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General Information

Independent Investigator Awards (IIA)

Unsolicited IIA proposals can request funds for 1-5 years. The average award size is approximately $90,000 per year and the average duration is approximately 3 years. However, there is a significant range, and the annual award size is a function of many variables, including number of PIs, equipment and materials needs, the number of graduate students supported, travel needs, etc. Questions related to proposal budgets should be directed to the cognizant Program Director.

IIA proposals are generally reviewed by panels supplemented, as needed, by mail reviews. PIs may submit through FastLane names of suggested reviewers and may also the names of individuals they prefer not to review their proposal. These unsolicited IIA proposals can only be submitted during a one month acceptance window before the annual December 1st target date.

Interdisciplinary Research in CMS

Research on systems-based approaches for design and operation of engineered systems are reviewed and supported by cross-disciplinary teams from all CMS programs. Such research might address broad-based issues such as those associated with the integration and optimization of complex systems, including civil and mechanical infrastructure.   Fundamental and applied research on infrastructure systems requires cooperative research reviewed and funded jointly between program officers from CMS and related disciplines from other NSF divisions. 

The CMS Division, in partnership with other NSF Directorates and government agencies, also provides nationwide research and education resources that promise to have significant impact in the programmatic areas of Civil and Mechanical Systems and Engineering.  Examples of partnerships with CMS include the Institute for Civil Infrastructure Systems (ICIS)  and NSF's Earthquake Engineering Research Centers (EERC) Program, described below. In addition, NSF's Engineering Research Centers (ERC), State/Industry/University Cooperative research Centers (S/I/UCRC) and Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRC) Programs have impact in several areas relevant to the CMS community. Researchers and educators are encouraged to work with these centers to fully utilize the research and education infrastructure available within them.

Collaborative Proposals

Collaborative proposals with PIs from more than one institution may be submitted in one of two ways. In either case, one institution must be designated the lead institution. A single proposal can be submitted from the lead institution that includes a subcontract to support the work done by PIs from another institution(s). If successful, one award is made to the lead institution. Alternatively, proposals can be submitted from each collaborating institution, with one institution designated as the lead. The title should start: “Collaborative Research:…” The lead institution’s proposal contains all the required information except for the budget, bio sketches and current and pending support associated with the PIs from the non-lead institution(s). The proposal(s) from the non-lead institution contain only the budget, bio sketches and current and pending support associated with their PIs. In FastLane, the non-lead institution’s proposal(s) is linked to the lead institution’s proposal. If successful, an award is made directly to each institution.

Small Grants for Exploratory Research (SGER)

These unsolicited proposals can be submitted at any time during the year, but should be submitted only after the cognizant Program Director has indicated his/her interest in the proposal. SGERs are specifically designed for high risk/high return and time sensitive research. They are limited to $100k for no more than two years. CMS uses SGER proposals to fund rapid response reconnaissance after earthquakes and other disasters and for high risk/high return exploratory research to, for example, demonstrate proof-of-concept. SGER proposals, at the discretion of the Program Director, may be reviewed externally.

Proposals for Conferences, Symposia and Workshops

Conference, workshop and symposia proposals may be submitted at any time during the year. However, proposals should only be submitted after the cognizant Program Director has been contacted and has indicated his/her interest in the proposal. Details regarding the preparation and submission of this type of proposal, as well as descriptions of previous CMS supported workshop is available in MS Word format.

Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI)

Proposals from Predominately Undergraduate Institutions (PUI) may be submitted under the RUI program. These proposals have the same deadlines as IIA proposals and are typically reviewed by the same panels that review the IIA proposals. RUI proposals have additional requirements and review instructions, compared to IIA proposals. Details can be found at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2000/nsf00144/nsf00144.htm

RUI proposals compete for the same money as IIA proposals. There is no set aside available for this program.

Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI)

Proposals that meet certain requirements related to collaboration with industry can be submitted under the GOALI program. GOALI awards typically fund academic researchers to spend time and conduct research at an industry laboratory, or an industry researcher to do the same at an academic laboratory. Collaborative research proposals involving one or more universities and industry are also permitted. Details are provided at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?ods_key=nsf98142

GOALI proposals have the same deadlines as IIA proposals and are typically reviewed by the same panels that review the IIA proposals. GOALI proposals have additional requirements and review instructions, compared to IIA proposals. CMS program funds may be supplemented to fund GOALI awards.

Solicited Proposals

NSF annually solicits proposals in many areas of research. Examples of solicitations that may be of interest to CMS PIs are:

CAREER ( http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf02111 ),

Information Technology Research, ( http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf02168 )

Sensors ( http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf03512 ),

Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) ( http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf02145 ), and

Nanotechnology Research ( http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf02148 ) .

The specific requirements for each solicitation, as well as the deadline(s) are provided in the solicitation. PIs interested in receiving e-mail notification of new solicitations can sign up for the NSF news service: http://www.nsf.gov/home/cns/index.cfm

Each solicitation will include the name and contact information of Program Directors who can answer questions about the solicitation.

Supplements to Existing Awards

Existing awards may be supplemented within certain limits at the discretion of the Program Director. The supplements described below are the most common, but are not an exhaustive list. PIs interested in a supplement should contact their Program Director prior to submitting a FastLane request.

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Supplement

REU supplements are used to support undergraduate students (US citizens and permanent residents only) as research assistants. The primary purpose is to provide a research experience for the student so that he/she will consider pursuing an advanced degree in engineering. The student can be employed at any time during the year. Interested PIs should contact their Program Director to verify availability of funds, deadlines, etc.

The EEC Division also funds REU sites. REU sites provide a summer research experience for undergraduates from across the country. Host institutions typically provide a choice of research projects for the students, under a common theme.

More details on both REU supplements and sites are provided at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2002/nsf02136/nsf02136.htm

Research Experience for Teachers (RET) Supplement

RET supplements supports the active involvement of K-12 teachers and community college faculty in engineering research in order to bring knowledge of engineering and technological innovation into their classrooms. Teachers are typically employed during the summer and funds can also be provided for the development of teaching materials. Interested PIs should contact their Program Director to verify availability of funds, deadlines, etc.

The EEC Division also funds RET sites. RET sites provide groups of in-service and pre-service K-12 teachers and community college faculty with discovery-based learning experiences in Engineering laboratories and facilities, which will then be incorporated into their classroom activities during the school year.

More details on both RET sites and supplements can be found at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?ods_key=nsf03554 .

Research Opportunity Award (ROA) Supplement

Research Opportunity Awards (ROAs) are supplements to existing awards to enable faculty members of predominantly undergraduate institutions (PUI) to pursue research as visiting scientists with NSF-supported investigators at other institutions. PUI faculty typically are supported during the summer months. However, support during the academic year, for example for a sabbatical, may be provided. Support can also be requested for undergraduate research assistants from the PUI. ROA supplements are made at the discretion of the Program Director. PUI faculty interested in this program should contact PIs at research institutions directly. PIs interested in requesting an ROA supplement should contact their Program Director prior to submitting the request through FastLane. Additional information can be found at: http://www.nsf.gov/search97cgi/vtopic

Other Supplements

Supplements are sometimes made to support new equipment/instrumentation that would significantly enhance the research project; to explore unexpected results; or to meet unanticipated problems. These types of supplements are infrequent and should only be requested through FastLane after the Program Director has indicated a possible interest in the supplement request.

International travel supplements (or new awards) are sometimes made by CMS and/or the INT Division to support the development of an international collaboration. Information on INT’s programs can be found at: http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/int/int_tbl.htm

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Last updated: 12-Mar-2004

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Last updated on
12-Mar-2004