This document has been archived and replaced by NSF 13-548 (http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf13548) Title: NSF Earth Science Postdoctoral Fellowships (EAR-PF)(nsf10500) Date: 08/31/12 Replaces: NSF 09-526 NSF Earth Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowships (EAR-PF) [1]Program Solicitation NSF 10-500 Replaces Document(s): NSF 09-526 NSF Logo National Science Foundation Directorate for Geosciences Division of Earth Sciences Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time): July 01, 2010 July 1, Annually Thereafter July 02, 2012 IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND REVISION NOTES A revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), [2]NSF 11-1, was issued on October 1, 2010 and is effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after January 18, 2011. Please be advised that the guidelines contained in [3]NSF 11-1 apply to proposals submitted in response to this funding opportunity. Proposers who opt to submit prior to January 18, 2011, must also follow the guidelines contained in [4]NSF 11-1. Cost Sharing: The PAPPG has been revised to implement the National Science Board's recommendations regarding cost sharing. Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited. In order to assess the scope of the project, all organizational resources necessary for the project must be described in the Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources section of the proposal. The description should be narrative in nature and must not include any quantifiable financial information. Mandatory cost sharing will only be required when explicitly authorized by the NSF Director. See the PAPP Guide Part I: Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) [5]Chapter II.C.2.g(xi) for further information about the implementation of these recommendations. Data Management Plan: The PAPPG contains a clarification of NSF's long standing data policy. All proposals must describe plans for data management and sharing of the products of research, or assert the absence of the need for such plans. FastLane will not permit submission of a proposal that is missing a Data Management Plan. The Data Management Plan will be reviewed as part of the intellectual merit or broader impacts of the proposal, or both, as appropriate. Links to data management requirements and plans relevant to specific Directorates, Offices, Divisions, Programs, or other NSF units are available on the NSF website at: [6]http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/dmp.jsp. See [7]Chapter II.C.2.j of the GPG for further information about the implementation of this requirement. Revision Summary * Eligibility criteria has been clarified; * Award information includes the statement that Fellows may request a no-cost extension for parental leave for the birth or adoption of children. * Award information includes a statement that Fellows may request to use two months of their stipend for paid parental leave. SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS General Information Program Title: EAR Postdoctoral Fellowships (EAR-PF) Synopsis of Program: The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) awards Postdoctoral Fellowships to highly qualified investigators within 3 years of obtaining their PhD to carry out an integrated program of independent research and education. The research and education plans of each fellowship must address scientific questions within the scope of EAR disciplines. The program supports researchers for a period of up to 2 years with fellowships that can be taken to the institution or national facility of their choice. The program is intended to recognize beginning investigators of significant potential, and provide them with experience in research and education that will establish them in leadership positions in the Earth Sciences community. Because the fellowships are offered only to postdoctoral scientists early in their career, doctoral advisors are encouraged to discuss the availability of EAR fellowships with their graduate students early in their doctoral programs. Fellowships are awards to individuals, not institutions, and are administered by the Fellows. Cognizant Program Officer(s): Please note that the following information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact. * Lina Patino, 785 N, telephone: (703) 292-5047, email: [8]lpatino@nsf.gov Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s): * 47.050 --- Geosciences Award Information Anticipated Type of Award: Fellowship Estimated Number of Awards: 10 fellowships per year contingent upon availability of funds. Anticipated Funding Amount: $85,000 per year per fellowship during fiscal years 2010 to 2011. Eligibility Information Organization Limit: The categories of proposers eligible to submit proposals to the National Science Foundation are identified in the Grant Proposal Guide, Chapter I, Section E. PI Limit: Applicants must: * Be U.S. citizens (or nationals) or legally admitted permanent residents of the United States (i.e., have a "green card") at the time of application; * Either currently be a graduate student or, have held a PhD degree in a scientific or engineering field for no more than 3 years prior to the award start date; * Must present research and education plans that fall within the purview of the Division of Earth Sciences at NSF ([9]http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=EAR); * Select a host institution and sponsoring scientist different from the doctoral degree and current position (current at the time of application and of award); * Not have submitted concurrently the same project to another NSF program. If you fail to meet any eligibility criterion, your application will be returned without review. If you are uncertain on the eligibility requirements, you are strongly encouraged to contact the cognizant program officer. Awardees must begin the fellowship within 12 months of notification of an award. Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: Only individuals may submit proposals. There is no limit on the number of fellows that an institution may host. Limit on Number of Proposals per PI: 1 Individuals submit only one fellowship proposal to EAR per fiscal year. Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions A. Proposal Preparation Instructions * Letters of Intent: Not Applicable * Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not Applicable * Full Proposal Preparation Instructions: This solicitation contains information that deviates from the standard NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide, Part I: Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) proposal preparation guidelines. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. B. Budgetary Information * Cost Sharing Requirements: Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited. * Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations: In lieu of indirect costs, a host institutional allowance of $3,000 per year per applicant may be requested by the host institution as partial reimbursement of expenses incurred in support of the fellow. * Other Budgetary Limitations: Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. C. Due Dates * Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time): July 01, 2010 July 1, Annually Thereafter July 02, 2012 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: Additional award conditions apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. Reporting Requirements: Additional reporting requirements apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. TABLE OF CONTENTS [10]Summary of Program Requirements I. [11]Introduction II. [12]Program Description III. [13]Award Information IV. [14]Eligibility Information V. [15]Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions A. [16]Proposal Preparation Instructions B. [17]Budgetary Information C. [18]Due Dates D. [19]FastLane Requirements VI. [20]NSF Proposal Processing and Review Procedures A. [21]NSF Merit Review Criteria B. [22]Review and Selection Process VII. [23]Award Administration Information A. [24]Notification of the Award B. [25]Award Conditions C. [26]Reporting Requirements VIII. [27]Agency Contacts IX. [28]Other Information I. INTRODUCTION The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) offers 2-year postdoctoral fellowships to provide opportunities for scientists early in their careers to obtain training beyond their graduate education. The postdoctoral fellowship program is intended to recognize beginning investigators of significant potential, and provide them with experience in research and education that will establish them in positions of leadership in the scientific community. During the tenure of the fellowships, participants will be conducting research on topics supported by EAR and developing a coherent educational plan. Projects may employ any combination of field, laboratory, and computational studies with observational, theoretical, or experimental approaches. Fellows must affiliate with appropriate research institutions and are expected to devote themselves full time to the fellowship activities during its term. II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION A. Appropriateness for EAR priorities An integrated research and education plan whose focus falls within the scope of any of the EAR disciplines is eligible for support. EAR focuses on improving our understanding of the Earth's structure, composition, evolution, and the interaction with the Earth's biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. If your research area is in a discipline not funded by EAR or if you are uncertain, you are strongly encouraged to contact the cognizant program officer to discuss the appropriateness of the research. In addition, fellowship applicants are expected to include a coherent program of educational activities as part of their proposal. Examples of such activities include teaching one course each year of the fellowship at their host institution or an academic institution with ties to their host institution, developing educational materials for formal or informal education venues, or engaging in a significant program of outreach or public education. As a rough guideline, fellows should plan on their educational activities taking up no less than 10% and no more than 25% of their time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the proposed educational activities with their proposed host institution prior to proposal submission to ensure that their educational plan is consistent with opportunities and plans at the institution. B. Location of Work Research and education activities supported by this fellowship program may be conducted at any appropriate U.S. or foreign host institution. Appropriate institutions include colleges and universities, private nonprofit institutes and museums, government installations and laboratories. Fellows are expected to be fully integrated into the educational and research activities of their host institution. The justification of the choice of institutions must be made clearly and compellingly in the proposal. The applicant may propose to take the fellowship to more than one host institution. Normally changes of institution would be sequential, moving from one institution to another during the duration of the fellowship, but holding the fellowship at two institutions simultaneously, for example at a national center and a nearby university, is also possible. For the latter case, a single institution must be designated by the applicant to receive the institutional allowance. The applicant must present a coherent research and educational plan throughout the proposed duration of the fellowship. Because the objectives of the fellowships include broadening the perspectives and experiences of the Fellows and promoting interdisciplinary research careers, careful consideration should be given to the selection of the sponsoring scientists and host institutions. C. The Sponsoring Scientist(s) The Fellow must affiliate with a host institution(s) at all times during the entire tenure of the fellowship and select a sponsoring scientist(s) who will provide mentoring and guidance with the research and education activities. In addition, the sponsoring scientist must design a training program for the Fellow. The applicant is responsible for making prior arrangements with the host institution and sponsoring scientist(s). If more than one sponsor is proposed, one must be named lead sponsor and the roles of the other sponsors must be clearly stated in the project description. An important basis for judging the suitability of the host institution is the degree to which the institution letter describes and offers a research, education, and mentoring plan that could not be provided without fellowship support. (See Section V.A. Proposal Preparation Instructions for additional information about the institution letter.) III. AWARD INFORMATION A. Duration and Tenure: Support may be requested for periods of up to 24 continuous months. Awardees must begin the fellowship within 12 months of notification of an award and tenure begins on the first of the month. Interruptions in tenure or extensions without additional cost to NSF are permitted only for extenuating circumstances, including parental leave for the birth or adoption of children. In this case, either parent may request parental leave and up to two months of the Fellow's stipend may be used for paid parental leave if the following conditions are met: 1) A request, by the Fellow, for paid parental leave must be approved by the cognizant Program Director; 2) The two months of paid parental leave cannot be used to increase the level of Fellow salary support beyond twenty-four months; 3) A no-cost extension may be requested to extend the Fellowship award in order to complete the goals of the research and education plans but no supplemental funds will be provided for this purpose. Fellowships are not renewable. Those applicants selected to receive fellowships will be contacted by NSF and asked to provide additional information, such as completing acceptance forms and starting certificates, before starting their fellowships. Successful applicants who have not completed their PhD at the time of application must provide certification of the receipt of the PhD before receiving their fellowship award. Normally fellowships will be held at institutions specified in the proposal, but under certain circumstances, and with suitable justification, Fellows may transfer during the tenure of the fellowship to a new institution upon approval by NSF. B. Stipend and Allowances: The total fellowship amount is $85,000 per year consisting of four components: 1) A stipend is $58,000 per year paid monthly at the rate of $4,833 directly to the fellow as an electronic funds transfer into a personal account at a financial institution; 2) An allowance of $15,000 per year is paid as a lump sum to the fellow at the beginning of the fellowship to support research and education activities; 3) An annual host institutional allowance of $3,000, paid to the host institution upon request for expenses incurred in support of the fellow, such as office space, general-purpose supplies and use of equipment, facilities and other institutional resources; 4) An annual benefit allowance of $9,000, paid either to the fellow or the host institution in support of fringe benefits, including health insurance provided through either a group plan offered by the host organization or an individual plan secured by the fellow, dental and/or vision insurance, disability insurance, retirement, dependent care, and moving expenses. No additional appointment or fellowship may be held during the period of the fellowship. No other remuneration from any source may be accepted during the period of the fellowship without permission of the program officer. IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION Organization Limit: The categories of proposers eligible to submit proposals to the National Science Foundation are identified in the Grant Proposal Guide, Chapter I, Section E. PI Limit: Applicants must: * Be U.S. citizens (or nationals) or legally admitted permanent residents of the United States (i.e., have a "green card") at the time of application; * Either currently be a graduate student or, have held a PhD degree in a scientific or engineering field for no more than 3 years prior to the award start date; * Must present research and education plans that fall within the purview of the Division of Earth Sciences at NSF ([29]http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=EAR); * Select a host institution and sponsoring scientist different from the doctoral degree and current position (current at the time of application and of award); * Not have submitted concurrently the same project to another NSF program. If you fail to meet any eligibility criterion, your application will be returned without review. If you are uncertain on the eligibility requirements, you are strongly encouraged to contact the cognizant program officer. Awardees must begin the fellowship within 12 months of notification of an award. Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: Only individuals may submit proposals. There is no limit on the number of fellows that an institution may host. Limit on Number of Proposals per PI: 1 Individuals submit only one fellowship proposal to EAR per fiscal year. V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS A. Proposal Preparation Instructions Full Proposal Instructions: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the guidelines specified in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG). The complete text of the GPG is available electronically on the NSF website at: [30]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-PUBS (7827) or by e-mail from [31]nsfpubs@nsf.gov. Only one proposal is permitted per individual. A full proposal consists of many parts and requires input from the fellowship applicant, the proposed sponsoring scientist(s), and the proposed host institution(s). Applicants are advised to begin the proposal well in advance of the submission deadline and to submit as early as possible. Partially completed proposals may be saved for future completion and submission. The submission of incomplete or late proposals is not permitted. Before starting proposal preparation, the applicant must be registered as an individual awardee. To register as a new individual in FastLane go to: [32]https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/N1CheckROB. Fellowship proposals must be submitted by the fellowship applicant, not by the applicant's current or proposed institutional Sponsored Projects Office (SPO). The applicant serves as his/her own SPO for the purposes of any research administration functions in FastLane. Proposals must include all of the following items. In cases where requirements given in this document differ from those given in the Grant Proposal Guide, this solicitation takes precedence. Detailed instructions for submitting a proposal to the NSF Earth Sciences Posdoctoral Fellowships Program are available from the [33]FastLane homepage by clicking on the link for [34]Postdoctoral Fellowships and Other Programs. * NSF Cover Page. * Information about Principal Investigators/Project Directors. * Table of Contents. This form will be automatically generated by FastLane. * Project Summary: + limited to one page, + must separately address both NSF merit review criteria, intellectual merit and broader impacts; see the Grant Proposal Guide for instructions. If either merit review criteria is not included in the summary, the proposal will be returned without review; + must also identify: the proposed sponsoring scientist(s) and the proposed host institution(s). Proposals for which the project summary does not separately address both NSF merit review criteria will be returned without review. See the Grant Proposal Guide instructions. Project Description, not to exceed ten (10) single-spaced pages (including figures, pictures, and tables), which must include the following information: (1) a detailed plan for research and education activities; (2) a detailed justification for the choice of the host institution(s) and sponsoring scientist(s), identifying collaborating scientist(s), relating the proposed work to current research and educational efforts at the host institution(s), and describing available facilities and resources; (3) a description of the applicant's long-term career goals and the role of this postdoctoral experience in achieving them. References Cited. See the Grant Proposal Guide for format. Biographical Sketch, not to exceed two (2) pages. See the Grant Proposal Guide for format. The Biographical Sketch must clearly include all information necessary to certify the applicant's eligibility, as well as all components described in the Grant Proposal Guide. NSF Budget Page. The stipend and activities allowance should be entered in, Participant Support Costs (Section F on the FastLane budget). Enter the $58,000 stipend in F.1 and the $15,000 activities allowance in F.4. The $3,000 host institutional allowance and $9,000 benefit allowance should be entered in Other Direct Costs; enter these allowances as a sum total of $12,000 in G.6. A budget justification of no more than two pages should document and justify the estimated costs as organized in the budget components described above. Current and Pending Support. Include current and planned applications to other fellowship programs. The letter of commitment, as described below, is considered to be Supplementary Documentation and is the only item permitted as supplementary documentation or appendices: 1. The letter of commitment from the prospective host institution should be signed by both the department chair (or equivalent) and the proposed sponsoring scientist; 2. The letter should certify that the applicant's proposal has been read and approved by the proposed scientific mentor; 3. That adequate facilities and support will be provided for the fellow; 4. The letter should include a mentoring plan that discusses the role the proposed scientific mentor will play in the professional development of the fellow, and of the opportunities for training and research at the host institution that will be of particular benefit to the fellow. 5. Should the applicant propose to hold the fellowship at more than one institution through the 2-year tenure, letters of commitment must be provided for all institutions involved; 6. Since this program relies on reviewed proposals rather than applications, letters of recommendation will not be considered. Thus the letter of commitment from the institution should not constitute a letter of recommendation; Some proposals may require other documentation before the final decision can be made, e.g., government permits and letters of collaboration. Their existence should be noted in the project description but they should not be included in the application. NSF may request them later. Proposers are reminded to identify the program solicitation number (Populated with NSF Number at Clearance) 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. B. Budgetary Information Cost Sharing: Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations: In lieu of indirect costs, a host institutional allowance of $3,000 per year per applicant may be requested by the host institution as partial reimbursement of expenses incurred in support of the fellow. Other Budgetary Limitations: Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. C. Due Dates * Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time): July 01, 2010 July 1, Annually Thereafter July 02, 2012 D. FastLane Requirements Proposers are required to prepare and submit all proposals for this program solicitation through use of the NSF FastLane system. Detailed instructions regarding the technical aspects of proposal preparation and submission via FastLane are available at: [35]http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a1/newstan.htm. For FastLane user support, call the FastLane Help Desk at 1-800-673-6188 or e-mail [36]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 [37]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: [38]https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/fastlane.jsp. 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 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 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: [39]http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/gpg/broaderimpacts.pdf. Mentoring activities provided to postdoctoral researchers supported on the project, as described in a one-page supplementary document, will be evaluated under the Broader Impacts criterion. Additional Solicitation Specific Review Criteria In addition to the above criteria, the following factors will be used in the evaluation process: * Qualifications of the applicant and his/her potential for continued professional growth and leadership in the field; * Qualifications and suitability of the proposed host institution and the scientific and educational collaborations proposed; * Prospective benefits to the applicant, the scientific discipline, and the activities of the host institution. 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. 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 [40]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 [41]nsfpubs@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 [42]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag. Special Award Conditions: The fellowship award is made to the individual, not the institution. Payments (except the institutional allowance) are made to the individual. Awards cannot be extended without prior NSF approval. Pre-award costs are not permitted. Candidates selected to receive fellowships will be contacted by NSF and asked to provide additional information, such as acceptance forms and starting certificates, before starting their fellowships. Successful candidates who have not completed their doctoral degrees at the time of application must provide certifications of the receipt of the PhD before receiving a fellowship award. Normally fellowships will be held at the host institution(s) specified in the proposal; however, under certain circumstances and with suitable justification, fellowships may be transferred to a new organization upon approval by NSF. No additional appointment or fellowship may be held during the period of the fellowship. No other remuneration from any source may be accepted during the period of the fellowship without permission of the program officer. Candidates are encouraged to discuss institutional policies on intellectual property rights with the host organization(s) before submitting the proposal. Candidates should also discuss the policies of the sponsoring scientist(s) regarding which materials will remain with the host organization(s) and which can be released to the Fellow at the conclusion of the fellowship. Fellows are required to adhere to the EAR Data Policy available on the NSF website. Final reports for all awards should include a statement describing how the data policy requirements have been met. 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, and a project outcomes report for the general public. Failure to provide the required annual or final project reports, or the project outcomes report 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. The project outcomes report must be prepared and submitted using Research.gov. This report serves as a brief summary, prepared specifically for the public, of the nature and outcomes of the project. This report will be posted on the NSF website exactly as it is submitted by the PI. More comprehensive information on NSF Reporting Requirements 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 [43]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag. Additional Reporting Requirements: Fellows must file termination certificates in addition to annual and final reports. VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS Please note that the program contact information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact. General inquiries regarding this program should be made to: * Lina Patino, 785 N, telephone: (703) 292-5047, email: [44]lpatino@nsf.gov For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact: * FastLane Help Desk, telephone: 1-800-673-6188; e-mail: [45]fastlane@nsf.gov. 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, National Science Foundation Update is a free e-mail subscription service 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 when new publications are issued that match their identified interests. Users can subscribe to this service by clicking the "Get NSF Updates by Email" link on the [46]NSF web site. 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 [47]http://www.grants.gov. 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 55,000 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 Arctic 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 [48]http://www.nsf.gov * Location: 4201 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22230 * For General Information (NSF Information Center): (703) 292-5111 * TDD (for the hearing-impaired): (703) 292-5090 * To Order Publications or Forms: Send an e-mail to: [49]nsfpubs@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, [50]NSF-50, "Principal Investigator/Proposal File and Associated Records," 69 Federal Register 26410 (May 12, 2004), and [51]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 3145-0023. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 12 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 [52]Policies and Important Links | [53]Privacy | [54]FOIA | [55]Help | [56]Contact NSF | [57]Contact Web Master | [58]SiteMap National Science Foundation The National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230, USA Tel: (703) 292-5111, FIRS: (800) 877-8339 | TDD: (800) 281-8749 Last Updated: 11/07/06 [59]Text Only [x.gif] References 1. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#toc 2. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf11001 3. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf11001 4. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf11001 5. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/ pappguide/nsf11001/gpg_2.jsp#IIC2gxi 6. http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/dmp.jsp 7. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/ pappguide/nsf11001/gpg_2.jsp#IIC2j 8. mailto:lpatino@nsf.gov 9. http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=EAR 10. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#summary 11. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#pgm_intr_txt 12. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#pgm_desc_txt 13. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#awd_info 14. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#elig 15. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#prep 16. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#prep 17. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#budg_cst_shr_txt 18. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#dates 19. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#fastlane 20. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#review 21. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#reviewcrit 22. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#reviewprot 23. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#awardadmin 24. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#awardnotify 25. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#grantcond 26. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#reportreq 27. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#cont 28. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10500/nsf10500.htm#othpgm 29. http://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=EAR 30. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg 31. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov 32. https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/N1CheckROB 33. https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/fastlane.jsp 34. https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/jsp/homepage/postdoc_fel.jsp 35. http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a1/newstan.htm 36. mailto:fastlane@nsf.gov 37. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg 38. https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/fastlane.jsp 39. http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/gpg/broaderimpacts.pdf 40. http://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/ award_conditions.jsp?org=NSF 41. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov 42. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag 43. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag 44. mailto:lpatino@nsf.gov 45. mailto:fastlane@nsf.gov 46. http://www.nsf.gov/ 47. http://www.grants.gov/ 48. http://www.nsf.gov/ 49. mailto:nsfpubs@nsf.gov 50. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/ SOR_PA_NSF-50_Principal_Investigator_Proposal_File.pdf 51. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/ SOR_PA_NSF-51_Reviewer_Proposal_File.pdf 52. http://www.nsf.gov/policies 53. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/privacy.jsp 54. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/foia.jsp 55. http://www.nsf.gov/help/ 56. http://www.nsf.gov/help/contact.jsp 57. mailto:webmaster@nsf.gov 58. http://www.nsf.gov/help/sitemap.jsp 59. http://transcoder.usablenet.com/tt/referrer