This document has been archived and replaced by NSF 11-533
(http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf11533).
TITLE: Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program (IGERT)
DATE: 12/29/2009
REPLACES: NSF 09-519
Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program (IGERT)
[1]Program Solicitation
NSF 10-523
Replaces Document(s):
NSF 09-519
NSF Logo
National Science Foundation
Directorate for Education & Human Resources
Division of Graduate Education
Directorate for Biological Sciences
Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering
Office of Cyberinfrastructure
Directorate for Engineering
Directorate for Geosciences
Office of Integrative Activities
Office of International Science and Engineering
Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences
Office of Polar Programs
Directorate for Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences
Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's
local time):
March 29, 2010
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
September 30, 2010
BY INVITATION ONLY
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND REVISION NOTES
A revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures
Guide (PAPPG) [2]NSF 10-1 was issued on October 1, 2009 and is
effective for proposals submitted on or after January 4, 2010. Please
be advised that the guidelines contained in [3]NSF 10-1 apply to
proposals submitted in response to this funding opportunity.
1. The organizational limit now specifies that the lead institution
must independently grant the Ph.D. degree in at least one of the
science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields supported
by the National Science Foundation in order to be eligible.
2. All IGERT projects must now specify how students will receive
training in communication of the substance and importance of
research to nonscientist audiences.
3. The number of faculty participants allowed on the first page of
the Project Description is now limited to 20 (inclusive of the PI
and co-PIs) for proposals without a funded international
component. If funded international activities are proposed, up to
5 additional collaborators from the international institutions may
be included in the list. All named participants must have a
biographical sketch included.
4. It is now made explicit that the participating institution(s)
is(are) responsible for tuition and required fees in excess of the
cost of education allowance.
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
General Information
Program Title:
Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program
(IGERT)
Synopsis of Program:
The Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT)
program has been developed to meet the challenges of educating U.S.
Ph.D. scientists and engineers who will pursue careers in research
and education, with the interdisciplinary backgrounds, deep
knowledge in chosen disciplines, and technical, professional, and
personal skills to become, in their own careers, leaders and
creative agents for change. The program is intended to catalyze a
cultural change in graduate education, for students, faculty, and
institutions, by establishing innovative new models for graduate
education and training in a fertile environment for collaborative
research that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. It is
also intended to facilitate diversity in student participation and
preparation, and to contribute to a world-class, broadly inclusive,
and globally engaged science and engineering workforce.
Cognizant Program Officer(s):
* Melur K. Ramasubramanian, IGERT Program Director, 875, telephone:
(703) 292-8696, fax: 703-292-9048, email: [4]mramasub@nsf.gov
Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):
* 47.041 --- Engineering
* 47.049 --- Mathematical and Physical Sciences
* 47.050 --- Geosciences
* 47.070 --- Computer and Information Science and Engineering
* 47.074 --- Biological Sciences
* 47.075 --- Social Behavioral and Economic Sciences
* 47.076 --- Education and Human Resources
* 47.078 --- Office of Polar Programs
* 47.079 --- Office of International Science and Engineering
* 47.080 --- Office of Cyberinfrastructure
* 47.081 --- Office of Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive
Research
Award Information
Anticipated Type of Award: Continuing Grant
Estimated Number of Awards: 18 new and renewal awards depending upon
the quality of proposals and availability of funds.
Anticipated Funding Amount: $10,800,000 - Up to $3.0M per award over 5
years pending availability of funds. For new awards in first year up
to $400K and additional $200K for start-up. In addition for
new/renewal awards up to $200K total per award for approx. 10 projects
with integrated international research activities in Years 2 - 5.
Eligibility Information
Organization Limit:
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
* U.S. academic institutions in the United States, its territories
or possessions that grant the Ph.D. degree in the sciences and
engineering may submit proposals. Projects may involve more than
one institution, but a single institution must accept overall
management responsibility. The lead institution must independently
grant the Ph.D. degree in at least one of the science, technology,
engineering and mathematics fields supported by the National
Science Foundation and at least one Ph.D. granting unit should
participate in the IGERT. Non-Ph.D. granting institutions,
nonacademic, and international organizations may serve as
collaborating organizations.
PI Limit:
The PI must be on the faculty of the submitting institution.
Limit on Number of Preliminary and Full Proposals per Organization:
* There is a limit of four (4) preliminary proposals that may be
submitted by an institution either as a single institution or as a
lead institution in a multi-institution preliminary proposal.
* There is no limit on the number of full proposals that may be
invited per institution from the preliminary proposal panels.
A multi-institutional proposal is defined as one that has at least
one co-PI at a different academic institution than that of the PI,
a subaward to a different academic institution than that of the PI,
or both.
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI:
Any given individual may participate as PI or co-PI in only one
proposal submission. That restriction applies to preliminary
proposals as well as full proposals. A PI or co-PI on one proposal
may serve as a faculty participant on other proposals.
Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
* Letters of Intent: Not Applicable
* Preliminary Proposals: Submission of Preliminary Proposals is
required. Please see the full text of this solicitation for
further information.
* Full Proposals:
+ Full Proposals submitted via FastLane: NSF Proposal and Award
Policies and Procedures Guide, Part I: Grant Proposal Guide
(GPG) Guidelines apply. The complete text of the GPG is
available electronically on the NSF website at:
[5]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:
[6]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grant
sgovguide)
B. Budgetary Information
* Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost Sharing is not required under this
solicitation.
* Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:
Partial reimbursement of indirect costs not to exceed 8% of total
direct costs, excluding equipment and cost-of-education
allowances, but not excluding participant support. Please note
this is in variance with Chapter II.C.2.g of the Grant Proposal
Guide and with Chapter V.7 of the NSF Grants.gov Application
Guide.
* Other Budgetary Limitations: Other budgetary limitations apply.
Please see the full text of this solicitation for further
information.
C. Due Dates
* Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m.
proposer's local time):
March 29, 2010
* Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
September 30, 2010
BY INVITATION ONLY
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
[7]Summary of Program Requirements
I. [8]Introduction
II. [9]Program Description
III. [10]Award Information
IV. [11]Eligibility Information
V. [12]Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
A. [13]Proposal Preparation Instructions
B. [14]Budgetary Information
C. [15]Due Dates
D. [16]FastLane/Grants.gov Requirements
VI. [17]NSF Proposal Processing and Review Procedures
A. [18]NSF Merit Review Criteria
B. [19]Review and Selection Process
VII. [20]Award Administration Information
A. [21]Notification of the Award
B. [22]Award Conditions
C. [23]Reporting Requirements
VIII. [24]Agency Contacts
IX. [25]Other Information
I. INTRODUCTION
The National Science Foundation continues the Integrative Graduate
Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program into its thirteenth
annual competition. Proposals for new and renewal IGERT projects will
be accepted. The IGERT program has been developed to meet the
challenges of educating U.S. Ph.D. scientists and engineers who will
pursue careers in research and education with the interdisciplinary
backgrounds, deep knowledge in chosen disciplines, and technical,
professional, and personal skills to become, in their own careers,
leaders and creative agents for change. The program is intended to
catalyze a cultural change in graduate education, for students,
faculty, and institutions, by establishing innovative models for
graduate education and training in a fertile environment for
collaborative research that transcends traditional disciplinary
boundaries. It is also intended to contribute to a world-class,
broadly inclusive, and globally engaged science and engineering
workforce.
IGERT is an NSF-wide endeavor involving the Directorates for
Biological Sciences (BIO), Computer and Information Science and
Engineering (CISE), Education and Human Resources (EHR), Engineering
(ENG), Geosciences (GEO), Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS),
Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE), the Office of Polar
Programs (OPP), the Office of Integrative Activities (OIA), the Office
of Cyberinfrastructure (OCI), and the Office of International Science
and Engineering (OISE). The IGERT program is managed by the Division
of Graduate Education in EHR.
II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Proposals submitted to the IGERT program must describe integrative,
research-based, graduate education and training activities in emerging
areas of science and engineering. The IGERT project should be
organized around an interdisciplinary theme that is based on
transformative interdisciplinary research in
science/technology/engineering/mathematical sciences. The proposed
IGERT should involve a diverse group of faculty members and other
investigators with appropriate expertise in research and teaching. The
interdisciplinary theme provides a framework for integrating research
and education and for promoting collaborative efforts within and
across departments and institutions. Students should gain the breadth
of skills, strengths, and understanding to work in an
interdisciplinary environment while being well grounded with depth of
knowledge in a major field. As an opportunity for faculty to
experiment with new approaches to graduate education, the IGERT
project should provide students with experience relevant to both
academic and nonacademic careers. This experience may involve such
activities as internships and mentoring in industrial, national
laboratory, academic, or other settings. Globalization of research and
career opportunities provides students with an international
perspective. This perspective may be gained through programs within
the institution, or through strongly integrated, collaborative
research experiences and/or fieldwork at foreign institutions and
sites. The graduate experience should contribute to the professional
and personal development of the students and equip them to understand
and integrate scientific, technical, business, social, ethical, policy
and global issues to confront the challenging problems of the future.
The IGERT project may draw upon investigators from one or more
academic departments within a single institution or from more than one
institution. The primary emphasis should be on integrative, innovative
approaches to education and training of doctoral students. While IGERT
stipends are primarily for supporting doctoral students, they may also
be used to support students from minority-serving masters-granting
institutions for the purpose of broadening participation of groups
underrepresented in science and engineering disciplines. For these
purposes, "underrepresented" is defined as American Indian/Alaskan
Native, Black, Hispanic, Pacific Islander (native of Hawaii, Guam,
Samoa), persons with disabilities, and/or female. In such cases, the
minority-serving institution must be a collaborating partner in the
IGERT program and the proposal must include a concrete plan for a
Masters-to-PhD bridging program. A non-exhaustive list of institutions
of higher education enrolling populations with significant percentages
of minority students, or that serve certain populations of minority
students under various programs created by Congress can be found at
[26]http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst.html.
Participation of individuals at the undergraduate level is encouraged.
However, IGERT funding itself may not be used to support
undergraduates. If awarded, IGERT projects have a wide variety of
sources for funding undergraduates through existing NSF programs such
as Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation
([27]http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13646&org=HRD&fro
m=home) and Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU). IGERTs can
draw upon a vast pool of REU sites for undergraduates
([28]http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5517) as well as
seek support for undergraduate research experiences through REU
supplements to NSF research grants. For IGERTs that contain a
component of research that would be funded by the Biological Sciences
Directorate, the IGERT can seek undergraduate students from
Undergraduate Research and Mentoring in the Biological Sciences (URM)
[29]http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=500036&org=DBI.
All stipend recipients supported by IGERT funds must be citizens or
permanent residents of the U.S., its territories or its possessions.
However, individuals, including foreign students, who are supported by
other sources of funds may participate in all IGERT activities; those
who do will be considered IGERT associates. In contributing to a
diverse science and engineering workforce for the future, the IGERT
project must include strategies for recruitment, mentoring, and
retention aimed at members of groups underrepresented in science and
engineering, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and
persons with disabilities. Projects are also encouraged to recruit
graduate students who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Services.
IGERT awardees may compete in the two-stage competition for a renewal
award. IGERT awards may be renewed only once. Renewal proposals
compete in the same pool as new proposals. Renewal proposals must
demonstrate excellence and significant achievements in the dimensions
of interdisciplinary research in science and/or engineering;
educational and curricular development; trainee outcomes; recruitment,
retention and successful progress of women, underrepresented
minorities, and persons with disabilities; and institutional impacts.
The proposal must address the expected added value, innovative and
cutting-edge aspects of each of these dimensions. Institutional
letters should explicitly explain why a renewal is needed and
explicitly how this renewal will contribute to sustainability, what
will be sustained and how it will be sustained. If more than half of
the leaders of the proposed IGERT (including the PI and co-PIs) and/or
more than half of the faculty participants in the proposed IGERT have
participated in a prior IGERT award, then this proposal will be
considered a renewal. For a renewal, the Renewal Box on the cover
sheet must be checked.
Features of IGERT Projects
IGERT projects are expected to incorporate and integrate the following
features:
* A comprehensive interdisciplinary theme, appropriate for
doctoral-level research, that serves as the foundation for
traineeship activities and is based on transformative
interdisciplinary research in
science/technology/engineering/mathematical sciences;
* Integration of the interdisciplinary research with innovative
graduate education and training mechanisms, curricula enhancement,
and other educational features that foster strong interactions
among participating students and faculty and develop an
appreciation for the global nature and context of the proposed
interdisciplinary theme;
* An environment that exposes students to a broad base of
state-of-the-art research instruments and equipment and
educational tools and methodologies;
* Career development opportunities, provision for developing
professional and personal skills, fostering an international
perspective, instruction in ethics and the responsible conduct of
research, and training in communication of the substance and
importance of research to nonscientist audiences;
* Program strategy and plan for recruitment, mentoring, retention,
and graduation of U.S. graduate students, including efforts aimed
at members of groups underrepresented in science and engineering
(a member of an underrepresented group is American Indian/Alaskan
Native, Black, Hispanic, Pacific Islander (native of Hawaii, Guam,
Samoa), a person with a disability, and/or female);
* Strategy and methodology for formative assessments of the
project's effectiveness by individuals internal and external to
the institution and program improvements based on these
assessments;
* Administrative plan and organizational structure that ensures
effective management of the project resources and any
international cooperative activities;
* Plan for dissemination of innovative graduate education activities
both within and outside the institution; and
* Institutional commitment to facilitating and furthering the plans
and goals of the IGERT project, to creating a supportive
environment for integrative research and education, to creating a
supportive environment for cyber-enabled audio and video
collaboration (see Collaboration Conferencing System requirements
in Special Award Conditions) and to institutionalizing the
successful elements of the project after NSF funding ends.
Proposals are expected to address all of the above topics.
Principal Investigator
The Principal Investigator (PI) shall be the Director of the IGERT
project and is expected to be an essential participant in its
educational and research activities. The lead institution will have
overall responsibility for administration of the award and the PI will
have the overall responsibility for the management of the project and
interactions with the NSF.
Two-Stage IGERT Competition
Proposers for new and renewal IGERT projects compete in a two-stage
process. In the first stage, proposers must submit a preliminary
proposal (limit four per institution) that outlines the planned IGERT
project. In the second stage, based on panel review of the preliminary
proposals, successful proposers will be invited to submit full
proposals. Only those proposers invited to submit full proposals may
do so, consistent with the institutional limitations discussed in
Section IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION (below). For renewal proposals,
site visits may be conducted as part of the review process.
III. AWARD INFORMATION
NSF plans to make approximately 18 new and renewal IGERT awards from
this competition as continuing grants, depending on the quality of the
proposals and the availability of funds. The anticipated funding
amount in FY 2011 is $10,800,000. For new projects, the first year
award will be up to $400,000 and in amounts up to $600,000 for each of
the next four years. For renewals, awards will be made in amounts up
to $600,000 per year for five years. Projects requiring substantially
lower levels of funding may also be proposed.
* For new IGERT projects only: Additional funds of up to $200,000
may be provided in Year 1 for purposes appropriate to the new
IGERT project, including shared research equipment,
special-purpose research materials, software, and databases, and
faculty release time for development of new curricula. (See
Section V. for additional information on Budget and Allowable
Costs.)
* For new and renewal IGERT projects: If proposed, additional
funding up to a total of $200,000 PER AWARD may also be provided
for IGERT projects that include strongly integrated international
training activities in Years 2 through 5. These activities should
be designed to significantly enhance the research, education, and
training experiences of the IGERT students. NSF plans on
allocating up to $2,000,000 from this competition to support well
integrated international research activities for approximately 10
of the IGERT awards.
IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
Organization Limit:
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
* U.S. academic institutions in the United States, its territories
or possessions that grant the Ph.D. degree in the sciences and
engineering may submit proposals. Projects may involve more than
one institution, but a single institution must accept overall
management responsibility. The lead institution must independently
grant the Ph.D. degree in at least one of the science, technology,
engineering and mathematics fields supported by the National
Science Foundation and at least one Ph.D. granting unit should
participate in the IGERT. Non-Ph.D. granting institutions,
nonacademic, and international organizations may serve as
collaborating organizations.
PI Limit:
The PI must be on the faculty of the submitting institution.
Limit on Number of Preliminary and Full Proposals per Organization:
* There is a limit of four (4) preliminary proposals that may be
submitted by an institution either as a single institution or as a
lead institution in a multi-institution preliminary proposal.
* There is no limit on the number of full proposals that may be
invited per institution from the preliminary proposal panels.
A multi-institutional proposal is defined as one that has at least
one co-PI at a different academic institution than that of the PI,
a subaward to a different academic institution than that of the PI,
or both.
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI:
Any given individual may participate as PI or co-PI in only one
proposal submission. That restriction applies to preliminary
proposals as well as full proposals. A PI or co-PI on one proposal
may serve as a faculty participant on other proposals.
Additional Eligibility Info:
Limit on Number of Preliminary Proposals: Projects involving
research in any of the areas appropriate for funding by the NSF are
eligible. An institution may submit no more than four preliminary
proposals either as a single institution or as a lead institution
in a multi-institution preliminary proposal. A multi-institution
proposal is defined as one that has at least one co-PI at a
different academic institution than that of the PI, a sub-award to
a different academic institution than that of the PI, or both.
Limit on Number of Full Proposals: Full proposals are by invitation
only.
Proposals for new IGERT projects as well as proposals for the
renewal of existing IGERT projects may be submitted. However, the
limit on the number of preliminary and full proposals an
institution may submit as lead institution applies to a combined
total of new and renewal IGERT proposals. There is no limit on the
number of multi-institution full proposals on which an institution
may participate as non-lead institution.
For purposes of this IGERT solicitation, separate institutions are
defined as those with separate Sponsored Projects Offices (SPO),
even if those institutions are different campuses of the same
multi-campus university. For example, if PIs at two different
campuses of an academic institution each submit a preliminary or a
full proposal through the same SPO, then both preliminary proposals
and both full proposals are counted toward the maximum for that
institution.
Limit on Renewals: IGERT awards may be renewed only once. If more
than half of the leaders of the proposed IGERT (including the PI
and co-PIs) and/or more than half of the faculty participants in
the proposed IGERT have participated in a prior IGERT award, then
this proposal will be considered a renewal.
V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
Preliminary Proposals (required): Preliminary proposals are required
and must be submitted via the NSF FastLane system.
All preliminary proposals submitted in response to this solicitation
must be submitted via the NSF FastLane system. IGERT does not accept
collaborative proposals as separate submissions from multiple
organizations.
PRELIMINARY PROPOSAL CONTENT
Preliminary proposals must contain the items listed below and adhere
to the specified page limitations and follow the GPG margin and
spacing requirements. No additional information may be provided by
links to web pages within the proposal, except as part of citations in
the References Cited section. At the preliminary proposal stage, up to
five letters of commitment from the submitting institution or other
organizations may be included. Letters from collaborating institutions
are strongly encouraged. Proposers should carefully review the
requirements that will be expected at the full proposal stage to
better understand how to prepare their preliminary proposals.
Proposers, collaborators and senior administrators are also strongly
encouraged to read NSF report 09-33, Impact of Transformative
Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education on Academic
Institutions, which may be obtained at
[30]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf0933.
Cover Sheet: Select the IGERT program solicitation number shown at the
beginning of this solicitation from the pull down menu, and then
select IGERT preliminary proposal for the program unit from the
ensuing screen. A short informative title for the proposed IGERT
project, that begins with "IGERT: ", must be provided. Check the box
indicated for preliminary proposal. FastLane allows one PI and at most
four Co-PIs to be designated. Additional lead personnel should be
designated as non co-PI Senior Personnel. If international activities
are proposed, the international activities box should be checked and
the countries involved listed. If the proposal is a renewal
application, the appropriate box should be checked and the original
proposal number indicated on the cover sheet. If more than half of the
leadership team, including the PI and co-PI(s), and/or more than half
of the participants in this proposal have participated as faculty in a
prior IGERT award, then this proposal will be considered a renewal.
A. Project Summary (1-page limit): Provide a summary description of
the IGERT project, including its research theme and key education
and training features, in a manner that will be informative to a
general technical audience. The project summary must consist of 4
parts: (1) At the top of this page include the title of the IGERT
project, the name of the PI, and the lead institution. Also list
any other participating institutions/organizations and indicate
whether this is a multi-institution proposal; (2) provide a
succinct summary of the intellectual merit of the proposal using
"Intellectual Merit" as a heading; (3) describe the broader
impacts for the proposed IGERT project using "Broader Impacts" as
a heading; and (4) at the end of the project summary provide up to
4 key words. Select up to 3 key words from the list provided below
that best describe the major themes of the interdisciplinary
research proposed in their order of importance:
* Biology
* Chemistry
* Computer Science/Information Technology; Cyberinfrastructure
* Engineering
* Environmental Science
* Geoscience
* Materials Research
* Mathematics
* Physics
* Polar Sciences
* Social Science; Behavioral and Cognitive Science
In addition one key word of the proposer's own choosing may be
included at the end of the list.
B. Table of Contents: For all proposals submitted, a Table of
Contents is generated and cannot be edited.
C. Project Description: The project description contains the
following items: 1 through 7, which are limited to a combined
total length of 9 pages, inclusive of tables, figures, or other
graphical data. The research and education discussions in items 3
and 4 should be balanced in length.
1. List of Participants (1-page limit): For up to 20 faculty members
and other senior personnel expected to have the greatest roles in
the project include: name, project role (PI, co-PI, faculty
participant), departmental and institution/organization
affiliation, disciplines and/or areas of expertise, and the award
numbers of any IGERT in which the faculty member was a named
participant and their role in that IGERT (PI, co-PI, faculty
participant). These should be the same key faculty members and
other senior personnel for which biographical sketches are later
included. More than 20 participants may be a part of an IGERT
project but no more than 20 may be listed. If funded international
activities are proposed, up to 5 additional collaborators from the
international institutions may be included in the list. These
should be the same international participants for which
biographical sketches are later included. Include the same
information as for domestic participants, as well as the host
country of the international collaborator is participating from.
Templates for projects with or without the optional international
funding component are provided below
Name
Role
Institution / Organization
Expertise
Previous IGERT experience? (Award #, Role)
PI name
PI
Department, Institution
Relevant areas of expertise
Co-PI name
Co-PI
Department, Institution
Relevant areas of expertise
0123456, Faculty participant
Faculty participant name
Faculty participant
Department, Institution
Relevant areas of expertise
If funded international activities are proposed:
Name
Role
Institution / Organization
Country
Expertise
International collaborator
International collaborator
International institution
Location
Relevant areas of expertise
Acronyms may be used if defined.
2. Vision, Goals, and Thematic Basis: Describe the vision, goals, and
anticipated impact of the proposed IGERT project. Describe the
thematic basis and unifying aspects of the interdisciplinary
research and educational activities to be offered including how
trainees will develop an appreciation for the global nature and
context of the proposed interdisciplinary theme, whether or not
funds for international work are requested.. Include a discussion
of what is currently missing from graduate education and training
or what could be done more effectively, and how the proposed
project will address these issues. Summarize the value-added
aspects of the proposed project, and be specific about what is new
and innovative. Proposals must clearly articulate project
objectives, planned outcomes with respect to recruitment,
retention, degree conferral, career placement of trainees, project
monitoring guidelines, and how outcomes will be measured. The
elements of the project that can be sustained after NSF funding
ceases should be identified. Renewal proposals must describe how
they will add further value, innovation and cutting-edge aspects
with respect to interdisciplinary research/science/engineering;
education/curriculum, trainee outcomes; recruitment, retention,
and successful progress of women, underrepresented minorities, and
persons with disabilities; and institutional impacts.
3. Major Research Efforts: Describe the major research efforts, their
transformative aspects, and how they are interwoven and integrated
to form the thematic basis for the interdisciplinary project. The
research efforts should be described in sufficient detail for
reviewers to assess their scientific merit and relevance to the
project theme. When an international component requiring funding
is included, describe how it is to be integrated in the core
research, education, and training activities of the IGERT project.
Renewal proposals must explicitly address the added value of this
interdisciplinary research effort beyond that of the previous
IGERT.
4. Education and Training: Describe the graduate education and
training mechanisms that are central to the IGERT project, the
logic and evidence to support them, and how they are to be
integrated with the research and across the disciplines. Novel
aspects should be emphasized to enable assessment of their
innovation and potential impact. Discuss how trainees will develop
an appreciation for and the skills required to be successful in
the global context of the proposed interdisciplinary theme,
whether or not funding for an international component is
requested. If additional funding for international activities is
requested, discuss the benefits of these international research
experiences (e.g., quality of research partners, development of
long-term international research partnerships, etc.). Discuss how
trainees will be instructed in communication of the substance and
importance of their research to nonscientist audiences. Discuss
plans for how students will be recruited and mentored as well as
career development opportunities, provisions for developing
professional and personal skills, fostering an international
perspective and ability to work in diverse teams, and integrating
instruction in ethics and the responsible conduct of research.
Discuss the strategies and plans for recruiting and retaining
students from groups underrepresented in science and engineering.
Describe the nature and extent of connections with recruitment,
retention, and professional development programs available at the
institution, particularly those supported by NSF such as Alliances
for Graduate Education and the Professoriate, Louis Stokes
Alliances for Minority Participation, Tribal Colleges and
Universities Program, Historically Black Colleges and
Universities-Undergraduate Program, and the Centers for Research
Excellence in Science and Technology
([31]http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=HRD) If your campus
participates in an NSF-sponsored program to enhance diversity
(AGEP, LSAMP, HBCU-UP, TCUP, CREST) you are strongly encouraged to
partner with them as part of your overall recruitment strategy.
NSF REU sites provide a vast pool of undergraduates from which to
recruit, and for IGERT proposals that contain a component of
research that would be funded by the Biological Sciences
Directorate, the IGERT can seek undergraduate students from
Undergraduate Research Mentoring in the Biological Sciences
([32]http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=500036&org=DB
I). Projects are also encouraged to recruit graduate students who
are veterans of the U.S. Armed Services. Renewal proposals must
explicitly address the added value of the proposed education and
training effort beyond that of the previous IGERT.
5. Institutional Commitment (1-page limit): Describe the commitment
that the institution will make to facilitating and furthering
project plans and goals and to creating a supportive environment
for interdisciplinary research and education. Indicate how student
and faculty diversity will be promoted as an integral part of the
project. Describe any plans for collaborating with recruitment,
retention, and professional development programs available at the
institution, particularly those supported by NSF such as those
listed above. If your institution already has one or more IGERT
awards, describe how the proposed IGERT will interact with, learn
from, and build upon the existing award(s). Proposals from
institutions that have received one or more previous IGERTs must
include an explicit explanation of the impact of previous IGERTs
on graduate education and interdisciplinary science at the
institution and the intended institutional impact of the currently
proposed IGERT must be included. Renewal proposals must explicitly
address the added value of this institutional commitment beyond
that of the previous IGERT.
6. Other Resources and Connections (1-page limit): Describe
anticipated resource commitments to the IGERT project by other
participating organizations, such as industry, government,
non-U.S. institutions, and private foundations. Describe the
nature and extent of connections with existing NSF
multidisciplinary and industry-related programs such as those
listed under "Full Proposal-Organization, Management, and
Institutional Commitment." Proposers proposing international
activities may wish to consult the OISE (Office of International
Science and Engineering) member of the IGERT Coordinating
Committee; the list of members is available at
[33]http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/igert/cc.jsp.
7. Recent Traineeship Experience (if applicable): Describe prior
experience of the PI and/or Co-PIs with and outcomes of any
related graduate traineeship project, including IGERT projects,
during the past five years. Address the outcomes of the previous
award(s) including but not limited to trainee outcomes,
interdisciplinary science, institutional impacts, or other
outcomes relevant to the specific project or institution. If more
than half of the leadership team, including the PI, and co-PIs,
and/or more than half of the participants in a proposal have
participated as faculty in a prior IGERT award, then this proposal
will be considered a renewal. For an IGERT renewal, the outcomes
of the prior award must be addressed with respect to demonstrated
excellence and significant achievements in the dimensions of the
interdisciplinary research in science and/or engineering;
education/curriculum; trainee outcomes; recruitment, retention,
and successful progress of women, underrepresented minorities, and
persons with disabilities; and institutional impacts. The renewal
box on the cover sheet must be checked.
References Cited (1-page limit). Cite references relevant to both the
scientific and educational plans.
Biographical Sketches and Current and Pending Support: A maximum of 20
biographical sketches may be included. Additional individuals may be
included in the List of Participants, Section(C).1. Prepare the
standard 2-page biographical sketches in accordance with the Grant
Proposal Guide. In choosing what to include, emphasize information
that will be helpful for understanding the strengths, qualifications,
and specific impact the individual brings to the IGERT project.
Current and pending support information is not required for
preliminary proposals.
F. Budget: No budget is required for preliminary proposals; however,
please enter $2 in the Requested Amount box on the FastLane cover
sheet (this entry allows correct FastLane processing). The PI
should examine the budget instructions for the Full Proposal so
that the activities proposed are congruent with the budget
framework.
G. Supplementary Documentation: Because the IGERT program seeks to
catalyze institutional change in graduate education, indications
of institutional commitment for the program and its
sustainability, through whatever means seem most appropriate, must
be included in the proposal. Up to five letters of commitment,
including one that must be from the senior administration of the
submitting institution, may be provided as part of the proposal.
All IGERT preliminary proposals must include at least one internal
letter of commitment, which should come from the appropriate
senior institutional administrator. Letters of commitment from the
lead institution should specify how the institution will
facilitate implementation of the IGERT and support its goals over
the life of the award, including broadening participation; they
should also specify what features are expected to be sustained
after the award has ended, and how they will be sustained. Letters
from the lead institution may be up to two pages in length.
Letters of commitment from outside the lead institution, if
appropriate, must be included from major key outside partners
(institutions, organizations, or individuals) involved in the
IGERT, as well as from any outreach organization that may be
assisting the IGERT to broaden participation of underrepresented
groups in its program. These external letters should include a
description of the role that the partner will play in the IGERT
(i.e., provide internships, access to laboratories, industry
mentors, field logistics, outreach to groups underrepresented in
science and engineering, etc.). External letters should also
include specific details regarding the partner's contribution to
the IGERT, such as location and specified period for the
internships, access to specific instrumentation, laboratory or
computing facilities, specific plan for recruitment of diverse
IGERT participants, etc.). Each external letter must be one page
or less in length. Proposers, collaborators and senior
administrators are also strongly encouraged to read NSF report
09-33, Impact of Transformative Interdisciplinary Research and
Graduate Education on Academic Institutions, which may be obtained
at
[34]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf0933.
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:
[35]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
[36]nsfpubs@nsf.gov. Proposers are reminded to identify this
program solicitation number in the program solicitation block on
the NSF Cover Sheet For Proposal to the National Science
Foundation. Compliance with this requirement is critical to
determining the relevant proposal processing guidelines. Failure
to submit this information may delay processing.
* Full proposals submitted via Grants.gov: Proposals submitted in
response to this program solicitation via Grants.gov should be
prepared and submitted in accordance with the NSF Grants.gov
Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of
NSF Applications via Grants.gov. The complete text of the NSF
Grants.gov Application Guide is available on the Grants.gov
website and on the NSF website at:
([37]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgo
vguide). To obtain copies of the Application Guide and Application
Forms Package, click on the Apply tab on the Grants.gov site, then
click on the Apply Step 1: Download a Grant Application Package
and Application Instructions link and enter the funding
opportunity number, (the program solicitation number without the
NSF prefix) and press the Download Package button. Paper copies of
the Grants.gov Application Guide also may be obtained from the NSF
Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail
from [38]nsfpubs@nsf.gov.
FULL PROPOSAL CONTENT
Only those proposers invited to submit full proposals may do so.
Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their preliminary
proposal submission approximately three (3) months prior to the full
proposal deadline. No additional information may be provided by links
to web pages within the proposal, except as part of citations in the
References Cited section. Proposals that exceed the specified page
limitations may be returned without review. IGERT does not accept
collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from
multiple organizations. One representative from the leadership team
(PI, co-PI, or project coordinator) of each preliminary proposal
invited for development and submission as a full proposal will be
strongly advised to participate in a web based discussion prior to
full proposal submission. All major aspects of proposal development
and preparation will be covered. Topics will include Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) on each of the important aspects of the proposal such
as the interdisciplinary theme, educational plan, plans for broadening
participation, international activities (if proposed), as well as the
budget. The letter of full proposal invitation sent to the PI will
include a list of dates for the web-based discussions. Proposers are
also strongly encouraged to read NSF report 09-33, Impact of
Transformative Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education on
Academic Institutions, which may be obtained at
[39]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf0933.
Cover Sheet: For proposals submitted via FastLane, select the IGERT
program solicitation number shown at the beginning of this
solicitation from the pull down menu, and then select IGERT Full
Proposal for the program unit from the ensuing screen. For proposals
submitted via FastLane or Grants.gov, a short informative title for
the proposed IGERT project, that begins with "IGERT: ", must be
provided. Enter the related preliminary proposal number in the
appropriate box. If international activities requiring funding are
proposed, the international cooperative activities box should be
checked and the countries involved listed. If the proposal is a
renewal proposal, check the appropriate box and type in the proposal
number. A starting date of July 1, 2010 or later should be listed.
A. Project Summary (1-page limit): Provide a summary description of
the IGERT project, including its research theme and key education
and training features, in a manner that will be informative to a
general technical audience. The project summary must consist of 4
parts: (1) At the top of this page include the title of the IGERT
project, the name of the PI, and the lead institution. Also list
any other participating institutions/organizations, and indicate
whether this is a multi-institution proposal; (2) provide a
succinct summary of the intellectual merit of the proposal using
"Intellectual Merit" as a heading; (3) describe the broader
impacts for the proposed IGERT program using "Broader Impacts" as
a heading; and (4) at the end of the project summary provide up to
4 key words. Select up to 3 key words from the list provided below
that best describe the major themes of the interdisciplinary
research proposed in their order of importance:
* Biology
* Chemistry
* Computer Science/Information Technology; Cyberinfrastructure
* Engineering
* Environmental Science
* Geoscience
* Materials Research
* Mathematics
* Physics
* Polar Sciences
* Social Science; Behavioral and Cognitive Science
In addition one key word of the proposer's own choosing may be
included at the end of the list.
B. Table of Contents: For all proposals submitted, a Table of
Contents is generated and cannot be edited.
C. Project Description: The project description section contains the
following items: 1 through 10. Items 1 through 8 are limited to a
combined total length of 25 pages, inclusive of tables, figures,
or other graphical data. The research and education discussions in
items 3 and 4 (below) should be balanced in length.
1. List of Participants (1-page limit): For up to 20 faculty members
and other senior personnel expected to have the greatest roles in
the project include: name, project role (PI, co-PI, faculty
participant), departmental and institution/organization
affiliation, disciplines and/or areas of expertise, and the award
numbers of any IGERT in which the faculty member was a named
participant and their role in that IGERT (PI, co-PI, faculty
participant). These should be the same key faculty members and
other senior personnel for which biographical sketches are later
included. More than 20 participants may be a part of an IGERT
project but no more than 20 may be listed. If funded international
activities are proposed, up to 5 additional collaborators from the
international institutions may be included in the list. These
should be the same international participants for which
biographical sketches are later included. Include the same
information as for domestic participants, as well as the host
country of the international collaborator. Templates for projects
with or without the optional international funding component are
provided below.
Name
Role
Institution / Organization
Expertise
Previous IGERT experience? (Award #, Role)
PI name
PI
Department, Institution
Relevant areas of expertise
Co-PI name
Co-PI
Department, Institution
Relevant areas of expertise
0123456, Faculty participant
Faculty participant name
Faculty participant
Department, Institution
Relevant areas of expertise
If funded international activities are proposed:
Name
Role
Institution / Organization
Country
Expertise
International collaborator
International collaborator
International institution
Location
Relevant areas of expertise
Acronyms may be used if defined.
2. Vision, Goals, and Thematic Basis: Discuss the vision, goals, and
broader impacts of the proposed IGERT project. Describe the
thematic basis and unifying aspects of the interdisciplinary
research and educational activities to be offered. Include a
discussion of what is currently missing from graduate education
and training or what could be done more effectively, and how the
proposed project will address these issues. Benefits to be
realized from opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in
research and education should be emphasized. Describe how trainees
will develop an appreciation for the global nature and context of
the proposed interdisciplinary theme whether or not funds for the
international component are requested. Summarize the value-added
aspects of the proposed project, and be specific about what is new
and innovative. Proposals should clearly articulate project
objectives, planned outcomes with respect to recruitment,
retention, degree conferral, and career placement of trainees;
project monitoring guidelines; and how outcomes will be measured.
Renewal proposals based on existing IGERT projects must
specifically address how they will add value and cutting-edge
aspects in this new proposal with respect to interdisciplinary
research/science/engineering; education/curriculum; trainee
outcomes; recruitment, retention, and successful progress of
women, underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities;
and institutional impacts. Renewal proposals must clearly indicate
what improvements and innovations are proposed for the renewal
period, the plans for evaluating the impact of the project,
documenting and disseminating to the appropriate professional
communities what was learned from the project, and sustaining the
essential elements of the project after NSF funding ceases.
3. Major Research Efforts: Describe the major interdisciplinary
research efforts, their transformative aspects, and how the
interdisciplinary research efforts are interwoven and integrated
to form the thematic basis for the interdisciplinary project. For
each research area described, specify the faculty members and
other principals involved, and provide sufficient detail to enable
assessment of the scientific merit and relevance to the overall
project theme. Needs for special materials, shared equipment,
travel to research sites, or interdisciplinary curriculum
development must be justified in the context of the research theme
and breadth of challenges involved. When an international
component requiring funding is proposed, describe how it is to be
integrated into the core research, education, and training
activities of the IGERT project. Renewal proposals must explicitly
address the added value of the proposed research effort over and
above that of the previous IGERT.
4. Education and Training: Describe the graduate education and
training mechanisms that are central to the IGERT project, the
logic and evidence to support them, and how they are to be
integrated with the research and across the disciplines. Novel
aspects should be emphasized to enable assessment of the
innovation and potential impact. Specify faculty members and other
participants with primary responsibility for these integrative
efforts. Describe strategies for developing a community of
students. Discuss plans for providing career development
opportunities, developing professional and personal skills,
instruction in communicating the substance and importance of their
research to nonscientist audiences, fostering an international
perspective and ability to work in diverse teams, and integrating
instruction in ethics and the responsible conduct of research. If
planned student training includes internships, fieldwork, or other
opportunities, domestic and foreign, identify the potential
mentors and discuss how the opportunity is intended to strengthen
both a student's graduate experience and the IGERT project. If an
international component is proposed for funding, discuss the
benefits of international research experiences (e.g. quality of
research partners, development of long-term international research
partnerships, etc.). Whether or not an international experience
requiring funding is proposed, discuss how trainees will develop
an appreciation for and the skills required to be successful in
the global context of the proposed interdisciplinary theme.
Supporting letters from host organizations should document
willingness to receive students and the expected role of
individual mentors. Show typical student pathways through the
program and the effect on expected time to degree and career
progression. The role of undergraduates in this project, if
proposed, must be fully described. IGERT programs are encouraged
to consider involving undergraduate students via the REU Site
Program [40]http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm.
Renewal proposals must explicitly address the added value of the
proposed education and training effort beyond that of the previous
IGERT.
5. Organization, Management, and Institutional Commitment: Describe
plans and procedures for the organization and management of the
IGERT project. The plans should be specific and include use of a
formal mechanism that assures the fair and effective allocation of
IGERT resources and enables faculty members, students, and others
to interact effectively in furthering project goals. Plans should
include provision for an external advisory body. Indicate the
institutional or departmental obstacles you foresee in
implementing your project, and how you plan to address them.
Describe the commitment of the institution at all appropriate
administrative levels to facilitating and furthering the plans and
goals of the IGERT project and to creating a supportive
environment for integrative research and education. Address how
your institution will create a supportive environment for
cyber-enabled audio and video collaboration in alignment with the
IGERT Collaboration Conferencing capability (for details and
specific requirements see Special Award Conditions). A supporting
letter of commitment from the senior administration of the
submitting institution must accompany this proposal. For
institutions that have received one or more previous IGERTs, the
supporting letter must also include an explicit explanation of the
impact of previous IGERTs on graduate education and
interdisciplinary science at the institution and the intended
institutional impact of the currently proposed IGERT. Should a
multi-institution project be proposed, then provide a careful
justification that considers the administrative complexity and the
expected benefits to student experiences. Discuss the role of any
other academic institutions or organizations such as industry,
government, non-U.S. institutions, or private foundations that are
expected to participate in the IGERT project. Describe the nature
and extent of connections with existing NSF multidisciplinary and
industry-related programs such as the Science and Technology
Centers ([41]http://www.nsf.gov/od/oia/programs/stc/), Science of
Learning Centers
([42]http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5567),
Engineering Research Centers
([43]http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5502),
Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers
([44]http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5295), Grant
Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry
([45]http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13706), and
other IGERT awards at the participating institutions. Discuss
plans for sustaining the key features of the IGERT project after
NSF funding is completed. Renewal proposals must explicitly
address what was learned from the management, organizational an
institutional commitment efforts of the previous IGERT and
describe the added value of the proposed effort beyond that of the
previous IGERT.
6. Performance Assessment / Project Evaluation: Describe an annual
evaluation plan that will be used by the project team to evaluate
success in meeting project goals. The plan should include project
goals for students, faculty, and departments to be evaluated;
measurable evaluation questions and indicators based on the
project goals; and a summary design of the proposed evaluation,
including proposed data collection methods, timeline, and
assignment of responsibilities. Address the following priorities
in the plan, plus any others that may be appropriate: assessing
effectiveness of recruitment strategies, including efforts to
recruit women, minorities, and persons with disabilities;
assessing effectiveness of training and mentoring activities;
examining trainee progress, achievements, skills development, and
career preparation over time; identifying project impacts on
participating faculty and departments/institutions, especially
with respect to interdisciplinary graduate education; and
providing formative assessment to improve the project. Projects
should use evaluators external to the project to help plan and
conduct evaluations, in addition to internal mechanisms and
advisory committees. In annual reports to the NSF, project PIs
will be asked to assess project success in fostering trainee
growth and summarize academic and professional training
accomplishments, institutional impacts, and assessment and
evaluation activities. Renewal proposals must explicitly address
what was learned from the evaluation efforts of the previous IGERT
and describe the added value of the proposed effort beyond that of
the previous IGERT.
7. Recruitment, Mentoring, and Retention: Describe plans for
recruitment, mentoring, and retention of U.S. graduate students,
including specific provisions aimed at members of groups
underrepresented in science and engineering. A member of an
under-represented group is American Indian/Alaskan native, Black,
Hispanic, Pacific Islander (native of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa),
disabled, and/or female. Discuss how new students will be staged
into the program, the Ph.D. programs in which the IGERT graduate
students may enroll, the duration and level of their support with
IGERT funds, and provisions for continued support through the
completion of degree. IGERT support for two years (24 months) or
longer for each student is strongly recommended. Alternative plans
for student support, if appropriate, must be justified in the
proposal. Describe the diversity makeup of faculty participating
in the IGERT project. If applicable, discuss how undergraduate
student participation will be used to further the goals of
attracting and graduating members of underrepresented groups.
Describe the nature and extent of connections with recruitment,
retention, and professional development programs available at the
institution, particularly those supported by NSF such as Alliances
for Graduate Education and the Professoriate, Louis Stokes
Alliances for Minority Participation, Tribal Colleges and
Universities Program, Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- Undergraduate Program, and the Centers for Research Excellence
in Science and Technology
([46]http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=HRD). If your campus
currently participates in an NSF-sponsored program to enhance
diversity (AGEP, LSAMP, HBCU-UP, TCUP, CREST, etc.) you are
strongly encouraged to partner with them as part of your overall
recruitment strategy. Projects are also encouraged to recruit
graduate students who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Services.
Renewal proposals must explicitly address what was learned from
the recruitment, mentoring and retention efforts of the previous
IGERT and describe the added value of the proposed effort beyond
that of the previous IGERT.
8. Recent Traineeship Experience and IGERT Renewals (if applicable;
up to 5 pages, within the 25-page limit for project description):
Describe the experience of the PI and/or co-PIs with any related
graduate traineeship project, including IGERT projects, during the
past 5 years. Address the outcomes of the previous award(s)
including but not limited to trainee outcomes, interdisciplinary
science, institutional impacts, or other outcomes relevant to the
specific project or institution. If more than half of the
leadership team, including the PI and co-PIs, and/or more than
half of the faculty in this proposal have participated in a prior
IGERT award, then this proposal will be considered a renewal
proposal. For an IGERT renewal, the outcomes of the prior award
must be addressed with regard to demonstrated excellence and
significant achievements in the dimensions of: the
interdisciplinary research in science and/or engineering;
education/curriculum; trainee outcomes; recruitment, retention,
and successful progress of women, underrepresented minorities, and
persons with disabilities; and institutional impacts. The Renewal
Box on the cover sheet must be checked.
9. International Collaboration (for applicants requesting additional
funds of up to a total of $200,000 per award; 2-page limit):
Describe the procedures and arrangements for selecting, preparing,
and sending IGERT students to foreign sites for collaborative
research and education. Discuss the capabilities and resources to
be made available to IGERT students at the foreign host
institution. Explain the nature and content of activities abroad
(e.g., mentoring and training) and how these experiences will be
integrated into and benefit the overall IGERT project, including
trainees who do not travel. Address the practical aspects of
sending U.S. students abroad, including logistical arrangements,
language and cultural issues, and supervision abroad to ensure the
student's welfare.
10. Recruitment and Retention History (1 page per participating
department/program): Explain your capacity to host an IGERT
project, and past performance, resources, and ability to attract
well-qualified U.S. graduate students in science and engineering,
including those from underrepresented groups. Provide specific
information in a tabular format for the last three years,
regarding recruitment and retention of students in the
participating departments/programs and compare it to the national
data in the respective fields
([47]http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/). These data will be used by
reviewers to help them evaluate your recruitment/retention
strategies and plans. For renewal proposals provide these data for
all students participating in the project. Renewal proposals must
also clearly address efforts made and results achieved toward
increasing participation of women and minority student, and
persons with disabilities, both students and faculty, and outline
new approaches, if appropriate, to increase or sustain the
diversity goals. These data will help reviewers to evaluate
success in this part of the IGERT mission. Templates for both new
and renewal projects are provided below. Individual students may
be counted in each category for which they are appropriate.
NEW PROPOSALS
Provide data on US citizens and permanent residents only for the past
3 academic years for each participating department in the proposed
IGERT.
SAMPLE
PhD-granting Department or Equivalent
Mathematics
W
Min
D
Other
Total
No. applicants to PhD program
11
4
1
34
48
No. applicants accepted by program
5
2
1
13
19
No. that matriculated
4
1
0
11
15
No. students who withdrew
1
0
0
1
2
No. PhDs awarded
1
2
0
4
6
No. currently enrolled
6
3
1
15
23
Provide employment information (employer, position) for all US
citizens or permanent residents who have received PhD in department
during past 3 years. Add additional lines as needed. Enter "unknown"
in cases when you are unsure of place of employment and/or position.
Employer Name
Position
SAMPLE - Do not provide student name
Univ of Alabama
Asst Prof
Legend: W-women; Min-minorities; D-persons with disabilities
RENEWAL PROPOSALS
Provide data on US citizens and permanent residents only for the past
3 academic years for the original IGERT award - see above template
D. References Cited (3-page limit) in FastLane; or Bibliography &
References Cited in Grants.gov.
E. Biographical Sketches and Current and Pending Support: A maximum
of 20 biographical sketches may be included, with up to 5
additional biographical sketches of international participants
when international activities requiring funding are proposed. The
standard NSF 2-page biographical sketches for the PI, co-PI's, and
participants listed on the first page of the project description
should be prepared in accordance with instructions in the Grant
Proposal Guide. Current and pending support is required only for
the PI and co-PI's.
F. Budget and Allowable Costs: Provide a budget for each year of
support requested. For new awards, the amount requested should not
exceed $400,000 for the first year and $600,000 each year for
years two through five. The first-year budget for new awards only
may include up to an additional $200,000 as a special allocation
for purposes discussed below. For renewal awards the budget should
not exceed $600,000 each year.
In addition to the amounts described above, for either new or
renewal awards, if a funded international component has been
proposed in years 2-5, additional funds not to exceed a total of
$200,000 per award may be included to support this effort. The
additional funds requested for international activities should be
sufficient and appropriate to enable IGERT students to benefit from
the unique experience of conducting research and education in a
foreign setting. International activities should benefit both the
IGERT trainees who travel and those that do not. All international
activities are expected to complement or enhance the
interdisciplinary IGERT theme.
The preponderance of international support is intended to benefit
graduate students through internships (university, government and
industry), collaborative research and/or fieldwork with foreign
collaborators, or in other settings appropriate to the research
area. Time spent abroad should be of sufficient duration to
acculturate the student and should provide a meaningful research
and education experience. Funds may be used to prepare students to
be successful in the international setting (pre-departure
orientations, language or special training). Funds may also be used
for short-term visits by IGERT faculty to foreign sites for
supervising students, coordinating research and networking with
foreign scientists. Requests for travel for the sole purpose of
attending international conferences or workshops are not
appropriate. In addition to trainee stipends, funds may be used for
trainee international and in-country travel, living expenses, and
limited support for research and education related costs abroad
such as bench fees and/or field guides. Funds cannot be used to
defray the costs of non-IGERT personnel. Reciprocal visits by
foreign researchers and students to the U.S. institutions are
encouraged, but NSF funds cannot be used to support such visits.
Country-specific conditions apply. Proposers should consult the
Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE) member of
the IGERT Coordinating Committee. Please refer to the web link
provided in section VIII.
A cumulative budget will automatically be generated for the
proposal. Awarded funds not expended in the specific year requested
may be carried over only with appropriate justification provided in
the annual report to NSF and with the approval of the cognizant
program officer.
The major portion of the funds must be used for doctoral student
stipends and educational and training activities. A limited amount
of funds may be budgeted for necessary administrative support
(including personnel for management/administration), support of
short-term visitors, and to partially defray the costs of research
and publication by students. No funds for faculty salaries will be
provided, with the following exceptions: (a) one month per year of
salary support for the Principal Investigator for management
purposes; (b) up to 4 months total of faculty salary support for
development of IGERT curricula. The faculty salary support for
development of curricula should be requested from within the
first-year special allocation; however, its expenditure may be
extended over the first two years of IGERT project activity. The
budget should also include funds for travel for the PI, one
graduate student and one administrator to attend the annual IGERT
PI meeting in the Washington DC area, and in year 1 only, for the
PI to attend a one-day orientation meeting in the Washington DC
area.
The NSF contribution to graduate student stipends is currently
$30,000 per year per IGERT trainee for a 12-month appointment, and
budgeting for stipends should be made on this basis for each year
of the award. All IGERT-supported students are expected to be
full-time IGERT trainees. IGERT support for 2 years (24 months per
student) or longer is strongly recommended. Alternative plans for
graduate student support must be justified in the proposal. NSF
also provides a cost-of-education allowance for tuition, health
insurance, and normal fees of $10,500 per year per student (for 12
months). If this allowance is not fully required, then it may be
used to support other IGERT student-related activities. The
participating institution(s) is (are) responsible for tuition and
required fees in excess of the cost of education allowance. Funds
requested for graduate student trainees should be entered under
Participant Support. The number of trainees anticipated, along with
the durations of the appointments, should be listed and consistent
with the requested stipend funds. All stipend recipients must be
citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., its territories or its
possessions.
Purchase of shared research equipment, special-purpose research
materials, software and databases that cost more than $5,000 per
item may be requested within the first-year special allocation, and
should be listed under Equipment. Any of those items that cost
$5,000 or less per item should be listed under Materials and
Supplies. Costs for developing collaboration conference audio and
video capability for collaborations including within the proposed
IGERT, among IGERT projects and between the NSF and the proposed
IGERT in alignment with the IGERT Collaboration Conferencing System
requirements (for details see Special Award Conditions) may be
requested as a part of the first-year special allocation; personnel
and shop costs for developing and constructing special instruments
may be requested within the regular yearly budget. Funds for
facility renovation or for equipment installation or maintenance
are not allowed. Awards will carry an 8% allowance for indirect
costs based on the total direct cost, excluding equipment and
cost-of-education allowances, but not excluding participant
support. Please note this is in variance with Chapter II.C.2.g of
the Grant Proposal Guide and with Chapter V.7 of the NSF Grants.gov
Application Guide.
For multi-institution projects, the lead institution shall submit
the proposal, with other participating institutions included under
sub-awards. Budgets shall be provided for the overall project as
well as individually for the lead institution and for each
participating institution/organization that receives a sub-award.
Budget Justification (3-page limit): Provide a justification for
the funds requested for the overall project in each budget
category. Describe the proposed allocation of funds in the major
budget categories with sufficient clarity to show how resources
will be utilized in carrying out the planned IGERT project
activities. Indicate the total number of graduate students to be
supported and the staging and duration and FTE level of their
support on IGERT funds. If the first-year special allocation of
funds for new awards is requested, describe in a separate table how
the funds are to be used. If additional funds are requested for
international activities, describe in a separate table the
requested amount and allocations over the project duration,
beginning with Year 2 of the award. Provide details of anticipated
resource commitments of any other organizations expected to
participate in the IGERT project, such as government, industry,
non-U.S. institutions, or private foundations. Appropriate letters
of commitment from participating organizations should be included
in Supplementary Documentation (below). Cost sharing is not
required under this solicitation. Any information provided here and
in similar places in this solicitation will not be auditable as
cost sharing.
G. Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources (1-page limit): Provide
a description of facilities and major instruments that are
available to the project and require no additional support from
NSF.
H. Supplementary Documentation: No cost sharing funds are required
for IGERT proposals. However, because the IGERT program seeks to
catalyze institutional change in graduate education, indications
of institutional support for the program and its sustainability,
through whatever means seem most appropriate, must be included in
the proposal. Up to eight supporting letters, including one that
must be from the senior administration of the submitting
institution, may be provided as part of the proposal, with up to
four additional letters when international activities requiring
NSF funding are proposed. Letters of endorsement from foreign
counterparts should discuss the benefits and foreign commitment to
the project.
All IGERT full proposals must include at least one internal letter
of commitment, which should come from the appropriate senior
institutional administrator. Internal letters of commitment should
specify how the institution will facilitate implementation of the
IGERT and support its goals over the life of the award, including
broadening participation; they should also specify what features
are expected to be sustained after the award has ended, and how
they will be sustained. Internal letters of commitment should also
specify that the institution will cover all tuition and required
fees in excess of the cost of education allowance. The internal
letters of commitment should also describe how they will create a
supportive environment for cyber-enabled audio and video
collaboration (see Collaborative Conferencing System requirements
under Special Award Conditions). The letter of commitment from the
senior administrator of the submitting institution may be up to two
pages in length; all of the other letters may be no longer than one
page.
For institutions that have received one or more previous IGERTs,
the supporting letter must also include an explicit explanation of
the impact of previous IGERTs on graduate education and
interdisciplinary science at the institution and the intended
institutional impact of the currently proposed IGERT.
For renewals, institutional letters must explicitly explain why a
renewal is needed and explicitly address how this renewal will
contribute to sustainability, what will be sustained and how it
will be sustained.
External letters, if appropriate, must be included for each major
key outside partner (institution, organization, or individual)
involved in the IGERT, as well as from any outreach organization
that may be assisting the IGERT to broaden participation of
under-represented groups in the science or engineering in its
program. External letters should include a description of the role
that the partner will play in the IGERT (i.e., provide internships,
access to laboratories, industry mentors, field logistics, outreach
to groups underrepresented in science and engineering, etc.).
External letters should also include specific details regarding the
partner's contributions to the IGERT, such as location and
specified period for the internships, access to specific
instrumentation, laboratory or computing facilities, specific plan
for recruitment of diverse IGERT participants, etc.). Each external
letter must be one page or less in length.
Proposers, collaborators and senior administrators are also strongly
encouraged to read NSF report NSF 09-33, Impact of Transformative
Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education on Academic
Institutions, which may be obtained at
[48]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf0933.
B. Budgetary Information
Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is not required under this solicitation.
Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:
Partial reimbursement of indirect costs not to exceed 8% of total
direct costs, excluding equipment and cost-of-education allowances,
but not excluding participant support. Please note this is in variance
with Chapter II.C.2.g of the Grant Proposal Guide and with Chapter V.7
of the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide.
Other Budgetary Limitations: The NSF contribution to graduate student
stipends is currently $30,000 per year per IGERT trainee for a
12-month appointment and budgeting for stipends should be made on this
basis for each year of the award. All IGERT-supported students are
expected to be full-time IGERT trainees. IGERT support for 2 years (24
months per student) or longer is strongly recommended. Alternative
plans for graduate student support must be justified in the proposal.
If there is an increase in the approved stipend amount beyond $30,000,
requests for additional project funding during the five-year period
may be granted, depending on funds available. All stipend recipients
must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., its territories
or possessions.
C. Due Dates
* Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m.
proposer's local time):
March 29, 2010
* Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
September 30, 2010
BY INVITATION ONLY
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:
[49]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
[50]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: [51]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:
[52]http://www07.grants.gov/applicants/app_help_reso.jsp.
In addition, the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide provides
additional technical guidance regarding preparation of proposals
via Grants.gov. For Grants.gov user support, contact the Grants.gov
Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or by email: [53]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:
[54]http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/gpg/broaderimpacts.pdf.
Mentoring activities provided to postdoctoral researchers supported on
the project, as described in a one-page supplementary document, will
be evaluated under the Broader Impacts criterion.
NSF staff also will give careful consideration to the following in
making funding decisions:
Integration of Research and Education
One of the principal strategies in support of NSF's goals is to
foster integration of research and education through the programs,
projects, and activities it supports at academic and research
institutions. These institutions provide abundant opportunities
where individuals may concurrently assume responsibilities as
researchers, educators, and students and where all can engage in
joint efforts that infuse education with the excitement of
discovery and enrich research through the diversity of learning
perspectives.
Integrating Diversity into NSF Programs, Projects, and Activities
Broadening opportunities and enabling the participation of all
citizens -- women and men, underrepresented minorities, and persons
with disabilities -- is essential to the health and vitality of
science and engineering. NSF is committed to this principle of
diversity and deems it central to the programs, projects, and
activities it considers and supports.
Additional Review Criteria:
In responding to the standard NSF review criteria, reviewers will
be asked to place emphasis on the following IGERT program
objectives:
* Integration and coherence of the interdisciplinary theme in its
effectiveness as an intellectual focus for all participating
scientists, engineers, and educators;
* Quality of the proposed research efforts, and their comprehensive
interdisciplinary theme, and their appropriateness for
doctoral-level research, that serves as the foundation for
traineeship activities and the extent to which the efforts are
based on transformative research in
science/technology/engineering/mathematical sciences;
* Quality and innovation in the planned graduate education and
training mechanisms, and in their integration with the research
and in developing an appreciation for the global context of the
interdisciplinary theme;
* Effectiveness of career development opportunities, provision for
developing professional and personal skills, fostering an
international perspective and ability to work in diverse teams,
instruction in communicating the substance and importance of
research to nonscientist audiences, and instruction in ethics and
the responsible conduct of research;
* Quality of the international collaborative activities and benefits
to the U.S. participants, if funds are requested for those
activities (optional);
* Effectiveness of the strategy for recruitment, mentoring,
retention, degree completion, and career progression of U.S.
graduate students, including those from groups underrepresented in
science and engineering: a partial list of examples of effective
strategies might include development of new approaches in
information technology or connectivity to engage members of
underrepresented groups; collaborations with students and/or
faculty who are members of underrepresented groups or are
affiliated with minority-serving institutions (MSI); campus
visits/presentations at MSI; regular publication of
bulletins/newsletters to enhance cross-cultural/gender
communication; and monitoring of graduate student retention. Plans
for effective recruitment and assessment should be specific and
detailed;
* Appropriateness of the plans for assessment of project performance
in meeting objectives and expanding the knowledge base in STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduate
education and disseminating results to appropriate professional
communities; (full proposals only)
* Appropriateness of the administrative plan and organizational
structure in assuring effective allocation of project resources
and participation by project members; (full proposals only)
* Commitment of the institution to facilitating and furthering the
plans and goals of the IGERT project, to creating a supportive
environment for integrative research and education, to creating a
supportive environment for cyber-enabled communication, and to
sustaining the successful elements of the project after NSF
funding ceases; and
* For institutions that have received one or more previous IGERTs,
the impacts of the previous IGERTs on graduate education and
interdisciplinary science and the intended institutional impact of
the currently proposed IGERT.
Additional criteria for renewal projects:
* Demonstrated excellence and significant achievements from the
previous IGERT in the dimensions of interdisciplinary
research/science/engineering; education and curricular
development; trainee outcomes; recruitment, retention and
successful progress of women, underrepresented minorities, and
persons with disabilities; and institutional impacts;
* Added value in each of the dimensions above;
* Institutional commitment defining why a renewal is needed and
explicitly how this renewal will contribute to sustainability,
what will be sustained and how it will be sustained.
B. Review and Selection Process
Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will be
reviewed by 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
[55]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 [56]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
[57]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag.
Special Award Conditions:
Collaboration Conferencing System requirements: The IGERT program
requires the ability to collaborate among IGERT projects and between
IGERT projects and the National Science Foundation in a time and cost
effective manner. CyberInfrastructure (CI), which includes various
high-speed (broad-band) computer networks (i.e. Internet 2) that span
across distant geographical locations will allow IGERT projects to
synthesize their knowledge and engage in collaborative activities in
real-time. The CI collaboration capability will allow real-time audio
and video communication among multipoint locations and organizations.
The software technology selected to enable this CI collaborative
capability should allow forward expandability of new or improved
collaborative services and application protocols. The hardware and
network bandwidth requirements should support a wide range of current
and future solutions. Ease of use and maintainability are key factors.
It should function with standard "off-the-shelf" hardware and
operating systems. This solution will establish a baseline that can be
applied to all IGERT projects.
Collaboration systems interoperable with version 3.0 (or later) access
grid middleware provide the required framework to allow the above
solution to be implemented. A minimum set of software and hardware
requirements are outlined below. A portion of first year IGERT
start-up funding may be used for some or all of the costs of the
collaboration conference system.
Access Grid Middleware Information
For detailed information about Access Grid Middleware, please go to
[58]http://www.accessgrid.org/.
PC Requirements
Desktop/Shared system (Minimum) - Cost is 2-5K each
* Pentium Core 2 Duo t7200 or AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000
* 2 250 GB hard drive - Configured as Mirrored RAID 1 for redundancy
- May have to purchase RAID PCI-E card if the motherboard does not
support RAID.
* Nvidia GeForce 7900 or ATI X1950 video card
* 2 to 4 GB of main RAM memory
* Firewire or USB external Web camera. A capture card with analog
(example S/Video) video may be also be used.
* Onboard or add on Sound card with headset and microphone OR echo
Cancellation system with microphone(s) (Example [59]Clear One
website)
* 2 LCD Monitors of 20inch in size or one large 30inch+ 16x9 LCD
Display
* OS Windows XP or Mac OS
Network/Bandwidth Requirements
* Network must be capable of receiving and transmitting multicast
network traffic OR allow firewall exceptions for incoming unicast
traffic (both TCP and UDP). To be determined by qualified
institution personnel.
* Collaboration System should have access to a minimum of 10Mb/s
inbound bandwidth and 10Mb/s outbound traffic to the internet.
Internet2 connectivity and service is preferred.
C. Reporting Requirements
For all multi-year grants (including both standard and continuing
grants), the Principal Investigator must submit an annual project
report to the cognizant Program Officer at least 90 days before the
end of the current budget period. (Some programs or awards require
more frequent project reports). Within 90 days after expiration of a
grant, the PI also is required to submit a final project report, and a
project outcomes report for the general public.
Failure to provide the required annual or final project reports, or
the project outcomes report will delay NSF review and processing of
any future funding increments as well as any pending proposals for
that PI. PIs should examine the formats of the required reports in
advance to assure availability of required data.
PIs are required to use NSF's electronic project-reporting system,
available through FastLane, for preparation and submission of annual
and final project reports. Such reports provide information on
activities and findings, project participants (individual and
organizational) publications; and, other specific products and
contributions. PIs will not be required to re-enter information
previously provided, either with a proposal or in earlier updates
using the electronic system. Submission of the report via FastLane
constitutes certification by the PI that the contents of the report
are accurate and complete. The project outcomes report must be
prepared and submitted using Research.gov. This report serves as a
brief summary, prepared specifically for the public, of the nature and
outcomes of the project. This report will be posted on the NSF website
exactly as it is submitted by the PI.
In addition IGERT PIs are required to submit their annual project
reports through a special IGERT web-based reporting system that
standardizes the evaluation across all IGERT sites. Any proposed
carrying forward of funds must be justified in the annual report.
Within 90 days after the expiration of the IGERT award, PIs are
required to submit their final project reports through the same
web-based reporting system. For both the annual and final project
reports, a document will then be generated from the web-based report
and sent to the PI for the PI to submit via FastLane to meet NSF
reporting requirement.
The Division of Graduate Education (DGE) will conduct an on-going
evaluation to determine how effectively the IGERT program is achieving
its goal to respond to the nation's need for a globally prepared
diverse science and engineering workforce. Additionally, it is highly
desirable to have a structured means of tracking trainees beyond
graduation to gauge the extent to which they follow a career path
consistent with the intent of the program and to assess the impact the
NSF traineeship has had on their graduate education experience.
Accordingly, trainees will be contacted during and after the
completion of this award for updates on various aspects of their
employment history, professional activities and accomplishments, and
other information helpful in evaluating the impact of the program.
Trainees, participating faculty, and affiliated institutions should be
prepared to cooperate in program-level evaluations conducted by the
NSF and/or contracted evaluators.
The National Science Foundation claims no rights to any inventions or
writings that might result from its fellowship or traineeship grants.
However, fellows and trainees should be aware that the NSF, another
Federal agency, or some private party may acquire such rights through
other support for particular research. Also, fellows and trainees
should note their obligation to include an Acknowledgment and
Disclaimer in any publication.
VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS
General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:
* Melur K. Ramasubramanian, IGERT Program Director, 875, telephone:
(703) 292-8696, fax: 703-292-9048, email: [60]mramasub@nsf.gov
For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact:
* FastLane Help Desk, telephone: 1-800-673-6188; e-mail:
[61]fastlane@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:
[62]support@grants.gov.
IGERT Coordinating Committee members are listed on the IGERT web page,
at [63]http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/igert/cc.jsp.
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 [64]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 [65]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
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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
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The National Science Foundation Information Center may be reached at
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The National Science Foundation promotes and advances scientific
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mathematics, and engineering.
To get the latest information about program deadlines, to download
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the NSF Website at [66]http://www.nsf.gov
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The information requested on proposal forms and project reports is
solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act
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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
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may reduce the possibility of receiving an award.
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[68]Policies and Important Links
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Last Updated:
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References
1. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#toc
2. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf101
3. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf101
4. mailto:mramasub@nsf.gov
5. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg
6. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgovguide
7. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#summary
8. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#pgm_intr_txt
9. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#pgm_desc_txt
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11. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#elig
12. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#prep
13. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#prep
14. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#budg_cst_shr_txt
15. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#dates
16. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#fastlane
17. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#review
18. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#reviewcrit
19. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#reviewprot
20. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#awardadmin
21. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#awardnotify
22. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#grantcond
23. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#reportreq
24. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10523/nsf10523.htm#cont
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26. http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst.html
27. http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13646&org=HRD&from=home
28. http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5517
29. http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=500036&org=DBI
30. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf0933
31. http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=HRD
32. http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=500036&org=DBI
33. http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/igert/cc.jsp
34. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf0933
35. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg
36. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov
37. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgovguide
38. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov
39. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf0933
40. http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm
41. http://www.nsf.gov/od/oia/programs/stc/
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43. http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5502
44. http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5295
45. http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13706
46. http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=HRD
47. http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/
48. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf0933
49. https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a1/newstan.htm
50. mailto:fastlane@nsf.gov
51. https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/fastlane.jsp
52. http://www07.grants.gov/applicants/app_help_reso.jsp
53. mailto:support@grants.gov
54. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/gpg/broaderimpacts.pdf
55. http://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/award_conditions.jsp?org=NSF
56. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov
57. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag
58. http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/good-bye?http://www.accessgrid.org/
59. http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/good-bye?http://www.clearone.com/
60. mailto:mramasub@nsf.gov
61. mailto:fastlane@nsf.gov
62. mailto:support@grants.gov
63. http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/igert/cc.jsp
64. http://www.nsf.gov/
65. http://www.grants.gov/
66. http://www.nsf.gov/
67. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov
68. http://www.nsf.gov/policies
69. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/privacy.jsp
70. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/foia.jsp
71. http://www.nsf.gov/help/
72. http://www.nsf.gov/help/contact.jsp
73. mailto:webmaster@nsf.gov
74. http://www.nsf.gov/help/sitemap.jsp
75. http://transcoder.usablenet.com/tt/referrer