This document has been archived and replaced by NSF 09-600 (http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf09600). Title: Materials World Network: Cooperative Activity in Materials Research between US Investigators and their Counterparts Abroad (MWN) Date: 07/24/08 Replaced: NSF 07-574 Materials World Network: Cooperative Activity in Materials Research between US Investigators and their Counterparts Abroad (MWN) Program Solicitation NSF 08-590 Replaces Document(s): NSF 07-574 [NSF Logo] National Science Foundation Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences Division of Materials Research Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time): November 17, 2008 SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS General Information Program Title: Materials World Network: Cooperative Activity in Materials Research between US Investigators and their Counterparts Abroad (MWN) Synopsis of Program: Continued progress in fundamental materials and condensed matter research is increasingly dependent upon collaborative efforts among different disciplines, as well as closer coordination among funding agencies and effective partnerships involving universities, industry, and national laboratories. In addition, because of the growing interdependence of the world's economies, partnerships are important not only at the national level but from an international point of view as well. The National Science Foundation is working jointly with counterpart national, regional and multinational funding organizations worldwide to enhance opportunities for collaborative activities in materials research and education between US investigators and their colleagues abroad. This solicitation describes an activity to foster opportunities for such collaborations. It includes joint activities between NSF and funding organizations in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Proposals submitted to NSF in response to this solicitation must have clear relevance to research supported by the NSF Division of Materials Research (DMR), as they will be evaluated within the context of programmatic areas within DMR: condensed matter physics, solid state and materials chemistry, polymers, biomaterials, metals, ceramics, electronic materials, and condensed matter and materials theory. Proposals not appropriate for DMR consideration will be returned without review. NSF will accept proposals from US universities and colleges addressing collaborations between researchers from the US and participating countries or regions. Concurrently, investigators at non-US research institutions should submit to the counterpart funding organization in their country or region a request for support of their side of the collaboration. NSF will consider support of all appropriate research costs for the US side of such collaborations, with the expectation that funding or research organizations from the appropriate countries or regions will consider supporting the costs of the non-US participants. Projects proposed to NSF are expected to offer students and junior researchers the opportunity to participate in international research and education experiences and, more generally, for integrating research and training in an international environment, and to clearly demonstrate the value added by the international collaboration. Projects are also expected to broaden the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g. gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc). Cognizant Program Officer(s): * Dr. Carmen Huber, Division of Materials Research, Office of Special Programs, telephone: 703-292-4939, fax: 703-292-9036, email: chuber@nsf.gov * Dr. Uma D. Venkateswaran, Division of Materials Research, Office of Special Programs, telephone: 703-292-7732, fax: 703-292-9036, email: uvenkate@nsf.gov Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s): * 47.049 --- Mathematical and Physical Sciences Award Information Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant or Continuing Grant Estimated Number of Awards: 20 to 40 depending on quality of proposals and availability of funds Anticipated Funding Amount: $2,500,000 to $4,500,000 total in FY2009, depending on quality of proposals and availability of funds Eligibility Information Organization Limit: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: * Universities and Colleges: Universities and two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges) located and accredited in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Such organizations also are referred to as academic institutions. PI Limit: This solicitation calls for research and education international collaborative projects in program areas that are supported by the Division of Materials Research (DMR): condensed matter physics, solid state and materials chemistry, polymers, biomaterials, metals, ceramics, electronic materials, and condensed matter and materials theory. Proposals submitted in response to the solicitation are evaluated within the context of the appropriate aforementioned programs in DMR. It is unlikely for a Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator to have multiple active awards in DMR. Potential applicants are strongly advised to choose between submitting a proposal in response to this solicitation and submitting an unsolicited proposal to DMR within the annual DMR submission window (see http://www.nsf.gov/materials for the submission window of unsolicited proposals to DMR). This limitation does not apply to proposals submitted in response to this solicitation and requesting support for networks of investigators and their appropriate associated activities as described in section II. Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: None Specified Limit on Number of Proposals per PI: An investigator may be Principal Investigator in only one proposal submitted in response to this solicitation. 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: 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: http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/docs/grantsgovguide.pdf) B. Budgetary Information * Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost Sharing is not required under this solicitation. * 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): November 17, 2008 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 Summary of Program Requirements I. Introduction II. Program Description III. Award Information IV. Eligibility Information V. Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions A. Proposal Preparation Instructions B. Budgetary Information C. Due Dates D. FastLane/Grants.gov Requirements VI. NSF Proposal Processing and Review Procedures A. NSF Merit Review Criteria B. Review and Selection Process VII. Award Administration Information A. Notification of the Award B. Award Conditions C. Reporting Requirements VIII.Agency Contacts IX. Other Information I. INTRODUCTION The basic properties of materials frequently define the capabilities, potential, reliability and limitations of technology. Advances in fundamental materials and condensed matter research enable progress to be made across a broad range of scientific and engineering disciplines and technological areas with dramatic impacts on society. Continued progress in materials research is increasingly dependent upon collaborative efforts among several different disciplines, as well as closer coordination among funding agencies and effective partnerships involving universities, industry, and national laboratories. In addition, because of the growing interdependence of the world's economies, partnerships are important not only at the national level but from an international point of view as well. Over the last decade, the National Science Foundation has co-sponsored a series of international workshops designed to help stimulate enhanced collaboration among materials researchers and create networks linking individuals and centers in participating regions. These workshops have identified possible areas for mutually beneficial collaborations, and recommended that extensive use be made of electronic communication, information exchanges, and databases to promote and facilitate research collaborations and education activities at the international level. The National Science Foundation is working jointly with counterpart national, regional and multinational funding organizations worldwide to enhance opportunities for collaborative activities in materials research and education between US investigators and their colleagues abroad. II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION This solicitation describes an activity to foster collaboration in materials and condensed matter research between investigators in the US and their counterparts abroad. It includes joint activities between NSF and funding organizations in Africa, through the US-Africa Materials Collaboration; the Americas, through the Inter-American Materials Collaboration (CIAM); Asia and Europe. Proposals submitted to NSF in response to this solicitation must have clear relevance to fundamental materials and condensed matter research supported by the NSF Division of Materials Research (DMR). Projects not having this focus will not be considered for funding. Proposals will be evaluated within the context of programmatic areas supported by DMR: condensed matter physics, solid state and materials chemistry, polymers, biomaterials, metals, ceramics, electronic materials, and condensed matter and materials theory. For areas supported by DMR see http://www.nsf.gov/materials . It is strongly recommended that proposers contact the cognizant program officers (Dr. Carmen Huber, chuber@nsf.gov; Dr. Uma Venkateswaran, uvenkate@nsf.gov) to ascertain that the scientific or technical focus of the proposed research is appropriate for this solicitation. Proposals not appropriate for consideration by the Division of Materials Research will be returned without review. NSF will accept proposals from US universities and colleges addressing collaborations between researchers from the US and participating countries or regions. Concurrently, investigators at non-US research institutions should submit to the counterpart funding organization in their country or region a request for support of their side of the collaboration. NSF will consider support of all appropriate research costs for the US side of such collaborations, with the expectation that funding or research organizations from the appropriate countries or regions will consider supporting the costs of the non-US participants. NSF will not accept proposals from investigators at non-US institutions. Contact information for participating funding organizations abroad is listed in Section VIII. In addition to proposals for collaborative materials research and education, proposals to interface networks of US investigators and counterpart networks abroad will also be considered. Proposals from networks of US researchers to NSF in support of activities such as workshops, meetings, brief personnel exchanges, etc., may be linked to counterpart networks abroad supported by, for example, the European Science Foundation. Projects proposed to NSF in areas supported by DMR are expected to offer students and junior researchers the opportunity to participate in an international research and education experience and, more generally, for integrating research and training in an international environment. Proposals that include exchange of students and post-doctoral research associates between the US and abroad, as well as proposals from junior faculty and members of underrepresented groups in science and engineering (women, racial/ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities) are strongly encouraged. Proposals addressing materials and condensed matter research in areas supported by DMR as described above are covered by this solicitation. Of special interest to this solicitation are proposals including activities that build upon and expand current cyber infrastructure capabilities, such as remote use of instrumentation, database creation and use, visualization and virtual experimentation, virtual networking, etc, to enhance and advance the international collaboration. Proposals to NSF from individual investigators and small groups of investigators (3-5 investigators) are welcome. Proposals should be balanced in terms of intellectual effort and participation in the US and abroad. III. AWARD INFORMATION The estimated number of awards is 20 to 40, depending on quality of proposals and availability of funds. The total anticipated funding amount is $2,500,000 to $4,500,000 in FY2009. Estimated total funding, number of awards and average award size/duration are subject to quality of proposals and availability of funds. Awards may be standard or continuing grants. IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION Organization Limit: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: * Universities and Colleges: Universities and two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges) located and accredited in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Such organizations also are referred to as academic institutions. PI Limit: This solicitation calls for research and education international collaborative projects in program areas that are supported by the Division of Materials Research (DMR): condensed matter physics, solid state and materials chemistry, polymers, biomaterials, metals, ceramics, electronic materials, and condensed matter and materials theory. Proposals submitted in response to the solicitation are evaluated within the context of the appropriate aforementioned programs in DMR. It is unlikely for a Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator to have multiple active awards in DMR. Potential applicants are strongly advised to choose between submitting a proposal in response to this solicitation and submitting an unsolicited proposal to DMR within the annual DMR submission window (see http://www.nsf.gov/materials for the submission window of unsolicited proposals to DMR). This limitation does not apply to proposals submitted in response to this solicitation and requesting support for networks of investigators and their appropriate associated activities as described in section II. Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: None Specified Limit on Number of Proposals per PI: An investigator may be Principal Investigator in only one proposal submitted in response to this solicitation. 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: 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 pubs@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: (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 pubs@nsf.gov. In determining which method to utilize in the electronic preparation and submission of the proposal, please note the following: Collaborative Proposals. All collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from multiple organizations must be submitted via the NSF FastLane system. Chapter II, Section D.3 of the Grant Proposal Guide provides additional information on collaborative proposals. Requests for additional funding (supplement) by a US Principal Investigator to an existing NSF award may not be submitted in response to this solicitation; such requests should be made directly through the program where the existing award is administered. Proposals from foreign investigators should be submitted to the appropriate counterpart funding organization in accordance with the guidelines of that organization. Because application guidelines may differ among the participating organizations, it may or may not be possible to submit identical proposals to NSF and the counterpart organization(s). However, the proposal to NSF should clearly describe the contribution of the foreign participants in the Project Description as noted below. Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation must comply with proposal preparation guidelines in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) or NSF Grants.gov Application Guide. A deviation from the page limitation for the Project Description is hereby authorized as described below. The following guidelines, in addition to those in the GPG or NSF Grants.gov Application Guide, should be followed in preparing the proposal to NSF: 1. The title of the proposal to NSF should begin as: "Materials World Network: ... " 2. The participating foreign countries should be listed in the cover sheet under "International Cooperative Activities". 3. The duration of the project proposed to NSF should match the duration of the counterpart project proposed to the other funding organization(s). 4. The Project Summary must address in separate statements the intellectual merit and the broader impacts of the proposed activity and, within the context of these two statements, the value added by the proposed international collaboration. 5. The Project Description may not exceed 17 pages. As indicated in the GPG and NSF Grants.gov Application Guide, the Project Description must include a section on Results from Prior NSF Support, which is limited to a maximum of 5 pages. The Project Description must clearly describe the work to be undertaken by US and foreign participants in an integrated fashion. The Project Description must also include a specific summary of the proposed interaction, including visits between the US and their partners abroad, stating the anticipated scientific benefits of the interaction and not to exceed 2 pages. 6. The Biographical Sketches section must include biographical sketches or curriculum vitae of the foreign participants, including significant publications related to the proposed project. As for US participants, these must include the investigators' thesis and postdoctoral advisors, thesis recipients and postgraduate scholars sponsored, as well as a list of collaborators (Limit: 2 pages per individual). 7. The proposal to NSF must include information clearly identifying the corresponding counterpart proposal. This information must be entered into the "Supplementary Docs" section of the proposal to NSF. For each counterpart proposal include: name of the counterpart agency or agencies, names and affiliations of principal participants, the counterpart project title and identification code (if any), date of proposal submission, requested funds, and requested start and termination dates. 8. No letters of support or recommendation may be included. Proposals not complying with the above preparation guidelines will be returned without review. B. Budgetary Information Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is not required under this solicitation. C. Due Dates * Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time): November 17, 2008 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: 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 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: 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. The Grants.gov's Grant Community User Guide is a comprehensive reference document that provides technical information about Grants.gov. Proposers can download the User Guide as a Microsoft Word document or as a PDF document. The Grants.gov User Guide is available at: http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport. 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: 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 judgements. 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: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/gpg/broaderimpacts.pdf. 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. Additional Review Criteria: Reviewers will also take into consideration the value added by the proposed international collaboration in materials and condensed matter research, and the extent to which the collaboration integrates research and education, broadens the participation of underrepresented groups, and creatively addresses the broader impacts review criterion - see the Division of Materials Research 'Dear Colleague Letter' on the broader impacts review criterion at http://www.nsf.gov/materials. Preference will be given to proposals where the intellectual efforts in the US and abroad are balanced and where students and junior researchers participate in international research experiences. Representatives from NSF's Division of Materials Research will manage the review of proposals on the US side, either in parallel or jointly with participating funding organizations abroad. Coordinated support will be arranged for successful proposals by the participating organizations. Information about proposals will be shared between the participating organizations as appropriate. While each side reserves the option to fund proposals independently, strong preference will be given to proposals with support from both NSF and the counterpart organization. B. Review and Selection Process Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will be reviewed by Ad hoc Review and/or Panel Review. 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 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 pubs@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 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. Failure to provide the required annual or final project reports 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. VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS General inquiries regarding this program should be made to: * Dr. Carmen Huber, Division of Materials Research, Office of Special Programs, telephone: 703-292-4939, fax: 703-292-9036, email: chuber@nsf.gov * Dr. Uma D. Venkateswaran, Division of Materials Research, Office of Special Programs, telephone: 703-292-7732, fax: 703-292-9036, email: uvenkate@nsf.gov For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact: * FastLane Help Desk, telephone: 1-800-673-6188; e-mail: fastlane@nsf.gov. * William P. Daniels, telephone: (703) 292-4755, email: wdaniels@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: support@grants.gov. Contacts at other organizations: Contact information in participating countries or regions is provided for the convenience of researchers in those countries or regions. Questions from US investigators should be directed to NSF Inter-American Materials Collaboration (CIAM) Contacts: ARGENTINA Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) http://www.conicet.gov.ar/ Rivadavia 1917, 1033 Buenos Aires Dr. Jorge Tezón, Sub Gerente de Fomento Científico y Tecnológico Tel.: 54-11-4951-4673, Fax: 54-11-4953-7483, jtezon@conicet.gov.ar BRAZIL Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) http://www.cnpq.br/ SEPN 509 - Quadra 507 - Bloco B - Ed. Sede 70.740-001 - Brasilia - DF Carmen Lucia Borges Negraes, Coordinator for Bilateral Cooperation Tel : 55-(61) 2108-9433, Fax : 55-(61) 2108-9437 / 9442; cnegraes@cnpq.br Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo http://www.fapesp.br R. Pio XI, 1500 - Alto da Lapa - CEP 05468-901 - São Paulo/SP - Brasil Prof. Leandro R. Tessler, Universidade Estadual de Campinas Tel : 55-19-7885380, Fax : 55-19-7885376 ; tessler@ifi.unicamp.br CANADA Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) http://www.nserc.ca/ 350 Albert Street, Ottawa, Canada K1A 1H5 Dr. Denis Leclerc, Manager, Policy and International Relations Tel : 613-992-3445, Fax : 613- 947-5645, denis.leclerc@nserc.ca CHILE Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (CONICYT) http://www.conicyt.cl/ Bernarda Morin 545, Providencia, Santiago de Chile María Teresa Ramírez , Depto. de Relaciones Internacionales Tel.: 56-23654404; Fax.: 56-2-2741897; mramirez@conicyt.cl COLOMBIA Instituto Colombiano para el Desarrollo de la Ciencia y la Tecnología (COLCIENCIAS) http://www.colciencias.gov.co/ Tranversal 9A Bis No. 132-28, Bogota DC Dr. Ricardo Fierro, Head of Basic Science National Program Tel: 57-1-625-8480, ext. 2333; Fax: 57-1-625-1788, rfierro@colciencias.gov.co MEXICO Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT) http://www.conacyt.mx/ Insurgentes Sur 1582, Col. Crédito Constructor, Del. Benito Juarez Mexico DF 03940 Dr. Guillermo Aguilar-Sahagun, Director de Investigación Aplicada gaguilar@conacyt.mx Lic. Silvia G. Sánchez Casanova, Jefa del Depto. de Control Informativo Dirección de Investigación Aplicada Tel: 52-55-53227700, ext. 6232; Fax: 52 -55- 53227798; ssanchezc@conacyt.mx Africa-USA Materials Collaboration Contacts: ALGERIA Ministère de l'enseignement superieur et de la recherche scientifique Rue Doudou Mokhtar Ben Aknoun, Algiers, Algeria Prof. Houria Rebbah, Directrice Tel: (213) 21-91-27-10, drsdt@wissal.dz Dr. Charif Merouane Tel: (213)21-91-33-04; othdrsdt@yahoo.fr EGYPT Science and Technology Development Fund Dr. Abeer Shakweer, Manager, Planning and Monitoring Ministry of Scientific Research 101 Kasr el-Aini Street, Cairo, Egypt Abeer.shakweer@stdf.org.eg ETHIOPIA Addis Ababa University Prof. Tsige Gebre-Mariam, Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Programs Addis Ababa University P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel: +251-1-1239756; Fax: +251-1-1231087; Cellular: +251-911-242555; tsigegmw@phar.aau.edu.et; araya.asfaw@gmail.com GHANA Ministry of Education, Science and Sports P.O. Box MB 45, Accra, Ghana Dr. Rexford Osei Tel: +233 21 670305; Fax: +233 21 664067; rexford.osei@yahoo.com KENYA Kenya National Academy of Sciences P.O. Box 39450-00623, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: 254-020-3111714; Fax: 254-020-311715 Prof. Bernard O. Aduda, Dep. of Physics, University of Nairobi P.O> Box 30197-00100 GPO Nairobi boaduda@uonbi.ac.ke Ministère de l'Education Nationale, de MOROCCO l'Enseignement Supérieur, de la Formation des Cadres et de la Recherche Scientifique Direction de la Technologie Prof. Dr. Khalid Riffi Temsamani, National Coordinator Materials Science Tel: 00 212 37 217649; Fax: 00 212 37 217650 ; temsamani@enssup.gov.ma; ktemsamani@uae.ma NIGERIA National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure Idu Industrial Area, Idu Abuja, Nigeria Prof. Olusegun Adewoye, Director General Tel: +234-805-5024934, +234-805-5024943 , +234-803-3127195; oadewoye@yahoo.co.uk SENEGAL Ministère de la Recherche Scientifique Dr. Arame Boye-Faye Directrice de la Recherche Scientifique Building Admistratif, 5ième étage, Dakar, Senegal Tel: 00-221-822-92-48, or 00-221-822-92-98; Mobile: 00-221-637-00-23 arame@ucad.sn; aramefaye@yahoo.com SOUTH AFRICA National Research Foundation www.nrf.ac.za P.O. Box 2600, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa Johan Viljoen, Professional Officer, Science and Technology Agreements Fund Tel: +27 12 481 4172; Fax: +27 12 481 4044;jviljoen@nrf.ac.sa TANZANIA Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road; P.O. Box 4302; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Dr. Rose Rita Kingamkono, Actino Director General Tel: 255-222-700745; 255-222-700746; 255-754-769808 (cell) Fax: 255-22-2775314;rkingamkono@costech.or.tz; rose5306@yahoo.co.uk TUNISIA Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technology Prof. Manef Abderrabba, Director General Tel: +216 71 430 430, Cell: +216 98 64 30 10; manef.abderrabba@ipest.rnu.tn; manef@ecopark.rnrt.tn UGANDA National Council for Science and Technology Plot 3/5/7, Nasser Road P.O. Box 6884, Kampala, Uganda Dr. Dr. Peter Ndemere, Executive Secretary Tel: 256-41705500 , 256-41250499; Fax: 256-41-234579; incst@starcom.co.ug ZIMBABWE Ministry of Science and Technology Development Livingstone House, Harare, Zimbabwe Dr. Francis P. Gudyanga, Permanent Secretary Tel: 263 4 792490; Fax: 263 4 734986; fpgudyanga@zarnet.ac.zw; secretary@rcz.ac.zw AFRICAN LASER CENTER www.africanlasercentre.org Dr. Aboubaker Beye, CEO The CSIR, Building 46, Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria, P.O. Box 395,Pretoria, 0001, South Africa Tel: +27 12 841 2898; Fax: +27 12 841 3152; Cell. +27(0)783527507 acbeye@refer.sn; abeye@csir.co.za Contacts in Europe and Eurasia : AUSTRIA Austrian Science Fund (FWF) http://www.fwf.ac.at/en/index.asp Sensengasse 1 A - 1090 Vienna Dr. Doris Rakoczy, Scientific Administrator Tel.: +43 1 505 67 40 8403, doris.rakoczy@fwf.ac.at CROATIA Ministry of Science, Education and Sports http://www.mzos.hr/index.htm Directorate for International Cooperation and European Integration Donje Svetice 38 10000 Zagreb, Hrvastska, Croatia Marija Crnic, Senior Adviser for Bilateral Cooperation Tel: +385 1 4594 353; Fax: +385 1 4819 331; marija.crnic@mzos.hr FINLAND Tekes, Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation http://www.tekes.fi P.O.Box 69, FIN - 00101 Helsinki, Finland Mrs. Sisko Sipila, Chief Technology Adviser Materials Technology Tel. +358 1060 55845, sisko.sipila@tekes.fi Academy of Finland: Research Council for Natural Sciences & Engineering http://www.aka.fi (also http://www.research.fi) P.O. Box 99, FIN - 00501 Helsinki Dr. Jan Bäckman , Science Adviser Tel. +358 9 7748 8394, jan.backman@aka.fi FRANCE Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) http://www.cnrs.fr 3, rue Michel Ange 75794 Paris Cedex 16, France Claire Giraud Deputy Director for the Americas, Office of European and International Relations Tel. 01 44 96 47 05, claire.giraud@cnrs-dir.fr Dr. Michel Lannoo Scientific Director, Mathematical and Physical Sciences Tel. 01 44 96 42 52 michel.lannoo@cnrs-dir.fr Dr. Gilberte Chambaud, Scientific Director, Chemistry Tel. 01 44 96 40 98, sc-Directeur@cnrs-dir.fr Dr. Pierre Guillon, Scientific Director, Engineering Tel : 01 44 96 42 21, pierre.guillon@cnrs-dir.fr Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/ 212, rue de Bercy F-75012 Paris, France Dr. Elisabeth Massoni, Program Officer Materials and Information Department Tel 33(0)1 78 09 80 15, elisabeth.massoni@agencerecherche.fr GERMANY Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft http://www.dfg.de/en/index.html Kennedyallee 40, D-53175 Bonn, Germany Dr. Burkhard Jahnen, Program Director for Materials Science and Engineering Tel +49 2 28/8 85-2487, burkhard.jahnen@dfg.de Other German Organizations Will be coordinated through Dr. Burkhard Jahnen, see above for contact information. GREECE Ministry of Development General Secretariat for Research and Technology http://www.gsrt.gr 14-18 Messogion Avenue, 115 10 Athens Dr. Nikos Sidiropoulos International Science and Technology Cooperation Directorate Tel: 0030 210 7458119, nsid@gsrt.gr LUXEMBOURG Fonds National de la Recherche http://www.fnr.lu 6, rue Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, P.O. Box 1777 L-1017 Luxembourg-Kirchberg Mrs. Christiane Kaell, Programme Manager Tel: 00352-261925-34, christiane.kaell@fnr.lu NORWAY The Research Council of Norway, Science and Technology Division http://www.forskningsradet.no/english/ P.b. 2700 St. Hanshaugen 0131 Oslo, Norway Dr. Aase Marie Hundere, Senior Adviser Tel.+47-22037305, amh@rcn.no POLAND Ministry of Science and Higher Education http://www.mnisw.gov.pl 1/3 Wspólna Str, 00-529 Warsaw, Poland Iwona Jedrzejczak, Head of Department of International Cooperation Tel. +4822 52-92-266; Fax +4822 628 35 34; iwona.jedrzejczak@mnisw.gov.pl RUSSIAN FEDERATION Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) http://www.rfbr.ru/ 32a, Leninsky prospect, 11991, Moscow, Russia Maria Prokhorova, Senior Specialist,International Relations Department Tel: 7 (495) 938-56-24; Fax: 7 (495) 938-54-56; prokhor@rfbr.ru SPAIN Ministry of Science and Innovation http://www.micinn.es/ C/Albacete, 5 28027 Madrid - SPAIN Dr. Carlos Prieto ; Tel. +34-91-603-7738; cprieto@icmm.csic.es SWEDEN Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) http://www.stratresearch.se/eindex.htm Box 70483, SE-107 26 Stockholm Dr. Joakim Amorin, Scientific Secretary Tel. +46-8-505 816 65, joakim.amorim@stratresearch.se SWITZERLAND Swiss National Science Foundation http://www.snf.ch/ Wildhainweg 20 P.O. Box 8232 3001 Bern, Switzerland Dr. Paul Burkhard, Division II - Mathematics, Natural & Engineering Sciences Tel. 41-31-308 22 22, pburkhard@snf.ch THE NETHERLANDS Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM) http://www.fom.nl Postbus 3021, 3502 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands Dr. Floor van de Pavert, Program Officer Tel: +31-30-6001217, Fax: +31-30-6014406; floor.van.de.pavert@fom.nl TURKEY TUBITAK http://www.tubitak.gov.tr/ 221 Ataturk Bulvari, 06100 Ankara, Turkey Prof. Dr. Omer Anlagan, Vice President Tel: +90 312 467 82 80, omer.anlagan@tubitak.gov.tr UKRAINE State Fund for Fundamental Research http://www.dffd.gov.ua/ 16 Shevchenko Blvd, Kyuv, 01601, Ukraine Dr. Andrey Ragulya, Deputy Director, Institute for Problems in Materials Science Tel:(+38-044)424-7435;Fax:(+38-044)424-1533; ragulya@ipms.kiev.ua UNITED KINGDOM Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) http://www.epsrc.ac.uk Polaris House North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1ET, U.K. Mrs. Valerie Hibberd, Physical Sciences Manager Tel. 44-(0)-1793 444560, valerie.hibberd@epsrc.ac.uk; NSFmaterials@epsrc.ac.uk EUROPE-USA NETWORKING European Science Foundation http://www.esf.org/pesc Physical and Engineering Sciences 1 quai Lezay-Marnesia, 67080 Strasbourg cedex, France Dr. Patrick Bressler Physical and Engineering Science Committee Tel. +33 (0)3 88 76 71 07, pesc@esf.org Contacts in Asia: CHINA National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) http://www.nsfc.gov.cn/ 83 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100085, China Dr. Li Ming, Director Department of Engineering and Material Sciences Tel.: 86-10-62327100/6844; Fax : 86-10-62327133; lim@mail.nsfc.gov.cn Dr. Shou-zhu Zhang, Director Division of Physics I Tel: 86-10-62327181; Fax:86-10-62327175; zhangsz@nsfc.gov.cn Dr. Jianhua Dong, Director Division IV, Department of Chemical Sciences dongjh@nsfc.gov.cn INDIA Department of Science and Technology (DST) http://dst.gov.in/ International Cooperation Division, Dep. of Science and Technology Technology Bhawan New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi - 110016, India Shri. Y. P. Kumar, Scientist -G and Head Tel: 91-11-26961912/ 26590430 Fax: 91-11-26862418; ypk@nic.in; kumaryp@hotmail.com Dr. B.K. Jain; Scientist-G Tel: 91-11-26961583/ 26590413 ; Fax: 91-11-26961583; jainbk@nic.in; bhushankjain@yahoo.com JAPAN Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/index.html Mr. Tadatoshi Kaneko, Head, Research Cooperation Division I International Program Department 6 Ichibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8471, Japan Tel: +81-3-3263-1726; Fax: +81-3-3263-1673; mwn@jsps.go.jp JapanScience and Technology Agency (JST) http://www.jst.go.jp/EN/ Dr. Kenkichi Hirose Senior Executive Director Sanbancho Bldg. 5, Sanbancho Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075, Japan Tel. +81-3-3512-3544; Fax: +81-3-3222-2069; hirose@jst.go.jp New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) http://www.nedo.go.jp/english/index.html Mr. Masamichi Hashiguchi, Director General, Research and Development Promotion Department Mr. Makito Takami, Chief Representative, Representative Office in Washington DC sangi-inter@nedo.go.jp National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) www.nims.go.jp 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047 Japan Mr. Masahiro Takemura, Director, Internacional Affairs Office Tel. +81-29-859-2402; Fax +81-29-859-2049; takemura.masahiro@nims.go.jp SAUDI ARABIA King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) http://www.kacst.edu.sa/ P. O. Box 6086, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia Dr. Ashraf Alkhairy Tel: +966 1 481 3479; Fax: +966 1 481 3478; Alkhairy@kacst.edu.sa; ipr@kacst.edu.sa SINGAPORE Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR) http://www.a-star.edu.sg 30 Biopolis Street, #09-01 Matrix, Singapore 138671, Singapore Dr Jasbir Singh, Deputy Director - Extramural Programme Mr. Tay Choir Shen, Senior Officer - Extramural Programme Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) Tel: +65 68266132; Fax: +65 67798061; Tel: +65 68266403; Fax: +65 67798061;A-STAR_EP-SERC@a-star.edu.sg TAIWAN National Science Council http://web.nsc.gov.tw/ Prof. Dr. Ching-Ray Chang, Director General, Department of International Cooperation 21F, 106 Ho-Ping E. Rd. Sec. 2, Taipei, Taiwan 10636 Tel: 886-2-2737-7558; Fax: 886-2-2737-7607; crchang@nsc.gov.tw 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, MyNSF (formerly the Custom News Service) is an information-delivery system 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 or the user's Web browser each time new publications are issued that match their identified interests. MyNSF also is available on NSF's Website at http://www.nsf.gov/mynsf/. 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 http://www.grants.gov. Related Programs: International Collaboration in Chemistry between U.S. Investigators and Investigators in Germany, United Kingdom and China (ICC) International Research and Education: Planning Visits and Workshops Developing Global Scientists and Engineers (International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) and Doctoral Dissertation Enhancement Projects (DDEP)) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Pan-American Advanced Studies Institutes Program East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students International Research Fellowship Program 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 40,000 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 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 http://www.nsf.gov * Location: 4201 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22230 * For General Information (703) 292-5111 (NSF Information Center): * TDD (for the hearing-impaired): (703) 292-5090 * To Order Publications or Forms: Send an e-mail to: pubs@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, NSF-50, "Principal Investigator/Proposal File and Associated Records," 69 Federal Register 26410 (May 12, 2004), and 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 Policies and Important Links|Privacy|FOIA|Help|Contact NSF|Contact Web Master|SiteMap [National Science Foundation]The National Science Foundation, 4201 Last Updated: Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 11/07/06 22230, USA Text Only Tel: (703) 292-5111, FIRS: (800) 877-8339 | TDD: (800) 281-8749 [Image]