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NSF Financial Assistance awards (grants and cooperative agreements) made on or after October 1, 2024, will be subject to the applicable set of award conditions, dated October 1, 2024, available on the NSF website. These terms and conditions are consistent with the revised guidance specified in the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance published in the Federal Register on April 22, 2024.

Important information for proposers

All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in this funding opportunity and in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets these requirements. Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.

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Dear Colleague Letter

Fundamental Research Supplement Opportunity for I/UCRCs

Dear Colleagues:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) invites supplemental funding requests for fundamental research projects that use the Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRC). The I/UCRCs support research directed to the needs of their specific industries that are paid for by industry memberships. There is a need for cutting edge fundamental research to occur in NSF’s I/UCRCs. This fundamental research can help an industry by providing new technologies that are not easily obtainable with short-term projects. The fundamental research should provide centers with opportunities to attract new industry members while helping to retain current memberships.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLEMENT OPPORTUNITY

This supplemental opportunity is intended to support fundamental research, an activity designed to broaden scientific and technical knowledge not directly linked to new or existing products, processes, or services. The I/UCRC program intends to provide the opportunity for its centers to conduct fundamental research so as to better position themselves as leaders for emerging areas that could benefit the industries that they serve. Industry members are increasingly reluctant to invest in fundamental research. Corporate members are under pressure by investors and other stakeholders to maximize profits and their returns on investments. This NSF investment in fundamental research should provide sufficient lead time so that industry can develop interest for their future needs. Supplements should discuss how the proposed research will benefit industry and attract new industry members while retaining current memberships.

SUPPLEMENT DUE DATES

February 7, 2007 by 5:00 PM, submitter’s local time and the first Wednesday in February, annually thereafter

AWARD INFORMATION

Subject to the availability of funds and the quality of proposals, four to approximately twelve supplements will be awarded as follows:

  • Approximately six awards for centers whose scope is primarily in computer science, computer engineering, and information technology, and
  • Approximately six awards for other science and engineering areas.

The maximum award for supplements in this program is $150,000 per center. The requested duration for an award is up to two years. Unless specified in the request, a default duration for two years will be awarded.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

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

  • NSF acceptance of all final reports for previously awarded I/UCRC Fundamental Research Supplements,
  • Maintained sufficient industrial memberships to provide a viable research program,
  • Used graduate students in center research projects, and
  • Disseminated current and accurate information to the public about their center via the NSF web site. Updates can be sent to the I/UCRC program director if needed. Listings must be current and accurate by the supplement deadline date.

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

LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF REQUESTS FOR SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING

  • Single University Centers: Single university sites may submit only one supplemental funding request.
  • Multi-University Centers: Each site of a multi-university I/UCRC may submit one supplemental funding request. All supplemental funding requests for a given I/UCRC must be part of the same integrated research experimental plan and the total budget for all submissions cannot exceed the maximum award amount.

SUPPLEMENT PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

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

  • Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Information Technology, or
  • Engineering and Science.

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

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

Proposals for supplemental funding must be submitted through FastLane as a supplement. For FastLane user support, call the FastLane Help Desk at 1-800-673-6188 or e-mail fastlane@nsf.gov. The FastLane Help Desk answers general technical questions related to the use of the FastLane system. When contacting FastLane, inform the technician that you are required to apply for this opportunity as a supplement.

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

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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

COGNIZANT PROGRAM OFFICERS AND STAFF

  • Edward Clancy, Program Director, 585 N, telephone: (703) 292-8383, email: eclancy@nsf.gov
  • Glenn Larsen, Program Director, 505 N, telephone: (703) 292-8383, fax: (703) 292-9013, email: glarsen@nsf.gov
  • Gregory Misiorek, Program Assistant, telephone: (703) 292-8383, email: gmisiore@nsf.gov
  • Rita Rodriguez, Program Director, 1175N, telephone: (703) 292-8950, email: rrodrigu@nsf.gov
  • Alex Schwarzkopf, Senior Program Manager, 585 N, telephone: (703) 292-8383, fax: (703) 292-9051, email: aschwarz@nsf.gov

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