Title: Critical Zone Observatory National Office (CZO-NO) Date: 08/10/12 Critical Zone Observatory National Office (CZO-NO) [1]Program Solicitation NSF 12-595 NSF Logo National Science Foundation Directorate for Geosciences Division of Earth Sciences Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time): July 16, 2013 SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS General Information Program Title: Critical Zone Observatory National Office (CZO-NO) Synopsis of Program: This solicitation calls for proposals to establish a Critical Zone Observatory National Office (CZO-NO) to facilitate activities of the network of Critical Zone Observatories (CZO). The CZO-NO will facilitate coordination of research and educational programs of the CZO network and provide a centralized entity, which will represent the CZO network with the scientific community and the public. The CZO-NO will have two main functions: to coordinate the network of CZOs and to disseminate information to a number of audiences. The CZO-NO is expected to work with the CZO community and to share CZO discoveries, data and research opportunities with the broad scientific community capable of using these data and information. Cognizant Program Officer(s): Please note that the following information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact. * Enriqueta C. Barrera, telephone: (703) 292-4731, email: [2]ebarrera@nsf.gov * Paul Cutler, telephone: (703) 292-4961, email: [3]pcutler@nsf.gov * Thomas Torgersen, telephone: (703) 292-8549, email: [4]ttorgers@nsf.gov Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s): * 47.050 --- Geosciences Award Information Anticipated Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement Estimated Number of Awards: 1 Anticipated Funding Amount: $350,000 Up to $350,000 per year for up to 4 years, pending annual performance and availability of funds. Eligibility Information Organization Limit: The categories of proposers eligible to submit proposals to the National Science Foundation are identified in the Grant Proposal Guide, Chapter I, Section E. PI Limit: Organizations and individuals involved in CZO awards will not be eligible to serve as the CZO National Office awardee. Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1 Collaborative Proposals submitted as separate submissions from multiple organizations are NOT allowed for this competition. Limit on Number of Proposals per PI: 1 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: [5]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: [6]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grant sgovguide) B. Budgetary Information * Cost Sharing Requirements: Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited. * 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): July 16, 2013 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 [7]Summary of Program Requirements I. [8]Introduction II. [9]Program Description III. [10]Award Information IV. [11]Eligibility Information V. [12]Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions A. [13]Proposal Preparation Instructions B. [14]Budgetary Information C. [15]Due Dates D. [16]FastLane/Grants.gov Requirements VI. [17]NSF Proposal Processing and Review Procedures A. [18]NSF Merit Review Criteria B. [19]Review and Selection Process VII. [20]Award Administration Information A. [21]Notification of the Award B. [22]Award Conditions C. [23]Reporting Requirements VIII. [24]Agency Contacts IX. [25]Other Information I. INTRODUCTION The critical zone - the veneer of Earth that extends from the top of the vegetation to the base of weathered bedrock - is so-named because it is where fresh water flows, soils are formed from rocks, and terrestrial life flourishes. This critical zone provides most of the ecosystem services on which societies depend. Its intrinsic resilience, natural evolution, and fate in the face of human land use and climate change need to be understood and predicted to inform strategies for sustaining a wide range of human activities. Unprecedented pressures are being placed on the critical zone, and understanding the interrelated processes, system dynamics, sensitivities, and thresholds in this zone is of vital importance for informing human decisions. Through the Critical Zone Observatories (CZO) solicitation, [26]NSF 12-575, NSF will create a network of observatories that will be fully coordinated in terms of observations, data management, modeling, and educational and outreach activities. Key to this networked approach is a CZO National Office (CZO-NO). The CZO-NO will facilitate coordination of research and educational programs of the CZO network and provide a centralized entity that represents the CZO network with the scientific community and the public. This solicitation requests proposals for the creation of the CZO-NO. The Principal Investigator (PI) will serve as Director of the CZO-NO and will work closely alongside all CZO PIs and co-PIs to achieve the following goals: * Facilitate communication among CZOs; * Negotiate and implement common protocols for sensing, analyzing, and reporting of common measurements amongst CZOs; * Promote dissemination of information and resources both among the CZOs and to additional stakeholder communities beyond the reach of individual CZOs; * Identify common CZO concerns and needs; * Identify opportunities to leverage resources or develop synergistic activities; * Plan the development of and implement agendas for annual CZO PI meetings in coordination with the CZO site hosting the meeting; * Coordinate implementation of data publication. II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION NSF invites the submission of proposals for the Critical Zone Observatory National Office (CZO-NO). The CZO-NO will have two main functions: to coordinate activities of the network of CZOs, and to disseminate information to a number of audiences. The CZO-NO is expected to work with the CZO community and to share CZO discoveries, data, and research opportunities with the broad scientific community. Responsibilities of the CZO-NO in coordinating the network of CZOs will include, but are not limited to: * Organizing and participating in regular, monthly teleconferences for the CZO PIs and co-PIs; * Supporting the CZO network's committees and working groups; * Coordinate the planning and logistics of two face-to-face meetings of CZO PIs per year. One meeting will take place at a professional meeting (e.g. AGU) and the second will be a CZO site visit; * Assisting with the coordination and planning of common measurements, protocols and data management for the network of CZOs. Responsibilities of this office in representing the CZO network include, but are not limited to: * Being the singular point of communication with the larger science community on behalf of the CZO network; * Promoting the CZO program and developing a high-profile public identity that emphasizes its interdisciplinary nature and focus on creation of knowledge for a sustainable Earth; * Creating a strong education and outreach program in which CZO data and discoveries reach a broad spectrum of local, regional, national, and international audiences, including scientists, educators, students, landowners, policymakers, and the general public. Outreach activities should be coordinated among CZO sites and with the broader scientific community; * Serving as the liaison of the CZO program to other CZ-related groups or organizations (e.g., CSDMS, CUAHSI, CZEN, DOSECC, LTER, NEON, UNAVCO, etc.); * Representing the CZOs at research and educational conferences, and public outreach events; * Developing and distributing CZO outreach materials through the use of traditional and new media; * Assisting in the organization of workshops, short courses, and sessions at national and international meetings; * Organizing and managing a CZO booth at professional meetings and conferences; * Developing a quarterly CZO newsletter and an annual integrated CZO science report, and maintaining an archive of these items; * Maintaining and updating content of the CZO Website (criticalzone.org); * Developing and managing a CZO speaker series. Critical Zone Observatories National Office Structure NSF anticipates that successful operations and management of the CZO-NO will require a senior-level scientist (the proposal PI) on a part-time appointment who will serve as the CZO-NO Director and manage the activities of the office; a full-time office manager at the postdoctoral level or equivalent that would assist the PI with scientific issues; an Education & Outreach (E&O) Coordinator; and additional full-time support staff who will perform other functions of the office, including maintaining Web content, providing logistical and other support for workshops and meetings, supporting the CZO advisory structure, and administrative functions. The CZO-NO may hire appropriate staff, students, and postdoctoral associates to assist in scientific, education and outreach activities. Links and related documents Additional documents that are useful descriptors of community planning related to the CZO's may be accessed through [27]www.nsf.gov/geo/ear/programs/czo_moreinfo.jsp III. AWARD INFORMATION Anticipated Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement Estimated Number of Awards: 1 Anticipated Funding Amount: $350,000 Up to $350,000 per year for up to 4 years, pending annual performance and availability of funds. IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION Organization Limit: The categories of proposers eligible to submit proposals to the National Science Foundation are identified in the Grant Proposal Guide, Chapter I, Section E. PI Limit: Organizations and individuals involved in CZO awards will not be eligible to serve as the CZO National Office awardee. Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1 Collaborative Proposals submitted as separate submissions from multiple organizations are NOT allowed for this competition. Limit on Number of Proposals per PI: 1 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: [28]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 [29]nsfpubs@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: ([30]http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/docs/grantsgovguide.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 [31]nsfpubs@nsf.gov. B. Budgetary Information Cost Sharing: Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited C. Due Dates * Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time): July 16, 2013 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: [32]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 [33]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: [34]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. Comprehensive information about using Grants.gov is available on the Grants.gov Applicant Resources webpage: [35]http://www07.grants.gov/applicants/app_help_reso.jsp. 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: [36]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 judgments. 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: [37]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. Additional Solicitation Specific Review Criteria * Does the proposal PI, team, and institution, have demonstrated expertise in management of large, diverse projects and networks of scientists? * Does the PI have a knowledge and familiarity of the CZO program and CZ science? * Does the PI demonstrate leadership experience? * How well would the proposed plan foster continued development of the broad CZ community? * How well would the proposed plan create and foster synergy among the various CZO sites and activities? * Does the PI and team demonstrate experience of communicating with broad audiences? * How well would the proposed plan foster innovative use of traditional and new media? * Is there sufficient institutional support and capacity for the proposed effort? * Is there a clear management plan for the proposed effort? 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. B. Review and Selection Process Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will be reviewed by Ad hoc Review and/or Panel Review, Site Visit Review, or Reverse Site Review. 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. 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 [38]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 [39]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 [40]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, and a project outcomes report for the general public. Failure to provide the required annual or final project reports, or the project outcomes report 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. The project outcomes report must be prepared and submitted using Research.gov. This report serves as a brief summary, prepared specifically for the public, of the nature and outcomes of the project. This report will be posted on the NSF website exactly as it is submitted by the PI. More comprehensive information on NSF Reporting Requirements 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 [41]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag. VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS Please note that the program contact information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact. General inquiries regarding this program should be made to: * Enriqueta C. Barrera, telephone: (703) 292-4731, email: [42]ebarrera@nsf.gov * Paul Cutler, telephone: (703) 292-4961, email: [43]pcutler@nsf.gov * Thomas Torgersen, telephone: (703) 292-8549, email: [44]ttorgers@nsf.gov For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact: * FastLane Help Desk, telephone: 1-800-673-6188; e-mail: [45]fastlane@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: [46]support@grants.gov. 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 [47]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 [48]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 55,000 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 Arctic 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 [49]http://www.nsf.gov * Location: 4201 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22230 * For General Information (NSF Information Center): (703) 292-5111 * TDD (for the hearing-impaired): (703) 292-5090 * To Order Publications or Forms: Send an e-mail to: [50]nsfpubs@nsf.gov or telephone: (703) 292-7827 * To Locate NSF Employees: (703) 292-5111 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, [51]NSF-50, "Principal Investigator/Proposal File and Associated Records," 69 Federal Register 26410 (May 12, 2004), and [52]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 [53]Policies and Important Links | [54]Privacy | [55]FOIA | [56]Help | [57]Contact NSF | [58]Contact Web Master | [59]SiteMap National Science Foundation The National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230, USA Tel: (703) 292-5111, FIRS: (800) 877-8339 | TDD: (800) 281-8749 Last Updated: 11/07/06 [60]Text Only [x.gif] References 1. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#toc 2. mailto:ebarrera@nsf.gov 3. mailto:pcutler@nsf.gov 4. mailto:ttorgers@nsf.gov 5. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg 6. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgovguide 7. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#summary 8. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#pgm_intr_txt 9. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#pgm_desc_txt 10. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#awd_info 11. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#elig 12. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#prep 13. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#prep 14. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#budg_cst_shr_txt 15. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#dates 16. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#fastlane 17. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#review 18. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#reviewcrit 19. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#reviewprot 20. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#awardadmin 21. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#awardnotify 22. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#grantcond 23. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#reportreq 24. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#cont 25. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2012/nsf12595/nsf12595.htm#othpgm 26. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf12575 27. http://www.nsf.gov/geo/ear/programs/czo_moreinfo.jsp 28. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg 29. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov 30. http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/docs/grantsgovguide.pdf 31. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov 32. https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a1/newstan.htm 33. mailto:fastlane@nsf.gov 34. https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/fastlane.jsp 35. http://www07.grants.gov/applicants/app_help_reso.jsp 36. mailto:support@grants.gov 37. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/gpg/broaderimpacts.pdf 38. http://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/award_conditions.jsp?org=NSF 39. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov 40. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag 41. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag 42. mailto:ebarrera@nsf.gov 43. mailto:pcutler@nsf.gov 44. mailto:ttorgers@nsf.gov 45. mailto:fastlane@nsf.gov 46. mailto:support@grants.gov 47. http://www.nsf.gov/ 48. http://www.grants.gov/ 49. http://www.nsf.gov/ 50. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov 51. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/SOR_PA_NSF-50_Principal_Investigator _Proposal_File.pdf 52. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/SOR_PA_NSF-51_Reviewer_Proposal_File.pdf 53. http://www.nsf.gov/policies 54. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/privacy.jsp 55. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/foia.jsp 56. http://www.nsf.gov/help/ 57. http://www.nsf.gov/help/contact.jsp 58. mailto:webmaster@nsf.gov 59. http://www.nsf.gov/help/sitemap.jsp 60. http://transcoder.usablenet.com/tt/referrer