Section V. Special Programs
G. Research Opportunity Awards and
Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with
Disabilities
Faculty from institutions with limited research opportunities, and
investigators or students with disabilities, may participate in ongoing NSF-
sponsored research through Research Opportunity Awards for faculty and
Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities. The
procedures for the two programs are described below.
1. Research Opportunity Awards (ROAs)
A faculty member at an institution with limited research opportunities may
arrange to work with an investigator at another institution who holds
or is applying for an NSF research grant. If supplemental funds are required
to cover additional costs, the Principal Investigator should make preliminary
contact with the cognizant Program Officer. The formal ROA request
letter, endorsed by the institution and addressed to the program office,
should be received at least 3 months before funds will be needed. It must
include: a description of the arrangements and the work to be performed by
the ROA visitor; a statement of the contribution of this work to the NSF
project and to the visitor's future research and home institution; a
budget (NSF Form 1030) with appropriate explanatory information; a
biographical sketch of the visitor, and any additional information, as
specified by the Program Officer.
2. Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with
Disabilities
Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with
Disabilities encourage participation in NSF Programs by scientists and
engineers (investigators or other staff, postdoctoral associates, student
research assistants, and awardees and honorable mention recipients for
Graduate and Minority Graduate Fellowships) with disabilities. This
effort provides funds for equipment or assistance specifically required
for performance of research on an NSF-supported project. Requests for
support may be included in new proposals submitted to any NSF program or
in requests for supplements to existing grants.
