SBE Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants
Program Solicitation
NSF 06-605
Replaces Document(s):
NSF 05-574
 |
National Science Foundation |
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
January 15, 2007
January 15, Annually Thereafter
Political Science
February 09, 2007
February 9, Annually Thereafter
Physical Anthropology
February 15, 2007
February 15, Annually Thereafter
Geography and Regional Science
August 16, 2007
August 16, Annually Thereafter
Physical Anthropology
August 16, 2007
August 16, Annually Thereafter
Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics
October 15, 2007
October 15, Annually Thereafter
Geography and Regional Science
Full Proposal Target Date(s):
January 15, 2007
January 15, Annually Thereafter
Cultural Anthropology
January 15, 2007
January 15, Annually Thereafter
Law and Social Science
January 15, 2007
January 15, Annually Thereafter
Linguistics
January 15, 2007
January 15, Annually Thereafter
Research on Science and Technology Surveys and Statistics
January 16, 2007
January 16, Annually Thereafter
Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics
January 18, 2007
January 18, Annually Thereafter
Economics
February 01, 2007
February 1, Annually Thereafter
Science, Technology, and Society
February 15, 2007
February 15, Annually Thereafter
Sociology
July 15, 2007
July 15, Annually Thereafter
Linguistics
August 01, 2007
August 1, Annually Thereafter
Science, Technology, and Society
August 15, 2007
August 15, Annually Thereafter
Cultural Anthropology
August 15, 2007
August 15, Annually Thereafter
Law and Social Science
August 18, 2007
August 18, Annually Thereafter
Economics
August 18, 2007
August 18, Annually Thereafter
Decision, Risk & Management Sciences
October 15, 2007
October 15, Annually Thereafter
Sociology
January 18, 2008
January 18, Annually Thereafter
Decision, Risk & Management Sciences
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
Proposals Accepted Anytime
Archaeology
REVISION NOTES
A revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), NSF 09-1, was issued on October 1, 2008 and is effective for proposals submitted on or after January 5, 2009. Please be advised that the guidelines contained in NSF 09-1 apply to proposals submitted in response to this funding opportunity. Proposers who opt to submit prior to January 5th, 2009, must also follow the guidelines contained in NSF 09-1.
One of the most significant changes to the PAPPG is implementation of the mentoring provisions of the America COMPETES Act. Each proposal that requests funding to support postdoctoral researchers must include, as a separate section within the 15-page project description, a description of the mentoring activities that will be provided for such individuals. Proposals that do not include a separate section on mentoring activities within the Project Description will be returned without review (see the PAPP Guide Part I: Grant Proposal Guide Chapter II.C.2.d for further information).
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
General Information
Program Title:
SBE Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants
Synopsis of Program:
The National Science Foundation's Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (BCS), Division of Social and Economic Sciences (SES), and Division of Science Resources Statistics (SRS) award grants to doctoral students to improve the quality of dissertation research. These grants provide funds for items not normally available through the student's university. Additionally, these grants allow doctoral students to undertake significant data-gathering projects and to conduct field research in settings away from their campus that would not otherwise be possible. Proposals are judged on the basis of their scientific merit, including the theoretical importance of the research question and the appropriateness of the proposed data and methodology to be used in addressing the question.
In an effort to improve the quality of dissertation research, many programs in BCS, SES, and the Research on Science and Technology Surveys and Statistics Program within SRS accept doctoral dissertation improvement grant proposals. Items such as budget limitations, target dates and/or deadlines, page length restrictions, and review procedures vary widely across programs. Please consult the relevant program's webpage for specific information and contact the program director if necessary.
The following Programs support dissertation research:
Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (BCS)
Division of Social and Economic Sciences (SES)
Decision, Risk & Management Science
Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics
Science, Technology, and Society
Division of Science Resources Statistics (SRS)
Research on Science and Technology Surveys and Statistics Program
For a list of cognizant program officers for the programs listed above, please visit the SBE Doctoral Dissertation Contact List.
Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):
- 47.075 --- Social Behavioral and Economic Sciences
Award Information
Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant
Estimated Number of Awards: 200 to 300 for the entire SBE Directorate
Anticipated Funding Amount: $2,500,000 annually across all programs, contingent upon the availability of funds
Eligibility Information
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
- The student must be enrolled at a U.S. academic institution, but need not be a U.S. citizen. Proposals from women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged.
PI Limit:
The proposal must be submitted by the dissertation advisor(s) on behalf of the graduate student who is at the point of initiating or already conducting dissertation research.
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:
None Specified
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI:
None Specified
Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
- Letters of Intent: Not Applicable
- Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not Applicable
-
Full Proposals:
-
Full Proposals submitted via FastLane: NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide, Part I: Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) Guidelines apply. The complete text of the GPG is available electronically on the NSF website at:
http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg. -
Full Proposals submitted via Grants.gov: NSF Grants.gov Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Applications via Grants.gov Guidelines apply (Note: The NSF Grants.gov Application Guide is available on the Grants.gov website and on the NSF website at:
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/grantsgovguide607.pdf)
-
B. Budgetary Information
- Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost Sharing is not required under this solicitation.
- Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:
NSF does not reimburse grantee U.S. academic institutions for the indirect costs associated with doctoral dissertation research.
- Other Budgetary Limitations: Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
C. Due Dates
-
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
January 15, 2007
January 15, Annually Thereafter
Political Science
February 09, 2007
February 9, Annually Thereafter
Physical Anthropology
February 15, 2007
February 15, Annually Thereafter
Geography and Regional Science
August 16, 2007
August 16, Annually Thereafter
Physical Anthropology
August 16, 2007
August 16, Annually Thereafter
Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics
October 15, 2007
October 15, Annually Thereafter
Geography and Regional Science
- Full Proposal Target Date(s):
- Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
January 15, 2007
January 15, Annually Thereafter
Cultural Anthropology
January 15, 2007
January 15, Annually Thereafter
Law and Social Science
January 15, 2007
January 15, Annually Thereafter
Linguistics
January 15, 2007
January 15, Annually Thereafter
Research on Science and Technology Surveys and Statistics
January 16, 2007
January 16, Annually Thereafter
Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics
January 18, 2007
January 18, Annually Thereafter
Economics
February 01, 2007
February 1, Annually Thereafter
Science, Technology, and Society
February 15, 2007
February 15, Annually Thereafter
Sociology
July 15, 2007
July 15, Annually Thereafter
Linguistics
August 01, 2007
August 1, Annually Thereafter
Science, Technology, and Society
August 15, 2007
August 15, Annually Thereafter
Cultural Anthropology
August 15, 2007
August 15, Annually Thereafter
Law and Social Science
August 18, 2007
August 18, Annually Thereafter
Economics
August 18, 2007
August 18, Annually Thereafter
Decision, Risk & Management Sciences
October 15, 2007
October 15, Annually Thereafter
Sociology
January 18, 2008
January 18, Annually Thereafter
Decision, Risk & Management Sciences
Proposals Accepted Anytime
Archaeology
Proposal Review Information Criteria
Merit Review Criteria: National Science Board approved criteria. Additional merit review considerations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
Award Administration Information
Award Conditions: Standard NSF award conditions apply.
Reporting Requirements: Standard NSF reporting requirements apply.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction
- Program Description
- Award Information
- Eligibility Information
- Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
- NSF Proposal Processing and Review Procedures
- Award Administration Information
- Agency Contacts
- Other Information
I. INTRODUCTION
The National Science Foundation's Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (BCS), Division of Social and Economic Sciences (SES), and Division of Science Resources Statistics (SRS) award grants to doctoral students to improve the quality of dissertation research. These grants provide funds for items not normally available through the student's university. Additionally, these grants allow doctoral students to undertake significant data-gathering projects and to conduct field and archival research in settings away from their campus that would not otherwise be possible. Funds may be used for valid research expenses which include, but are not limited to, conducting field research in settings away from campus that would not otherwise be possible, data collection and sample survey costs, payments to subjects or informants, specialized research equipment, analysis and services not otherwise available, supplies, travel to archives, travel to specialized collections and facilities or field research locations, and partial living expenses for conducting necessary research away from the student's university.
II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
SBE Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants provide supplemental funds for items not usually available from the student's U.S. academic institution. The awards are not intended to provide the full costs of a student's doctoral dissertation research. Funds may be used for valid research expenses which include, but are not limited to, conducting field research in settings away from campus that would not otherwise be possible, data collection and sample survey costs, payments to subjects or informants, specialized research equipment, analysis and services not otherwise available, supplies, travel to archives, travel to specialized collections and facilities or field research locations, and partial living expenses for conducting necessary research away from the student's U.S. academic institution.
While the Foundation provides support for doctoral dissertation research, the student (Co-PI) is solely responsible for the conduct of such research and preparation of results for publication. The Foundation, therefore, does not assume responsibility for such findings and their interpretation. This program does not support research with disease-related goals, including research on the etiology, diagnosis, or treatment of physical or mental disease, abnormality, or malfunction of human beings, animals or plants.
III. AWARD INFORMATION
Estimated program budget, number of awards and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.
Due to the variation in research techniques and needs across the social, behavioral, and economic sciences, individual programs vary widely in award sizes; please consult the program's webpage or program director for specific information. Proposer may concurrently submit a doctoral dissertation proposal to other funding organizations; please indicate this in the "Current and Pending Support" section of the NSF proposal, so that NSF may coordinate funding with the other organizations.
IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
- The student must be enrolled at a U.S. academic institution, but need not be a U.S. citizen. Proposals from women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged.
PI Limit:
The proposal must be submitted by the dissertation advisor(s) on behalf of the graduate student who is at the point of initiating or already conducting dissertation research.
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:
None Specified
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI:
None Specified
Additional Eligibility Info:
V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
Full Proposal Preparation Instructions: Proposers may opt to submit proposals in response to this Program Solicitation via Grants.gov or via the NSF FastLane system.
- Full proposals submitted via FastLane: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the general guidelines contained in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG). The complete text of the GPG is available electronically on the NSF website at:
http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg. Paper copies of the GPG may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from pubs@nsf.gov. Proposers are reminded to identify this program solicitation number in the program solicitation block on the NSF Cover Sheet For Proposal to the National Science Foundation. Compliance with this requirement is critical to determining the relevant proposal processing guidelines. Failure to submit this information may delay processing.
- Full proposals submitted via Grants.gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation via Grants.gov should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Applications via Grants.gov. The complete text of the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide is available on the Grants.gov website and on the NSF website at:
(http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/grantsgovguide607.pdf). To obtain copies of the Application Guide and Application Forms Package, click on the Apply tab on the Grants.gov site, then click on the Apply Step 1: Download a Grant Application Package and Application Instructions link and enter the funding opportunity number, (the program solicitation number without the NSF prefix) and press the Download Package button. Paper copies of the Grants.gov Application Guide also may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from pubs@nsf.gov.
Specific instructions for Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants are:
1. Cover Page
-
The Project Title should begin with "Doctoral Dissertation Research:"
-
List the primary dissertation advisor as the "PI/PD" and the student as the "CO-PI/PD."
-
Mark human subjects as pending, approved, or exempted. Provide documentation in proposal if approved or exempted.
2. Project Summary
-
This section should specifically address both the intellectual merit of the proposal and the broader impacts.
3. Project Description
-
This section should describe the scientific significance of the work, including its relationship to other current research, and the design of the project in sufficient detail to permit evaluation. It should also present and interpret progress to date if the research is already underway.
-
A Research Schedule should be included and should indicate the date that funds are required. The "Results from Prior NSF Support" section is not required.
-
Some programs limit dissertation research proposals to 10 pages, others limit them to 15 pages. For questions regarding page-length and supplemental materials such as surveys, please consult the relevant program's website and contact the NSF program assistant or director if necessary.
4. References
-
Only references cited should be included.
5. Biographical Sketches
-
Should be submitted for both the student and the dissertation advisor and should not exceed 2 pages each. Some programs require a statement of the student's current academic status and degree progress.
-
Do not submit transcripts or letters of reference.
6. Budget
- Total of relevant travel expenses should be included in Domestic Travel (including Canada, Mexico, and U.S. possessions) and/or Foreign Travel.
- All other expenses should be included in "Other Direct Costs," unless otherwise specified by the program.
- There are no salaries or stipends for the graduate student or the advisor; please check relevant program for maximum allowed costs for dissertation expenses.
7. Current and pending support forms should be submitted for both the PI (advisor) and Co-PI (student).
8. Supplementary Documentation
The following should be uploaded as "Supplemental Documents" in FastLane or as "Additional Single Copy Documents" (Field 6 on the NSF Grant Application Cover Page) in Grants.gov.
-
A statement from the department chair or the advisor certifying the student's progress towards the degree (completion of course work, advancement to candidacy, etc.) may be required. Please consult the relevant program.
- If the doctoral student will use the award for travel expenses to work with a specialist, then a letter from the specialist agreeing to work with the student should be included. The proposal should provide justification for this choice.
B. Budgetary Information
Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is not required under this solicitation.
Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:
NSF does not reimburse grantee U.S. academic institutions for the indirect costs associated with doctoral dissertation research.
Other Budgetary Limitations:
- In general, grants are awarded for up to 24 months.
- Funds are to be used exclusively for necessary expenses incurred in the actual conduct of the dissertation research.
- These funds may not be used as a stipend for the student, for tuition, textbooks, journals, or for the typing, reproduction, or publication costs of the student's dissertation.
- Although stipends are not permitted, an allowance for expenses during time away from the student's U.S. academic institution may be allowed.
- Funds may be requested for research assistants only in special circumstances, which should be carefully justified. Many of the limitations are program specific.
- Please consult the relevant program's website and contact the program assistant or director if necessary.
C. Due Dates
-
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
January 15, 2007
January 15, Annually Thereafter
Political Science
February 09, 2007
February 9, Annually Thereafter
Physical Anthropology
February 15, 2007
February 15, Annually Thereafter
Geography and Regional Science
August 16, 2007
August 16, Annually Thereafter
Physical Anthropology
August 16, 2007
August 16, Annually Thereafter
Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics
October 15, 2007
October 15, Annually Thereafter
Geography and Regional Science
- Full Proposal Target Date(s):
- Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
January 15, 2007
January 15, Annually Thereafter
Cultural Anthropology
January 15, 2007
January 15, Annually Thereafter
Law and Social Science
January 15, 2007
January 15, Annually Thereafter
Linguistics
January 15, 2007
January 15, Annually Thereafter
Research on Science and Technology Surveys and Statistics
January 16, 2007
January 16, Annually Thereafter
Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics
January 18, 2007
January 18, Annually Thereafter
Economics
February 01, 2007
February 1, Annually Thereafter
Science, Technology, and Society
February 15, 2007
February 15, Annually Thereafter
Sociology
July 15, 2007
July 15, Annually Thereafter
Linguistics
August 01, 2007
August 1, Annually Thereafter
Science, Technology, and Society
August 15, 2007
August 15, Annually Thereafter
Cultural Anthropology
August 15, 2007
August 15, Annually Thereafter
Law and Social Science
August 18, 2007
August 18, Annually Thereafter
Economics
August 18, 2007
August 18, Annually Thereafter
Decision, Risk & Management Sciences
October 15, 2007
October 15, Annually Thereafter
Sociology
January 18, 2008
January 18, Annually Thereafter
Decision, Risk & Management Sciences
Proposals Accepted Anytime
Archaeology
Due dates vary across Programs. Please consult the relevant program’s website (direct links located in the Summary of Program Requirements section of this solicitation).
D. FastLane/Grants.gov Requirements
For Proposals Submitted Via FastLane:
Detailed technical instructions regarding the technical aspects of preparation and submission via FastLane are available at: https://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 solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this funding opportunity.
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. Further instructions regarding this process are available on the FastLane Website at:
https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/fastlane.jsp.-
For Proposals Submitted Via Grants.gov:
Before using Grants.gov for the first time, each organization must register to create an institutional profile. Once registered, the applicant's organization can then apply for any federal grant on the Grants.gov website. The Grants.gov's Grant Community User Guide is a comprehensive reference document that provides technical information about Grants.gov. Proposers can download the User Guide as a Microsoft Word document or as a PDF document. The Grants.gov User Guide is available at:
http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport. In addition, the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide provides additional technical guidance regarding preparation of proposals via Grants.gov. For Grants.gov user support, contact the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or by email: support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov Contact Center answers general technical questions related to the use of Grants.gov. Specific questions related to this program solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this solicitation.
Submitting the Proposal: Once all documents have been completed, the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) must submit the application to Grants.gov and verify the desired funding opportunity and agency to which the application is submitted. The AOR must then sign and submit the application to Grants.gov. The completed application will be transferred to the NSF FastLane system for further processing.
VI. NSF PROPOSAL PROCESSING AND REVIEW PROCEDURES
Proposals received by NSF are assigned to the appropriate NSF program where they will be reviewed if they meet NSF proposal preparation requirements. All proposals are carefully reviewed by a scientist, engineer, or educator serving as an NSF Program Officer, and usually by three to ten other persons outside NSF who are experts in the particular fields represented by the proposal. These reviewers are selected by Program Officers charged with the oversight of the review process. Proposers are invited to suggest names of persons they believe are especially well qualified to review the proposal and/or persons they would prefer not review the proposal. These suggestions may serve as one source in the reviewer selection process at the Program Officer's discretion. Submission of such names, however, is optional. Care is taken to ensure that reviewers have no conflicts of interest with the proposal.
A. NSF Merit Review Criteria
All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two National Science Board (NSB)-approved merit review criteria: intellectual merit and the broader impacts of the proposed effort. In some instances, however, NSF will employ additional criteria as required to highlight the specific objectives of certain programs and activities.
The two NSB-approved merit review criteria are listed below. 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 the reviewer is qualified to make judgements.
What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity?
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, original, or potentially transformative concepts? How well conceived and organized is the proposed activity? Is there sufficient access to resources?
What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity?
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?
Examples illustrating activities likely to demonstrate broader impacts are available electronically on the NSF website at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/gpg/broaderimpacts.pdf.
NSF staff also will give careful consideration to the following in making funding decisions:
Integration of Research and Education
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.
Integrating Diversity into NSF Programs, Projects, and Activities
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.Additional Review Criteria:
Dissertation proposals are reviewed by a panel or a panel in combination with ad hoc peer reviewers. Please note that only the programs that evaluate proposals by ad hoc peer reviews ask for the names of appropriate or inappropriate reviewers. The applicant should check with the cognizant program officer on review procedures specific to that program.
B. Review and Selection Process
Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will be reviewed by Ad hoc Review and/or Panel Review.
Reviewers will be asked to formulate a recommendation to either support or decline each proposal. The Program Officer assigned to manage the proposal's review will consider the advice of reviewers and will formulate a recommendation.
After scientific, technical and programmatic review and consideration of appropriate factors, the NSF Program Officer recommends to the cognizant Division Director whether the proposal should be declined or recommended for award. 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 deadline or target date, or receipt date, whichever is later. The interval ends when the Division Director accepts the Program Officer's recommendation.
A summary rating and accompanying narrative will be completed and submitted by each reviewer. In all cases, reviews are treated as confidential documents. Verbatim copies of reviews, excluding the names of the reviewers, are sent to the Principal Investigator/Project Director by the Program Officer. In addition, the proposer will receive an explanation of the decision to award or decline funding.
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 administering the program. Verbatim copies of reviews, not including the identity of the reviewer, will be provided automatically to the Principal Investigator. (See Section VI.B. for additional information on the review process.)
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 (GC-1); * or Research Terms and Conditions * and (5) any announcement or other NSF issuance that may be incorporated by reference in the award letter. Cooperative agreements also are administered in accordance with NSF Cooperative Agreement Financial and Administrative Terms and Conditions (CA-FATC) and the applicable Programmatic Terms and Conditions. NSF awards are electronically signed by an NSF Grants and Agreements Officer and transmitted electronically to the organization via e-mail.
*These documents may be accessed electronically on NSF's Website at
http://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/award_conditions.jsp?org=NSF. Paper copies may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from pubs@nsf.gov.
More comprehensive information on NSF Award Conditions and other important information on the administration of NSF awards is contained in the NSF Award & Administration Guide (AAG) Chapter II, available electronically on the NSF Website at
http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag.
C. Reporting Requirements
For all multi-year grants (including both standard and continuing grants), the Principal Investigator must submit an annual project report to the cognizant Program Officer at least 90 days before the end of the current budget period. (Some programs or awards require more frequent project reports). Within 90 days after expiration of a grant, the PI also is required to submit a final project report.
Failure to provide the required annual or final project reports will delay NSF review and processing of any future funding increments as well as any pending proposals for that PI. 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. Such reports provide information on activities and findings, project participants (individual and organizational) 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. Submission of the report via FastLane constitutes certification by the PI that the contents of the report are accurate and complete.
VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS
For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact:
- FastLane Help Desk, telephone: 1-800-673-6188; e-mail: fastlane@nsf.gov.
-
Robbie W. Brown, 995 N, telephone: (703) 292-7264, email: rbrown@nsf.gov
-
Judith Simmons, 995 N, telephone: (703) 292-4347, email: jsimmons@nsf.gov
For questions relating to Grants.gov contact:
- Grants.gov Contact Center: If the Authorized Organizational Representatives (AOR) has not received a confirmation message from Grants.gov within 48 hours of submission of application, please contact via telephone: 1-800-518-4726; e-mail: support@grants.gov.
For a list of cognizant program officers, please visit the SBE Doctoral Dissertation Contact List
IX. OTHER INFORMATION
The NSF Website provides the most comprehensive source of information on NSF Directorates (including contact information), programs and funding opportunities. Use of this Website by potential proposers is strongly encouraged. In addition, MyNSF (formerly the Custom News Service) is an information-delivery system designed to keep potential proposers and other interested parties apprised of new NSF funding opportunities and publications, important changes in proposal and award policies and procedures, and upcoming NSF Regional Grants Conferences. Subscribers are informed through e-mail or the user's Web browser each time new publications are issued that match their identified interests. MyNSF also is available on NSF's Website at
http://www.nsf.gov/mynsf/.
Grants.gov provides an additional electronic capability to search for Federal government-wide grant opportunities. NSF funding opportunities may be accessed via this new mechanism. Further information on Grants.gov may be obtained at http://www.grants.gov.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent Federal agency created by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 USC 1861-75). The Act states the purpose of the NSF is "to promote the progress of science; [and] to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare by supporting research and education in all fields of science and engineering."
NSF funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. It does this through grants and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000 colleges, universities, K-12 school systems, businesses, informal science organizations and other research organizations throughout the US. The Foundation accounts for about one-fourth of Federal support to academic institutions for basic research.
NSF receives approximately 40,000 proposals each year for research, education and training projects, of which approximately 11,000 are funded. In addition, the Foundation receives several thousand applications for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships. The agency operates no laboratories itself but does support National Research Centers, user facilities, certain oceanographic vessels and Antarctic research stations. The Foundation also supports cooperative research between universities and industry, US participation in international scientific and engineering efforts, and educational activities at every academic level.
Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities to work on NSF-supported projects. See Grant Proposal Guide Chapter II, Section D.2 for instructions regarding preparation of these types of proposals.
The National Science Foundation has Telephonic Device for the Deaf (TDD) and Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) capabilities that enable individuals with hearing impairments to communicate with the Foundation about NSF programs, employment or general information. TDD may be accessed at (703) 292-5090 and (800) 281-8749, FIRS at (800) 877-8339.
The National Science Foundation Information Center may be reached at (703) 292-5111.
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; and 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 proposer 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 or other entities needing information regarding applicants or nominees as part of a joint application review process, or in order to coordinate programs or policy; 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," 69 Federal Register 26410 (May 12, 2004), and NSF-51, "Reviewer/Proposal File and Associated Records, " 69 Federal Register 26410 (May 12, 2004). 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 Office of Management and Budget (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 the burden estimate and any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:
Suzanne H. Plimpton
Reports Clearance Officer
Division of Administrative Services
National Science Foundation
Arlington, VA 22230
