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May 27, 2010

In light of the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, we would like to remind you that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has in place a mechanism to receive and review proposals having a severe urgency with regard to availability of, or access to data, facilities or specialized equipment, as well as quick-response research on natural or anthropogenic disasters and similar unanticipated events. 

This Rapid Response Research (RAPID) mechanism has been regularly used to enable research on unanticipated events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or any other event where a timely presence is required to enable the research.  A number of RAPID awards were made to support research on the earthquakes earlier this year in Haiti and Chile, and awards are being made related to the oil spill.
 
RAPID is a special grant mechanism developed specifically to respond to unusual circumstances where a timely response is essential to achieving research results.  To help determine whether the proposed research is appropriate for NSF’s RAPID funding, potential investigators must contact the NSF program officer(s) most germane to the proposal topic before submitting a RAPID proposal.

Complete guidance on submitting a RAPID proposal is located on NSF’s web site at: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappguide/nsf10_1/gpg_2.jsp#IID1.

Sincerely,
Arden L. Bement, Jr.	Cora B. Marrett
Director	Acting Deputy Director