NSF and NIST have entered into an arrangement intended to facilitate interactions between faculty and students supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the scientists and engineers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory (CSTL) and Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory (MSEL).

The National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have shared interests in chemistry, chemical engineering, the molecular biosciences and bioengineering, and materials research. These research areas are centralized at NIST in the Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory (CSTL) and the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory (MSEL), which includes the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR). At the NSF, the Divisions of Chemistry (CHE), Materials Research (DMR), Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB), Chemical and Transport Systems (CTS), and Bioengineering and Environmental Systems (BES) support these research areas. This program is designed to promote these shared NSF/NIST interests by supporting collaborative research and education activities between researchers at the CSTL and the MSEL and academic researchers whose areas of research and education are traditionally supported in one or more of the above NSF Divisions.

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. 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.

It is estimated that 10-20 supplements will be made annually. The anticipated funding amount for this activity is $200,000 annually. Estimated program budget, number of supplemental awards and average award size are subject to the availability of funds and the quality of the proposals submitted. Supplement requests must not exceed $20,000.

For complete information on the program, visit http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?nsf03568

NIST Contact:
W. F. Koch
(301) 975-8301

page created July 2, 2003