NSF-NIST Interaction in Chemistry, Materials Research, Molecular Biosciences, Bioengineering, and Chemical Engineering
Program Solicitation
NSF 03-568
Replaces Document NSF 97-109
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National Science Foundation |
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National Institute of Standards and Technology |
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Supplement Due Date(s):
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No fixed deadline
REVISIONS AND UPDATES
Replaces NSF-NIST INTERACTION IN CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING (NSF 97-109)
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
General Information
Program Title:
NSF-NIST Interaction in Chemistry, Materials Research, Molecular Biosciences, Bioengineering, and Chemical Engineering
Synopsis of Program:
This program solicitation is intended to facilitate interactions between faculty and students supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory (CSTL) and Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory (MSEL), including the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR). Chemistry, materials research, molecular biology, bioengineering, and chemical engineering are centralized at NIST in these laboratories. Support may be requested for supplements to existing NSF awards to provide the opportunity for faculty and students to participate in research at NIST facilities.
Cognizant Program Officer(s):
- Please see the full text of this funding opportunity for contact information.
Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):
- 47.074 --- Biological Sciences
- 47.041 --- Engineering
- 47.049 --- Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Eligibility Information
- Organization Limit:
Support may be requested only by organizations that have currently active awards in any of the participating NSF Divisions, viz. the Division of Bioengineering and Environmental Systems (BES), the Division of Chemical and Transport Systems (CTS), the Division of Chemistry (CHE), the Division of Materials Research (DMR), and the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB).
- PI Eligibility Limit:
Only faculty who are principal investigators on current NSF awards from BES, CHE, CTS, DMR, or MCB are eligible to apply for supplements.
- Limit on Number of Proposals: None Specified.
Award Information
- Anticipated Type of Award: Other - Supplement
- Estimated Number of Awards: 10 to 20 - annually
- Anticipated Funding Amount: $200,000 Annually, pending availability of funds
Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
- Full Proposal Preparation Instructions: This solicitation contains information that supplements the standard Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) proposal preparation guidelines. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
B. Budgetary Information
- Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost Sharing is not required.
- Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations: Not allowed
- Other Budgetary Limitations: Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
C. Due Dates
- Supplement Proposals:
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No fixed deadline
Proposal Review Information
- Merit Review Criteria: National Science Board approved criteria apply.
Award Administration Information
- Award Conditions: Standard NSF award conditions apply.
- Reporting Requirements: Standard NSF reporting requirements apply.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction
- Program Description
- Eligibility Information
- Award Information
- Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
- Proposal Review Information
- Award Administration Information
- Contacts for Additional Information
- Other Programs of Interest
I. INTRODUCTION
II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This program provides supplements to NSF supported researchers with active awards in the NSF's Divisions of Chemistry, Materials Research, Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Chemical and Transport Systems, and Bioengineering and Environmental Systems for collaboration with researchers at NIST's CSTL and MSEL. The latter includes the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR), which includes the NSF-supported Center for High Resolution Neutron Scattering (CHRNS). Travel and per diem support will be provided for faculty, students, and other personnel to carry out research and/or education activities at the participating NIST laboratories.
The Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory (CSTL) is the United States' reference laboratory for chemical measurements. The CSTL is entrusted with developing, maintaining, advancing, and enabling the chemical measurement system for the U.S, thereby enhancing U.S. industry's productivity and competitiveness, assuring equity in trade, and improving public health, safety, and environmental quality. The CSTL is responsible for measurements, data, and standards in chemical, biochemical, and chemical engineering sciences. CSTL’s physical facilities are located at the major NIST sites in Gaithersburg, Maryland and Boulder, Colorado, as well as at the Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology (CARB) in Rockville, Maryland and the Hollings Marine Laboratory (HML) in Charleston, South Carolina.
CSTL is grouped into five Divisions, described briefly below. Each Division name is hyperlinked to the home page of that Division
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Analytical Chemistry Division: provides reference measurement methods and standards to enhance U.S. industry's productivity, assure equity in trade, and facilitate sound decision-making regarding human health, safety, and the environment, by maintaining world-class metrologically based core competencies in analytical mass spectrometry, analytical separation science, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, chemical sensing technology, classical and electroanalytical methods, gas metrology, nuclear analytical methods, and microanalytical technologies
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Biotechnology Division: provides the measurement infrastructure necessary to advance the commercialization and application of biotechnology, addressing critical measurement and data needs for the rapidly developing biotechnology industry.
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Physical and Chemical Properties Division: provides measurements, standards, data, and models in the areas of thermophysics, thermochemistry, and chemical kinetics, focusing primarily on: thermophysical and thermochemical properties of gases, liquids, and solids, including both pure materials and mixtures; rates and mechanisms of chemical reactions in the gas and liquid phases; fluid-based physical processes and systems, including separations and low-temperature refrigeration and heat transfer.
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Process Measurements Division: establishes and disseminates national measurement standards for thermodynamic parameters, engages in measurement science research to improve measurement capabilities for chemical process and related technologies, and is responsible for national measurement standards for temperature, humidity, pressure and vacuum, fluid flow, air speed, liquid density and volume. Its research efforts seek fundamental understanding of, and generate key data pertinent to, chemical process technologies.
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Surface and Microanalysis Science Division: serves as the Nation’s Reference Laboratory for chemical metrology research, standards, and data to characterize the spatial and temporal distribution of chemical species and improve the accuracy, precision, sensitivity, selectivity, and applicability of surface, microanalysis, and advanced isotope measurement techniques.
The Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory (MSEL) works with industry, standards bodies, universities, and other government laboratories, to provide technical leadership for the nation's materials measurement and standards infrastructure. Expertise in a wide variety of materials, as well as neutron characterization, and x-ray methodology is used to anticipate and respond to industry needs in areas such as microelectronics, automotive, and health care, by providing measurement methods, standard reference materials and materials data. The Laboratory houses the nation's only fully equipped cold neutron research facility, the NIST Center for Neutron Research.
MSEL is organized as briefly described below. Each organization name is hyperlinked to the home page of that Division.
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Ceramics: conducts programs pertinent to measurement issues for inorganic, non-metallic materials; current emphasis involves the development of test methodologies for nanoscale materials, the preparation of standard reference materials, and the evaluation and dissemination of standard reference data. The Division also operates synchrotron x-ray beamlines at Brookhaven and Argonne National Laboratories.
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Materials Reliability: develops and disseminates measurement methods and standards enhancing the quality and reliability of materials, with emphasis on the development of measurements for materials evaluation in micro- and optoelectronics, and nondestructive techniques (e.g., acoustics and ultrasonics) to evaluate the microstructural properties of materials.
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Polymers: conducts research in areas that encompass electronics materials, biomaterials, multiphase materials, processing characterization, and applications of combinatorial methods.
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Metallurgy: develops measurement and standards infrastructure for US industry and the nation with expertise in electrochemical processing, magnetic materials, materials performance, materials structure and characterization, and metallurgical processing.
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NIST Center for Neutron Research: a national center for research using thermal and cold neutrons, offering advanced measurement capabilities for use by all qualified applicants. Many instruments rely on intense beams of cold neutrons emanating from a recently upgraded liquid hydrogen moderator.
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Center for Theoretical and Computational Materials Science: investigates important problems in materials theory and modeling with novel computational approaches, develops powerful new tools for materials theory and modeling, and accelerates their integration into industrial research.
Faculty who are principal investigators on current NSF awards supported by one or more of the participating NSF Divisions may request supplements for travel and per diem associated with collaborative work either at the CSTL or MSEL. Support may be requested for faculty, students, and other personnel associated with the joint NSF/NIST activity. No NSF funds will be provided for NIST employees. Prior agreement on the part of the collaborating CSTL or MSEL scientific staff member or members must be obtained and a letter from the appropriate NIST CSTL or MSEL Division Chief or Center Director must be included in the submitted proposal (see Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions below ).
III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
IV. AWARD INFORMATION
V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
Full Proposal Instructions:
Proposals submitted in response to this program announcement/solicitation should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the general guidelines for supplemental funding contained in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) Section V.B.4. The complete text of the GPG is available electronically on the NSF Website at: http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?gpg. Paper copies of the GPG may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (301) 947-2722 or by e-mail from pubs@nsf.gov.
Before submitting a supplement request to this program, principal investigators are encouraged to consult the program officer who normally handles the award for which a supplement is being requested.
Requests for supplemental support to existing NSF grants must include a summary of the proposed work, a brief justification, and a budget for the requested funds. These requests are submitted through the FaslLane Award and Reporting module (http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov). Please mention this program solicitation number (NSF 03-568) in the summary section of the supplement request to make sure that the handling of your request is not delayed.
In the Special Information and Supplemental Documentation section of the supplemental funding request, a one-page letter signed by the collaborating CSTL or MSEL NIST Division Chief or Center Director must be included. This letter of commitment should describe briefly the nature of the collaboration and the willingness of the CSTL or MSEL laboratory to support the portion of this research performed at the NIST laboratory.
B. Budgetary Information
Cost Sharing:
Cost sharing is not required in proposals submitted under this Program Solicitation.
Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:
Other Budgetary Limitations:
Budget Preparation Instructions:
C. Due Dates
Proposals submitted in response to this announcement/solicitation will be accepted at any time.
Supplement Date(s):
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No fixed deadline
D. FastLane Requirements
Proposers are required to prepare and submit all proposals for this announcement/solicitation through the FastLane system. Detailed instructions for proposal preparation and submission via FastLane are available at: http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a1/newstan.htm. For FastLane user support, call the FastLane Help Desk at 1-800-673-6188 or e-mail fastlane@nsf.gov. The FastLane Help Desk answers general technical questions related to the use of the FastLane system. Specific questions related to this program announcement/solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this announcement/solicitation.
Submission of Electronically Signed Cover Sheets. The Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) must electronically sign the proposal Cover Sheet to submit the required proposal certifications (see Chapter II, Section C of the Grant Proposal Guide for a listing of the certifications). The AOR must provide the required electronic certifications within five working days following the electronic submission of the proposal. Proposers are no longer required to provide a paper copy of the signed Proposal Cover Sheet to NSF. Further instructions regarding this process are available on the FastLane Website at: http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov
VI. PROPOSAL REVIEW INFORMATION
A. NSF Proposal Review Process
Supplement proposals submitted in response to this solicitation will be reviewed internally by NSF personnel with the possibility of additional external review as needed.
The National Science Board approved revised criteria for evaluating proposals at its meeting on March 28, 1997 (NSB 97-72). All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two merit review criteria. In some instances, however, NSF will employ additional criteria as required to highlight the specific objectives of certain programs and activities.
On July 8, 2002, the NSF Director issued Important Notice 127, Implementation of new Grant Proposal Guide Requirements Related to the Broader Impacts Criterion. This Important Notice reinforces the importance of addressing both criteria in the preparation and review of all proposals submitted to NSF. NSF continues to strengthen its internal processes to ensure that both of the merit review criteria are addressed when making funding decisions.
In an effort to increase compliance with these requirements, the January 2002 issuance of the GPG incorporated revised proposal preparation guidelines. Principal Investigators (PIs) must address both merit review criteria in separate statements within the summary of proposed work.
Effective October 1, 2002, NSF will return without review proposals that do not separately address both merit review criteria within the summary of proposed work. It is believed that these changes to NSF proposal preparation and processing guidelines will more clearly articulate the importance of broader impacts to NSF-funded projects.
The two National Science Board approved merit review criteria are listed below (see the Grant Proposal Guide Chapter III.A for further information). The criteria include considerations that help define them. These considerations are suggestions and not all will apply to any given proposal. While proposers must address both merit review criteria, reviewers will be asked to address only those considerations that are relevant to the proposal being considered and for which he/she is qualified to make judgments.
How important is the proposed activity to advancing knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields? How well qualified is the proposer (individual or team) to conduct the project? (If appropriate, the reviewer will comment on the quality of the prior work.) To what extent does the proposed activity suggest and explore creative and original concepts? How well conceived and organized is the proposed activity? Is there sufficient access to resources?
How well does the activity advance discovery and understanding while promoting teaching, training, and learning? How well does the proposed activity broaden the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc.)? To what extent will it enhance the infrastructure for research and education, such as facilities, instrumentation, networks, and partnerships? Will the results be disseminated broadly to enhance scientific and technological understanding? What may be the benefits of the proposed activity to society?
NSF staff will give careful consideration to the following in making funding decisions:
One of the principal strategies in support of NSF's goals is to foster integration of research and education through the programs, projects, and activities it supports at academic and research institutions. These institutions provide abundant opportunities where individuals may concurrently assume responsibilities as researchers, educators, and students and where all can engage in joint efforts that infuse education with the excitement of discovery and enrich research through the diversity of learning perspectives.
Broadening opportunities and enabling the participation of all citizens -- women and men, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities -- is essential to the health and vitality of science and engineering. NSF is committed to this principle of diversity and deems it central to the programs, projects, and activities it considers and supports.
B. Review Protocol and Associated Customer Service Standard
Internal review will be conducted by NSF personnel with the possibility of additional external review as needed. The Program Officer assigned to manage the proposal's review will consider the advice of reviewers and will formulate a recommendation.
NSF is striving to be able to tell applicants whether their proposals have been declined or recommended for funding within six months. The time interval begins on the date of receipt. The interval ends when the Division Director accepts the Program Officer's recommendation.
In all cases, after programmatic approval has been obtained, the proposals recommended for funding will be forwarded to the Division of Grants and Agreements for review of business, financial, and policy implications and the processing and issuance of a grant or other agreement. Proposers are cautioned that only a Grants and Agreements Officer may make commitments, obligations or awards on behalf of NSF or authorize the expenditure of funds. No commitment on the part of NSF should be inferred from technical or budgetary discussions with a NSF Program Officer. A Principal Investigator or organization that makes financial or personnel commitments in the absence of a grant or cooperative agreement signed by the NSF Grants and Agreements Officer does so at their own risk.
VII. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION
A. Notification of the Award
Notification of the award is made to the submitting organization by a Grants Officer in the Division of Grants and Agreements. Organizations whose proposals are declined will be advised as promptly as possible by the cognizant NSF Program Division administering the program.
B. Award Conditions
An NSF award consists of: (1) the award letter, which includes any special provisions applicable to the award and any numbered amendments thereto; (2) the budget, which indicates the amounts, by categories of expense, on which NSF has based its support (or otherwise communicates any specific approvals or disapprovals of proposed expenditures); (3) the proposal referenced in the award letter; (4) the applicable award conditions, such as Grant General Conditions (NSF-GC-1); * or Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) Terms and Conditions * and (5) any announcement or other NSF issuance that may be incorporated by reference in the award letter. Cooperative agreement awards also are administered in accordance with NSF Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions (CA-1). Electronic mail notification is the preferred way to transmit NSF awards to organizations that have electronic mail capabilities and have requested such notification from the Division of Grants and Agreements.
*These documents may be accessed electronically on NSF's Website at http://www.nsf.gov/home/grants/grants_gac.htm. Paper copies may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (301) 947-2722 or by e-mail from pubs@nsf.gov.
More comprehensive information on NSF Award Conditions is contained in the NSF Grant Policy Manual (GPM) Chapter II, available electronically on the NSF Website at http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?gpm. The GPM is also for sale through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office (GPO), Washington, DC 20402. The telephone number at GPO for subscription information is (202) 512-1800. The GPM may be ordered through the GPO Website at http://www.gpo.gov.
C. Reporting Requirements
For all multi-year grants (including both standard and continuing grants), the PI must submit an annual project report to the cognizant Program Officer at least 90 days before the end of the current budget period.
Within 90 days after the expiration of an award, the PI also is required to submit a final project report. Failure to provide final technical reports delays NSF review and processing of pending proposals for the PI and all Co-PIs. PIs should examine the formats of the required reports in advance to assure availability of required data.
PIs are required to use NSF's electronic project reporting system, available through FastLane, for preparation and submission of annual and final project reports. This system permits electronic submission and updating of project reports, including information on project participants (individual and organizational), activities and findings, publications, and other specific products and contributions. PIs will not be required to re-enter information previously provided, either with a proposal or in earlier updates using the electronic system.
VIII. CONTACTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For information about the participating NIST laboratories contact:
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Dr. William F. Koch, Deputy Director, Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory, (301) 975-8301, FAX: (301) 975-3845, william.koch@nist.gov
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Dr. Stephen W. .Freiman, Deputy Director, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, (301) 975-5658, FAX: (301) 975-5012, stephen.freiman@nist.gov
For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact:
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Paul G. Spyropoulos, Computer Specialist, Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences, Division of Chemistry, 1055 S, telephone: (703) 292-4968, fax: (703) 292-9037, email: pspyropo@nsf.gov
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Maxine E. Jefferson-Brown, Computer Specialist, Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences, Division of Materials Research, 1065 N, telephone: (703) 292-4918, fax: (703) 292-9035, email: mjeffers@nsf.gov
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Una Alford-Solomon, Program Technology Analyst, Directorate for Biological Sciences, Division of Molecular & Cellular Biosciences, 655 S, telephone: (703) 292-8440, fax: (703) 292-9061, email: ualford@nsf.gov
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Marcia Rawlings, Computer Specialist, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Bioengineering & Environmental Systems, 565 S, telephone: (703) 292-7956, fax: (703) 292-9098, email: mrawling@nsf.gov
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Saundra E. Woodard, Administrative Officer, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Chemical & Transport Systems, 525 N, telephone: (703) 292-8370, fax: (703) 292-9054, email: swoodard@nsf.gov
IX. OTHER PROGRAMS OF INTEREST
The NSF Guide to Programs is a compilation of funding for research and education in science, mathematics, and engineering. The NSF Guide to Programs is available electronically at http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?gp. General descriptions of NSF programs, research areas, and eligibility information for proposal submission are provided in each chapter.
Many NSF programs offer announcements or solicitations concerning specific proposal requirements. To obtain additional information about these requirements, contact the appropriate NSF program offices. Any changes in NSF's fiscal year programs occurring after press time for the Guide to Programs will be announced in the NSF E-Bulletin, which is updated daily on the NSF Website at http://www.nsf.gov/home/ebulletin, and in individual program announcements/solicitations. Subscribers can also sign up for NSF's Custom News Service (http://www.nsf.gov/home/cns/start.htm) to be notified of new funding opportunities that become available.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. Awardees are wholly responsible for conducting their project activities and preparing the results for publication. Thus, the Foundation does not assume responsibility for such findings or their interpretation.
NSF welcomes proposals from all qualified scientists, engineers and educators. The Foundation strongly encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to compete fully in its programs. In accordance with Federal statutes, regulations and NSF policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin or disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from NSF, although some programs may have special requirements that limit eligibility.
Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities (investigators and other staff, including student research assistants) to work on NSF-supported projects. See the GPG Chapter II, Section D.2 for instructions regarding preparation of these types of proposals.
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The National Science Foundation promotes and advances scientific progress in the United States by competitively awarding grants and cooperative agreements for research and education in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering. To get the latest information about program deadlines, to download copies of NSF publications, and to access abstracts of awards, visit the NSF Website at http://www.nsf.gov
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PRIVACY ACT AND PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENTS
The information requested on proposal forms and project reports is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. The information on proposal forms will be used in connection with the selection of qualified proposals; project reports submitted by awardees will be used for program evaluation and reporting within the Executive Branch and to Congress. The information requested may be disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff assistants as part of the proposal review process; to applicant institutions/grantees to provide or obtain data regarding the proposal review process, award decisions, or the administration of awards; to government contractors, experts, volunteers and researchers and educators as necessary to complete assigned work; to other government agencies needing information as part of the review process or in order to coordinate programs; and to another Federal agency, court or party in a court or Federal administrative proceeding if the government is a party. Information about Principal Investigators may be added to the Reviewer file and used to select potential candidates to serve as peer reviewers or advisory committee members. See Systems of Records, NSF-50, "Principal Investigator/Proposal File and Associated Records," 63 Federal Register 267 (January 5, 1998), and NSF-51, "Reviewer/Proposal File and Associated Records," 63 Federal Register 268 (January 5, 1998). Submission of the information is voluntary. Failure to provide full and complete information, however, may reduce the possibility of receiving an award.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to an information collection unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this collection is 3145-0058. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 120 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions. Send comments regarding this burden estimate and any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, Division of Administrative Services, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA 22230.
OMB control number: 3145-0058.
