National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, Virginia 22230

August 22, 2003

Office of the Assistant Director
Biological Sciences

Dear Colleague:

In order to provide better FastLane customer support and facilitate the timely handling of proposals, we are announcing a change in the target dates for a number of the programs in the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO). Currently the target dates for submission of unsolicited proposals to the Divisions of Environmental Biology, Integrative Biology & Neuroscience and Molecular & Cellular Biosciences are January 10 and July 10. Beginning January 2004, the following semi-annual target dates are in effect:

* or first Federal business day thereafter if the date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday.

Proposals must be prepared in compliance with the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG). See http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?gpg. Failure to follow GPG requirements may result in the return of proposal without review.

Note: deadlines and target dates for programs in the Division of Biological Infrastructure and other BIO Special Competitions are variable. See specific Program Announcements for applicable dates.

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.