Title : NSF 94-64 - Social, Behavioral, and Economic Research (SBER) Type : Program Guideline NSF Org: SBE Date : May 10, 1994 File : nsf9464 DIVISION OF SOCIAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH (SBER) The Division of Social, Behavioral, and Economic Research (SBER) supports research in a broad range of disciplines and in interdisciplinary areas. The goals of the Division are to advance fundamental scientific knowledge about (1) cognitive and psychological processes in human beings; (2) cultural, social, political, spatial, environmental, and biological factors related to human behavior; (3) human behavior, interaction, and decision making; (4) social, political, legal, and economic systems, organizations, and institutions; and (5) the intellectual, value, process, and impact factors related to the development and use of science and technology. SBER programs consider proposals that fit neatly within disciplines, but they also encourage and support interdisciplinary projects, which are evaluated through joint review among programs as appropriate. All programs in SBER consider proposals for research projects and for research conferences and workshops. Some programs also consider proposals for doctoral dissertation improvement assistance, the acquisition of specialized research and computing equipment, group international travel, and large-scale data collection. Research participation by undergraduate and graduate students also is supported to the greatest extent possible. SBER conducts special research emphases on a number of topics. Following are brief descriptions of some of those special emphases, all of which encourage interdisciplinary research activities. Investigators are encouraged to contact the Division for more information about these and additional emphases that may have been developed after publication of this flyer: - Cognitive Science and Intelligent Systems. Studies of both biological and artificial intelligent systems are encouraged to enhance understandings of how humans learn, remember, communicate, and make decisions as well as to develop computer analogs of these processes. - Democratization. Investigations are encouraged to test key hypotheses about the nature of large-scale socioeconomic and political change and the functions of institutions that affect and are affected by such change in transitional areas like the former Soviet Union, central and eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa south of the Sahara. - High-Performance Communication and Computing. Systematic research is encouraged to develop techniques for database analyses, computational tools serving a wide range of new needs, and methods for creating and managing large public- and private-sector information systems. - Human Capital. Research is encouraged on conditions that enhance or constrain human potential and development, with special emphasis placed on generating basic knowledge relevant to issues like workforce productivity; poverty and deprivation; education; ethnicity, race, gender, and discrimination; and urban systems. - Human Dimensions of Global Change. Research is encouraged on the complex ways that humans affect and are affected by natural systems, with special emphasis placed on policy- relevant topics like resource use and management; collective actions; the varied processes through which individuals and institutions formulate, implement, and evaluate environmental policies and other actions. NSF expects that the results of research projects will be disseminated to other researchers and other potential users. Award recipients are wholly responsible for the dissemination of the results of their research through publications and other appropriate media. NSF assumes no responsibility for such findings or for their interpretation. Programs in SBER are committed to the principle that information and materials collected with public funds belong in the public domain. SBER programs also are committed to the advancement of scientific inquiry by using scarce research resources to benefit a larger number of researchers. As a result, SBER programs strongly encourage the sharing of data, information, and materials among scientists. Because the kinds of information and materials gathered through SBER-funded research projects vary so widely, however, flexibility is needed in the development of plans to make data, other forms of information, and materials acquired during the conduct of SBER-funded projects readily available. Prior to the initial receipt of an award, investigators receiving support from SBER programs are expected to submit specific plans regarding how they intend to make available materials gathered during the conduct of their project. These plans should describe how and where information and materials will be stored and how access will be provided to other users. Investigators should discuss their plans for sharing information and materials with relevant SBER program officers. In accordance with Federal statutes and regulations and NSF policies, no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the National Science Foundation on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability. SBER welcomes proposals from all qualified scientists and strongly encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, investigators at predominantly undergraduate institutions, and researchers with disabilities to participate fully in competitions conducted by programs in the Division. Individuals in one or more of these groups should inquire about special competitions to facilitate their participation in the nation's scientific research and educational enterprises. Many of these competitions are described briefly in the "Selected Special Opportunities" section of this flyer. NSF has TDD (Telephonic Device for the Deaf) capability, which enables individuals with hearing impairment to communicate with NSF about NSF programs, employment, or general information. The TDD access number is 703/306-0090. Clusters and Programs in SBER The programs in the Division of Social, Behavioral, and Economic Research are organized into five clusters, each of which includes two or more programs. Those clusters and programs are briefly described below: Anthropological and Geographic Sciences Cluster Archaeology and Archaeometry Program The Archaeology and Archaeometry Program supports archaeological research that contributes to an anthropological understanding of the past. Both field and non-field work are eligible for support. Through a special archaeometry competition, the Program provides support for projects that conduct archaeometric work of anthropological significance and that develop archaeometric techniques. For more information about the Archaeometry Advancement competition, consult the competition announcement (NSF 88-62). For more information about the special competition for Support for Systematic Anthropological Collections, which is conducted cooperatively by the Archaeology and Archaeometry, Cultural Anthropology, and Physical Anthropology programs, consult the competition announcement (NSF 88-87). Cultural Anthropology Program The Cultural Anthropology Program supports basic and applied research that advances anthropological theory. The Program provides Ethnographic Research Training Awards to Graduate Programs to enhance the quality of field research by students. It also makes Scholars Awards in Methodological Training for Cultural Anthropologists for senior researchers who wish to upgrade their research skills by learning a particular analytical technique (NSF 88-60). Geography and Regional Science Program The Geography and Regional Science Program supports basic research on the causes and consequences of geographical differences in economic, social, cultural, and physical phenomena, including interactions among places and regions and interrelations between human activities and the natural environment. Projects on a variety of domestic and foreign topics qualify for support if they will enhance geographical theory and its applications. Physical Anthropology Program The Physical Anthropology Program supports basic research in areas relating to human evolution and contemporary human variation. Research areas supported by the Program include, but are not limited to, human genetic variation, human adaptation, human osteology, human paleontology, primate functional anatomy, and primate behavior. Cognitive, Psychological, and Language Sciences Cluster Human Cognition and Perception Program The Human Cognition and Perception Program supports research that elucidates the mechanisms involved in such processes in human beings as perception, attention, learning, memory, thought, concept formation, reading, problem solving, and the development of such processes in children. Research emanating from a variety of theoretical traditions is supported. Most supported research takes place in the laboratory, but field research is supported as appropriate. Quantitative modeling of cognitive and perceptual processes is supported, as is the development of methods for their study. Research may use clinical populations of subjects only when the primary justification for the research is its broader, general scientific importance. Linguistics Program The Linguistics Program supports scientific research of all types that focuses on natural human language as an object of investigation. The Program supports research on the syntactic, semantic, phonetic, and phonological properties of individual languages and of language in general; the psychological processes involved in the use of language; the development of linguistic capacities in children; social and cultural factors in language use, variation, and change; the acoustics of speech and the physiological and psychological processes involved in the production and perception of speech; and the biological bases of language in the central nervous system. Social Psychology Program The Social Psychology Program supports research on human social behavior, specifically personal and situational influences on interpersonal behavior. Research topics include attitude formation and change, social cognition, personality processes, interpersonal relations and group processes, the self, emotion, social comparison and social influence, the social psychology of health, and the psychophysiological correlates of social behavior. The Program also supports research on social development over the human life span. Economic, Decision, and Management Sciences Cluster Decision, Risk, and Management Science Program The Decision, Risk, and Management Science Program supports research that explores fundamental issues in management science; risk analysis; societal and public policy decision making; behavioral decision making; and judgment, organizational design, and decision making under uncertainty. Research should fundamentally address social, behavioral, or organizational aspects of operational processes and decision making. Research funded by the Program is directed at increasing the understanding and effectiveness of problem-solving, information processing, and decision making by individual, groups, organizations, and society. Funded research must be relevant to an operational or applied context, grounded in theory, based on empirical observation or subject to empirical validation, and generalizable. The overall objective of the Program is to build an interdisciplinary science for decision making, risk assessment, and management. The Program conducts a special Joint NSF-Private Sector initiative through which NSF funding is matched by contributions from private firms to conduct basic research that is firmly grounded in real, practical contexts. Investigators should contact DRMS program officers for more information about this initiative. Economics Program The Economics Program supports basic scientific research designed to improve the understanding of the processes and institutions of the U.S. economy and of the world system of which it is a part. The Program strengthens both empirical and theoretical economic analysis as well as the methods for rigorous research on economic behavior. Topics of current interest are computational economics, the transformation of command economies, human resource-related issues (poverty, labor productivity, the family, gender and racial discrimination, etc.), and global environmental change. The Program also funds conferences and interdisciplinary research that strengthens links among economics and the other social and behavioral sciences as well as mathematics and statistics. The Program supports research in almost every subfield of economics, including econometrics, economic history, finance, industrial organization, international economics, labor economics, public finance, macroeconomics, and mathematical economics. Science, Technology, and Society Cluster thics and Values Studies Program The Ethics and Values Studies Program supports projects that examine ethical, value, or policy aspects of issues facing scientists or engineers or that involve science or engineering. The program seeks to contribute to general and basic knowledge about norms and interactions among individuals, institutions, and science or technology, and to enhanced understanding of the ethical and social values, policies, and mutual obligations and responsibilities that arise. More information is in the program announcement (NSF 91-109). Research on Science and Technology Program The Research on Science and Technology Program supports a small number of research projects that develop and improve approaches and information needed to address general research and technology issues. It requires that the research be generalizable and of potential utility to users and decisionmakers, especially in the U.S. government, but also to other private and public organizations and the general public. Projects include studies of impacts of scientific and engineering research and technological change and of human-resource issues, efforts to improve data, and needs assessments. For more information about the program scope, proposal preparation and evaluation process, and special criteria used in evaluation of proposals, consult the program plan and announcement (NSF 92-37). Science and Technology Studies Program The Science and Technology Studies Program supports historical, philosophical and social scientific research on the nature and processes of development in science and technology and the differences in the nature of theory and evidence in various scientific and technological fields. It supports research on the interactions among science, technology and society, and examinations of topics like the social construction of scientific knowledge and institutions and processes of scientific innovation and change. More information is in the program announcement (NSF 91-109). Social and Political Sciences Cluster Law and Social Science Program The Law and Social Science Program supports scientific research on law and law-like systems of rules. The Program encourages theoretically focused empirical studies aimed at advancing scientific knowledge about the impact of law; the nature, sources, and consequences of variations and changes in legal institutions, legal decision making, and the dynamics of normative ordering in society. Included are studies of dispute processing, administrative and judicial decision making, social control, compliance and deterrence, the regulatory role of law, legal and social change, and related inquiries on the relationship between legal processes and other social processes. The Program supports cross-cultural research through its Global Perspectives on Sociolegal Studies initiative. Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics Program The Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics Program supports the development, application and extension of methodology for social, behavioral, and economic research, including methods for improving measurement in these sciences; fundamental research on new or existing procedures for data collection; research on the evaluation and comparison of existing data bases; and statistical research benefiting one or more of the social, behavioral, and economic sciences. Political Science Program The Political Science Program supports social scientific research to improve the understanding of politics, political behavior, and political institutions and processes. The Program supports rigorous empirical research of theoretical importance in American politics; political behavior; comparative politics; international relations; public choice and political economy; and other fields of political science. Research areas that have been supported recently include studies of the process of democratization; activists in American political parties; information and issues in voting; congressional elections and campaigns; divided government; support for political institutions; electoral systems; nationalism and its relationship to ethnicity and language; international political economy; and international conflict. Sociology Program The Sociology Program supports research on problems of human social organization, demography, and processes of individual and institutional change. The Program encourages theoretically focused empirical investigations aimed at improving the explanation of fundamental social processes. Included is research on organizations and organizational behavior, population dynamics, social movements, social groups, labor force participation, stratification and mobility, family, social networks, socialization, gender roles, and the sociology of science and technology. Preparation and Submission of Proposals The Division of Social, Behavioral, and Economic Research makes awards based on the evaluation of proposals through a merit-review procedure. Proposals may be evaluated by a specific program or by two or more programs (within the Division or in other NSF divisions). Investigators are urged to read proposal guidelines carefully and to contact appropriate program officers if they have any questions. Pre-proposal contact is especially valuable when investigators plan research on topics of possible interest to two or more programs. Proposals must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Grant Proposal Guide (GPG). (This booklet (NSF 94-2) replaces the Grants for Research and Education in Science and Engineering (GRESE) brochure, the last version of which was NSF 92-89.) Investigators should read GPG carefully, because many proposal requirements have changed in recent years. Especially noteworthy are strict limitations on the use of appendices as well as on the length of project descriptions and biographical sketches for senior personnel. Failure to comply with these limitations may result in NSF's refusal to accept and evaluate a proposal. Investigators should note that SBER programs may grant exemptions to some requirements under unusual circumstances, but such exemptions require prior approval and may inhibit joint review of proposals with other programs. GPG and other NSF publications are available at no cost from the NSF. Requests for information are expedited if you order by fax at 703/644-4278 or electronically by e-mail at pubs@nsf.gov. You may also place orders by voice mail at 703/306-1130. Requests must include the NSF publication number, title, number of copies needed, your name, and a complete mailing address. GPG and other NSF announcements also are available through the Science and Technology Information System (STIS), which may be accessed via electronic mail. STIS may be used to obtain electronic documents via e-mail, to transfer files via anonymous FTP, and to communicate on-line. Full instructions for use of STIS are in the STIS Flyer (NSF 94-4). For assistance in using STIS, contact: stis-request@nsf.gov (Internet) 703/306-1234 (phone) 703/306-0202 (fax) 703/306-0090 (TDD) Consult GPG or specific program announcements to determine the number of copies of the proposal that should be sent to NSF. The specified number of copies of the proposal, including the copy bearing original signatures of principal investigators and institutional representatives, should be sent to the NSF Proposal Processing Unit at: Announcement No. (Specify NSF 94-64 or another specific announcement number) National Science Foundation/PPU 4201 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA 22230 Only one copy of NSF Form 1225 (Information About Principal Investigators/Project Directors) should be sent. This copy should be attached to the copy with original signatures. Proposals for research support may be submitted at any time but should reach the programs by the target dates listed below to facilitate review within six months. Proposals for conferences, meetings, and workshops should be made at least one year in advance of the scheduled date. Proposals are evaluated in accordance with established NSF procedures. The four general criteria used in evaluations are described in GPG. Proposals submitted to SBER programs normally are evaluated by reviewers selected for their expertise in the area of the proposal and by advisory panels that meet one or two times a year to discuss and make recommendations on proposals. Proposal Submission Target Dates for SBER Programs Investigators should submit proposals by the following dates in order for their proposals to be considered in the regular competitions conducted by each program. Investigators should contact program officers well in advance of these target dates to learn if there have been changes in target dates or deadlines for submission of proposals. SBER programs will make every effort to ensure that proposals submitted on or before a specific target date are evaluated in the next evaluation cycle. The postmark date will be used to date proposals delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Proposals delivered by other delivery services will be dated as the date when they are received by the NSF Proposal Processing Center. Anthropological and Geographic Sciences Cluster Archaeology and Archaeometry Program Regular Research Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . July 1 and December 1 Systematic Anthropological Collections Proposals. January 1 Archaeometry Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 31 Dissertation Improvement Award Proposals. . . . . May be submitted at any time Cultural Anthropology Program Regular Research Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . July 1 and December 1 Dissertation Improvement Award Proposals. . . . . May be submitted at any time Geography and Regional Science Program Regular Research Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . January 15 and August 15 Dissertation Improvement Award Proposals. . . . . December 1 Physical Anthropology Program Regular Research Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . July 1 and December 1 Dissertation Improvement Award Proposals. . . . . May be submitted at any time Cognitive, Psychological, and Language Sciences Cluster Human Cognition and Perception Program Regular Research Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . January 15 and July 15 Linguistics Program Regular Research Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . January 15 and July 15 Dissertation Improvement Award Proposals. . . . . May be submitted at any time Social Psychology Program Regular Research Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . January 15 and July 15 Economic, Decision, and Management Sciences Cluster Decision, Risk, and Management Science Program Regular Research and Dissertation Improvement Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 15 and August 15 Economics Program Regular Research and Dissertation Improvement Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 15 and August 15 Science, Technology, and Society Cluster Ethics and Values Studies Program Regular Research and Dissertation Improvement Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 1 and August 1 Research on Science and Technology Program Regular Research Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . May be submitted at any time Science and Technology Studies Program Regular Research and Dissertation Improvement Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 1 and August 1 Social and Political Sciences Cluster Law and Social Science Program Regular Research and Dissertation Improvement Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 15 and August 15 Global Perspectives on Sociolegal Studies Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 1 Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics Program Regular Research Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . January 15 and August 15 Political Science Program Regular Research and Dissertation Improvement Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . . .January 15 and August 15 Sociology Program Regular Research Proposals. . . . . . . . . . . . January 15 and August 15 Dissertation Improvement Award Proposals. . . . . October 15 Further information on proposal development, target dates, and review procedures may be obtained from appropriate program officers. Selected Special Opportunities Scientists served by programs in the Division of Social, Behavioral, and Economic Research are encouraged to take advantage of a number of special opportunities and programs offered by the National Science Foundation. Some programs are foundation-wide activities that are managed within each division. Others are specific programs managed in one division for all of NSF. Many are aimed at increasing research opportunities for underrepresented groups. Others are designed to train students and faculty in the various sciences. A list of these opportunities is provided below: Faculty and Postdoctoral Support Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) aid and encourage participation of persons with disabilities in all NSF-funded activities. Funds are provided to purchase special equipment, modify equipment, or provide other services required specifically for the work undertaken on any NSF- supported project. For more information, contact the FASED coordinator in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources at 703/306-1636 or contact the relevant SBER program officer. (NSF 91-54) Minority Research Initiation (MRI) Awards provide one-time support for minority scientists and engineers who have not previously had independent Federal research funding. The level of support is consistent with the general level of support for awards in the disciplinary programs. For more information, contact the relevant SBER program officer. (NSF 90-143) Minority Research Initiation Planning Grants (RPG) facilitate the development of more competitive research proposals for MRI awards. Awards are limited to $18,000. For more information, contact the relevant SBER program officer. (NSF 90-143) Minority Career Advancement Awards (CAA) provide support for minority scientists and engineers who may have had prior federal support and who wish to advance their research careers. Awards are limited to a maximum of $50,000 for a period of 12 months with an additional $10,000 for equipment, if needed. For more information, contact the relevant SBER program officer. (NSF 90-143) Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (Biological, Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences) enable recipients to choose the research and training environment most beneficial to their scientific development. Special features include assistance with identifying postdoctoral sponsors; travel awards to visit laboratories, workshops for sponsors and fellows, and starter research grants. For more information, contact the SBER Program Manager for Cross-Disciplinary Activities at 703/306-1760. (NSF 91-118) NATO Postdoctoral Fellowships in Science promote a closer collaboration among the scientists of member nations. Approximately 50 awards are made each year to outstanding young scientists or engineers to enable them to study or conduct research in other NATO countries. For more information, contact the program manager for NSF-NATO Postdoctoral Fellowships in the Division of Graduate Education and Research Development at 703/306-1630. (NSF 93-129) NSF Young Investigator Awards (NYI) offer research support to outstanding young faculty members. These researchers may receive a minimum of $25,000 per year for five years, plus up to $37,500 per year, if matched with contributions from non-Federal sources. For more information, contact the SBER Program Manager for Cross- Disciplinary Activities at 703/306-1760. (NSF 93-148) Presidential Faculty Fellows (PFF) are offered to 30 of the most outstanding young science and engineering faculty who have demonstrated an exceptionally high level of research and teaching competence and who have the highest potential for leadership in academic pursuits. Recipients receive $100,000 per year for five years. For more information, contact a PFF program officer in the Division of Graduate Education and Research Development at 703/306-1669. (NSF 93-114) Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) serves as an optional vehicle of access to all NSF-supported disciplinary research programs for investigators from non-doctoral departments in predominantly undergraduate institutions. For more information, contact the relevant SBER program officer. (NSF 89-60) Research Opportunity Awards (ROA) provide a means for science and engineering faculty members at institutions with limited research opportunities to participate in research in association with NSF grantees at research institutions. For more information, contact the relevant SBER program officer. Undergraduate Faculty Enhancement (UFE) offers grants for undergraduate faculty seminars, conferences, and other activities to provide opportunities for groups of faculty teaching undergraduates to learn about new developments in their fields. For more information, contact a UFE program officer in the Division of Undergraduate Education at 703/306-1665. (NSF 93-164) Visiting Professorships for Women (VPW) provides support to experienced women scientists who serve as visiting faculty members at host institutions. For more information, contact a VPW program officer in the Division of Graduate Education and Research Development at 703/306-1630. (NSF 93-88) Women's Research Planning Grants (RPG) provide funding for women scientists and engineers in all NSF-funded disciplines to facilitate preliminary studies and other activities related to the development of competitive research projects and proposals by women who have not previously had independent federal research funding. Awards are limited to $18,000. For more information, contact the relevant SBER program officer. (NSF 93-130) Women's Career-Advancement Awards (CAA) support research-related activities of experienced women investigators for the purpose of expanding their research career potential, such as developing new skills or conducting exploratory or pilot work. Awards are limited to a maximum of $50,000 for a period of 12 months with an additional $10,000 for equipment, if needed. For more information, contact the relevant SBER program officer. (NSF 93-130) Student Programs (Undergraduate through Ph.D.) Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Awards provide funds to increase the quality of dissertation research for expenses that cannot be covered with resources normally available through the student's university. These awards also allow students to undertake significant data-gathering projects and to conduct field research in settings away from the home campus. Competitions for dissertation research improvement awards are administered by SBER programs. For more information, contact the relevant SBER program officer. (NSF 92-114) Graduate Research Fellowships are awarded at or near the beginning of graduate study leading to master's or doctoral degrees in science or engineering. Approximately 1,000 new fellowships are awarded each year. For forms, contact the NSF Graduate Research Fellowships Program, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, P.O. Box 3010, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-3010 or call 615/483-3344. For more information, contact a program officer in the Division of Graduate Education and Research Development at 703/306-1694. (NSF 93-111) Graduate Research Traineeship (GRT) Program makes student-support awards to institutions in order to increase the number of undergraduates enrolling in doctoral programs in critical and emerging areas of science and engineering. For more information, contact a GRT program officer in the Division of Graduate Education and Research Development at 703/306-1630. (NSF 93-45) Research Careers for Minority Scholars (RCMS) Awards enable institutions to encourage undergraduate/graduate minority science or engineering students to participate in research and receive mentoring as integral parts of their training programs. For more information, contact a RCMS program officer in the Division of Human Resource Development at 703/306-1632. (NSF 92-111) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites Awards support undergraduate research participation sites, usually involving 8 to 10 students. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specially designed for this purpose. Total costs are typically about $5,000 per student. Project directors may apply for up to $4,000 in support of ethics activities in an REU Sites project. For more information, contact the SBER Program Manager for Cross- Disciplinary Activities at 703/306-1760. (NSF 93-112) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Supplements provide supplemental support to an existing NSF research grant to enable research training experiences for undergraduate students. Supplements may also be included in original research proposals. Total costs are not to exceed $5,000 per student. For more information, contact the relevant SBER program officer. (NSF 93-112) Institutional Development Academic Research Infrastructure Program supports repair and renovation of scientific and research-training facilities in areas supported by NSF to (1) promote modernization of research laboratories at institutions of higher education and (2) assist those institutions that historically have received little federal research and development funding to improve their science and engineering infrastructure. For more information, contact a program officer in the Office of Science and Technology Infrastructure at 703/306-1040. (NSF 93-166) Minority Research Centers of Excellence (MRCE) program is designed to significantly upgrade the research capabilities of the most productive minority institutions. For more information, contact an MRCE program officer in the Division of Human Resources Development at 703/306-1634. (NSF 92-111) Research Improvement in Minority Institutions (RIMI) provides grants to strengthen the research capabilities of predominantly minority institutions and institutions with substantial minority enrollments that have graduate programs in science and/or programs in engineering. For more information, contact a RIMI program officer in the Division of Human Resource Development at 703/306-1634. (NSF 92-111) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) is a three-phase program to enable small science and technology firms to conduct innovative high-risk research. For more information, contact an SBIR program officer in the Division of Industrial Innovation Interface at 703/306-1391. (NSF 93-18) Comprehensive Programs Alliances for Minority Participation (AMP) is a multi-disciplinary comprehensive undergraduate program designed to increase substantially the quantity and quality of minority students receiving baccalaureate degrees in science, and subsequently, to increase the number of minority students entering graduate schools in science, engineering, and mathematics. AMP encourages the formation of coalitions among leaders throughout academia, government, industry, and other organizations. For more information, contact an AMP program officer in the Division of Human Resource Development at 703/306-1633. (NSF 92-111) Course and Curriculum Development Program supports projects to improve the quality of courses and curricula in science, mathematics, and engineering. It encompasses activities affecting learning environment, content, and experience of instruction. For more information, contact a CCD program officer in the Division of Undergraduate Education at 703/306-1667. (NSF 92-135) Comprehensive Regional Centers for Minorities (CRCM) support the development of systemic approaches to increasing the presence of underrepresented minorities in science, engineering, and mathematics by establishing major regional centers involving coalitions of colleges, universities, school districts, businesses, and industries. For more information, contact a CRCM program officer in the Division of Human Resource Development at 703/306-1633. (NSF 92-111) Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement Program supports the development of new or improved laboratory courses or experiments in the sciences. Most of the funds provided by this program are matching grants for equipment needed to carry out projects that serve as models for the use of instrumentation. For more information, contact an ILI program officer in the Division of Undergraduate Education at 703/306-1667. (NSF 92-135) International Cooperative Science Programs support cooperative research, workshops, and long-and short-range visits in many nations. The Japan initiative also includes Japanese language study (see NSF 90-144). For more information, contact a program officer in the Division of International Programs at 703/306-1709. (NSF 93-51) Model and Experimental Projects for Women and Girls encourages the design and implementation of innovative activities that will lead to immediate improvements in the access of women and girls to careers in science, engineering, and mathematics education and careers and/or their retention in science, engineering, and mathematics careers. For more information, contact a program officer in the Division of Human Resource Development at 703/306- 1637. (NSF 93-126) Research in Teaching and Learning Program supports basic and applied research on the factors that underlie effective learning and teaching of mathematics, technology, and the sciences at all levels. For more information, contact an RTL program officer in the Division of Research, Evaluation, and Dissemination at 703/306- 1652. (NSF 91-130) ******************* The mailing address for all programs in SBER is Room 995; 4201 Wilson Blvd.; Arlington, VA 22230. SBER Division staff may be contacted by telephone, fax, or electronic mail. SBER maintains an updated list of the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of division and program officers. To obtain the current list, contact SBER by phone at 703/306-1760, by fax at 703/306-0485 or 703/306- 0486, or by e-mail at sber@nsf.gov (Internet). Phone for SBER division officers and SBER programs are as follows: Phone SBER Division Director 703/306-1760 Program Manager for Cross-Disciplinary Activities 703/306-1760 Anthropological and Geographic Sciences Cluster Archaeology and Archaeometry Program 703/306-1759 Cultural Anthropology Program 703/306-1758 Geography and Regional Science Program 703/306-1754 Physical Anthropology Program 703/306-1758 Cognitive, Psychological, and Language Sciences Cluster Human Cognition and Perception Program 703/306-1732 Linguistics Program 703/306-1731 Social Psychology Program 703/306-1728 Economic, Decision, and Management Sciences Cluster Decision, Risk, and Management Science Program 703/306-1757 Economics Program 703/307-1753 Science, Technology, and Society Cluster Ethics and Values Studies Program 703/306-1743 Research on Science and Technology Program 703/306-1742 Science and Technology Studies Program 703/306-1743 Social and Political Sciences Cluster Law and Social Science Program 703/306-1762 Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics Program 703/306-1729 Political Science Program 703/306-1761 Sociology Program 703/306-1756 NSF provides awards for research in the sciences and engineering. The awardee is wholly responsible for the conduct of such research and preparation of the results for publication. NSF therefore does not assume responsibility for the research findings or their interpretation. NSF welcomes proposals from all qualified scientists and engineers and strongly encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to compete fully in any of the research or related programs described in this flyer. In accordance with federal statutes and regulations and NSF policies, no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the National Science Foundation on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability. Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities (investigators and other staff, including student research assistants) to work on an NSF-sponsored project. For more information, contact the FASED coordinator in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources at 703/306-1636 or consult the FASED program announcement (NSF 91-54). NSF has Telephonic Device for the Deaf (TDD) capability, which enables individuals with hearing impairment to communicate with NSF about NSF programs, employment, or general information. The TDD access number is 703/306-0090. Privacy Act and Public Burden The information requested on the application materials referred to in this document is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. It will be used in connection with the selection of qualified proposals and may be used and disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff assistants as part of the review process and to other government agencies. See Systems of Records, NSF-50, "Principal Investigator/Proposal File and Associated Records," and NSF-51, "Reviewer/Proposals File and Associated Records" 56 Federal Register 54907 (October 23, 1991). Submission of the information is voluntary. Failure to provide full and complete information, however, may reduce the possibility of your receiving an award. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 120 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Herman G. Fleming Reports Clearance Officer Division of Human Resources Management National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22230 and to: Office of Management and Budget Paperwork Reduction Project (3145-0045) Washington, DC 20503 NSF does not normally support technical assistance, pilot plant efforts, research requiring security classification, the development of products for consumer marketing, or market research for a particular project or invention. Bioscience research with disease-related goals, including work on the etiology, diagnosis, or treatment of physical or mental disease, abnormality, or malfunction in human beings or animals is normally not supported. Animal models of such conditions or the development or testing of drugs or other procedures for their treatment also are not eligible for support. However, research in bioengineering, with diagnosis or treatment-related goals, that applies engineering principles to problems in biology and medicine while advancing engineering knowledge is eligible for support. Bioengineering research to aid persons with disabilities is also eligible. -------------- Catalog of Federal Assistance Number 47.075, Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences OMB No. 3145-0058 PT 18,34, 40, 42 KW 0401000, 0402000, 0407000, 0408000, 0409000, 0410000, 0411000, 0412000, 0414005, 0414006, 0414011, 0414014, 0417000 NSF 94-64 (Replaces NSF 93-71)