NSF 00-49

NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Program Solicitation

DIRECTORATE FOR ENGINEERING

DEADLINE DATE: MAY 15, 2000, 5:00 PM (your local time)

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

The National Science Foundation promotes and advances scientific progress in the United States by competitively awarding grants 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 Web site at:

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TABLE OF CONTENTS


SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Program Name: NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Short Description/Synopsis of Program:

As population continues to grow, there are increased pressures on society and the ecosystem that supports it. Scarce resources are used up. Air and water pollution cause human disease and kill animals. And, collectively, these pressures are one significant reason for human conflict. These pressures are relieved by advancing our scientific understanding of nature and the world around us, but only as scientific understanding can be implemented in engineered systems. Engineering systems can cope with increased societal pressures, provide cleaner air and water, and reduce the risks to which we are all subjected. Manufacturing can be cleaner, safer, and cost less all at the same time. Engineering and manufacturing provide economic benefits that enable a society to move forward, to care for its people, to provide quality education and health care, and to feed, clothe and protect itself.

The Engineering Directorate of the National Science Foundation (NSF) announces an initiative seeking high risk/high return, exploratory research feasibility studies on new technologies applied to the environment. This announcement focuses on new technologies that can be applied to environmental sensing, remediation, and environmentally benign manufacturing.

This solicitation is for Phase I feasibility studies; successfully completed Phase I studies will be eligible to compete for Phase II awards. NSF expects to solicit Phase II proposals in FY2002.

Program Points of Contact:

A. Frederick Thompson, Program Director, Room 565, Engineering, Division of Bioengineering and Environmental Systems, (703) 306-1320, e-mail: athompso@nsf.gov

Robert Wellek, Deputy Division Director, Room 525, Engineering, Division of Chemical and Transport Systems, Fax: (703) 306-0319, e-mail: rwellek@nsf.gov

Vijaya K. A. Gopu, Program Director, Room 545, Engineering, Division of Civil and Mechancal Systems, (703) 306-1360, e-mail: vgopu@nsf.gov

Delcie Durham, Program Director, Room 550, Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture and Industrial Innovation, (703) 306-1330, e-mail: ddurham@nsf.gov

Vladimir Lumelsky, Program Director, Room 675, Engineering, Division of Electrical and Communication Systems, (703) 306-1339, e-mail: vlumelsk@nsf.gov

Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) No.: 47.041 — Engineering Grants

ELIGIBILITY

Proposals may be submitted by U.S. academic institutions and nonprofit research institutions in support of individual investigators or small groups.

Only one proposal may be submitted by a Principal Investigator. A Prinicipal Investigator for one proposal may be a co-Principal Investigator on one other proposal.

AWARD INFORMATION

TYPE OF AWARD ANTICIPATED: STANDARD GRANT

PROPOSAL PREPARATION & SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Total award amount up to $100,000 ($200,000 for essential, multi-disciplinary collaborations) for proposals submitted in response to this solicitation
  • FastLane Requirements

  • FastLane proposal preparation requirements: FastLane use required

  • FastLane point of contact: Marcia A. Rawlings, (703) 306-1318, mrawling@nsf.gov
    •

    PROPOSAL REVIEW INFORMATION

    AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

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    INTRODUCTION

    As population continues to grow there are increased pressures on society and the ecosystem that supports it. Scarce resources are used up. Air and water pollution cause human disease and kill animals. And, collectively, these pressures are one significant reason for human conflict. These pressures are relieved by advancing our scientific understanding of nature and the world around us, but only as scientific understanding can be implemented in engineered systems. Engineered systems can cope with increased societal pressures, provide cleaner air and water, and reduce the risks to which we are all subjected. Manufacturing can be cleaner, safer, and cost less all at the same time. Engineering and manufacturing provide economic benefits that enable a society to move forward, to care for its people, to provide quality education and health care, and to feed, clothe and protect itself.

    The Engineering Directorate of the National Science Foundation (NSF) announces an initiative seeking high risk/high return, exploratory research feasibility studies on new technologies applied to the environment. This solicitation focuses on new technologies that can be applied to environmental sensing, remediation, and environmentally benign manufacturing.

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    PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

    The initial phase (Phase I) of this program will emphasize high risk/high return, exploratory feasibility studies of new technologies applied to the environment. Emphasis will be placed on the novelty and potential impact of the approach. Special criteria for judging proposals submitted in response to this initiative are:

    1. Research must be based on novel ideas that are NOT already widely researched and published. These ideas may be supported by only limited preliminary data.

    2. The proposals must contain a high level of engineering technology input.

    3. A reasonable plan for the feasibility demonstration within the time and cost guidelines described under Award Information below must be included.

    4. A statement of potential impact, as quantitative as possible, must accompany the proposal.

    Proposals submitted must focus on one or more of the following three areas of environmental technology:

    Research on new sensing technologies to assess the impact of anthropogenic (manmade) factors on the natural and/or the built environments. Examples of new technologies applied to sensing and measurement could include molecular bioengineering, large and high density sensor arrays and the wireless transfer of data from such arrays, and "nano-" and "chip-based" sensing technologies.

    Research on new technologies for environmentally benign remediation through biological, chemical, thermal and/or fluid processes, such as studies of microbial and plant communities and their interactions in contaminated environments, and the use of these endogenous species to effect remediation; or exploration of novel (a) tailored biocatalysts, membranes and micro-nano-scale environments such as micelles for separations, segregation, and targeted chemical transformations; (b) transport through porous media such as soil, membranes and macro-fluid and air systems; (c) transformations driven by combustion, plasmas, and /or electric field processing in order to ameliorate existing and potential chemical and particulate environmental hazards. Use of cutting-edge molecular simulation and modeling, micro- and nano-scale technology and hybrid technologies (e.g., Bio plus Non-Bio) is encouraged. Additionally, fundamental research leading to new remediation technologies in the following focus areas is of interest: source characterization of pollutants, cost effective separation technologies for dilute metals and liquid contaminants, and heavy metals removal from incineration gases.

    Research on environmentally benign manufacturing/processing and remanufacturing of structural and industrial materials and products, with particular emphasis on life-cycle considerations for costs and efficient materials reuse in a sustainable materials stream. This will involve research in novel processing for remanufacturability and construction, and in novel materials characterization for applicability for reusability, for "green design". Materials substitutions, process modifications in solid freeform fabrication, microfabrication, solidification and forming processes, and new considerations in materials removal that focus on quantifiable reductions or elimination of waste not only in the original processing but in the subsequent remanufacturing and reuse of products will be considered.

     All proposals should address the ways in which education and training are integrated within the research program. Efforts to incorporate interdisciplinary educational activities and encourage student teamwork are also encouraged.

    Successfully completed Phase I feasibility studies will be eligible to compete for Phase II awards of up to $500,000 ($800,000 for collaborations) and up to 3 years duration. NSF expects to solicit Phase II proposals in FY 2002.

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    ELIGIBILITY

    Proposals may be submitted by U.S. academic institutions and nonprofit research institutions in support of individual investigators or small groups. Synergistic collaboration among researchers and collaboration or partnerships with industry or government laboratories is encouraged when appropriate; however, NSF awards will be made to U.S. academic institutions and nonprofit research institutions. Only one proposal may be submitted by a Principal Investigator. However, a Principal Investigator for one proposal may be a co-Principal Investigator on one other proposal.

    AWARD INFORMATION

    NSF anticipates funding approximately 20 proposals, with awards up to $100,000 ($200,000 for essential, multi-disciplinary collaborations) total for two years. The final number of awards will be subject to the availability of funds and the quality of the proposals.

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    PROPOSAL PREPARATION & SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

    A. Proposal Preparation Instructions.

    Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the general guidelines contained in the Grant Proposal Guide (GPG), NSF 00-2. The complete text of the GPG (including electronic forms) is available electronically on the NSF Web site at: <    http://www.nsf.gov/>. Paper copies of the GPG may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone 301.947.2722 or by e-mail from pubs@nsf.gov.

    Electronic submission through the NSF FastLane system is required. Proposers are reminded to identify the program solicitation number (NSF 00-49) in the program announcement/solicitation block on the NSF Form 1207, "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. Proposal Due Dates.

    All proposals MUST be submitted electronically via FastLane by 5:00 PM, your local time, May 15, 2000.

    Submission of Signed Cover Sheet. The signed proposal Cover Sheet (NSF Form 1207) should be forwarded to the following address and received by NSF by May 22, 2000.

    Dr. Fred Thompson
    Program Director
    Division of Bioengineering & Environmental Systems
    National Science Foundation
    4201 Wilson Blvd., Room 565
    Arlington, VA 22230

    A proposal may not be processed until the complete proposal (including signed Cover Sheet) has been received by NSF.

    C. FastLane Requirements.

    Detailed instructions for proposal preparation and submission via FastLane are available at https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a1/newstan.htm.

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    PROPOSAL REVIEW INFORMATION

    A. Merit Review Criteria.

    Reviews of proposals submitted to NSF are solicited from peers with expertise in the substantive area of the proposed research or education project. These reviewers are selected by Program officers charged with the oversight of the review process. NSF invites the proposer to suggest, at the time of submission, the names of appropriate or inappropriate reviewers. Care is taken to ensure that reviewers have no conflicts with the proposer. Special efforts are made to recruit reviewers from non-academic institutions, minority serving institutions, adjacent disciplines to that principally addressed in the proposal.

    Proposals will be reviewed against the following general merit review criteria established by the National Science Board. Following each criterion are potential considerations that the reviewer may employ in the evaluation. These are suggestions and not all will apply to any given proposal. Each reviewer will be asked to address only those that are relevant to the proposal and for which he/she 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 prior work.) To what extent does the proposed activity suggest and explore creative and original 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?

    PIs should address the following elements in their proposal to provide reviewers with the information necessary to respond fully to both NSF merit review criteria. NSF staff will give these factors careful consideration 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 learner perspectives. PIs should address this issue in their proposal to provide reviewers with the information necessary to respond fully to both NSF merit review criteria. NSF staff will give it careful consideration in making funding decisions.

    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 -- are 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. PIs should address this issue in their proposal to provide reviewers with the information necessary to respond fully to both NSF merit review criteria. NSF staff will give it careful consideration in making funding decisions.

    B. Review Criteria Specific to this Solicitation

    In addition to the above criteria, the criteria below will be used in the review of proposals submitted to this competition:

    1. Is the proposed research based on novel ideas that are NOT already widely researched and published, and are these ideas sufficiently promising that funding is recommended even considering that these ideas may be supported only by limited or preliminary data?

    2. Is the proposed research framed to contain a high level of engineering technology input?

    3. Does the proposal include a reasonable plan for the feasibility demonstration within the proposed budget and schedule?

    4. Does the proposal present a thorough and reasonable impact assessment and evaluation?

    C. Review Protocol and Associated Customer Service Standard

    All proposals are carefully reviewed by at least three persons outside NSF who are experts in the particular field represented by the proposal. Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation will be reviewed by panels.

    Reviewers will be asked to formulate a recommendation to either support or decline each proposal. A program officer assigned to manage the proposal’s review will consider the advice of reviewers and will formulate a recommendation. In most cases, proposers will be contacted by the program officer after his or her recommendation to award or decline funding has been approved by his or her supervisor, the division director. This informal notification is not a guarantee of an eventual award. NSF will be able to tell applicants whether their proposals have been declined or recommended for funding within six months for 95 percent of proposals in this category. The time interval begins on the proposal deadline or target date or from the date of receipt, if deadlines or target dates are not used by the program. The interval ends when the division director accepts the program officer’s recommendation.

    In all cases, after final programmatic approval has been obtained, award recommendations are then 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 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 an 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 Officer does so at its own risk.

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    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 (DGA). Organizations whose proposals are declined will be advised as promptly as possible by the cognizant NSF Program Division administering the program. Verbatim copies of reviews, not including the identity of the reviewer, will be provided automatically to the Principal Investigator.

    B. Grant Award Conditions.

    An NSF grant consists of: (1) the award letter, which includes any special provisions applicable to the grant 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 grant conditions, such as Grant General Conditions (NSF GC-1)* or Federal Demonstration Partnership Phase III (FDP) Terms and Conditions* and (5) any NSF brochure, program guide, announcement or other NSF issuance that may be incorporated by reference in the award letter. Electronic mail notification is the preferred way to transmit NSF grants to organizations that have electronic mail capabilities and have requested such notification from the Division of Grants and Agreements.

    * These documents may be accessed electronically on NSF’s Web site at: <    http://www.nsf.gov/>. Paper copies may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone 301.947.2722 or by e-mail from pubs@nsf.gov.

    More comprehensive information on NSF Award Conditions is contained in the NSF Grant Policy Manual (GPM) Chapter II, (NSF 95-26) available electronically on the NSF Web site. The GPM also is available in paper copy by subscription from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The GPM may be ordered through the GPO Web site at: <http://www.gpo.gov>. The telephone number at GPO for subscription information is 202.512.1800.

    C. Reporting Requirements.

    For all multi-year grants (including both standard and continuing grants), the PI must submit an annual project report to the cognizant Program Officer at least 90 days before the end of the current budget period.

    Within 90 days after expiration of a grant, the PI also is required to submit a final project report. Approximately 30 days before expiration, NSF will send a notice to remind the PI of the requirement to file the final project report. Failure to provide final technical reports delays NSF review and processing of pending proposals for that PI. PIs should examine the formats of the required reports in advance to assure availability of required data.

    NSF has implemented a new electronic project reporting system, available through FastLane, which permits electronic submission and updating of project reports, including information on: project participants (individual and organizational); activities and findings; publications; and, other specific products and contributions. Reports will continue to be required annually and after the expiration of the grant, but PIs will not need to re-enter information previously provided, either with the proposal or in earlier updates using the electronic system.

    Effective October 1, 1999, PIs are required to use the new reporting system for submission of annual and final project reports.

    D. New Awardee Information.

    If the submitting organization has never received an NSF award, it is recommended that the organization’s appropriate administrative officials become familiar with the policies and procedures in the NSF Grant Policy Manual which are applicable to most NSF awards. The "Prospective New Awardee Guide" (NSF 99-78) includes information on: Administration and Management Information; Accounting System Requirements and Auditing Information; and Payments to Organizations with Awards. This information will assist an organization in preparing documents that NSF requires to conduct administrative and financial reviews of an organization. The guide also serves as a means of highlighting the accountability requirements associated with Federal awards. This document is available electronically on NSF’s Web site at: <http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf9978>.

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    CONTACTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    General inquiries should be made to the New Technologies for the Environment. Contact persons are :

    A. Frederick Thompson, Program Director, Room 565, Engineering, Division of Bioengineering and Environmental Systems, (703) 306-1320, e-mail:     athompso@nsf.gov

    Robert Wellek, Deputy Division Director, Room 525, Engineering, Division of Chemical and Transport Systems, Fax: (703) 306-0319, e-mail: rwellek@nsf.gov

    Vijaya K. A. Gopu, Program Director, Room 545, Engineering, Division of Civil and Mechancal Systems, (703) 306-1360, e-mail: vgopu@nsf.gov

    Delcie Durham, Program Director, Room 550, Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture and Industrial Innovation, (703) 306-1330, e-mail: ddurham@nsf.gov

    Vladimir Lumelsky, Program Director, Room 675, Engineering, Division of Electrical and Communication Systems, (703) 306-1339, e-mail: vlumelsk@nsf.gov

    For questions related to use of FastLane, contact Marcia A. Rawlings, (703) 306-1318, mrawling@nsf.gov

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    OTHER PROGRAMS OF INTEREST

    The NSF Guide to Programs is a compilation of funding for research and education in science, mathematics, and engineering. General descriptions of NSF programs, research areas, and eligibility information for proposal submission are provided in each chapter. Many NSF programs offer announcements concerning specific proposal requirements. To obtain additional information about these requirements, contact the appropriate NSF program offices listed in Appendix A of the GPG. Any changes in NSF's fiscal year programs occurring after press time for the Guide to Programs will be announced in the NSF Bulletin, available monthly (except July and August), and in individual program announcements. The Bulletin is available electronically via the NSF Web Site at     http://www.nsf.gov. The direct URL for recent issues of the Bulletin is http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/publicat/bulletin/bulletin.htm Subscribers can also sign up for NSF's Custom News Service to find out what funding opportunities are available.

    Technology for a Sustainable Environment (TSE). Partnership for Environmental Research: This five year joint NSF/EPA research program is currently described on the NSF Web under NSF 99-108. The environmental activity deals with basic research on novel technologies in Engineering and Chemistry and that could prevent or minimize the generation of hazardous materials into the environment at the manufacturing or processing source, before the resulting pollution needs to be remediated. Those interested in submitting proposals on novel concepts on environmentally benign engineering related to manufacturing and processing should watch the NSF and EPA web sites for a potential new announcement in FY 2000.

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    ABOUT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

    The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. Grantees are wholly responsible for conducting their project activities and preparing the results for publication. Thus, the Foundation does not assume responsibility for such findings or their interpretation.

    NSF welcomes proposals from all qualified scientists, engineers and educators. The Foundation strongly encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to compete fully in its programs. In accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and NSF policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from NSF (unless otherwise specified in the eligibility requirements for a particular program).

    Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities (investigators and other staff, including student research assistants) to work on NSF-supported projects. See the program announcement or contact the program coordinator at (703) 306-1636.

    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 regarding NSF programs, employment, or general information. TDD may be accessed at (703) 306-0090 or through FIRS on 1-800-877-8339.

    We want all of our communications to be clear and understandable. If you have suggestions on how we can improve this document or other NSF publications, please email us at     plainlanguage@nsf.gov.

    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; 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 review process; to applicant 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 needing information as part of the review process or in order to coordinate programs; 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," 63 Federal Register 267 (January 5, 1998), and NSF-51, "Reviewer/Proposal File and Associated Records," 63 Federal Register 268 (January 5, 1998). Submission of the information is voluntary. Failure to provide full and complete information, however, may reduce the possibility of receiving an award.

    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 this burden estimate and any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Reports Clearance Officer; Information Dissemination Branch, DAS; National Science Foundation; Arlington, VA 22230.

    YEAR 2000 REMINDER

    In accordance with Important Notice No. 120 dated June 27, 1997, Subject: Year 2000 Computer Problem, NSF awardees are reminded of their responsibility to take appropriate actions to ensure that the NSF activity being supported is not adversely affected by the Year 2000 problem. Potentially affected items include: computer systems, databases, and equipment. The National Science Foundation should be notified if an awardee concludes that the Year 2000 will have a significant impact on its ability to carry out an NSF funded activity. Information concerning Year 2000 activities can be found on the NSF web site at http://www.nsf.gov/oirm/y2k/start.htm.

    Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) No.: 47.041 – Engineering Grants

    OMB No.: 3145-0058
    NSF 00-49

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