This document has been archived and replaced by NSF 10-598
(http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf10598).
Title: EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program:
Inter-Campus and Intra-Campus Cyber Connectivity (RII C2)
Date: 07/06/09
EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: Inter-Campus and
Intra-Campus Cyber Connectivity (RII C2)
Program Solicitation
NSF 09-569
[NSF Logo] National Science Foundation
Office of Integrative Activities
Office of Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive
Research
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
November 02, 2009
REVISION NOTES
Awards made in response to this solicitation will be funded under the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) (Public Law 111-5).
As such, awards will include special reporting requirements and other
non-standard terms and conditions. Unless otherwise specified, ARRA funding
should be considered one-time funding.
Please be advised that the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide
(PAPPG) includes revised guidelines to implement the mentoring provisions
of the America COMPETES Act (ACA) (Pub. L. No. 110-69, Aug. 9, 2007.) As
specified in the ACA, each proposal that requests funding to support
postdoctoral researchers must include a description of the mentoring
activities that will be provided for such individuals. Proposals that do
not comply with this requirement will be returned without review (see the
PAPP Guide Part I: Grant Proposal Guide Chapter II for further information
about the implementation of this new requirement).
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
General Information
Program Title:
EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: Inter-Campus
and Intra-Campus Cyber Connectivity (RII C2)
Synopsis of Program:
The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
(EPSCoR) is a program designed to fulfill the National Science
Foundation's (NSF) mandate to promote scientific progress
nationwide. The EPSCoR program is directed at those jurisdictions
that have historically received lesser amounts of NSF Research
and Development (R&D) funding. Twenty-seven states, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands are
currently eligible to participate. Through this program, NSF
establishes partnerships with government, higher education and
industry that are designed to effect lasting improvements in a
state's or region's research infrastructure, R&D capacity and
hence, its national R&D competitiveness.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will enable
NSF to invest $20 million in the Research Infrastructure
Improvement Program: Inter-Campus and Intra-Campus Cyber
Connectivity (RII C2). Awards made under this program will
provide up to $1 million for up to 2 years to support the
enhancement of inter-campus and intra-campus cyber connectivity
within an EPSCoR jurisdiction. These awards are intended to
enhance broadband access for academic research and the
utilization of cyberinfrastructure consistent with the
jurisdiction's Science and Technology (S&T) plan. The
inter-campus and intra-campus connectivity targeted by these
awards is expected to broaden individual and institutional
participation in STEM research and education activities within
and among jurisdictions and to facilitate synergy among NSF
EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement activities.
Cognizant Program Officer(s):
* Denise M. Barnes, Program Director, 1122, telephone: (703) 292-5179,
fax: (703) 292-9047, email: dbarnes@nsf.gov
* Arlene A. Garrison, Program Director, 1122, telephone: (703) 292-8361,
fax: (703)-292-9047, email: aagarris@nsf.gov
* Maija M. Kukla, Program Director, 1122, telephone: (703) 292-4940,
fax: (703) 292-9047, email: mkukla@nsf.gov
* Uma D. Venkateswaran, Program Director, 1122, telephone: (703)
292-7732, fax: (703)-292-9047, email: uvenkate@nsf.gov
Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):
* 47.082 Trans-NSF Recovery Act Research Support
Award Information
Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant
Estimated Number of Awards: 20
Anticipated Funding Amount: $20,000,000 in ARRA funds.
Eligibility Information
Organization Limit:
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
* Only jurisdictions that meet EPSCoR criteria are eligible to
submit proposals to the Research Infrastructure Improvement
Program: Inter-Campus and Intra-Campus Cyber Connectivity
(RII C2) competition. The jurisdiction's EPSCoR governing
committee must designate a fiscal agent/proposing
organization as the responsible recipient for a RII C2
award. Where possible, this should be the employing
organization of the Principal Investigator/Project Director
(PI/PD). See also Section I., Introduction Paragraph D for
additional eligibility information.
PI Limit:
Principal Investigators/Project Directors of proposed EPSCoR
projects must be affiliated with research universities, agencies,
or organizations within the participant jurisdiction.
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1
* Only one Research Infrastructure Improvement: Inter-Campus
and Intra-Campus Cyber Connectivity (RII C2) proposal may be
submitted in response to this solicitation by the designated
fiscal agent/proposing organization, acting on behalf of a
jurisdiction's EPSCoR governing committee.
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI: 1
An investigator may serve as PI or Co-PI on only one proposal
submitted in response to this solicitation.
Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
* Letters of Intent: Not Applicable
* Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not Applicable
* Full Proposal Preparation Instructions: This solicitation contains
information that deviates from the standard NSF Proposal and Award
Policies and Procedures Guide, Part I: Grant Proposal Guide (GPG)
proposal preparation guidelines. Please see the full text of this
solicitation for further information.
B. Budgetary Information
* Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost Sharing is not required under this
solicitation.
* Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations: Not Applicable
* Other Budgetary Limitations: Other budgetary limitations apply. Please
see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
C. Due Dates
* Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
November 02, 2009
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 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
Section 3(e) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Act of 1950, as
amended, states that: "...it shall be an objective of the Foundation to
strengthen research and education in the sciences and engineering,
including independent research by individuals, throughout the United
States, and to avoid undue concentration of such research and education."
Through its Congressional mandate, NSF promotes and advances scientific
progress nationwide. In 1978, public concern about undue geographical
concentration of federal funding of academic research and development (R&D)
led Congress to further authorize NSF to conduct the Experimental Program
to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). These Congressional
instructions, which established the Experimental Program to Stimulate
Competitive Research, have been restated in subsequent Congressional
authorizations of the Foundation's budget. Eligibility for EPSCoR
participation is restricted to those jurisdictions that have historically
received lesser amounts of NSF R&D funding and have demonstrated a
commitment to develop their research bases and to improve the quality of
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research conducted
at their universities and colleges. Twenty-seven jurisdictions including
twenty-five states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin
Islands currently participate in one or more elements of the NSF EPSCoR
program. (See section I, paragraph D, for additional EPSCoR eligibility
information).
A. EPSCoR Mission and Goals
The mission of EPSCoR is to assist the National Science
Foundation in its statutory function
"to strengthen research and education in science and engineering
throughout the United States and to avoid undue concentration of
such research and education."
EPSCoR goals are to:
* provide strategic programs and opportunities for EPSCoR
participants that stimulate sustainable improvements in
their R&D capacity and competitiveness, and
* advance science and engineering capabilities in EPSCoR
jurisdictions for discovery, innovation, and overall
knowledge-based prosperity.
B. EPSCoR Objectives
The primary objective of EPSCoR is to stimulate research that is
fully competitive in the disciplinary and multidisciplinary
research programs of the National Science Foundation.
Specific EPSCoR objectives are to:
* catalyze key research themes that empower knowledge
generation, dissemination, and application;
* activate effective jurisdictional and regional
collaborations that advance scientific research, promote
innovation, and benefit society;
* broaden participation in science and engineering (S&E) by
institutions, organizations, and people within EPSCoR
jurisdictions; and
* use EPSCoR for development, implementation, and evaluation
of future programmatic experiments that motivate positive
change and progression.
Pursuit of these goals and objectives bolsters the capacity of
jurisdictions to:
* enhance discovery and learning through utilization of
cyberinfrastructure and other evolving technologies;
* develop the diverse, well-prepared, internationally
competent and globally engaged STEM workforce necessary to
sustain the nation's competitive edge;
* facilitate knowledge generation leading to economic
development; and
* expand the scientific literacy of all citizens, and
disseminate to them the importance of STEM research and
education.
C. EPSCoR Investment Strategies
EPSCoR's investment portfolio is aligned with the Foundation's
strategic outcome goals of DISCOVERY, LEARNING, RESEARCH
INFRASTRUCTURE, and STEWARDSHIP:
* Discovery - Foster research that will advance the frontiers
of knowledge, emphasizing areas of greatest opportunity and
potential benefit, and establishing the nation as a global
leader in fundamental and transformational science and
engineering.
* Learning - Cultivate a world-class, broadly inclusive
science and engineering workforce, and expand the scientific
literacy of all citizens.
* Research Infrastructure - Build the nation's research
capability through critical investments in advanced
instrumentation, facilities, cyberinfrastructure, and
experimental tools.
* Stewardship - Support excellence in science and engineering
research and education through a capable and responsive
organization.
EPSCoR uses three major investment strategies to achieve its goal
of improving the R&D competitiveness of researchers and
institutions within EPSCoR jurisdictions. These strategies are
Research Infrastructure Improvement Program awards, Co-Funding of
disciplinary and multidisciplinary research, and Outreach and
Workshops.
* Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: Track-1 (RII
Track-1), Track-2 (RII Track-2), and Inter-Campus and
Intra-Campus Cyber Connectivity (RII C2) Awards.
* RII Track-1 awards provide up to $4 million per year
for up to five years. They are intended to improve the
research competitiveness of jurisdictions by improving
their academic research infrastructure in areas of
science and engineering supported by the National
Science Foundation and critical to the particular
jurisdiction's science and technology initiative or
plan. These areas must be identified by the
jurisdiction's EPSCoR governing committee as having the
best potential to improve the jurisdiction's future R&D
competitiveness.
* RII Track-2 awards provide up to $2 million per year
for up to three years as collaborative awards to
consortia of EPSCoR jurisdictions to support
innovation-enabling cyberinfrastructure of regional,
thematic, or technological importance. These awards
facilitate the enhancement of discovery, learning, and
economic development of EPSCoR jurisdictions through
the use of cyberinfrastructure and other technologies.
* RII C2 awards made in response to this solicitation
will be funded uder the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Unless otherwise
specified, ARRA funding should be considered a one-time
event. Up to twenty of these RII C2 awards are
anticipated. Each award will provide up to 1 million
for up to 2 years to support the enhancement of
inter-campus and intra-campus cyber connectivity within
an EPSCoR jurisdiction. These awards are intended to
enhance broadband access for academic research and for
utilization of cyberinfrastructure consistent with the
jurisdiction's Science and Technology (S&T) plan. The
inter-campus and intra-campus connectivity targeted by
these awards is expected to broaden individual and
institutional participation in STEM research and
education activities within and among jurisdictions and
to facilitate synergy among NSF EPSCoR Research
Infrastructure Improvement activities.
* Co-Funding of Disciplinary and Multidisciplinary
Research. EPSCoR co-invests with NSF Directorates and
Offices in the support of meritorious proposals from
individual investigators, groups, and centers in EPSCoR
jurisdictions that are submitted to the Foundation's
research and education programs, and crosscutting
initiatives. These proposals have been merit reviewed and
recommended for award, but could not be funded without the
combined, leveraged support of EPSCoR and the Research and
Education Directorates. Co-funding leverages EPSCoR
investment and facilitates participation of EPSCoR
scientists and engineers in Foundation-wide programs and
initiatives.
* Outreach and Workshops. The EPSCoR Office considers requests
for support of workshops, conferences, and other
community-based activities designed to explore opportunities
in emerging areas of science and engineering, and to share
best practices in design and implementation in strategic
planning, diversity, communication, cyberinfrastructure,
evaluation, and other areas of importance to EPSCoR
jurisdictions (See NSF 06-613). The EPSCoR Office also
supports outreach travel that enables NSF staff from all
Directorates and Offices to work with the EPSCoR research
community regarding NSF opportunities, priorities, programs,
and policies. Such travel also serves to more fully acquaint
NSF staff with the science and engineering accomplishments,
ongoing activities, and new directions and opportunities in
research and education in the jurisdictions.
D. Criteria for Eligibility to Participate in the Research Infrastructure
Improvement Program: Inter-Campus and Intra-Campus Cyber Connectivity
(RII C2)
Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: Inter-Campus and
Intra-Campus Cyber Connectivity and other EPSCoR program
eligibility is based on two primary considerations:
* A jurisdiction's demonstrated commitment to develop its
research bases and to improve the quality of science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research
conducted at its universities and colleges, and
* A jurisdiction's most recent three-year history of research
funds awarded by NSF relative to the Foundation's total
research budget for that same period.
Regarding the second consideration, a jurisdiction is eligible to
participate in EPSCoR programs if its level of research support
is equal to or less than 0.75 percent of the total NSF research
budget for that same period. Adjustments are made in the rare
instances where a single large NSF-funded national or
international facility skews the data. The NSF EPSCoR website
lists these summary data and the eligibility criteria.
Twenty-seven states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.
S. Virgin Islands are currently eligible to participate in NSF
EPSCoR programs.
A newly eligible jurisdiction must submit a successful planning
grant proposal before Research Infrastructure Improvement
proposals (RII Track-1, RII Track-2, or RII C2) can be submitted.
A "new" EPSCoR-eligible jurisdiction is defined as a State, US
Territory, or US Commonwealth that (1) previously did not qualify
via the established 0.75 percent criterion, but is declared
eligible under the most recent publication of the annual NSF
EPSCoR eligibility list (eligibility criteria) and (2) has
demonstrated commitment to developing their research bases.
Planning grant proposals can be submitted at any time following
the most recent declaration of eligibility. In order to compete
for an RII Track-1, RII Track-2, and RII C2 award, the "new"
jurisdiction must have received an EPSCoR planning grant.
Eligible jurisdictions may seek such planning support to
formulate a documented vision and implementation design for their
research, education, and innovation strategies. An expected
outcome from any supported planning activity is the submission of
a competitive RII Track-1, RII Track-2, or RII C2 proposal and
subsequent proposals to NSF Directorates and Offices, which
combine capacity-building with capability enhancement for
addressing bold opportunities characterized by regional relevance
and national importance.
A jurisdiction wishing to submit a planning grant proposal must
notify the NSF EPSCoR Office with a letter of intent to submit
and then meet with NSF EPSCoR officials to discuss the conceptual
project, potential partners and estimated cost. Depending on the
outcome of these discussions, the jurisdiction may be invited to
submit an EPSCoR planning proposal, in accordance with NSF's
grant proposal guidelines.
This solicitation describes the Research Infrastructure
Improvement Program: Inter-Campus and Intra-Campus Cyber
Connectivity (RII C2).
II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
RII C2 Program Description
Broadband connectivity within and among campuses can advance jurisdictional
progress toward broader research and educational engagement at the
frontiers of discovery and innovation in science and engineering. Execution
of well-articulated plans for the development, deployment, and improvement
of broadband connectivity will foster collaboration, prompt innovation,
broaden individual and institutional participation, strengthen e-learning,
create jobs, develop the workforce, contribute to the economic development
of jurisdictions, and help to facilitate participation in the computing
based intellectual future.
Combined jurisdictional and EPSCoR investments have facilitated the
development of cutting edge cyberinfrastructure in many of the
jurisdictions' research intensive institutions. In these and other
institutions within the jurisdictions, however, there remain significant
gaps in cyber connectivity and broadband access. This is particularly true
of less research intensive institutions, especially minority serving,
two-year, four-year, and rural ones. RII C2 provides a unique opportunity
for jurisdictions to address such issues and to provide community colleges
and minority serving institutions with advanced connections to research and
research-based education that will accelerate learning, discovery, and
economic development in rural and underserved communities.
The primary drivers for RII C2 investments are broadband connectivity needs
within and among academic campuses. World class science and engineering
research, modern cyberinfrastructure, and innovative education in STEM
disciplines that can be facilitated by enhanced broadband cyber
connectivity are also important motivating elements. Such investments will
facilitate discovery and innovation, and enable the development of a
science and engineering workforce appropriate to the future of the
jurisdiction and the nation. RII C2 investments are expected to result in
measureable improvements in the individual and institutional diversity
within the jurisdiction and ability to successfully pursue significant
opportunities in science and engineering research, education, and workforce
development. The RII C2 award is expected to add specific value to the
jurisdiction's academic cyber and research infrastructure not generally
available through other funding.
As in other Research Infrastructure Improvement activities (RII Track-1 and
RII Track-2), each jurisdiction must utilize its EPSCoR governing
committee, which works closely with leaders in academe, government, and the
private sector. The committee will identify potential cyber connectivity
improvement strategies that are consistent with the jurisdiction's S&T plan
and the associated cyberinfrastructure, diversity, and workforce
development plans which, together with current RII Track-1, RII Track-2,
and other RII related activities, are most likely to advance the
development of a nationally competitive cyber-enabled academic R&D
capability.
In preparation for submitting an RII C2 proposal, the EPSCoR governing
committee is expected to have undertaken a thorough assessment of the
current state of the jurisdiction's cyber connectivity and to have
identified strengths, barriers, and opportunities for further development
of comprehensive inter-campus and intra-campus cyber connectivity and
broadband access in support of overall objectives in research, education,
and innovation. The RII C2 proposal must describe the strategy and
implementation mechanisms for the development, expansion, utilization, and
long-term sustainability of the targeted cyber connectivity and broadband
access capabilities. Successful inter-campus and intra-campus cyber
connectivity improvement plans are likely to be those that provide sound
platforms and opportunities for broad institutional engagement in research
and research-based education that utilize the diverse human, physical, and
technological resources of the jurisdiction, and contribute to its economic
development.
N.B.: In all instances, clear specification of goals, performance
milestones, and a timetable for achieving such milestones is a requirement
for EPSCoR support.
A RII C2 award is not the appropriate mechanism to provide support for
individual faculty research projects. Requests for support of such projects
should be directed to NSF's research grant programs.
RII C2 awards made in response to this solicitation will be funded under
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Unless
otherwise specified, ARRA funding should be considered a one-time event.
Up to twenty of these RII C2 awards are anticipated.
To ensure maximum impact of limited EPSCoR resources, requests for RII C2
funding must:
* Contribute to the jurisdiction's strategy for future research and
innovation;
* Add significantly and measurably to research and education capability
in S&T areas of high institutional and jurisdictional priority;
* Engage the full diversity of the jurisdiction's resources in the STEM
enterprise;
* Contribute to the jurisdiction's strategy for future research and
innovation; and
* Present a detailed strategy to generate subsequent, sustained
non-EPSCoR funding from federal, jurisdictional, or private sector
sources.
Eligible Activities
Proposals requesting funds for cyber connectivity improvement may include
support for academic, jurisdictional, for-profit and non-profit
organizations, as well as eligible individuals employed by such
organizations both inside and outside the jurisdiction. In addition,
cooperative programs among research universities, predominantly
undergraduate institutions, especially minority serving rural 2-year
institutions, are eligible for EPSCoR support. In all cases, however,
Project Directors/Principal Investigators of proposed EPSCoR projects must
be affiliated with research universities, agencies, or organizations within
the participant jurisdiction. Whereas the proposed project may employ
collaborations between EPSCoR and non-EPSCoR participants, EPSCoR funding
can only be requested and used for the EPSCoR-based components. In
addition, all activities carried out under an EPSCoR award are subject to
the restrictions concerning eligible science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics disciplines and activities detailed in the NSF Proposal and
Award Policy and Procedures (PAPP) Guide found on the NSF website at
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/papp/index.jsp.
III. AWARD INFORMATION
Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant
Estimated Number of Awards:
Duration: Award duration of up to 2 years
Anticipated Funding Amount: in FY 2010
Limitation of Awards:
* RII C2 award amount not to exceed $1 million over a two year period.
* Special American Recovery and Reinvestment Act award conditions apply.
IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
Organization Limit:
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
* Only jurisdictions that meet EPSCoR criteria are eligible to
submit proposals to the Research Infrastructure Improvement
Program: Inter-Campus and Intra-Campus Cyber Connectivity
(RII C2) competition. The jurisdiction's EPSCoR governing
committee must designate a fiscal agent/proposing
organization as the responsible recipient for a RII C2
award. Where possible, this should be the employing
organization of the Principal Investigator/Project Director
(PI/PD). See also Section I., Introduction Paragraph D for
additional eligibility information.
PI Limit:
Principal Investigators/Project Directors of proposed EPSCoR
projects must be affiliated with research universities, agencies,
or organizations within the participant jurisdiction.
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1
* Only one Research Infrastructure Improvement: Inter-Campus
and Intra-Campus Cyber Connectivity (RII C2) proposal may be
submitted in response to this solicitation by the designated
fiscal agent/proposing organization, acting on behalf of a
jurisdiction's EPSCoR governing committee.
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI: 1
An investigator may serve as PI or Co-PI on only one proposal
submitted in response to this solicitation.
Additional Eligibility Info:
A newly eligible jurisdiction must submit a successful planning
grant proposal before Research Infrastructure Improvement
proposals (RII Track-1, RII Track-2, or RII C2) can be submitted.
A "new" EPSCoR-eligible jurisdiction is defined as a State, US
Territory, or US Commonwealth that (1) previously did not qualify
via the established 0.75 percent criterion, but is declared
eligible under the most recent publication of the annual NSF
EPSCoR eligibility list (eligibility criteria) and (2) has
demonstrated commitment to developing their research bases.
Planning grant proposals can be submitted at any time following
the most recent declaration of eligibility. In order to compete
for an RII Track-1, RII Track-2, and RII C2 award, the "new"
jurisdiction must have received an EPSCoR planning grant.
V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
Full Proposal Instructions: Proposals submitted in response to this program
solicitation should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the
guidelines specified 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-PUBS (7827) or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf.gov.
The following instructions are specific to proposals submitted to the
Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: Inter-Campus and Intra-Campus
Cyber Connectivity (RII C2) competition and supplement the NSF GPG:
* The jurisdiction's EPSCoR governing committee shall designate a fiscal
agent/proposing organization for the project. Where possible, this
should be the employing organization of the Project Director.
* The proposal section labeled Project Description may not exceed 20
pages, including text, as well as any graphic or illustrative
materials. Page limitations also apply to specific subsections of the
proposal. Proposals that exceed the page limitations or that do not
contain all items described below will be returned without review.
Please be advised that use of the maximum number of pages for each
individual subsection exceeding the 20 page limitation specificed for the
project description..
PROJECT DESCRIPTION REQUIREMENTS
The RII C2 Proposal must include the following elements:
1. NSF Cover Sheet.
2. Project Summary (2 pages maximum). Provide a clear vision for and a
brief summary of the proposed RII C2 project and its anticipated
impacts. This summary should specify the changes in connectivity and
broadband access of institutions across the jurisdiction that
will result from the proposed RII C2 project. It should clearly place
the proposed RII C2 activities in the context of the jurisdiction's
Science and Technology Plan and its cyberinfrastructure plan, and
other RII activities within the jurisdiction. The summary should
describe how the RII C2 investment will facilitate research and
education and their integration; broaden the development of human and
institutional resources; and develop the cyber-engaged workforce
needed to sustain the economic vitality of the jurisdiction. Indicate
in separate paragraphs the intellectual merit and broader impacts of
the proposed work.
3. Table of Contents. Generated automatically by the system.
4. Project Description (20 pages maximum). The project description should
detail the current status of the jurisdiction's broadband connectivity
within and among academic institutions. The project description should
state the science and engineering plans and goals, and show how the
cyber connectivity improvements for which NSF support is being
requested will enable successful pursuit of those goals. In addition,
the project narrative should describe the science and engineering
research and education as well as the economic development that will
be facilitated by the proposed cyber connectivity improvements. It
should also describe how the proposed activities will engage the full
diversity of the jurisdiction's resources in the STEM enterprise and
bolster participation in the computing based intellectual future of
the jurisdiction. The essential role of external engagement,
including outreach, communication, and dissemination, should be
clearly integrated. Required elements of the project description are:
4.1 Status and Overview (2 pages maximum). The current
status of the jurisdiction's connectivity landscape,
including opportunities, challenges, and needs.
4.2 Results from Relevant Prior NSF Support (1 page
maximum). Results from relevant prior NSF support and
summary of the relevance of that support to the
proposed project.
4.3 Active NSF RII Awards (2 pages maximum). Describe
the scope, duration and funding level for each RII
award to your jurisdiction that is active as of the
date of submission of this RII C2 proposal. Convey how
the activities of those RII awards align and integrate
with the proposed RII C2 activities.
4.4 RII C2-enabled Research and Education (8 pages
maximum). Provide a comprehensive description of the
project activities, including the broadband and cyber
connectivity improvements, and the research and
education components that promise to stimulate
sustainable improvements in research capacity and
competitiveness. Include specific goals, objectives,
timelines, and milestones. The role of external
engagement should be made clear. This section must
also show plans for the development, deployment, and
improvement of broadband connectivity to foster
collaboration, prompt innovation, broaden individual
and institutional participation, strengthen e-learning,
create jobs, develop the workforce, and contribute to
the economic development of the jurisdiction. It
should illustrate how the proposed project will be
aligned and integrated with the existing and/or planned
jurisdictional cyberinfrastructure developments,
including RII activities. A compelling rationale for
how improvements in cyber connectivity and broadband
access enabled by the proposed RII C2 will yield the
desired objectives and outcomes must be provided.
4.5 Diversity (2 pages maximum). Diversity in all of
its manifestations - institutional, individual,
disciplinary, geographic - catalyzes innovation and is
key to the utilization of all the nation's intellectual
and physical resources. The narrative must include a
description of the current state of diversity within
the jurisdiction and clear plans for broader engagement
of the human and institutional resources to be used in
pursuit of the cyber-enabled research and education
goals. Particular attention should be given to
underrepresented minorities in STEM and to 2-year,
4-year, rural, and minority serving institutions. The
role of external engagement in plans for broadening
diversity must be described. The plan must include
specific goals, timelines and milestones, and
anticipated outcomes of proposed activities.
4.6 Workforce Development (2 pages maximum). Providing
2-year, 4-year, rural, and minority serving
institutions with access to networks and tools can
accelerate economic growth and job creation in rural
and underserved communities. Clearly describe how RII
C2 activities will prepare and engage the diverse next
generation STEM workforce to be able to design, deploy,
manage, and use new generations of cyber based
technology and its applications. Describe specific
anticipated impacts of RII C2 enabled workforce
development on the employment outlook in the
jurisdiction.
4.7 Evaluation and Assessment (2 pages maximum). A
comprehensive evaluation and assessment plan must be
included. The plan must identify metrics to be used to
evaluate and assess demonstrative impacts and outcomes,
both during and after the award period. The narrative
should indicate how the planned inter/intra campus
connectivity will advance scientific, educational, and
economic competitiveness within the jurisdiction. The
plan must include review, evaluation, and assessment by
a diverse group of independent external experts.
4.8 Sustainability (2 pages maximum). A plan for
long term sustainability of the improved cyber
connectivity and broadband access, including
maintenance, upgrades, and replacement of physical
infrastructure, as appropriate, must be presented.
This plan must contain a strategy for sustaining the
RII C2 enabled improvements in research and education
within the jurisdiction, as well as strategies to
ensure continuity of training and professional
development activities for educators, technicians, and
other personnel.
4.9 Management Plan (2 pages maximum). The plan must
describe how the project will be managed and provide a
description of the roles of all individuals and
organizations involved. Also, the plan should include
a description of how the management team will
coordinate with the existing management structures of
other RII projects. In addition, the plan must
describe how the team will coordinate the investments
and activities across various academic campuses. It is
important that the project's management team be
sufficient in number, diversity, and expertise to
assume technical and administrative oversight of the
project. It is expected that the management team will
be responsible for working with other public and
private sector partners to expand access to and breadth
of broadband services across the jurisdiction.
5. References Cited in the Project Description should be listed here.
6. Biographical Sketches. Include a biographical sketch for each faculty
level participant according to standard NSF guidelines.
7. udget pages and budget justification. Complete budget pages for each
year of support (1-2). A two-year cumulative budget will be
automatically generated by FastLane. Also provide a budget
justification for the entire two years of support that may not
exceed 3 pages.
8. Current and Pending Support. List current and pending support for
each faculty level participant.
9. Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources
10. Supplementary Documentation
a. List of Participants. Provide a list of participating senior
investigators (faculty level and equivalent) by name,
organizational and departmental affiliation.
b. List of Conflicts. Provide a single, alphabetically ordered list
of conflicts of interests, including collaborators, and former
students and advisors for the PIs and key senior level
participants.
c. Letters of Commitment. Include only official letters with
specific commitments of resources from participating institutions
or organizations anticipated to receive subawards, or from
organizations that will provide resources for the project. Scan
your signed letters and upload them into the Supplementary
Documents section of FastLane, but do not send originals.
Note: Do not submit additional letters of support which do not
provide specific commitments of resources.
Proposers are reminded to identify the program solicitation number (NSF
09-569) 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.
B. Budgetary Information
Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is not required under this solicitation.
Other Budgetary Limitations:
Funding requests can be for durations of up to 2 years. Total budgets for
NSF support cannot exceed $1 million.
Budgets should include sufficient funding for participation in evaluative
activities including reverse site visits.
C. Due Dates
* Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
November 02, 2009
D. FastLane Requirements
Proposers are required to prepare and submit all proposals for this program
solicitation through use of the NSF FastLane system. Detailed instructions
regarding the technical aspects of proposal preparation and submission via
FastLane are available at: http://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.
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 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:
Reviewers for the RII Cyber Connectivity competition will also
consider the following specific aspects of intellectual merit and
broader impacts:
1. Strategic Fidelity and Impact. How well are the proposed cyber
connectivity enhancements and the education, diversity, workforce
development, and sustainability plans aligned with central
research themes? Is there sufficient alignment with other RII C2
investments in the jurisdictions? How is the project likely to
have the proposed impacts on the research and education
capability and capacity of the jurisdiction? How does each
proposed component contribute to improved competitiveness in
research, education, and innovation?
2. Value Added. How do the proposed activities add value at the
institutional, jurisdictional and regional levels in research,
education, and economic development? How will the additional
value be measured? How does the project advance the
jurisdiction's innovation and economic development plans through
greater emphasis on connections and linkages within and among
academic campuses and private and public sectors? How will the
proposed project result in increased diversity in the
jurisdiction's workforce?
3. RII C2-enabled Research and Education. How well are the proposed
cyber connectivity enhancements aligned with the needs and
priorities of the jurisdiction's research infrastructure
improvements, education, workforce development, external
engagement and economic development plans? How is the project
likely to have a meaningful impact on research and education
capacity and capability in the jurisdiction, especially in rural
and underserved areas? How will the proposed strategies,
programs, and projects advance the jurisdiction's innovation and
economic development? Do they give rise to greater emphasis on
creativity, inventiveness, technology transfer, potential
commercialization, and national R&D competitiveness?
How well are the proposed cyber connectivity plans coordinated
with existing and/or unfolding cyberinfrastructure plans and
strategies of the jurisdiction? How will the proposed activities
be integrated and coordinated with the existing and/or planned
RII Track-1, RII Track-2, or other RII relevant activities and
programs? In particular, how will the proposed broadband access
complement and enhance the cyber-related programs and activities
already in place? Is there a clear, comprehensive plan for cyber
connectivity and broadband access between and among campuses in
support of overall objectives in research, education, innovation
and economic development? How well articulated are the roles of
cyber connectivity and broadband access in the diversity and
workforce development plans of the jurisdiction? How do these
roles facilitate attainment of the goals of those plans?
4. Diversity. How clearly expressed is the current state of
diversity within the jurisdiction? How well conceived and
articulated are the plans to more broadly engage the
jurisdiction's human and institutional resources in pursuit of
the cyber enabled research and education goals? Is there a
clearly defined and accurate resourced path to increased
broadband access at 2-year, 4-year, rural, and minority serving
institutions?
5. Workforce Development. How will RII C2 activities contribute to
the development of the jurisdiction's STEM workforce? How well
does the plan create experiences that prepare tomorrow's
workforce to design, deploy, and use cyber based technologies?
Are the plan activities likely to accelerate the pace of positive
change leading to creation of new jobs and increased economic
prosperity? How does the workforce development plan build upon
and utilize existing state and regional networks that already
afford various levels of connectivity to universities, 2- and
4-year colleges, K-12 schools, and libraries?
6. External Engagement. How well is external engagement integrated
into the various elements of the RII C2 project? How does
external engagement spark new forms of collaboration and social
interaction such as e-learning or e-science? How effectively does
external engagement contribute to the efficient sharing of data
and information among and beyond project partners? Is there a
coordinated process for the collection and dissemination of major
results to various audiences, e.g., scientific and educational
communities, other EPSCoR jurisdictions, the general public, and
the NSF?
7. Evaluation and Assessment. How effective is the proposed plan
likely to be in measuring the outputs and outcomes of the RII C2
project? How clear and appropriate are the proposed metrics and
criteria for assessing project accomplishments according to a
well defined schedule? How clearly defined are processes for
reliably capturing and analyzing metric-related data and
reporting it in a timely manner? Are the appropriate formative
and summative evaluation plans for assessing status, major
impacts, and future directions described? How adequately
resourced are the evaluation and assessment tasks? Are the
independent, external evaluators appropriate?
8. Sustainability. How clear, reasonable, and viable are the plans
for sustainability? How does the plan address sustainability of
human, physical, and cyber infrastructure? How will the project
team contribute to the sustainability of a more competitive
research and education enterprise driven by cyber-based discovery
and innovation?
9. Management Plan. How clearly structured and likely to be
effective is the management plan? Do the Project Director and
the management team demonstrate the vision, experience and
capacity to lead the RII C2 project? Do the Project Director and
management team have knowledge of and connections with
appropriate national academic research networks? Are the
membership and roles of the jurisdiction's EPSCoR governing
committee and external advisors plainly identified, and is their
involvement in the project clear, well defined, and free of
conflicts of interest?
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 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
http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag.
Special Award Conditions:
The following special award conditions apply to awards made with funds
appropriated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
(ARRA):
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Award Terms
The Recovery Act mandates a significant level of transparency and
accountability. The law and implementing guidance identify specific
conditions for awards made with Recovery Act funding. As such, recipients
of ARRA funds must comply with standard NSF award conditions (Research
Terms and Conditions or Grant General Conditions, as applicable) as well as
the requirements set forth in ARRA, including, but not limited to, the
reporting requirements specified in the award term entitled, "Reporting and
Registration Requirements under Section 1512 of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public Law 111-5", as well as the accompanying
OMB guidance (available on the Recovery.gov website.) Awardees are advised
that failure to submit timely reports may result in NSF taking
administrative action, including disallowance of costs or suspension or
termination of the award.
All ARRA funded awards will incorporate the following language:
This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 (ARRA) (Public Law 111-5) and is subject to ARRA Terms and Conditions,
dated April 2009, available on the NSF website at:
http://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/award_conditions.jsp?org_NSF
Given the goals of the Recovery Act, awardees also are advised that they
are expected to expend funds in a timely manner of on allowable costs and
that NSF will be monitoring awards for expenditures. If, after 12 months,
no allowable expenditures have taken place, NSF may consider reducing or
terminating the award and reallocating the funds.
ARRA Award-Specific
There also may be ARRA award specific terms, as necessary and appropriate.
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.
Special reporting requirements apply to awards funded under the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Please refer to the Special
Award Conditions in Section VII.B. of this solicitation for additional
information.
VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS
General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:
* Denise M. Barnes, Program Director, 1122, telephone: (703) 292-5179,
fax: (703) 292-9047, email: dbarnes@nsf.gov
* Arlene A. Garrison, Program Director, 1122, telephone: (703) 292-8361,
fax: (703)-292-9047, email: aagarris@nsf.gov
* Maija M. Kukla, Program Director, 1122, telephone: (703) 292-4940,
fax: (703) 292-9047, email: mkukla@nsf.gov
* Uma D. Venkateswaran, Program Director, 1122, telephone: (703)
292-7732, fax: (703)-292-9047, email: uvenkate@nsf.gov
For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact:
* FastLane Help Desk, telephone: 1-800-673-6188; e-mail:
fastlane@nsf.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 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 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 (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,
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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