Materials World Network: Cooperative Activity in Materials Research between US Investigators and their Counterparts Abroad (MWN)
Program Solicitation
NSF 09-600
Replaces Document(s):
NSF 08-590
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National Science Foundation |
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
November 11, 2009
REVISION NOTES
Please be advised that the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) includes revised guidelines to implement the mentoring provisions of the America COMPETES Act (ACA) (Pub. L. No. 110-69, Aug. 9, 2007.) As specified in the ACA, each proposal that requests funding to support postdoctoral researchers must include a description of the mentoring activities that will be provided for such individuals. Proposals that do not comply with this requirement will be returned without review (see the PAPP Guide Part I: Grant Proposal Guide Chapter II for further information about the implementation of this new requirement).
As announced on May 21st, proposers must prepare and submit proposals to the National Science Foundation (NSF) using the NSF FastLane system at http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/. This approach is being taken to support efficient Grants.gov operations during this busy workload period and in response to OMB direction guidance issued March 9, 2009. NSF will continue to post information about available funding opportunities to Grants.gov FIND and will continue to collaborate with institutions who have invested in system-to-system submission functionality as their preferred proposal submission method. NSF remains committed to the long-standing goal of streamlined grants processing and plans to provide a web services interface for those institutions that want to use their existing grants management systems to directly submit proposals to NSF.
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
General Information
Program Title:
Materials World Network: Cooperative Activity in Materials Research between US Investigators and their Counterparts Abroad (MWN)
Synopsis of Program:
Continued progress in fundamental materials and condensed matter research is increasingly dependent upon collaborative efforts among different disciplines, as well as closer coordination among funding agencies and effective partnerships involving universities, industry, and national laboratories. In addition, because of the growing interdependence of the world's economies, partnerships are important not only at the national level but from an international point of view as well. The National Science Foundation is working jointly with counterpart national, regional and multinational funding organizations worldwide to enhance opportunities for collaborative activities in materials research and education between US investigators and their colleagues abroad. This solicitation describes an activity to foster opportunities for such collaborations. It includes joint activities between NSF and funding organizations in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Proposals submitted to NSF in response to this solicitation must have clear relevance to research supported by the NSF Division of Materials Research (DMR), as they will be evaluated within the context of programmatic areas within DMR: condensed matter physics, solid state and materials chemistry, polymers, biomaterials, metallic materials and nanostructures, ceramics, electronic and photonic materials, and condensed matter and materials theory. Proposals not appropriate for DMR consideration will be returned without review. NSF will accept proposals from US universities and colleges addressing collaborations between researchers from the US and participating countries or regions. Concurrently, investigators at non-US research institutions should submit to the counterpart funding organization in their country or region a request for support of their side of the collaboration. Investigators in Africa may also seek support for their side of the collaboration through the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) African Materials Initiative (see section IX). NSF will consider support of all appropriate research costs for the US side of such collaborations, with the expectation that funding or research organizations from the appropriate countries or regions will consider supporting the costs of the non-US participants. Projects proposed to NSF are expected to offer students and junior researchers the opportunity to participate in international research and education experiences and, more generally, for integrating research and training in an international environment, and to clearly demonstrate the value added by the international collaboration. Projects are also expected to broaden the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g. gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc).
Cognizant Program Officer(s):
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Daniele Finotello, 1065N, telephone: (703) 292-4676, email: dfinotel@nsf.gov
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Carmen I. Huber, telephone: (703) 292-4939, email: chuber@nsf.gov
Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):
- 47.049 --- Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Award Information
Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant or Continuing Grant
Estimated Number of Awards: 20 to 40 depending on quality of proposals and availability of funds
Anticipated Funding Amount: $2,500,000 to $4,500,000 total in FY2010, depending on quality of proposals and availability of funds
Eligibility Information
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
- Universities and Colleges - Universities and two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Such organizations also are referred to as academic institutions.
PI Limit:
The PI and Co-PI(s) must hold a position at an eligible US institution. NSF will not accept proposals from investigators at non-US institutions.
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:
None Specified
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI:
An investigator may serve as PI or Co-PI in either (a) a proposal submitted in response to this solicitation or, (b) an unsolicited proposal submitted to the Division of Materials Research within the FY10 DMR submission window (see http://www.nsf.gov/materials for the submission window of unsolicited proposals to DMR), but not both. This limitation does not apply to proposals submitted in response to this solicitation and requesting support for networks of investigators and their appropriate associated activities as described in section II.
Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
- Letters of Intent: Not Applicable
- Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not Applicable
- Full Proposal Preparation Instructions: This solicitation contains information that supplements the standard NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide, Part I: 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 under this solicitation.
- Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations: Not Applicable
- Other Budgetary Limitations: Not Applicable
C. Due Dates
- Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
November 11, 2009
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 basic properties of materials frequently define the capabilities, potential, reliability and limitations of technology. Advances in fundamental materials and condensed matter research enable progress to be made across a broad range of scientific and engineering disciplines and technological areas with dramatic impacts on society. Continued progress in materials research is increasingly dependent upon collaborative efforts among several different disciplines, as well as closer coordination among funding agencies and effective partnerships involving universities, industry, and national laboratories. In addition, because of the growing interdependence of the world's economies, partnerships are important not only at the national level but from an international point of view as well.
Over the last decade, the National Science Foundation has co-sponsored a series of international workshops designed to stimulate enhanced collaboration among materials researchers and create networks linking individuals and centers in participating regions. These workshops have identified possible areas for mutually beneficial collaborations, and recommended that extensive use be made of electronic communication, information exchanges, and databases to promote and facilitate research collaborations and education activities at the international level. The National Science Foundation is working jointly with counterpart national, regional and multinational funding organizations worldwide to enhance opportunities for collaborative activities in materials research and education between US investigators and their colleagues abroad.
II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This solicitation describes an activity to foster collaboration in materials and condensed matter research between investigators in the US and their counterparts abroad. It includes joint activities between NSF and funding organizations in Africa, through the US-Africa Materials Collaboration; Asia and Europe.
Proposals submitted to NSF in response to this solicitation must have clear relevance to fundamental materials and condensed matter research supported by the NSF Division of Materials Research (DMR). Projects not having this focus will not be considered for funding. Proposals will be evaluated within the context of programmatic areas supported by DMR: condensed matter physics, solid state and materials chemistry, polymers, biomaterials, metallic materials and nanostructures, ceramics, electronic and photonic materials, and condensed matter and materials theory. For areas supported by DMR see
http://www.nsf.gov/materials . It is strongly recommended that proposers contact the cognizant program officers (Dr. Daniele Finotello, dfinotel@nsf.gov, or, Dr. Carmen Huber, chuber@nsf.gov) to ascertain that the scientific or technical focus of the proposed research is appropriate for this solicitation. Proposals not appropriate for consideration by the Division of Materials Research will be returned without review.
NSF will accept proposals from US universities and colleges addressing collaborations between researchers from the US and participating countries or regions. Concurrently, investigators at non-US research institutions should submit to the counterpart funding organization in their country or region a request for support of their side of the collaboration. Investigators in Africa may also seek support for their side of the collaboration through the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) African Materials Initiative (see section IX). NSF will consider support of all appropriate research costs for the US side of such collaborations, with the expectation that funding or research organizations from the appropriate countries or regions will consider supporting the costs of the non-US participants. Under this MWN solicitation, NSF will not accept proposals from investigators at non-US institutions and will not support subawards to non-US institutions. Contact information for participating funding organizations abroad is listed in Section VIII.
In addition to proposals for collaborative materials research and education, proposals to interface networks of US investigators and counterpart networks abroad will also be considered. Proposals from networks of US researchers to NSF in support of activities such as workshops, meetings, brief personnel exchanges, etc., may be linked to counterpart networks abroad supported by, for example, the European Science Foundation.
Projects proposed to NSF in areas supported by DMR are encouraged to develop collaborations that involve sending U.S. students and junior researchers to conduct collaborative research and education at international partner organizations. NSF awards are limited to support of the U.S. portion of the collaboration. Although reciprocal visits by international researchers and students to the U.S. institutions are encouraged, NSF will not usually pay for the expenses of foreign scientists or students undertaking such visits. However, in certain cases where housing and subsistence costs in the foreign country are much less than in the U.S. and for projects involving exchanges of researchers and/or students, reciprocal arrangements for provision of housing and subsistence may be established, with adherence to the overall principle that each side supports equivalent costs. Proposals that include exchange of students and post-doctoral research associates between the US and abroad, as well as proposals from junior faculty and members of underrepresented groups in science and engineering (women, racial/ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities) are strongly encouraged.
Proposals addressing materials and condensed matter research in areas supported by DMR as described above are covered by this solicitation. Of special interest to this solicitation are proposals including activities that build upon and expand current cyber infrastructure capabilities, such as remote use of instrumentation, database creation and use, visualization and virtual experimentation, virtual networking, etc, to enhance and advance the international collaboration.
Proposals to NSF from individual investigators and small groups of investigators (3-5 investigators) are welcome. Proposals should be balanced in terms of intellectual effort and participation in the US and abroad.
III. AWARD INFORMATION
The estimated number of awards is 20 to 40, depending on quality of proposals and availability of funds. The total anticipated funding amount is $2,500,000 to $4,500,000 in FY2010. Estimated total funding, number of awards and average award size/duration are subject to quality of proposals and availability of funds. Awards may be standard or continuing grants.
IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
- Universities and Colleges - Universities and two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Such organizations also are referred to as academic institutions.
PI Limit:
The PI and Co-PI(s) must hold a position at an eligible US institution. NSF will not accept proposals from investigators at non-US institutions.
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:
None Specified
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI:
An investigator may serve as PI or Co-PI in either (a) a proposal submitted in response to this solicitation or, (b) an unsolicited proposal submitted to the Division of Materials Research within the FY10 DMR submission window (see http://www.nsf.gov/materials for the submission window of unsolicited proposals to DMR), but not both. This limitation does not apply to proposals submitted in response to this solicitation and requesting support for networks of investigators and their appropriate associated activities as described in section II.
Additional Eligibility Info:
This solicitation calls for research and education international collaborative projects in program areas that are supported by the Division of Materials Research (DMR): condensed matter physics, solid state and materials chemistry, polymers, biomaterials, metallic materials and nanostructures, ceramics, electronic and photonic materials, and condensed matter and materials theory. Proposals submitted in response to the solicitation are evaluated within the context of the appropriate aforementioned programs in DMR.
V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
Full Proposal Instructions: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the guidelines specified 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-PUBS (7827) or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf.gov.
Requests for additional funding (supplement) by a US Principal Investigator to an existing NSF award may not be submitted in response to this solicitation; such requests should be made directly through the program where the existing award is administered.
Proposals from foreign investigators should be submitted to the appropriate counterpart funding organization in accordance with the guidelines of that organization. Because application guidelines may differ among the participating organizations, it may or may not be possible to submit identical proposals to NSF and the counterpart organization(s). However, the proposal to NSF should clearly describe the contribution of the foreign participants in the Project Description as noted below.
Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation must comply with proposal preparation guidelines in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG). A deviation from the page limitation for the Project Description is hereby authorized as described below. The following guidelines, in addition to those in the GPG, should be followed in preparing the proposal to NSF:
- The title of the proposal to NSF should begin as: "Materials World Network: ... "
- The participating foreign countries should be listed in the cover sheet under "International Cooperative Activities".
- The duration of the project proposed to NSF should match the duration of the counterpart project proposed to the other funding organization(s).
- The Project Summary must address in separate statements the intellectual merit and the broader impacts of the proposed activity and, within the context of these two statements, the value added by the proposed international collaboration.
- The Project Description may not exceed 17 pages. As indicated in the GPG, the Project Description must include a section on Results from Prior NSF Support, which is limited to a maximum of 5 pages. The Project Description must clearly describe the work to be undertaken by US and foreign participants in an integrated fashion. The Project Description must also include a specific summary of the proposed interaction, including visits between the US researchers and students and their partners abroad, stating the anticipated scientific benefits of the interaction and not to exceed 2 pages.
- The Biographical Sketches section must include biographical sketches or curriculum vitae of the foreign participants, including significant publications related to the proposed project. As for US participants, these must include the investigators' thesis and postdoctoral advisors, thesis recipients and postgraduate scholars sponsored, as well as a list of collaborators (Limit: 2 pages per individual).
- The proposal to NSF must include information clearly identifying the corresponding counterpart proposal. This information must be entered into the "Supplementary Docs" section of the proposal to NSF. For each counterpart proposal include: name of the counterpart agency or agencies, names and affiliations of principal participants, the counterpart project title and identification code (if any), date of proposal submission, requested funds, and requested start and termination dates.
- No letters of support or recommendation may be included.
Proposals not complying with the above preparation guidelines will be returned without review.
Proposers are reminded to identify the program solicitation number (NSF 09-600) 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.
B. Budgetary Information
Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is not required under this solicitation.
C. Due Dates
- Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
November 11, 2009
D. FastLane Requirements
Proposers are required to prepare and submit all proposals for this program solicitation through use of the NSF FastLane system. Detailed instructions regarding the technical aspects of 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 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.
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.
Mentoring activities provided to postdoctoral researchers supported on the project, as described in a one-page supplementary document, will be evaluated under the Broader Impacts criterion.
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:
Reviewers will also take into consideration the value added by the proposed international collaboration in materials and condensed matter research, and the extent to which the collaboration integrates research and education, broadens the participation of underrepresented groups, and creatively addresses the broader impacts review criterion - see the Division of Materials Research 'Dear Colleague Letter' on the broader impacts review criterion at http://www.nsf.gov/materials. Preference will be given to proposals where the intellectual efforts in the US and abroad are balanced and where students and junior researchers participate in international research experiences.
Representatives from NSF's Division of Materials Research will manage the review of proposals on the US side, either in parallel or jointly with participating funding organizations abroad. In the case of a joint, single review process as with the EPSRC in the United Kingdom and the DFG in Germany, the proposals and their reviews will be shared with the foreign funding organization. Coordinated support will be arranged for successful proposals by the participating organizations. Information about proposals will be shared between the participating organizations as appropriate. While each side reserves the option to fund proposals independently, strong preference will be given to proposals with support from both NSF and the counterpart organization.
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 nsfpubs@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
General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:
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Daniele Finotello, 1065N, telephone: (703) 292-4676, email: dfinotel@nsf.gov
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Carmen I. Huber, telephone: (703) 292-4939, email: chuber@nsf.gov
For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact:
- FastLane Help Desk, telephone: 1-800-673-6188; e-mail: fastlane@nsf.gov.
Contacts at other organizationsContact information in participating countries or regions is provided for the convenience of researchers in those countries or regions. Questions from US investigators should be directed to NSF |
Africa-USA Materials Collaboration Contacts: (Please also see AFOSR initiative call details below)
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ALGERIA |
Ministère de l'enseignement superieur et de la recherche scientifique |
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Rue Doudou Mokhtar Ben Aknoun, Algiers, Algeria |
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Prof. Houria Rebbah, Directrice |
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Tel: (213) 21-91-27-10, drsdt@wissal.dz |
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Dr. Charif Merouane |
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Tel: (213)21-91-33-04; othdrsdt@yahoo.fr |
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EGYPT |
Science and Technology Development Fund |
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Dr. Abeer Shakweer, Manager, Planning and Monitoring |
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Ministry of Scientific Research |
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101 Kasr el-Aini Street, Cairo, Egypt |
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ETHIOPIA |
Addis Ababa University |
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Prof. Tsige Gebre-Mariam, Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Programs |
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Addis Ababa University |
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P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
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Tel: +251-1-1239756; Fax: +251-1-1231087; Cellular: +251-911-242555; tsigegmw@phar.aau.edu.et; araya.asfaw@gmail.com |
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GHANA |
Ministry of Education, Science and Sports |
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P.O. Box MB 45, Accra, Ghana |
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Dr. Rexford Osei |
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Tel: +233 21 670305; Fax: +233 21 664067; rexford.osei@yahoo.com |
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KENYA |
Kenya National Academy of Sciences |
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P.O. Box 39450-00623, Nairobi, Kenya |
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Tel: 254-020-3111714; Fax: 254-020-311715 |
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Prof. Bernard O. Aduda, Dep. of Physics, University of Nairobi |
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P.O. Box 30197-00100 GPO Nairobi |
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NIGERIA |
National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure |
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Idu Industrial Area, Idu Abuja, Nigeria |
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Prof. Olusegun Adewoye, Director General |
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Tel: +234-805-5024934, +234-805-5024943 , +234-803-3127195; oadewoye@yahoo.co.uk |
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SENEGAL |
Ministère de la Recherche Scientifique |
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Dr. Arame Boye-Faye |
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Directrice de la Recherche Scientifique |
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Building Admistratif, 5ième étage, Dakar, Senegal |
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Tel: 00-221-822-92-48, or 00-221-822-92-98; Mobile: 00-221-637-00-23 |
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SOUTH AFRICA |
National Research Foundation |
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P.O. Box 2600, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa |
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Raven Jimmy, International Research Grants |
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Tel: +27 012 481 4069; Fax: +27 12 481 4044; raven@nrf.ac.za |
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TANZANIA |
Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology |
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Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road; P.O. Box 4302; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
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Dr. Rose Rita Kingamkono, Actino Director General |
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Tel: 255-222-700745; 255-222-700746; 255-754-769808 (cell) |
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Fax: 255-22-2775314;rkingamkono@costech.or.tz; rose5306@yahoo.co.uk |
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TUNISIA |
Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technology |
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Prof. Manef Abderrabba, Director General |
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Tel: +216 71 430 430, Cell: +216 98 64 30 10; manef.abderrabba@ipest.rnu.tn; manef@ecopark.rnrt.tn |
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UGANDA |
National Council for Science and Technology |
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Plot 3/5/7, Nasser Road |
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P.O. Box 6884, Kampala, Uganda |
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Dr. Dr. Peter Ndemere, Executive Secretary |
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Tel: 256-414705500; Fax: 256-414-234579; incst@starcom.co.ug |
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ZIMBABWE |
Ministry of Science and Technology Development |
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Livingstone House, Harare, Zimbabwe |
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Dr. Francis P. Gudyanga, Permanent Secretary |
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Tel: 263 4 792490; Fax: 263 4 734986; fpgudyanga@zarnet.ac.zw; secretary@rcz.ac.zw |
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AFRICAN LASER | |
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CENTER |
Dr. Aboubaker Beye, CEO |
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The CSIR, Building 46, Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria, P.O. Box 395,Pretoria, 0001, South Africa |
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Tel: +27 12 841 2898; Fax: +27 12 841 3152; Cell. +27(0)783527507 |
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Contacts in Europe and Eurasia :
AUSTRIA | Austrian Science Fund (FWF) |
Sensengasse 1 A - 1090 Vienna | |
Dr. Doris Rakoczy, Scientific Administrator | |
Tel.: +43 1 505 67 40 8403, doris.rakoczy@fwf.ac.at | |
CROATIA | Ministry of Science, Education and Sports |
Directorate for International Cooperation and European Integration | |
Donje Svetice 38 | |
10000 Zagreb, Hrvastska/Croatia | |
Marija Crnic, Senior Adviser for Bilateral Cooperation | |
Tel: +385 1 4594 353; Fax: +385 1 4594 316; marija.crnic@mzos.hr | |
CZECH REPUBLIC | Czech Science Foundation - GAC |
Narodni 3, 110 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic | |
Prof. Bohuslav Gas | |
Tel: +420 221 951 296; Fax: +420 227 088 820, gas@natur.cuni.cz | |
FINLAND | Academy of Finland |
Research Council for Natural Sciences and Engineering | |
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P.O. Box 99, FIN - 00501 Helsinki, Finland | |
Dr. Jan Bäckman , Science Adviser | |
Tel. +358 9 7748 8394, jan.backman@aka.fi | |
FRANCE | Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) |
212, rue de Berry F-75012 Paris, France | |
Dr. Nakita Vodjdani, nakita.vodjdani@agencerecherche.fr | |
Tel: +33-1 78 09 80 13 | |
Dr. Jean-Pierre Chevalier, jean-pierre.chevalier@agencerecherche.fr | |
Tel: +33-1 78 09 81 14 | |
Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) | |
3, rue Michel Ange 75794 Paris Cedex 16, France | |
Claire Giraud, Deputy Director for the Americas | |
Office of European and International Relations | |
Tel: +33 1 44 96 47 05; claire.giraud@cnrs-dir.fr | |
GERMANY | Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft |
Kennedyallee 40, D-53175 Bonn, Germany | |
Dr. Michael Moessle, Program Manager for Condensed Matter Physics | |
Tel +49 2 28/8 85-2351, michael.moessle@dfg.de | |
Other German Organizations | |
Will be coordinated through Dr. Michael Moessle, | |
see above for contact information. | |
GREECE | Hellenic Ministry of Development |
General Secretariat for Research and Technology | |
14-18 Messogion Avenue, 115 10 Athens | |
Ms. Vassiliki Kerasioti | |
International Science and Technology Cooperation Directorate | |
Tel: 0030 210 7458119, vker@gsrt.gr | |
LUXEMBOURG | Fonds National de la Recherche |
6, rue Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, P.O. Box 1777 | |
L-1017 Luxembourg-Kirchberg | |
Mrs. Christiane Kaell, Programme Manager | |
Tel: 00352-261925-34, christiane.kaell@fnr.lu | |
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POLAND |
Ministry of Science and Higher Education |
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Deaprtment for European and International Cooperation |
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| Ms. Magdalena Maciejwska, magdalena.maciejewska@nauka.gov.pl | |
| 1/3 Wspolna Str, 00-529 Warsaw, Poland | |
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Tel: +48 22 62 84 703; Fax: +48 22 52 92 781 |
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ROMANIA | Ministry of Education, Research and Sport |
Executive Agency for Higher Education and Research Funding | |
1, Schitu Magureanu Blvd. 3rd floor, 5th sector | |
050025 Bucharest, Romania | |
Magda Cringasu, Deputy Director, magda.crangasu@uefiscsu.ro | |
Ms. Adriana Rotar, Tel: +40 21 307 1967; Fax: +40 21 307 1919 | |
RUSSIA | Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFRB) |
32a, Leninsky prospect, 11991, Moscow, Russia | |
Maria Baktysheva, Senior Specialist, International Relations Department | |
Tel: +7 (495) 938-56-24; Fax: +7 (495) 938-54-56; prokhor@rfbr.ru | |
SPAIN | Ministry of Science and Innovation |
C/Albacete, 5 | |
28027 Madrid - SPAIN | |
Dr. Carlos Prieto ; Tel. +34-91-603-7738; cprieto@icmm.csic.es | |
Rosa Rodriguez Bernabe, rosar.bernabe@micinn.es | |
SWITZERLAND | Swiss National Science Foundation |
Wildhainweg 20 | |
P.O. Box 8232 | |
3001 Bern, Switzerland | |
Dr. Paul Burkhard, Division II - Mathematics, Natural & Engineering Sciences | |
Tel. 41-31-308 22 22, pburkhard@snf.ch | |
THE | Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM) |
NETHERLANDS | |
Postbus 3021, 3502 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands | |
Drs. Floor van de Pavert, Program Officer | |
Tel: +31-30-6001217, Fax: +31-30-6014406; floor.van.de.pavert@fom.nl | |
TURKEY | TUBITAK |
221 Ataturk Bulvari, 06100 Ankara, Turkey | |
Prof. Dr. Omer Anlagan, Vice President | |
Tel: +90 312 467 82 80, omer.anlagan@tubitak.gov.tr | |
Elif Dogan Arslan, Scientific Programmes Assistant Expert | |
Bilateral and Multilateral Relations Division | |
International Cooperation Department | |
TUBITAK Tunus Cad. No. 80 | |
06100 Kavaklidere / Ankara / Turkey | |
Tel: +90 312 468 53 00 ext. 2761; Fax: +90 312 427 74 83 | |
UKRAINE | State Fund for Fundamental Research |
16 Shevchenko Blvd, Kyuv, 01601, Ukraine | |
Dr. Andrey Ragulya, Deputy Director, Institute for Problems in Materials Science | |
Tel:(+38-044)424-7435;Fax:(+38-044)424-1533; ragulya@ipms.kiev.ua | |
UNITED KINGDOM | Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
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Polaris House | |
North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1ET, U.K. | |
Dr. Natalie Stear, Portfolio Manager, Physical Sciences Programme | |
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Tel. 44-(0)-1793 444260, NSFmaterials@epsrc.ac.uk | |
EUROPE-USA | European Science Foundation |
NETWORKING | |
Physical and Engineering Sciences | |
1 quai Lezay-Marnesia, 67080 Strasbourg cedex, France | |
Mr. Neil Williams | |
Head of Unit and Committee Secretary | |
Tel. +33 (0)3 88 76 71 07, Fax +33 (0)3 88 37 05 32; pesc@esf.org |
Contacts in Asia:
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CHINA |
National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) |
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83 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100085, China |
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Dr. Li Ming, Director |
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Department of Engineering and Material Sciences |
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Tel.: 86-10-62327100/6844; Fax : 86-10-62327133; lim@mail.nsfc.gov.cn |
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Dr. Shou-zhu Zhang, Director |
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Division of Physics I |
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Tel: 86-10-62327181; Fax:86-10-62327175; zhangsz@nsfc.gov.cn |
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Dr. Jianhua Dong, Director |
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Division IV, Department of Chemical Sciences |
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INDIA |
Department of Science and Technology (DST) |
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International Cooperation Division, Dept. of Science and Technology |
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Technology Bhawan |
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New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi - 110016, India |
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Dr. B.K. Jain; Scientist-G & Head (Americas and Russia Programme) |
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Tel: +91-11-26961583/26590613; Fax: +91-11-26961583 |
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JAPAN |
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) |
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Ms. Satoko Tada, Research Cooperation Division I |
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International Program Department |
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6 Ichibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8471, Japan |
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JapanScience and Technology Agency (JST) |
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Dr. Kenkichi Hirose |
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Senior Executive Director |
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Sanbancho Bldg. |
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5, Sanbancho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075, Japan |
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Tel. +81-3-3512-3544; Fax: +81-3-3222-2069; hirose@jst.go.jp |
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New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) |
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Mr. Hidefumi Nakashima, Director General, Research and Development Promotion Department |
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Tel. +81-44-520-5170 nakashimahdf@nedo.go.jp |
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Mr. Makito Takami, Chief Representative, Representative Office in Washington DC |
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National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) |
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1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047 Japan |
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Mr. Masahiro Takemura, Director, Internacional Affairs Office |
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Tel. +81-29-859-2402; Fax +81-29-859-2049; |
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KOREA |
Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF) |
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180-1, Kajeong-Dong, Youseong-Koo, Taejon-City, Korea |
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Dr. Jong-Deok Kim, Head, Team of International Cooperation |
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Division of External Relations |
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Tel. + 82 -(0)42-869-6410; jdkim@kosef.re.kr |
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MALAYSIA |
Academy of Sciences Malaysia |
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902-4, Jalan Tun Ismail, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
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Ms. Tengku Sharizad Tengku Dahlan, Senior Science Officer |
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Tel.+603-26949898; Fax +603-2694-5858 |
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SINGAPORE |
Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR) |
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Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) |
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1 Fusionopolis Way #18-10 Connexis North Singapore 138632 |
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Mr. Andy Chan, Deputy Director (Council Operations and Planning) |
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Ms. Chia Siao-Wei, Senior Officer (Research Capability Development) |
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Tel: +65 6826 6111; Fax: +65 6779 8061; chia_siao_wei@a-star.edu.sg |
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TAIWAN |
National Science Council |
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Prof. Dr. Ching-Ray Chang, Director General |
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Department of International Cooperation |
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21F, 106 Ho-Ping E. Rd. Sec. 2, Taipei, Taiwan 10636 |
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Tel:+886-2-2737-7558; Fax:+886-2-2737-7607; crchang@nsc.gov.tw |
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, National Science Foundation Update is a free e-mail subscription service 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 when new publications are issued that match their identified interests. Users can subscribe to this service by clicking the "Get NSF Updates by Email" link on the NSF web site.
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.
Related Programs:
Announcement - Request for White Papers: Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR); African Materials Initiative - Materials, Energy, and Nanotechnolgy. Points of Contact: Wynn S. Sanders, Sc.D., Chief, Materials and Nanotechnology, European Office of Aerospace Research and Development (AFOSR/EOARD), africa@london.af.mil; Deanna C. Won, Deputy Director, International Office, Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR/IO), africa@afosr.af.mil
International Collaboration in Chemistry between U.S. Investigators and Investigators in Austria, France, Germany, United Kingdom and China (ICC),
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13627&org=CHE&from=homeInternational Research and Education: Planning Visits and Workshops,
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12815&org=OISE&from=homeDeveloping Global Scientists and Engineers (International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) and Doctoral Dissertation Enhancement Projects (DDEP)),
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12831Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU),
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5517&from=fundPan-American Advanced Studies Institutes Program,
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5327&org=
NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=fundEast Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students,
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5284&org=
NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=fundInternational Research Fellowship Program,
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5179&org=
NSF&sel_org=NSF&from=fund
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
