This document has been archived and replaced by NSF 08-068.

MEMORANDUM

To:	NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRCs)
From:	Dr. Michael Reischman, Deputy Assistant Director         Directorate for Engineering
	Dr. Deborah Crawford, Deputy Assistant Director         Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering
Re:	Fundamental Research Supplement Opportunity for I/UCRCs

Dear Colleagues:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) invites supplemental requests for fundamental research in NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRC). This supplemental opportunity is intended to support fundamental research, an activity designed to broaden scientific and technical knowledge not directly linked to current center research. The I/UCRC program intends to provide the opportunity for its centers to conduct fundamental research so as to better position themselves as leaders for emerging areas that could benefit the industries that they serve. Industry members are increasingly reluctant to invest in fundamental research as they are under pressure by investors and other stakeholders to maximize profits and their returns on investments. Supplements should discuss how the proposed research will benefit current industry members and attract new industry members. This document replaces NSF 07-012.

Supplement Due Dates: February 6, 2007 by 5:00 PM, submitter’s local time and first Wednesday in February, annually thereafter.

Awards Information:   6 or more anticipated number of awards pending the availability of funds:

• Six estimated awards for centers whose proposed research scope is primarily in computer science, computer engineering, cyberinfrastructure, or information technology.
• Six estimated awards for other science and engineering areas.

The maximum award for supplements in this program is $150,000 per center pending the availability of funds. Award Duration - The requested duration for an award may be up to two years.

Eligibility based on center performance. Fundamental research opportunities are available for existing I/UCRCs who continue to meet the criteria as outlined in the current Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers Program (I/UCRC) solicitation. This opportunity requires that centers submitting fundamental research supplement requests have met the following conditions for eligibility:

• Maintained sufficient industrial memberships to meet program requirements,
• Used graduate students in center research projects, and
• Disseminated current and accurate information to the public about their center via the NSF web site. NSF directory listings must be current and accurate by the supplement deadline date. Updates can be sent to the I/UCRC program director if needed.

Topic Eligibility: Center eligibility is dependent on the research area topic of the proposal.

• All centers are eligible to submit proposals for research topics in computer science, computer engineering, cyberinfrastructure, and information systems.
• For other engineering and science topics, only centers who have not received a Fundamental Research Supplement in the previous fiscal year are eligible to apply.

LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF SUPPLEMENTS

• Single University Centers: Single university sites may submit only one supplement and the total budget cannot exceed 60% ($90,000) of the maximum award amount.
• Multi-University Centers: Each site of a multi-university I/UCRC may submit one supplement. All supplements for a given I/UCRC must be part of the same integrated research experimental plan and the total budget for all submissions cannot exceed the maximum award amount.

SUPPLEMENT PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

The PI from the primary I/UCRC center award (usually the center director) must be listed as the PI for this supplement request. Other researchers may be listed as co-PIs for this supplement.

The first line for the supplement description must include the center's preference as to the type of panel they want their request reviewed by. State that "This supplement should be reviewed by the panel for" and insert one of the following two options:

• Engineering and Science, or
• Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cyberinfrastructure, and Information Systems.

I/UCRCs may want to submit separate supplements for their participating research sites. Care must be taken to ensure that the maximum award is not exceeded. University sites can do this by submitting a collaborative supplement that represents their share of the research that will be done. For example, a center with three university sites (partners) can submit three integrated experimental supplements (one by each university research site) with a request for funding which would then equal the maximum allowable amount of up to $150,000, subject to the availability of funds.

Required for multi-university site supplements - Preference is given to collaborative projects that involve multiple sites in a center. If all sites in a center are not involved, the center's director must include a letter stating that the co-directors from other sites are in agreement as to their level of participation (if any).

Proposals for supplemental funding must be submitted through FastLane as a supplement. 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. When contacting FastLane, inform the technician that you are required to apply for this opportunity as a supplement.

Specific questions related to this funding opportunity should be referred to the NSF program staff listed above or to the I/UCRC Program Associate, Gregory Misiorek, gmisiore@nsf.gov, Phone: (703) 292-8383.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please contact one of the following program officials if you have questions about the I/UCRC Fundamental Research Supplement opportunity.

• Edward   Clancy, Program Director, 585 N, telephone: (703) 292-8383, email: eclancy@nsf.gov

• Glenn   Larsen, Program Director, 505 N, telephone: (703) 292-8383, fax: (703) 292-9013, email: glarsen@nsf.gov

• Gregory   Misiorek, Program Assistant, telephone: (703) 292-8383, email: gmisiore@nsf.gov

• Rita   Rodriguez, Program Director, 1175N, telephone: (703) 292-8950, email: rrodrigu@nsf.gov

• Alex   Schwarzkopf, Senior Program Manager, 585 N, telephone: (703) 292-8383, fax: (703) 292-9051, email: aschwarz@nsf.gov