log_sup.jsp).
The Foundation and researchers to whom it makes awards are obliged to
conform to the various acts governing activities affecting the environment
and cultural or historic properties. Researchers should be aware of these
acts and adhere to their requirements. Further information concerning
environmental issues is provided below under the heading 'Environmental
Policy Considerations of Fieldwork'.
Requesting Support
The Arctic Sciences Division does not require the use of logistics forms
for arctic fieldwork. However, for proper review of the proposed work and
to initiate logistics planning, the anticipated fieldwork should be
described in the proposal in sufficient detail to enable reviewers to
appreciate the scope of logistics requirements. Proposals are encouraged to
include a section in the Project Description outlining the planned
fieldwork, schedule, locations, required services and platforms, maps and
related information.
If a third-party is arranging logistics (a logistics contractor or provider
receiving funds directly from NSF), logistics costs should not be included
in the proposal budget request. Instead, a description of the support
required and cost if known should be included in the budget justification
to allow the logistics provider and reviewers to assess the scope, cost and
feasibility and initiate planning. Contact all third-party logistics
providers prior to proposal submission to let them know what you are
planning. If time allows, these providers should provide a letter to
include in the supplementary documents section that describes the scope of
logistics support required and estimates the cost.
Timing of Requests
Proposals requesting support for field work from the Arctic Division
science or logistics programs should be submitted a year or more in advance
of the field season to allow for logistics planning and budgeting. For
example, proposals submitted in November 2008 should not plan to go to the
field in summer of 2009, but rather in 2010. Third-party logistics
providers may be able to accommodate shorter planning times but should be
consulted prior to proposal submission to verify feasibility and
availability of funds to support the request.
Arctic Community Interactions
The RSL program was created, in part, to enhance access, safety and
interactions with arctic communities. Accordingly investigators are
encouraged to propose effective and efficient use of logistics resources to
achieve research goals and to cooperate with communities near field
research sites. The RSL program may be able to provide travel support for
researchers to visit communities for outreach before, during, and after
their projects. In addition, the RSL program may be able to support travel
and per diem for �community participants� from local communities who wish
to act as a liaison between the research project and their community by
participating in the research project. These visits are anticipated to be
limited to a few days and do not include additional funds for salaries or
stipends. Please contact the RSL program managers for information about
these opportunities.
Logistics Providers and Field Stations
The RSL program works with several organizations to meet the needs of
arctic field research. NSF�s prime arctic logistics contractor is CH2M Hill
Polar Services (CPS; http://www.polar.ch2m.com), formerly known as VECO
Polar Resources. CPS can provide advanced planning for projects, regardless
of whether they ultimately provide the logistics services. CPS supports
projects throughout the Arctic, including Greenland, Russia, Canada,
Svalbard, Alaska and the Arctic Ocean. They are helpful in proposal
preparation and can provide logistics scope letters to establish the
feasibility and estimated cost of proposed logistics. They do not charge
proposers for this service. Investigators are encouraged to contact CPS to
develop a preliminary plan and to provide project support if appropriate.
The RSL program will work with CPS, the investigator and funding program
manager to determine if requests are supportable.
Barrow, Alaska
Researchers proposing to work near Barrow, Alaska are required to contact
the Barrow Arctic Science Consortium (BASC) prior to submission of a
proposal. Please use the online logistics help form available on their
website (http://www.sfos.uaf.edu/basc/). BASC funding is through a
cooperative agreement with the RSL program. Support requested from BASC
must be approved by NSF through the cooperative agreement mechanism, thus
BASC cannot make commitments, but can scope out the type and cost of
support requested and provide it if approved by the RSL program or paid for
directly by the user.
Greenland
Principal investigators contemplating work in Greenland should obtain the
Danish Polar Center application form for research in Greenland. Application
forms are available at http://www.dpc.dk/sw6492.aspl. A copy of the
application should be included in the Supplementary Documents section of
the proposal.
Toolik Field Station, Alaska
Researchers proposing to work at Toolik Field Station are required to
contact the station prior to submission of a proposal to ensure the project
can be accommodated, see (http://www.uaf.edu/toolik/). Please use their
online reservations forms to request use of the facilities. Toolik is
funded by a cooperative agreement between the Institute of Arctic Biology
at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the RSL program. The RSL program
will work with the investigator, funding program manager, Toolik and CH2M
Hill to determine if requests can be supported.
UNOLS, USCG, and other Vessel Requests
Researchers intending to use a vessel from the University-National
Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) or the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
vessels Healy or Polar Sea should follow the UNOLS procedure
(http://www.unols.org). If requesting use of a non-UNOLS or USCG vessel,
please include a letter from the vessel operator with an estimate of the
costs, supportability, and approximate schedule of the work in the proposal
supplementary documents. The RSL program will work with the vessel operator
and the investigator to determine if the request is supportable.
Additional Logistics Services
Drilling Services
For ice core and other drilling services, please select your preferred
provider and request an estimate to include in your proposal. Ice Core
Drilling Services (ICDS) has provided drilling support to arctic projects.
For drilling services through ICDS or any other provider, please contact
them during the proposal stage for an estimate of costs and include this
estimate and a letter from ICDS in the supplementary documents of your
proposal (http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/icds/). The RSL program will work with
the investigator, funding program manger, and their selected drilling
provider to determine if the request can be supported.
GPS and Ground-based LiDAR
UNAVCO (http://www.unavco.org) is a non-profit organization funded by a
cooperative agreement with NSF�s Earth Sciences Division to support and
promote Earth science by advancing high-precision geodetic and strain
techniques such as the Global Positioning System (GPS). UNAVCO provides
state-of-the-art GPS equipment and field engineering support for projects,
by installing, operating and maintaining continuous GPS networks globally,
undertaking new technology development and evaluating commercially
available products for research applications, and by archiving GPS data and
data products for future applications. UNAVCO maintains Differential GPS
stations, has developed a ground-based LiDAR capability and provides other
services to arctic researchers. Investigators should contact Bjorn Johns at
UNAVCO (bjorn@unavco.org or 303-381-7470) for a proposal letter and budget
estimate to include in the supplementary documents section of the proposal.
NSF will work with the investigator and UNAVCO to determine if the request
can be supported.
National Centerfor Airborne Laser Mapping (NCALM)
NCALM is supported through a cooperative agreement with NSF�s Earth
Sciences Division to provide laser mapping services to projects. If you
need such services, please contact NCALM about your project needs and
include a letter with an estimate of costs from NCALM in the supplementary
documents of your proposal (http://www.ncalm.org/). NSF will work with the
investigator and NCALM to determine if the request can be supported.
Environmental Policy Considerations of Fieldwork
Federal agencies must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA). Most NSF awards support individual scientific research projects and
are not considered �major Federal actions significantly affecting the
quality of the human environment�. Projects involving construction,
drilling or major disturbance to the local environment may require an
assessment of environmental impacts.
In addition to NEPA, all federal agencies are regulated under acts such as
the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the
National Historic Preservation Act. Researchers proposing work that may
affect cultural or historic properties, or whose work involves tribal lands
must cooperate with the agency in complying with the consultation
requirements of section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. For
additional information on cultural or historic preservation issues, see the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's web site at
http://www.achp.gov/work106.html.
Researchers proposing projects with fieldwork involving perturbation of the
environment, excavation of archaeological sites, use of underwater seismic
air guns, drilling, construction, or other activity that may be considered
a major Federal action should contact the Environmental Officer of the
Office of Polar Programs, Dr. Polly Penhale (ppenhale@nsf.gov) for guidance
on environmental consultations, permitting, and NSF�s obligations under
existing environmental laws.
Identify this Solicitation Number on the Proposal Cover Sheet.
B. Budgetary Information
Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is not required under this solicitation.
C. Due Dates
* Full Proposal Target Date(s):
November 18, 2008
October 15, 2009
October 15, Annually Thereafter
All programs covered under this solicitation will have a single, annual
competition. Proposers must contact the cognizant program director for
approval, prior to the Target Date, when intending to submit a proposal
after the Target Date. This is essential for orderly review of all
submissions. Late proposals may miss a particular panel review but may
still be reviewed ad hoc if received after the target date, provided the
proposer has prior approval from the program director. Failure to obtain
prior approval of the cognizant program director for late submissions may
result in the proposal being returned without review.
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:
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
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:
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. The Grants.gov's Grant Community User Guide is a
comprehensive reference document that provides technical information
about Grants.gov. Proposers can download the User Guide as a Microsoft
Word document or as a PDF document. The Grants.gov User Guide is
available at: http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport. 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: 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:
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/gpg/broaderimpacts.pdf.
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:
Projects requesting support for post-doctoral associates must include
a detailed mentoring plan for the associate.
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
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 pubs@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
http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag
Special Award Conditions:
Principles for the Conduct of Research in the Arctic: Principal
Investigators are expected to follow the Principles for the Conduct of
Research in the Arctic, prepared by the Social Science Task Force of the
U.S. Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) and approved by
IARPC in 1990. These principles are listed at
http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/arctic/conduct.jsp. Investigators may find useful
the Guidelines for Improved Cooperation between Arctic Researchers and
Northern Communities (http://www.arcus.org/guidelines).
Guidelines for Scientific Data (OPP 9-91)
This statement provides guidelines from the Office of Polar Programs (OPP)
at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and sets out special conditions
applicable to OPP grants to implement the Foundation's Sharing Policy by
assuring timely submission of OPP-award data to national data centers and
other OPP-specified repositories for secondary use by the scientific
community. The Office of Polar Programs, in conformance with NSF policy
(see Grant Proposal Guide, http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?gpg ),
expects investigators to share with other researchers, at no more than
incremental cost and within a reasonable time, the data, derived data
products, samples, physical collections and other supported materials
gathered or created in the course of the research project. The purpose of
this policy is to facilitate full and open access to data and materials for
polar research from projects supported by OPP.
General Guidelines
For all OPP supported projects:
* All data and derived data products collected under OPP-awards, which
are appropriate for submission to a national data center or
OPP-specified data repository (OPP-approved web site), should be
promptly submitted within a reasonable amount of time, as described
below, in responsibilities of Principal Investigators of OPP-Awards.
* OPP considers the documentation of data sets, known as metadata, as
vital to the exchange of information on polar research and to a data
set's accessibility and longevity for reuse.
* Data archives of OPP-supported projects should include easily
accessible information about the data holdings, including quality
assessments, supporting ancillary information, and guidance for
locating and obtaining the data.
* National and international standards should be used to the greatest
extent possible for the collection, processing and communication of
OPP-sponsored data sets.
Special Note for Arctic Social Sciences Awards
The Arctic Social Sciences Program supports the full range of social
science disciplines and adheres to the Data Sharing Policy developed by
NSF's Directorate for Social Behavioral and Economic Research (SBE).
The nature of the data, the way they are collected, analyzed, and stored,
and the pace at which this occurs, vary widely. Different storage
facilities and access requirements exist for different types of social
science data, e.g., archaeological data, specimens from physical
anthropology, large-scale survey data, oral interviews, and field records.
Where appropriate and possible, grantees from all social science fields
will develop and submit specific plans to share materials collected with
NSF support. These plans should cover how and where these materials will be
stored, at reasonable cost, and how access will be provided to other
researchers, at their cost. Many complexities arise across the range of
data collection supported by the Arctic Social Sciences Program. Therefore,
such unusual circumstances and any necessary modifications or exemptions to
the general policy of data sharing should be described in the OPP-awardees
sharing plans.
Responsibilities of Principal Investigators of OPP-Funded Awards
Principal investigators should make their data available to all reasonable
requests and where applicable the principal investigators should submit the
data collected to designated data centers as soon as possible, but no later
than two (2) years after the data are collected. Data sets from Arctic
Observing Network projects are expected to be made publicly available
immediately upon collection.
Principal investigators working in coordinated programs (multi-investigator
and/or multi-agency programs) may (in consultation with the OPP program
managers and other funding agencies involved) establish more stringent data
submission procedures to meet the needs of these larger coordinated
programs. Principal Investigators with OPP-funded awards should comply with
data policies established for these coordinated programs and submit their
data as required to the appropriate repository stipulated by the
coordinated program office.
Compliance with the data guidelines will be considered in the program
managers overall evaluation of a Principal Investigator's prior
support record.
Conditions for OPP Awards
Principal Investigators of OPP-funded awards are REQUIRED to submit to
appropriate electronic data directories, a description of their data (i.e.,
metadata) resulting from OPP-funded research in the form of a Directory
Interchange Format (DIF) entry. Submission of the DIF may be at any time
during the tenure of the grant. At the time of submission of the Final
Report to NSF, a copy of the DIF must be sent to the cognizant program
officer in OPP. Failure to provide final technical reports delays NSF
review and processing of pending proposals for that Principal Investigator.
Principal Investigators should examine the formats of the required reports
in advance to assure availability of required data. Sample DIFs can be
found on the Global Change Master Directory web page at
http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov.
Data sets from OPP supported arctic scientific research should go to the
appropriate data center for the specific type of data collected. Any
questions concerning this policy should be directed to the cognizant
program officer in the Office of Polar Programs.
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.
Failure to provide the required annual or final project reports 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.
Please see the OPP Guidelines for Scientific Data (OPP 9-91)
(http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=opp991) described in
Section VII. B. Award Conditions in this program solicitation for
information about award conditions for data.
VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS
General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:
* Renee D. Crain, Arctic Research and Education Assistant Program
Director, 755 S, telephone: (703) 292-4482, fax: (703) 292-9082,
email: rcrain@nsf.gov
* Patrick Haggerty, Arctic Research Support and Logistics Program
Director, 755 S, telephone: (703) 292-8577, fax: (703) 292-9082,
email: phaggert@nsf.gov
* Martin Jeffries, 740 S, telephone: (703) 292-8029, email:
mjeffrie@nsf.gov
* Anna Kerttula de Echave, Arctic Social Sciences Program Director, 740
S, telephone: (703) 292-7432, fax: (703)292-9082, email:
akerttul@nsf.gov
* Brendan P. Kelly, Arctic Natural Sciences Program Manager, 755,
telephone: (703) 292-7434, email: bkelly@nsf.gov
* Neil R. Swanberg, Arctic System Science Program Director, 755 S,
telephone: (703) 292-8029, email: nswanber@nsf.gov
* William J. Wiseman, Arctic Natural Sciences Program Director, 740 S,
telephone: (703) 292-4750, fax: (703) 292-9082, email:
wwiseman@nsf.gov
For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact:
* FastLane Help Desk, telephone: 1-800-673-6188; e-mail:
fastlane@nsf.gov.
* Linda Izzard, Program Coordination Specialist, 755, telephone: (703)
292-7430, fax: (703) 292-9082, email: lizzard@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: 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, MyNSF (formerly the Custom News Service) is an
information-delivery system 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 or the user's Web browser each time new
publications are issued that match their identified interests. MyNSF also
is available on NSF's Website at http://www.nsf.gov/mynsf/.
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 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 http://www.nsf.gov
* Location: 4201 Wilson Blvd. Arlington,
VA 22230
* For General Information (703) 292-5111
(NSF Information Center):
* TDD (for the hearing-impaired): (703) 292-5090
* To Order Publications or Forms:
Send an e-mail to: pubs@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,
NSF-50, "Principal Investigator/Proposal File and Associated Records," 69
Federal Register 26410 (May 12, 2004), and 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
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