Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for NSF Responsible Design, Development, and Deployment of Technologies (ReDDDoT)

On which key technology areas and impact areas does the ReDDDoT Program focus?

For the inaugural year of ReDDDoT, the program is primarily focused on (1) artificial intelligence (AI), including machine learning, autonomy, and related advances; (2) biotechnologies, including medical technology, genomics, and synthetic biology; and (3) disaster prevention or mitigation, including natural and anthropogenic causes. Proposed projects may focus on one or more of these priority areas. Projects that cover multiple priority areas are also welcome.

However, note that for the Phase 1 workshop track, proposals may be in any of the ten (10) key technology focus areas as identified in Section 10387 of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and as listed in Section II.C.1 of the ReDDDoT program solicitation (NSF 24-524).

In this solicitation, climate change and environmental sustainability are identified as key challenge areas associated with one or more of the above technology areas. Any proposals addressing these challenge areas will be reviewed in terms of one or more of the three corresponding technologies employed, i.e., AI, biotechnologies, and/or disaster prevention or mitigation.

How many of each type of proposal for the key technology areas will the program expect to fund?

The ReDDDoT program aims to fund a diverse portfolio of projects spanning the key technology areas called out in the solicitation. The program does not have a set number of each type. Rather, across the key technology areas, and as described in the solicitation, it is expected that NSF will fund an estimated ~10-12 Planning Grants (up to $300,000 each for no more than 2 years); 2 Translational Research Coordination Networks (up to $500,000 each for 3-4 years); and ~8-10 Workshops (up to $75,000 each).

NSF will fund an estimated 8-12 Phase 2 projects (with a range of $750,000-$1,500,000 each for 3 years).

Can proposed ReDDDoT projects focus on an international community or issue? Do projects have to be regional/national in scope?

Projects should focus on issues of direct relevance to communities in the United States. For other aspects of international participation, see below FAQ #7.

Place-based efforts are eligible. There is no requirement that projects must only include work at national or regional levels. Any location attributes should be aligned with effectively accomplishing the proposed scope and goals of a given project.

Do proposals need to focus on all three (3) "D's" of Design, Development, and Deployment when considering the creation of new technologies? Do proposals need to include all types of the ReDDDoT project activities or participants from all sectors?

Proposals may focus on one (1), two (2), or all three (3) of the three (3) D’s - design, development, and deployment. The ReDDDoT program aims to advance the capacity to conduct design, development, and deployment activities responsibly. Projects that work on addressing issues with existing or established technologies or focus on social science or community aspects of technology use are within scope.

Proposals may focus on any of the activity types, as outlined on Page 6 of the ReDDDoT program solicitation (NSF 24-524, Section A of Part II: Program Description): Research, Implementation, Methodologies and Tools, or Infrastructure. The number of disciplines and sectors involved in a proposal should be determined by who is appropriate to effectively accomplish the proposed scope and goals of the project.

Can an individual serve as Principal Investigator (PI) on several proposals to the Phase 1 and/or Phase 2 tracks simultaneously? Or can an individual simultaneously serve as PI for a workshop and a planning grant?

An individual may serve as PI on multiple proposals submitted to the different tracks of the ReDDDoT program solicitation if the scopes of work are distinct and non-overlapping.

If both a workshop and planning grant proposal(s) are on the same topic, then the proposed workshop should be part of the planning grant proposal, and a separate workshop proposal should not be submitted. Planning grant proposals may include workshops as part of the proposed activities and proposed overall budgets.

Are U.S. federal government employees allowed to be a part of the proposal that I plan to submit?

The NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) provides the following guidance: "NSF does not normally support research or education activities by scientists, engineers or educators employed by Federal agencies or Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs)."

NSF cannot provide monetary or budgetary support for a federal government employee. A federal government employee can provide a letter of collaboration, typically addressed from their supervisor, allowing them to participate without funding from NSF. The NSF PAPPG has more information on what to include as a letter of collaboration.

Are organizations or individuals from organizations outside of the United States eligible to be PIs, partners, or subawardees?

Organizations outside of the United States are not eligible to submit proposals. However, PIs from organizations in the United States can partner with collaborators from organizations outside the United States, pursuant to the relevant guidelines in the NSF PAPPG.

For workshops, proposals are encouraged to consider participation in the workshops by relevant international experts from like-minded countries.

Can funds for a ReDDDoT workshop proposal pay for travel for international participants?

In general, the answer is yes. However, international participants should bring relevant and unique expertise.

Do I need to submit and receive ReDDDoT Phase 1 funding before I apply to Phase 2 funding?

No, a Phase 1 award is not required before proposing for Phase 2 funding.

What are the program description page limits to the different types of proposals accepted to ReDDDoT?

ReDDDoT Planning Grant proposals, as defined in the ReDDDoT program solicitation may use up to the 15-page limit for project descriptions. You must select the ‘Research’ type proposal in Research.gov or Grants.gov when submitting a ReDDDoT Planning Grant proposal.

Where should I send a one-page description of my proposal for feedback, and how far in advance of the program deadline(s)?

The NSF ReDDDoT team can provide feedback. Please send your one-page description to redddot@nsf.gov. NSF will aim to respond within five business days.

When you are ready to submit your full proposal, please follow the instructions in the ReDDDoT solicitation.

Are there limits to how many proposals an organization can submit or an individual may serve on as PI or co-PI?

No, there are no limits on the number of proposals per organization or per PI or co-PI can submit to ReDDDoT.

How will the external philanthropic foundations and partners be involved in the review process? Will grants come from NSF, or from these partners?

ReDDDoT is a partnership between NSF and the external philanthropic partners listed in the solicitation. The solicitation describes a unified program supported by all of the partners, and all proposal submissions will be reviewed together against the program goals. NSF will conduct the review process in accordance with standard NSF merit review procedures. The external philanthropic partners may receive relevant information about the proposals under consideration (along with the corresponding unattributed reviews and/or panel summaries) to provide their perspectives during the selection process. The final award recommendations and decisions rest with NSF.

Awards will be issued and managed by NSF. All recipients must be able to receive federal funding (see separate FAQ #16 below). Acknowledgements of support should include both NSF and the philanthropic partners, and project reports provided by recipients to NSF will be shared with the philanthropic partners.

When will the awards be announced?

Per NSF guidelines, the ReDDDoT program will make every effort to make awards within six months of the closing date of the solicitation. A tentative start date for all awarded projects is October 1, 2024.

What is the expected acceptance rate of proposals?

The program solicitation provides information on how many awards are expected to be made per each of the Phase 1 and 2 tracks.

How do you know if your organization is eligible to receive NSF funds?

ReDDDoT is open to proposals submitted by eligible Institutions of Higher Education; For-profit organizations; Non-profit, non-academic organizations; State, Local, and Tribal governments; and Tribal Nations, as described in the solicitation. As noted above in FAQ #13, the funding will be distributed by NSF. The proposing organization should be able to accept NSF funding.

Descriptions of categories of proposers eligible to submit proposals to NSF are provided in Chapter I.E. of the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide.

For an individual organization to receive funds from NSF, you may need to register your organization via SAM.gov to receive your Unique Entity ID to start doing business with the federal government. The process to register your entity via SAM.gov is free. This must be completed before submission of a proposal to NSF. More information on additional necessary steps for new proposers to complete can be found here.

Additional guidance for new proposers who are eventually selected for an award can be found in the Prospective New Awardee Guide.

Your sponsored projects office, grants and contracts office, or related entity should be able to tell you whether you can receive federal funds (federal financial assistance grants or cooperative agreements) or already has the relevant registration with SAM.gov. Please note that SAM registration must be renewed annually.

Can a fiscally-sponsored non-profit organization apply?

A fiscally-sponsored organization may be a participant or a lead, but the fiscal sponsor organization, with 501(c)(3) status, must be the organization submitting the proposal and receiving the award.