Cultural Anthropology Research Experience for Graduates (REG) Supplements

National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22230

Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE)
Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (BCS)
(NSF 08-019)

Subject: Cultural Anthropology Research Experience for Graduates (REG) Supplements

Dear Colleague:

To advance the integration of research and education, the Cultural Anthropology program of the National Science Foundation invites researchers holding existing NSF awards to request a Research Experience for Graduates (REG) Supplement. This supplemental funding will provide up to $5,000 per student to support the cost of a Cultural Anthropology Ph.D. student's closely mentored but independent, pre-dissertation research experience. The student's research should be his/her own research project; supplements are not intended to support clerical or research assistants to the PI.  The purpose of these supplements is to provide Ph.D. students opportunities for independent research while also encouraging PIs to mentor students in cooperative, collaborative activities.

SUPPLEMENT REQUEST TARGET DATE

Requests for REG support are due by March 1, annually.  Supplement proposals may also be accepted at other times of the year by contacting the cognizant NSF Program Officer in advance.

ELIGIBILITY

Proposals for REG supplements may be submitted by U.S. universities and colleges on behalf of faculty members with an existing NSF award. The Principal Investigator (PI) must be currently serving as PI or co-PI on an NSF grant.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING SUPPLEMENT REQUESTS

Requests for REG support must be submitted through FastLane in accordance with Chapter I.E.4 ofNSF 08-1, NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide, Part II: Award Administration Guide (AAG) (http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappguide/nsf08_1/aag_1.jsp#IE4).

• The request should articulate in 2-3 pages the form and nature of the student's research project; it may be useful to have the student write these pages.
• The request should include a 1-2 page biosketch for the graduate student researcher. This information should be included in the Supplementary Docs section of the proposal.
• Additionally, the faculty member (PI) should provide a 1-2 page endorsement of the student, identifying the grounds for the student's selection. This information should be included in the Justification for Supplement section of the proposal.
• The proposed budget should include a research stipend of up to $5,000 per student. All student costs should be entered as Participant Support Costs on the FastLane budget. 
• Indirect costs for REG supplements are not allowed.
• Normally, funds may be available for one student; rarely, for two students; but exceptions will be considered for training additional qualified students. Proposers considering requesting funds for more than one student should contact the NSF program officer to discuss.  

PROPOSAL EVALUATION

Proposals will be reviewed internally by NSF program staff using NSF merit review criteria; see Chapter III.A of NSF 08-1, NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide, Part I: Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) (http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappguide/nsf08_1/gpg_3.jsp).

Special attention will be paid to the appropriateness and value of the educational experience for the student participants, particularly the independence and theoretical significance of the student's activities and the quality of the supervision.

All supplement awards are subject to (a) the availability of funds, and (b) review of the quality of proposals.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

There are no special reporting requirements for these supplements beyond the regular reporting requirements that apply to the grant.

CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

General inquiries should be made to the:  Cultural Anthropology Program Director
(http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5388)