Title: National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure
       (NNIC)(nsf15519)
Date:  03/09/2015

National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI)

[1]Program Solicitation
NSF 15-519

   NSF Logo

   National Science Foundation
   Directorate for Engineering
   Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences
   Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering
   Directorate for Biological Sciences
   Directorate for Geosciences
   Directorate for Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences
   Directorate for Education & Human Resources
   Office of International and Integrative Activities

   Letter of Intent Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local
   time):

        February 02, 2015

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

        April 03, 2015

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND REVISION NOTES

   Any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation should be
   submitted in accordance with the revised NSF Proposal & Award Policies
   & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 15-1), which is effective for proposals
   submitted, or due, on or after December 26, 2014. The PAPPG is
   consistent with, and, implements the new Uniform Administrative
   Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal
   Awards (Uniform Guidance) (2 CFR � 200).

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

General Information

   Program Title:

     National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI)

   Synopsis of Program:

     Over the past decade of its authorized award life, the National
     Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN) has enabled major
     discoveries, innovations, and contributions to education and
     commerce by providing researchers from academia, small and large
     companies, and government with open access to university user
     facilities with leading-edge fabrication and characterization tools,
     instrumentation, and expertise within all disciplines of nanoscale
     science, engineering, and technology. The National Science
     Foundation is now moving forward with the new National
     Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) as the successor to
     the NNIN.

     This solicitation establishes a competition for individual
     university user facility sites positioned across the nation. A
     Coordinating Office will then be selected competitively at a later
     stage from among the selected sites to enhance their impact as a
     national infrastructure of user facility sites. The ultimate
     selection of user facility sites will include capabilities and
     instrumentation addressing current and anticipated future user needs
     across the broad areas of nanoscale science, engineering, and
     technology.

   Cognizant Program Officer(s):

   Please note that the following information is current at the time of
   publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of
   contact.
     * Lawrence Goldberg, ENG/ECCS, telephone: (703) 292-5373, email:
       [2]lgoldber@nsf.gov

     * Guebre X. Tessema, MPS/DMR, telephone: (703) 292-4935, email:
       [3]gtessema@nsf.gov

     * Michelle Bushey, MPS/CHE, telephone: (703) 292-4938, email:
       [4]mbushey@nsf.gov

     * Sally O'Connor, BIO/DBI, telephone: (703) 292-4552, email:
       [5]socconor@nsf.gov

     * Sankar Basu, CISE/CCF, telephone: (703) 292-7843, email:
       [6]sabasu@nsf.gov

     * David Lambert, GEO/EAR, telephone: (703) 292-4736, email:
       [7]dlambert@nsf.gov

     * Frederick Kronz, SBE/SES, telephone: (703) 292-7283, email:
       [8]fkronz@nsf.gov

     * David Brown, EHR/DUE, telephone: (703) 292-8831, email:
       [9]drbrown@nsf.gov

     * Graham Harrison, OIIA/ISE, telephone: (703) 292-7252, email:
       [10]gharriso@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
     * 47.079 --- International and Integrative Activities (IIA)

Award Information

   Anticipated Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement

   Estimated Number of Awards: 10 to 15

   NSF plans to make approximately 10-15 individual awards for shared user
   facility sites.

   Anticipated Funding Amount: $500,000 to $2,000,000

   NSF plans to provide individual awards at a range of $500,000 to a
   maximum of $2,000,000 per year, depending on the plans and scope of
   capabilities.

Eligibility Information

   Who May Submit Proposals:

     Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
     * Academic institutions accredited in, and having a campus located
       in, the US are eligible to submit or participate in individual
       proposals for shared user facility sites.

   Who May Serve as PI:

     There are no restrictions or limits.

   Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:

     A US academic institution may submit or participate in only one
     individual site proposal submitted in response to this solicitation.
     An academic institution that is awarded as a shared user facility
     site may also propose later to be the Coordinating Office.

   Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI:

     There are no restrictions or limits.

Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions

   A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
     * Letters of Intent: Submission of Letters of Intent is required.
       Please see the full text of this solicitation for further
       information.

     * Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not required

     * 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:
            [11]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:
            [12]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grant
            sgovguide).

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

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

     * Other Budgetary Limitations: Not Applicable

   C. Due Dates
     * Letter of Intent Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's
       local time):
            February 02, 2015
     * Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
            April 03, 2015

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:

   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

     [13]Summary of Program Requirements

    I. [14]Introduction
   II. [15]Program Description
   III. [16]Award Information
   IV. [17]Eligibility Information
    V. [18]Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
         A. [19]Proposal Preparation Instructions
         B. [20]Budgetary Information
         C. [21]Due Dates
         D. [22]FastLane/Grants.gov Requirements
   VI. [23]NSF Proposal Processing and Review Procedures
         A. [24]Merit Review Principles and Criteria
         B. [25]Review and Selection Process
   VII. [26]Award Administration Information
         A. [27]Notification of the Award
         B. [28]Award Conditions
         C. [29]Reporting Requirements
   VIII. [30]Agency Contacts
   IX. [31]Other Information

I. INTRODUCTION

   Introduction

   Over the past decade of its authorized award life, the National
   Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN) has enabled major
   discoveries, innovations, and contributions to education and commerce
   by providing researchers from academia, small and large companies, and
   government with open access to university user facilities with
   leading-edge fabrication and characterization tools, instrumentation,
   and expertise within all disciplines of nanoscale science, engineering,
   and technology. The National Science Foundation is now moving forward
   with the new National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI)
   as the successor to the NNIN.

   The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) 2014 Strategic Plan^(1)
   emphasizes the importance and critical need for the U.S. to sustain a
   dynamic infrastructure and toolset to advance nanotechnology, and in
   particular the academic infrastructure represented by NNIN. In
   addition, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
   (PCAST) 2014 Report^(2) to the President and Congress on the Fifth
   Assessment of the NNI recommends strong support for nanoscale
   infrastructure networks such as NNIN to ensure the effective training
   of a new generation of transdisciplinary scientists and engineers.

   NSF sought input from the science and engineering community on a
   possible future nanotechnology infrastructure support program through a
   Dear Colleague Letter (DCL 14-068). A workshop was then conducted of
   recognized national experts to develop a vision of how such a future
   program could be structured and to identify the key needs for the user
   communities over the coming decade.^(3)^

   With this background and community input, NSF has developed this
   solicitation to create the NNCI. The solicitation establishes a
   competition for individual university user facility sites positioned
   across the nation. A Coordinating Office will then be selected
   competitively at a later stage from among the selected sites to enhance
   their impact as a national infrastructure of user facility sites. The
   ultimate selection of user facility sites will include capabilities and
   instrumentation addressing current and anticipated future user needs
   across the broad areas of nanoscale science, engineering, and
   technology.
    1. National Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic Plan, February 2014,
       Washington, DC: [32]http://www.nano.gov/node/1113.
    2. PCAST, Report to the President and Congress on the Fifth Assessment
       of the National Nanotechnology Initiative, October 2014,
       Washington, DC:
       [33]http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/P
       CAST/pcast_fifth_nni_review_oct2014_final.pdf.
    3. Report on Workshop for a Future Nanotechnology Infrastructure
       Support Program, August 18-19, 2014, Arlington, VA:
       [34]https://www.src.org/newsroom/src-in-the-news/2014/656/.

II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

   Overall Approach to the NNCI

   The competition for individual sites will be for consideration of large
   and small university-based user facilities, including those at
   minority-serving institutions, that are geographically distributed and
   with diverse and complementary capabilities to support current and
   anticipated future user needs across the broad spectrum of nanoscale
   science, engineering, and technology domains. The selected individual
   sites will have autonomy in their operation and management, but will be
   required to act in concert with a Coordinating Office that will be
   separately competed and chosen at a later stage. Some sites may choose
   to partner with facilities at regional or smaller institutions that
   would bring specific capabilities for users and benefits to student
   training. The overall collection of selected sites and their
   capabilities will provide users with cost-effective access both to the
   specialized tools, processes, and expertise to support complex
   multi-step fabrication at the nanoscale level for structures,
   materials, devices, and systems, as well as to the associated
   instrumentation for characterization, analysis, and probing at these
   dimensions. The program aims to make these capabilities broadly
   available to the nation's researchers in academe, industry, and
   government to help catalyze new discoveries in science and engineering
   and to stimulate technological innovation.

   Technical Capabilities in the Coordinated Infrastructure

   The broad spectrum of domain capabilities in this coordinated
   infrastructure is intended to encompass: physical-, chemical-, and
   biological-based nanostructures, materials, devices, and systems;
   electronic, optical, photonic, magnetic, mechanical, thermal, chemical,
   bioengineering, biomedical, and fluidic nanodevices and systems;
   nanoscale building blocks and nanostructured materials, composites,
   coatings, and surfaces; geophysical, geochemical, and environmental
   nanostructures and processes; synthetic biology, and fabrication in
   soft matter including biological interfaces; heterogeneous integration
   of complex, three-dimensional nanoscale systems to create new
   functionality; hierarchical design and fabrication to build nanoscale
   systems across multiple dimensional scales, including modeling and
   simulation tools that complement and support these activities;
   prototyping, process integration, and testing of manufacturing
   concepts, including high-speed roll-to-roll fabrication processes; and
   other areas, as appropriate.

   Some promising research opportunities that could be enabled include:
   formation of new system architectures and heterogeneous materials,
   engineered at the nanoscale to integrate formerly disparate electronic,
   photonic, mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties into
   nanosystems, for functions such as energy conversion and storage,
   dissipation of heat, precision sensing, and local actuation;
   bio-inspired, self-healing, responsive materials; structures and
   devices supporting research in the life sciences and biomedical
   applications; synthesis of nanoparticles for study of nanotoxicity;
   sensors for environmental science and monitoring; ultrafast sensors for
   imaging and recording of chemical, physiological, and biochemical
   processes; new, more energy efficient devices and circuits for
   communication, storage and processing of digital information, including
   quantum information; and devices and circuits for new information
   processing architectures such as neuromorphic computing.

   Some of the sites will have widely used nanofabrication capabilities
   applicable to diverse areas, while some sites may offer critical,
   highly specialized tools and processes to support a focused subset of
   nanoscience and technology. They will enable support for exploration
   and development of potential new applications of nanotechnology.
   Appropriate characterization techniques should be intended principally
   in feedback control of fabrication processes, though access may be
   needed in specific fields to unique, valuable, and specialized
   characterization capabilities, either on-site or by remote operation.

   Considerations for Individual Site Proposals

   Proposing institutions are encouraged to include a broad range of
   technical capabilities in their individual user facility site
   proposals, but can also choose to focus on particular subfields within
   their areas of expertise. Some sites may choose to partner with
   facilities at regional or smaller institutions that would bring
   specific capabilities for users and benefits to student training. The
   Site Director, who is the Principal Investigator for the individual
   site proposal, will be the key individual for management of the
   individual site and will work in concert with the other Site Directors
   and the Coordinating Office, and with the NSF.

   Important: Please see "Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources"
   section in this Solicitation for requirements of facilities and
   equipment.

   Sites should demonstrate that they have the ability to manage shared
   user facilities and to understand and serve the needs of external
   users, including those from companies as well as from academia. They
   should highlight how they will support a rich user base with broad
   accessibility and affordable user fee structure. They should show how
   NSF funds will leverage those of the university and other resources to
   grow the numbers of external users. Sites must embrace a culture of
   open access to researchers for any research project of merit, with
   protection of intellectual property, and mechanisms for encouraging
   non-traditional users from diverse disciplines. They should have an
   organizational structure that allows coordination of complex process
   steps and tools for integrated tasks, and acceptance of experimental
   risks associated with non-standard processes and materials. They should
   have strong underlying internal research programs that provide critical
   research mass and knowledge base in developing new processes,
   methodologies, and instrumentation. They should have a plan for
   supporting a professional technical staff with requisite expertise to
   enable external users to plan and carry out experiments with a rapid
   cycle time, and to instruct in laboratory safety, process methods, and
   instrumentation usage. Sites should provide an accessible web portal to
   instruct potential users how to gain access to the facility, and to
   describe the facility's technical capabilities, tools, and
   instrumentation. They should have a plan for data management and
   sharing of the products of research. They should also have methods for
   assessment and quantifiable metrics of overall site performance and
   impact, including those for educational and outreach activities.

   Nanotechnology facilities provide unique opportunities to infuse
   innovative education with research at the frontiers of the field. Sites
   should provide clear, focused strategies for integrating forefront
   science and engineering with education, including plans for assessing
   effectiveness and spreading promising practices. Learning experiences,
   resources, and tools for graduate and undergraduate students and
   postdoctoral associates, as well as educational outreach and workforce
   development plans, should leverage the unique strengths of their user
   facility. These may address, for example, engaging participants in
   community colleges, pre-college grades, informal science settings, and
   international education experiences. Sites should also provide outreach
   programs to potential users in the broader science and engineering
   communities, including those from startups and small businesses, whose
   work could benefit from advanced fabrication and instrumentation
   capabilities. They should assess and utilize regional needs and
   opportunities to broaden the participation of groups underrepresented
   in science and engineering among students, faculty, staff, management,
   and in outreach activities. The sites should have plans for knowledge
   dissemination to the broader research, education, and technology
   communities. They should demonstrate how they will complement and
   connect to other local resources, such as business incubators,
   prototyping, and manufacturing facilities. The range and scope of the
   education and outreach activities are expected to be commensurate with
   the size of the requested budgets.

   Sites having particular expertise in the social and ethical
   implications of nanotechnology are encouraged to integrate the
   instruction and study of those aspects into their proposals that can
   leverage their user community base, and which relate to the
   capabilities of their respective user facilities.

   Role of the Coordinating Office

   Following selection and award of the individual sites, NSF will hold a
   meeting of the Site Directors to discuss recommendations to
   significantly enhance the impact of this investment that will lead to a
   coordinated national infrastructure of user facility sites for
   nanotechnology. A Coordinating Office, to be located at one of the
   awarded institution sites, will then be competed and chosen to provide
   the coordinating function. The Director of the Coordinating Office will
   be a key individual for developing management strategies and
   operational plans in concert with the Site Directors of the individual
   user facilities, and will serve as a principal contact person with the
   NSF.

   The Coordinating Office will be responsible for establishing a
   comprehensive web portal to ensure close linkage among the individual
   facility websites such that they present a unified face to the user
   community of overall capabilities, tools, and instrumentation. It will
   also work with all sites in ways to guide users regarding which site or
   sites, which instruments, and which processes would enable users to
   complete their projects most successfully. The Office will help to
   coordinate and disseminate best practices for national-level education
   and outreach programs across sites, as well as the instruction and
   study of social and ethical implications of nanotechnology. It will
   seek to harmonize capabilities for modeling and simulation in nanoscale
   fabrication and characterization across sites, and provide effective
   coordination with the NSF-supported Network for Computational
   Nanotechnology (NCN). The Office will establish an external advisory
   board of distinguished members from academia, industry, and government
   to provide advice and guidance through the Coordinating Office.

   The Office will work with the individual sites to establish uniform
   methods for assessment and quantifiable metrics of overall site
   performance and impact, including those for educational and outreach
   activities. It will help to share best practices and laboratory safety
   and training procedures across all sites. It will engage all sites in a
   planning process to explore emerging areas of nanoscale science,
   engineering, and technology that can lead to future growth of the
   external user base. It will coordinate the acquisition needs for
   specialized instrumentation across all sites to enhance new areas of
   research growth. The Office will also coordinate data management across
   all sites and the dissemination of shared knowledge to research,
   education, and technology communities, as well as in enhancing
   connections with other nationally funded academic centers or networks
   and facilities supported by government, the private sector, and
   international partners.

III. AWARD INFORMATION

   Approximately $16 million total funds will be available in this
   competition for each year of a five-year duration of FY 2015-2019,
   depending on the availability of funds. NSF intends to provide
   individual awards to support approximately 10-15 university user
   facility sites at a range of $500,000 to a maximum of $2,000,000 per
   year, depending on the plans and scope of their capabilities. Proposing
   institutions can include partnerships with other university user
   facility sites under subawards. All awards will be made as cooperative
   agreements with each submitting institution site. The initial award
   commitments will be for five years and may be renewed once for an
   additional five years, subject to external merit review. Limited new
   competitions may be held, based on available funds, to address critical
   needs in nanotechnology or to replace non-performing sites or the
   Coordinating Office.

   The awarded institutions will be eligible to compete at a later stage
   to establish a Coordinating Office that will provide coordination of
   the individual user facility sites as a national infrastructure of
   sites. The institution selected for the Coordinating Office will
   receive a separate award with funds for purposes of management,
   outreach, and related coordinating activities. Funds allocated for the
   Coordinating Office will be approximately $700,000 per year.

IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

   Who May Submit Proposals:

     Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
     * Academic institutions accredited in, and having a campus located
       in, the US are eligible to submit or participate in individual
       proposals for shared user facility sites.

   Who May Serve as PI:

     There are no restrictions or limits.

   Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:

     A US academic institution may submit or participate in only one
     individual site proposal submitted in response to this solicitation.
     An academic institution that is awarded as a shared user facility
     site may also propose later to be the Coordinating Office.

   Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI:

     There are no restrictions or limits.

   Additional Eligibility Info:

     Non-academic U.S. institutions and organizations, including national
     laboratories and private-sector companies, as well as international
     institutions, may participate in such proposals using their own
     resources.

V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

   Letters of Intent (required):

   For NSF planning purposes for the review process, a non-binding letter
   of intent to submit an individual user facility site proposal to this
   Solicitation must be sent by the date listed at the beginning of this
   solicitation. The letter of intent (in clear text, 1-page limit, with
   no attachments) should list the PI/Site Director, the institution, and
   any other participating institutions. Provide a brief summary
   discussion of the proposed site in terms of its principal focus areas
   and capabilities, the funds likely to be requested, and whether the
   submitting institution intends to be considered for the Coordinating
   Office.

   Letter of Intent Preparation Instructions:

   When submitting a Letter of Intent through FastLane in response to this
   Program Solicitation please note the conditions outlined below:
     * Sponsored Projects Office (SPO) Submission is required when
       submitting Letters of Intent
     * Submission of multiple Letters of Intent is not allowed

   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=grantsgov
       guide). 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.

   See Chapter II.C.2 of the [39]GPG for guidance on the required sections
   of a full research proposal submitted to NSF. Please note that the
   proposal preparation instructions provided in this program solicitation
   may deviate from the GPG instructions.

   Proposals must contain the items listed below and adhere to the
   specified page limitations. No additional information may be provided
   by links to web pages.

   Cover Page:
     * FastLane Users: Proposers must identify this program solicitation
       number by selecting "National Nanotechnology Coordinated
       Infrastructure" from the program Announcement/Solicitation Box,
       which will automatically populate the NSF Unit of Consideration
       with the correct NSF organization and program. The project title
       must begin with "NNCI:".
     * Grants.gov Users: The program solicitation number will be
       pre-populated by Grants.gov on the NSF Grant Application Cover
       Page. In Field 2, Unit of Consideration, enter 07010000 for the
       Division Code and 7601 for the Program Code. The project title must
       begin with "NNCI:".

   Project Summary: Provide a summary description of the proposed user
   facility site that conveys its objectives, key features, and principal
   focus areas in a manner that will be informative to a general technical
   audience. As required in FastLane, the project summary is limited to 1
   page and must address within separate text boxes the Overview, the
   Intellectual Merit, and the Broader Impacts of the proposed activity.

   Table of Contents: The Table of Contents is generated by FastLane and
   cannot be edited.

   Project Description: The project description section contains the
   following items a through h, and is limited to a combined total length
   of 15 pages, inclusive of tables, figures, or other graphical data.
    a. List of Participants: Provide a list, showing institution and
       departmental affiliation, of the Site Director, and other senior
       level personnel expected to have an important role in the user
       facility site.
    b. Vision and Goals: Describe the vision and goals for the proposed
       user facility site, including its principal focus areas and
       potential in contributing to the nation's research and education
       infrastructure for nanoscale science, engineering, and technology.
    c. Capabilities of the Individual Site: Important: Please see
       "Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources" section in this
       Solicitation for requirements of facilities and equipment. Describe
       the extent of fabrication and characterization instrumentation
       capabilities, the breadth of coverage of research fields and needs,
       and the nature of user services to be provided. Present evidence of
       capability of operating as a shared user facility that can serve
       both external and internal users, including those from companies as
       well as from academia. Describe how external users will apply to
       the facility, how non-traditional users will be encouraged, how
       projects will be accepted, and how users can be accommodated both
       on site and remotely. Discuss how NSF funds will be leveraged with
       university and other resources to grow the numbers of external
       users. Describe plans for professional staffing, accommodating
       external users, encouraging non-traditional users, user training,
       user fee structure, and intellectual property policy. Describe the
       in-house research programs of principal faculty members that
       underpin the site's capabilities and which would enable it to
       support development of new processes, tools, and instrumentation.
       Describe the planning process for acquisition and development of
       new tools and instrumentation needed to position the facility at
       the frontier over the duration of the award. Discuss plans to
       develop any connections with other nationally funded academic
       centers or networks and facilities supported by government, the
       private sector, and international partners.
    d. Education, Outreach, and Knowledge Dissemination: State the
       specific goals and objectives of this component. Explain how
       innovative educational experiences infused with content from the
       frontiers of nanoscale science and engineering research for
       graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral associates, and
       others will be emphasized within the facility. Educational
       experiences may include research experiences for undergraduates and
       teachers, domestic and/or international, the development of
       instructional modules for incorporation into undergraduate
       curricula, and other novel educational resources and tools based on
       the scientific and technological endeavors at the facility.
       Describe educational outreach and workforce development plans, and
       how diversity and broadening participation will be promoted among
       students, faculty, staff, management, and outreach activities.
       Describe outreach plans intended to increase the external user
       base, to encourage non-traditional users from diverse communities,
       and to reach potential users from startups and small businesses,
       whose work could benefit from advanced fabrication and
       instrumentation capabilities. Discuss how the site may complement
       and connect to other local resources, such as business incubators,
       prototyping and manufacturing facilities. Describe provisions for
       innovative strategies to disseminate effective practices and
       knowledge to the broader research, education, and technology
       communities. The range and scope of the education and outreach
       activities are expected to be commensurate with the size of the
       requested budgets.
    e. Social and Ethical Implications: Sites proposing to conduct this
       work should describe plans for promoting the development of
       research infrastructure that will serve to enhance the instruction
       and study of social and ethical implications of nanotechnology that
       leverages the facility's user community base. Indicate the social
       and ethical issues that will be the core concerns. Such concerns
       may include one or more of the following: socio-technical
       integration, governance involving multiple stakeholder groups,
       responsible research and innovation, studies of risk analysis and
       risk perception, environmental justice, human health and safety,
       and public policy. Indicate local researchers likely to be
       involved, and describe how they will contribute to the
       infrastructure enhancing efforts. Describe plans to facilitate more
       broadly cooperation and interchange with other institutions.
    f. Management: Describe the management structure for the individual
       user facility site. Discuss the method of selection, duration, and
       responsibilities of the Site Director and other management
       individuals. Describe provisions for oversight, including an
       external advisory body, its composition, responsibilities, and
       means of advising site management. Describe the methods for
       managing the external users program and for integrating the
       activities with academic programs. Discuss the planning process to
       determine overall site requirements, including the development of a
       vision for future research directions, needs, and capabilities;
       allocation of resources; and prioritization of equipment
       acquisition, development, and staffing. Describe plans for
       assessment and quantifiable metrics of site performance and impact,
       including for education and outreach activities. Describe the
       processes for setting goals, including promoting significant
       participation of non-traditional users and external users.
    g. Broader Impacts: Discuss the broader societal impacts of the
       proposed user facility site, including plans for increasing overall
       public awareness. Discuss plans for broadening participation in
       nanoscale science and engineering research, education and outreach,
       the involvement of smaller schools, minority-serving institutions,
       and international partners, and the dissemination of results of the
       proposed studies on social and ethical aspects of nanotechnology.
    h. Results from Prior NSF Support: The PI or co-PI must provide
       information on any received awards funded by NSF in the past five
       years, with emphasis on an award most closely related to the
       current proposal. The Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts of the
       award results must be discussed. See instructions in the NSF Grant
       Proposal Guide.

   References Cited: Provide appropriate references.

   Biographical Sketches: (2-page limit, each) Provide a biographical
   sketch for the PI, co-PI, and senior Personnel. The sketch should
   describe the individual's academic and professional history and may
   list up to five products most closely related to the proposed project;
   and up to five other significant products, whether or not related to
   the proposed project. In choosing what to include, emphasize
   information that will be helpful in understanding the strengths,
   qualifications, and specific impact the individual brings to the user
   facility site project. See instructions in the NSF Grant Proposal
   Guide.

   Budget: Proposing institutions must provide annual budgets for each
   year of five years for their user facility site proposals. The FastLane
   system will automatically fill out the cumulative five-year budget. A
   submitting institution proposal is limited to receiving a maximum award
   of $2.0 million per year. The involvement of any other participating
   institution sites in the proposal must be included as subawards, and
   must also provide annual budgets. The major portion of NSF funds should
   be budgeted for operation and staffing of the user facility. NSF funds
   may also be budgeted for associated purposes including education and
   outreach activities and, when appropriate, for acquisition or
   development of necessary instrumentation, tools, or processes. NSF
   funds may not be budgeted for research purposes, with the exception of
   social and ethical implications studies.

   Budget Justification (6-page limit): Provide a detailed justification
   for the funds requested in the major budget categories for the
   individual proposed site. This is important to enable NSF to perform a
   cost analysis for each individual item of cost. For any other
   participating sites included as subawards, provide an additional 3-page
   detailed justification for each. Describe the proposed allocation of
   funds with sufficient clarity to show how resources will be utilized in
   carrying out the proposed activities. For any instrument or other item
   requested in the first year, include sufficient specificity in the
   description, with explanation of the need, and any provision for
   maintenance and operating expenses.

   Current and Pending Support: Provide for PI and co-PIs.

   Facilities, Equipment and other Resources (5-page limit): Provide an
   aggregated description of the internal and external resources, both
   physical and personnel, that the institution and any collaborators will
   provide to the project that will enable an assessment of the adequacy
   to perform the proposed effort. Such information must be provided in
   this section, in lieu of other parts of the proposal. The description
   should be narrative in nature and must not include any quantifiable
   financial information. Describe the commitment of the institution to
   providing the necessary infrastructure, including laboratory, clean
   room, common space, and sharing of equipment, in support of external
   user communities. Describe the distinguishing fabrication and
   characterization tools, instrumentation, and processes that are
   available for the intended areas of focus, including the ability to
   accommodate and develop nonstandard processes and materials. Some
   proposing institutions may provide unique characterization tools and
   capabilities such as wet or gas-phase processing methods that do not
   need a clean room environment. Discuss plans for acquisition, where
   necessary, of new equipment, tools, and supporting technologies that
   will position and maintain their facilities at the frontier. Describe
   the provision for modeling and simulation tools in support of the
   fabrication and characterization processes. Provide details of existing
   or proposed resource commitments from other organizations, such as
   government, industry, private foundations, and international
   institutions that will contribute to operation of the facility.

   Supplementary Documentation: Submit official supporting letters that
   verify resource commitments by the institution and by any other
   participating institutions or organizations. Submit a plan for data
   management and sharing of the products of research (3-page limit), and
   a postdoctoral mentoring plan (1-page limit, if applicable).

B. Budgetary Information

   Cost Sharing: Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is
   prohibited.

C. Due Dates

     * Letter of Intent Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's
       local time):
            February 02, 2015
     * Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
            April 03, 2015

D. FastLane/Grants.gov Requirements

   For Proposals Submitted Via FastLane:

     To prepare and submit a proposal via FastLane, see detailed
     technical instructions available at:
     [40]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
     [41]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.

   For Proposals Submitted Via Grants.gov:
   
     Before using Grants.gov for the first time, each organization must
     register to create an institutional profile. Once registered, the
     applicant's organization can then apply for any federal grant on
     the Grants.gov website. Comprehensive information about using
     Grants.gov is available on the Grants.gov Applicant Resources
     webpage: [42]http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html. In
     addition, the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide (see link in Section
     V.A) provides instructions regarding the technical 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:
     [43]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.

   Proposers that submitted via FastLane are strongly encouraged to use
   FastLane to verify the status of their submission to NSF. For proposers
   that submitted via Grants.gov, until an application has been received
   and validated by NSF, the Authorized Organizational Representative may
   check the status of an application on Grants.gov. After proposers have
   received an e-mail notification from NSF, Research.gov should be used
   to check the status of an application.

VI. NSF PROPOSAL PROCESSING AND REVIEW PROCEDURES

   Proposals received by NSF are assigned to the appropriate NSF program
   for acknowledgement and, if they meet NSF requirements, for review. 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 either as ad hoc reviewers, panelists, or both, who
   are experts in the particular fields represented by the proposal. These
   reviewers are selected by Program Officers charged with 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. In addition, Program Officers may obtain
   comments from site visits before recommending final action on
   proposals. Senior NSF staff further review recommendations for awards.
   A flowchart that depicts the entire NSF proposal and award process (and
   associated timeline) is included in the GPG as [44]Exhibit III-1.

   A comprehensive description of the Foundation's merit review process is
   available on the NSF website at:
   [45]http://nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/merit_review/.

   Proposers should also be aware of core strategies that are essential to
   the fulfillment of NSF's mission, as articulated in [46]Investing in
   Science, Engineering, and Education for the Nation's Future: NSF
   Strategic Plan for 2014-2018. These strategies are integrated in the
   program planning and implementation process, of which proposal review
   is one part. NSF's mission is particularly well-implemented through the
   integration of research and education and broadening participation in
   NSF programs, projects, and activities.

   One of the strategic objectives in support of NSF's mission is to
   foster integration of research and education through the programs,
   projects, and activities it supports at academic and research
   institutions. These institutions must recruit, train, and prepare a
   diverse STEM workforce to advance the frontiers of science and
   participate in the U.S. technology-based economy. NSF's contribution to
   the national innovation ecosystem is to provide cutting-edge research
   under the guidance of the Nation's most creative scientists and
   engineers. NSF also supports development of a strong science,
   technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce by investing
   in building the knowledge that informs improvements in STEM teaching
   and learning.

   NSF's mission calls for the broadening of opportunities and expanding
   participation of groups, institutions, and geographic regions that are
   underrepresented in STEM disciplines, which 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.

A. Merit Review Principles and Criteria

   The National Science Foundation strives to invest in a robust and
   diverse portfolio of projects that creates new knowledge and enables
   breakthroughs in understanding across all areas of science and
   engineering research and education. To identify which projects to
   support, NSF relies on a merit review process that incorporates
   consideration of both the technical aspects of a proposed project and
   its potential to contribute more broadly to advancing NSF's mission "to
   promote the progress of science; to advance the national health,
   prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense; and for other
   purposes." NSF makes every effort to conduct a fair, competitive,
   transparent merit review process for the selection of projects.

   1. Merit Review Principles

   These principles are to be given due diligence by PIs and organizations
   when preparing proposals and managing projects, by reviewers when
   reading and evaluating proposals, and by NSF program staff when
   determining whether or not to recommend proposals for funding and while
   overseeing awards. Given that NSF is the primary federal agency charged
   with nurturing and supporting excellence in basic research and
   education, the following three principles apply:
     * All NSF projects should be of the highest quality and have the
       potential to advance, if not transform, the frontiers of knowledge.
     * NSF projects, in the aggregate, should contribute more broadly to
       achieving societal goals. These "Broader Impacts" may be
       accomplished through the research itself, through activities that
       are directly related to specific research projects, or through
       activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the
       project. The project activities may be based on previously
       established and/or innovative methods and approaches, but in either
       case must be well justified.
     * Meaningful assessment and evaluation of NSF funded projects should
       be based on appropriate metrics, keeping in mind the likely
       correlation between the effect of broader impacts and the resources
       provided to implement projects. If the size of the activity is
       limited, evaluation of that activity in isolation is not likely to
       be meaningful. Thus, assessing the effectiveness of these
       activities may best be done at a higher, more aggregated, level
       than the individual project.

   With respect to the third principle, even if assessment of Broader
   Impacts outcomes for particular projects is done at an aggregated
   level, PIs are expected to be accountable for carrying out the
   activities described in the funded project. Thus, individual projects
   should include clearly stated goals, specific descriptions of the
   activities that the PI intends to do, and a plan in place to document
   the outputs of those activities.

   These three merit review principles provide the basis for the merit
   review criteria, as well as a context within which the users of the
   criteria can better understand their intent.

   2. Merit Review Criteria

   All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two National Science
   Board approved merit review criteria. In some instances, however, NSF
   will employ additional criteria as required to highlight the specific
   objectives of certain programs and activities.

   The two merit review criteria are listed below. Both criteria are to be
   given full consideration during the review and decision-making
   processes; each criterion is necessary but neither, by itself, is
   sufficient. Therefore, proposers must fully address both criteria.
   ([47]GPG Chapter II.C.2.d.i. contains additional information for use by
   proposers in development of the Project Description section of the
   proposal.) Reviewers are strongly encouraged to review the criteria,
   including [48]GPG Chapter II.C.2.d.i., prior to the review of a
   proposal.

   When evaluating NSF proposals, reviewers will be asked to consider what
   the proposers want to do, why they want to do it, how they plan to do
   it, how they will know if they succeed, and what benefits could accrue
   if the project is successful. These issues apply both to the technical
   aspects of the proposal and the way in which the project may make
   broader contributions. To that end, reviewers will be asked to evaluate
   all proposals against two criteria:
     * Intellectual Merit: The Intellectual Merit criterion encompasses
       the potential to advance knowledge; and
     * Broader Impacts: The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the
       potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of
       specific, desired societal outcomes.

   The following elements should be considered in the review for both
   criteria:
    1. What is the potential for the proposed activity to
         a. Advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or
            across different fields (Intellectual Merit); and
         b. Benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader
            Impacts)?
    2. To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore
       creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?
    3. Is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned,
       well-organized, and based on a sound rationale? Does the plan
       incorporate a mechanism to assess success?
    4. How well qualified is the individual, team, or organization to
       conduct the proposed activities?
    5. Are there adequate resources available to the PI (either at the
       home organization or through collaborations) to carry out the
       proposed activities?

   Broader impacts may be accomplished through the research itself,
   through the activities that are directly related to specific research
   projects, or through activities that are supported by, but are
   complementary to, the project. NSF values the advancement of scientific
   knowledge and activities that contribute to achievement of societally
   relevant outcomes. Such outcomes include, but are not limited to: full
   participation of women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented
   minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM);
   improved STEM education and educator development at any level;
   increased public scientific literacy and public engagement with science
   and technology; improved well-being of individuals in society;
   development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce;
   increased partnerships between academia, industry, and others; improved
   national security; increased economic competitiveness of the United
   States; and enhanced infrastructure for research and education.

   Proposers are reminded that reviewers will also be asked to review the
   Data Management Plan and the Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan, as
   appropriate.

   Additional Solicitation Specific Review Criteria

   In responding to the above NSF review criteria, reviewers will be asked
   to place emphasis on the following additional criteria for individual
   site proposals:
     * Strength of fabrication and characterization capabilities provided,
       including those for a specific focus on subfields.
     * Commitment of the institution to providing the necessary
       infrastructure for the shared user facility.
     * Relevance of modeling and simulation capabilities supporting
       fabrication and characterization.
     * Quality of educational experiences afforded, including attention to
       broadening participation.
     * Quality of plans for outreach and knowledge dissemination.
     * Quality of plans for inclusion of social and ethical implications
       studies, if applicable.
     * Strength of supportive internal research programs and faculty.
     * Effectiveness of management structure, plans, and ability to ensure
       high-quality external user services.
     * Appropriateness of plans for assessment and metrics of site
       performance and impact, and for determining future needs.
     * Appropriateness of the budget for accomplishing the work set forth
       in the proposal.

B. Review and Selection Process

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

   The review process will involve a combination of adhoc mail and panel
   review followed by a reverse site review panel.

   Reviewers will be asked to evaluate proposals using two National
   Science Board approved merit review criteria and, if applicable,
   additional program specific criteria. A summary rating and accompanying
   narrative will be completed and submitted by each reviewer. 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 strives to be able to tell applicants
   whether their proposals have been declined or recommended for funding
   within six months. Large or particularly complex proposals or proposals
   from new awardees may require additional review and processing time.
   The time interval begins on the deadline or target date, or receipt
   date, whichever is later. The interval ends when the Division Director
   acts upon the Program Officer's recommendation.

   After programmatic approval has been obtained, the proposals
   recommended for funding will be forwarded to the Division of
   Acquisition and Cooperative Support, Cooperative Support Branch for
   review of business, financial, and policy implications. After an
   administrative review has occurred, Grants and Agreements Officers
   perform the processing and issuance of a cooperative 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.

   Once an award or declination decision has been made, Principal
   Investigators are provided feedback about their proposals. In all
   cases, reviews are treated as confidential documents. Verbatim copies
   of reviews, excluding the names of the reviewers or any
   reviewer-identifying information, 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.

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 Acquisition and Cooperative Support,
   Cooperative Support Branch. 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 notice, 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 notice; (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 notice. 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
   [49]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 [50]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
   [51]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag.

   TBD - Financial and Administrative Terms and Conditions:

   Cooperative Agreement - Financial and Administrative Terms and
   Conditions for Large Facilities apply.

C. Reporting Requirements

   For all multi-year awards, the Principal Investigator must submit an
   annual project report to the cognizant Program Officer at least 90 days
   prior to the end of the current budget period. (Some programs or awards
   require submission of more frequent project reports). Within 90 days
   following expiration of an award , 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 all
   identified PIs and co-PIs on a given award. 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 Research.gov, for preparation and submission of
   annual and final project reports. Such reports provide information on
   accomplishments, project participants (individual and organizational),
   publications, and other specific products and impacts of the project.
   Submission of the report via Research.gov constitutes certification by
   the PI that the contents of the report are accurate and complete. The
   project outcomes report also 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.

   More comprehensive information on NSF Reporting Requirements 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
   [52]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag.

   Post-award oversight will consist of an annual review by a
   reverse-site-review panel of external experts at NSF, although some
   on-site reviews may be held. A Business Systems Review will be held
   once within the five-year period of the award. The awardee will submit
   comprehensive annual project reports to NSF in advance of each annual
   review. The annual project reports will contain a program plan and
   budget for the next-year's funding increment.

   Cooperative Agreement - Financial and Administrative Terms and
   Conditions for Large Facilities apply.

VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS

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

   General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:
     * Lawrence Goldberg, ENG/ECCS, telephone: (703) 292-5373, email:
       [53]lgoldber@nsf.gov

     * Guebre X. Tessema, MPS/DMR, telephone: (703) 292-4935, email:
       [54]gtessema@nsf.gov

     * Michelle Bushey, MPS/CHE, telephone: (703) 292-4938, email:
       [55]mbushey@nsf.gov

     * Sally O'Connor, BIO/DBI, telephone: (703) 292-4552, email:
       [56]socconor@nsf.gov

     * Sankar Basu, CISE/CCF, telephone: (703) 292-7843, email:
       [57]sabasu@nsf.gov

     * David Lambert, GEO/EAR, telephone: (703) 292-4736, email:
       [58]dlambert@nsf.gov

     * Frederick Kronz, SBE/SES, telephone: (703) 292-7283, email:
       [59]fkronz@nsf.gov

     * David Brown, EHR/DUE, telephone: (703) 292-8831, email:
       [60]drbrown@nsf.gov

     * Graham Harrison, OIIA/ISE, telephone: (703) 292-7252, email:
       [61]gharriso@nsf.gov

   For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact:
     * FastLane Help Desk, telephone: 1-800-673-6188; e-mail:
       [62]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:
       [63]support@grants.gov.

IX. OTHER INFORMATION

   The NSF website provides the most comprehensive source of information
   on NSF Directorates (including contact information), programs and
   funding opportunities. Use of this website by potential proposers is
   strongly encouraged. In addition, "NSF Update" is an
   information-delivery system designed to keep potential proposers and
   other interested parties apprised of new NSF funding opportunities and
   publications, important changes in proposal and award policies and
   procedures, and upcoming NSF [64]Grants Conferences. Subscribers are
   informed through e-mail or the user's Web browser each time new
   publications are issued that match their identified interests. "NSF
   Update" also is available on NSF's website at
   [65]https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNSF/subscriber/new?topic_
   id=USNSF_179.

   Grants.gov provides an additional electronic capability to search for
   Federal government-wide grant opportunities. NSF funding opportunities
   may be accessed via this mechanism. Further information on Grants.gov
   may be obtained at [66]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 55,000 proposals each year for research,
   education and training projects, of which approximately 11,000 are
   funded. In addition, the Foundation receives several thousand
   applications for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships. The agency
   operates no laboratories itself but does support National Research
   Centers, user facilities, certain oceanographic vessels and Arctic and
   Antarctic research stations. The Foundation also supports cooperative
   research between universities and industry, US participation in
   international scientific and engineering efforts, and educational
   activities at every academic level.

   Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities
   provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons
   with disabilities to work on NSF-supported projects. See Grant Proposal
   Guide Chapter II, Section D.2 for instructions regarding preparation of
   these types of proposals.

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

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   The information requested on proposal forms and project reports is
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   [69]NSF-50, "Principal Investigator/Proposal File and Associated
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References

   1. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#toc
   2. mailto:lgoldber@nsf.gov
   3. mailto:gtessema@nsf.gov
   4. mailto:mbushey@nsf.gov
   5. mailto:socconor@nsf.gov
   6. mailto:sabasu@nsf.gov
   7. mailto:dlambert@nsf.gov
   8. mailto:fkronz@nsf.gov
   9. mailto:drbrown@nsf.gov
  10. mailto:gharriso@nsf.gov
  11. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg
  12. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgovguide
  13. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#summary
  14. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#pgm_intr_txt
  15. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#pgm_desc_txt
  16. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#awd_info
  17. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#elig
  18. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#prep
  19. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#prep
  20. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#budg_cst_shr_txt
  21. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#dates
  22. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#fastlane
  23. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#review
  24. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#reviewcrit
  25. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#reviewprot
  26. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#awardadmin
  27. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#awardnotify
  28. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#grantcond
  29. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#reportreq
  30. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#cont
  31. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15519/nsf15519.htm#othpgm
  32. http://www.nano.gov/node/1113.
  33. http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/
  microsites/ostp/PCAST/pcast_fifth_nni_review_oct2014_final.pdf
  34. https://www.src.org/newsroom/src-in-the-news/2014/656/
  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=gpg
  40. https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a1/newstan.htm
  41. mailto:fastlane@nsf.gov
  42. http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html
  43. mailto:support@grants.gov
  44. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/
  pappguide/nsf14001/gpg_3ex1.pdf
  45. http://nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/merit_review/
  46. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14043/nsf14043.pdf
  47. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/
  pappguide/nsf15001/gpg_2.jsp#IIC2di
  48. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/
  pappguide/nsf15001/gpg_2.jsp#IIC2di
  49. http://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/
  award_conditions.jsp?org=NSF
  50. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov
  51. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag
  52. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag
  53. mailto:lgoldber@nsf.gov
  54. mailto:gtessema@nsf.gov
  55. mailto:mbushey@nsf.gov
  56. mailto:socconor@nsf.gov
  57. mailto:sabasu@nsf.gov
  58. mailto:dlambert@nsf.gov
  59. mailto:fkronz@nsf.gov
  60. mailto:drbrown@nsf.gov
  61. mailto:gharriso@nsf.gov
  62. mailto:fastlane@nsf.gov
  63. mailto:support@grants.gov
  64. http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/outreach.jsp
  65. https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/
  USNSF/subscriber/new?topic_id=USNSF_179
  66. http://www.grants.gov/
  67. http://www.nsf.gov/
  68. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov
  69. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/
  SOR_PA_NSF-50_Principal_Investigator_Proposal_File.pdf
  70. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/
  SOR_PA_NSF-51_Reviewer_Proposal_File.pdf
  71. http://www.nsf.gov/policies
  72. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/privacy.jsp
  73. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/foia.jsp
  74. http://www.nsf.gov/help/
  75. http://www.nsf.gov/help/contact.jsp
  76. mailto:webmaster@nsf.gov
  77. http://www.nsf.gov/help/sitemap.jsp
  78. http://transcoder.usablenet.com/tt/referrer