NSF 07-545: Domestic Nuclear Detection Office/National Science Foundation Academic Research Initiative (ARI)

Program Solicitation

Document Information

Document History

Posted: January 30, 2007
Replaces: NSF 05-526
Replaced by: NSF 08-534

Public comment:

Please see FAQs associated with this program announcement, nsf07031

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Program Solicitation NSF 07-545

Replaces Document(s):
NSF 05-526

Department of Homeland Security

Domestic Nuclear Detection Office

Transformational Research & Development Directorate

National Science Foundation

Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering

Directorate for Education & Human Resources

Directorate for Engineering

Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences

Directorate for Social Behavioral & Economic Sciences

Office of Cyberinfrastructure

Office of International Science and Engineering

Letter of Intent Due Date(s) (required):

March 28, 2007

(for all size ARI proposals)

Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):

May 02, 2007

(for all size ARI proposals)

First Wednesday in April, Annually Thereafter Through 2011

Revision Notes

In furtherance of the President's Management Agenda, NSF has identified programs that will offer proposers the option to utilize Grants.gov to prepare and submit proposals, or will require that proposers utilize Grants.gov to prepare and submit proposals. Grants.gov provides a single Government-wide portal for finding and applying for Federal grants online.

In response to this program solicitation, proposers may opt to submit proposals via Grants.gov or via the NSF FastLane system. In determining which method to utilize in the electronic preparation and submission of the proposal, please note the following:

Collaborative Proposals. All collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from multiple organizations must be submitted via the NSF FastLane system. Chapter II, Section D.3 of the Grant Proposal Guide provides additional information on collaborative proposals.

Summary Of Program Requirements

General Information

Program Title:

Joint Domestic Nuclear Detection Office/National Science Foundation: Academic Research Initiative (ARI)

Synopsis of Program:

In FY 2007, the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will invest, in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF), in leading edge, frontier research at academic institutions. This transformational research effort will be focused on detection systems, individual sensors or other research that is potentially relevant to the detection of nuclear weapons, special nuclear material, radiation dispersal devices and related threats. Research that would benefit from incorporation of social and behavioral science components is appropriate for consideration. The joint DNDO/NSF effort, in coordination with the efforts of other agencies, seeks to advance fundamental knowledge in new technologies for the detection of nuclear threats and to develop intellectual capacity in fields relevant to long-term advances in nuclear detection capability. This research, and the research community that will be built under the ARI, is seen as critical to our nation's ability to deploy effective nuclear detection measures to counter the serious threat of a nuclear terrorist attack.

Proposals outside of the scope described in this solicitation will be returned without review.

Research proposals on detection of biological, chemical, and conventional weapons are specifically excluded from the scope of this solicitation.

Cognizant Program Officer(s):

Lenore Clesceri, Program Director, Biotechnology/Biochemical Engineering, ENG/CBET, 565 S, telephone: (703) 292-5313, email: lclescer@nsf.gov

Ani Aprahamian, Program Director, Nuclear Astrophysics, MPS/PHY, 1015N, telephone: (703) 292-8958, email: aapraham@nsf.gov

Daniel Litynski, Program Director, DUE/EHR, telephone: (703) 292-8670, email: dlitynsk@nsf.gov

Anne Emig, Program Director, East Asia and Pacific Program, OD/OISE, 935 N, telephone: (703) 292-7241, email: aemig@nsf.gov

Michael Foster, Division Director, Division of Computing and Communication Foundations, CISE/CCF, 1115 N, telephone: (703) 292-8910, email: mfoster@nsf.gov

Bruce Hamilton, Program Director, Biochemical Engineering, ENG/CBET, 565 S, telephone: (703) 292-8320, email: bhamilto@nsf.gov

Leland Jameson, Program Director, Computational Mathematics Program, MPS/DMS, 1025 N, telephone: (703) 292-4883, email: ljameson@nsf.gov

Bradley Keister, Program Director, Nuclear Astrophysics, MPS/PHY, 1015 N, telephone: (703) 292-7377, email: bkeister@nsf.gov

Eduardo Misawa, Program Director, Dynamical Systems, ENG/CMMI, 545 S, telephone: (703) 292-5353, email: emisawa@nsf.gov

Lucille Nowell, Program Director, Office of Cyberinfrastructure, OD/OCI, 1145 S, telephone: (703) 292-8970, email: lnowell@nsf.gov

Eric Peterson, Program Director, Chemical and Biological Separations Program, ENG/CBET, 525 N, telephone: (703) 292-8371, email: epeterso@nsf.gov

Zeev Rosenzweig, Program Director, Analytical & Surface Chemistry Program, MPS/CHE, 1055 S, telephone: (703) 292-7719, email: zrosenzw@nsf.gov

Sylvia Spengler, Program Director, Information Integration & Informatics, CISE/IIS, 1125 S, telephone: (703) 292-8930, email: sspengle@nsf.gov

Amber Story, Program Director, Social Psychology, SBE/BCS, 995 N, telephone: (703) 292-7249, email: astory@nsf.gov

William Hagan, Assistant Director, Office of Transformational Research and Development, DHS/DNDO, telephone: (202) 254-2370, email: william.hagan@dhs.gov

Nicholas Prins, Deputy Assistant Director, Office of Transformational Research and Development, DNDO, telephone: (202) 254-7473, email: nicholas.prins@dhs.gov

Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):

47.041 --- Engineering
47.049 --- Mathematical and Physical Sciences
47.070 --- Computer and Information Science and Engineering
47.075 --- Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences
47.076 --- Education and Human Resources
47.079 --- Office of International Science and Engineering
47.080 --- Office of Cyberinfrastructure
97.077 --- Homeland Security Testing, Evaluation, and Demonstration of Technologies

Award Information

Anticipated Type of Award: From NSF, standard grant for the initial year. Award type for follow-up years determined by DNDO.

Estimated Number of Awards: 32 to 34 . Over the course of 5 years, about 15 "Seed Awards" (each up to an all-inclusive total, including both direct and indirect costs, of $300,000 over a duration not to exceed three years), about 15 "Mid-size Awards" (each up to an all-inclusive total, including both direct and indirect costs, of $2,000,000 over a duration not to exceed five years) and 2-4 “Large Awards” (each up to an all-inclusive total, including both direct and indirect costs, of $7,500,000 over a duration not to exceed five years). "Large Awards" are required to involve collaborations spanning multiple disciplines or multiple institutions with significant involvement of two or more investigators. For FY 2007, 10-11 "Seed Awards," 7-10 "Mid-size Awards," and 1-2 "Large Awards."

Anticipated Funding Amount: $58,000,000 over a five-year period from DNDO to be awarded through NSF and DNDO, subject to availability of funds, and the quality and appropriateness of proposals received. This solicitation is anticipated to reopen annually with the number of additional projects selected based on availability of funding and the progress of on-going projects.

Eligibility Information

Organization Limit:

Proposals may only be submitted by the following:

Universities and colleges: U.S. universities and two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges)

PI Limit:

An individual researcher may not be named as a participant on more than one proposal submitted to this solicitation. This limitation includes participation as a PI, co-PI, senior researcher, consultant, or any other role for which financial remuneration is requested. ARI award funds may not provide salary support to industry, government laboratories or international organizations but may be used, in limited cases, to support travel in support of collaborative work.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:

None Specified

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI: 1

Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions

A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

Letters of Intent: Submission of Letters of Intent is required. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

Full Proposals:
- Full Proposals submitted via FastLane: Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) Guidelines apply. The complete text of the GPG is available electronically on the NSF website at: https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg.
- Full Proposals submitted via Grants.gov: NSF Grants.gov Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Applications via Grants.gov Guidelines apply (Note: The NSF Grants.gov Application Guide is available on the Grants.gov website and on the NSF website at: https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/docs/grantsgovguide.pdf/)

B. Budgetary Information

Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost Sharing is not required by DNDO or NSF.

Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations: Not Applicable

Other Budgetary Limitations: Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

C. Due Dates

Letter of Intent Due Date(s) (required):

March 28, 2007

(for all size ARI proposals)

Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):

May 02, 2007

(for all size ARI proposals)

First Wednesday in April, Annually Thereafter Through 2011

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.

Agency Contacts

Other Information

I. Introduction

In FY 2007, DNDO, in partnership with NSF, will invest in leading edge, frontier research on nuclear detection technology and other research that is potentially relevant to the detection of domestic nuclear threats.

Recent advances in nuclear detection technology have yielded innovative instruments and systems that have been of tremendous value to our national security. Additional frontier research in areas critical to our nation will yield similar advances. This is particularly true for the technologies applicable to countering the threat of a nuclear terrorist attack. Through this solicitation, DNDO in partnership with NSF, will provide funding to establish and maintain strong research efforts at a broad range of academic institutions. These efforts will rebuild intellectual capability in academic disciplines relevant to nuclear detection through the initiation and maintenance of long-term frontier research at academic institutions.

This Academic Research Initiative (ARI) seeks to advance fundamental knowledge for nuclear detection. The DNDO/NSF investment will coordinate with and leverage on research currently underway in other areas of the federal government. The Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and others each fund active research into developing nuclear detection technology and systems. By making a long-term commitment to frontier research in the field, effective technologies and systems to counter such threats can best be developed and eventually implemented. This research, and the research community that will be developed under the ARI, is seen as critical to our nation's ability to deploy increasingly effective homeland security measures.

Research Description

The sensitivity, resolution and stand-off capability of sensors and sensor systems determine what nuclear threats can be detected, at what location, and how quickly. This is particularly important for shielded nuclear material where the signatures are faint and difficult to distinguish from normally occurring background.

The key objective for any research into nuclear detection is to distinguish threats from non-threats in a realistic environment, thereby resulting in a detection system that has minimal to no false alarms. Topics include sensor technologies, stand-off detection, signal processing, data fusion, and autonomous system technologies.

Specific areas of research may include the development of detectors based on new detection materials that maximize the efficiency of the system while producing the best possible energy resolution. An example is advanced scintillators or semiconductors capable of excellent efficiency and resolution. Additional research may go toward the development of new detectors or systems that exploit non-traditional techniques to detect a photon or particle interaction in a material. These may be based on principles such as optical, microwave, or RF probes of the detector material, acoustic spectroscopy, calorimetry, or thermal methods or spatially resolving the electrons liberated by a photoelectric event.

More broadly, the miniaturization of nuclear detection equipment is needed. However, there are recognized physical limits to miniaturization since a certain mass of material is needed to interact with radiation. Application specific integrated circuits and other related devices are especially promising in the miniaturization of both electronics and photonics; research is needed on both the production and readout of the small electronic signals produced by gamma or neutron interactions in material. Also, in order to maintain active sensors in the field, small reliable power sources are required.

Complementing this sensor research would be advances in modeling and simulations of detector response and background, isotope identification, pattern recognition techniques, and prediction of materials properties. Nuclear threat analysis efforts, particularly programs that are complementary to technology development or algorithm/system development efforts are appropriate topics for ARI proposals. In addition modeling and experimental work in support of producing or validating basic nuclear data (e.g. nuclear resonance fluorescence cross-sections) could provide significant benefit to DNDO and NSF while training the next generation of researchers. Research that would benefit from incorporation of social and behavioral science components is appropriate for consideration.

Additional perspective is provided in the report on the Workshop on the Role of the Nuclear Physics Research Community in Combating Terrorism: http://www.sc.doe.gov/henp/np/homeland/CombatTerrorismFinal110602.pdf

II. Program Description

Under the broad category of nuclear detection, examples of possible topics that build on previous DNDO/DHS or NSF-supported research include:

Science and Engineering of Materials, Concepts and Designs for New Sensors and Sensing Systems. Proposed research should have the potential to lead to sensors or sensor systems that are sensitive, selective, and stable with rapid response times, including active interrogation techniques. New methods to improve the yield or room temperature performance of sensor materials are needed. A unifying theme is to stimulate fundamental advances for in situ and remote sensing systems with a goal toward observing, modeling, and analyzing a wide range of nuclear threats. Proposed research should leverage recent advances in materials, molecular design (e.g., synthetic and theoretical chemistry), microelectronics, photonics, telemetry, robotics, wireless communication, geographic information systems, sensor networks, and other methods for highly resolved spatial, spectral and temporal sensing. Sensors or systems that are capable of mobility, large standoff distance, or unattended operation are desired. In addition, nation-wide deployment requires an emphasis on reduced cost and size as well as increased portability and reliability.
Science and Engineering Applications of Networked Sensors; Interpretation of Data; Responsive Action. This area addresses system-level application areas. Research issues include: 1) decision and control theory for sensed information, 2) sampling, pattern recognition, and false alarms in sensed data, 3) research that incorporates uncertainty and risk into decision making for use with imperfectly sensed data, and 4) simulations that link sensor algorithms to databases.
Nuclear Physics Data. This area addresses the need for new or updated physical data on processes relevant to DNDO/NSF programs. One example is nuclear resonance fluorescence cross-sections for material relevant to DNDO/NSF.
Information Management of Sensing Systems. In the area of information management, basic research is needed on innovative approaches to tagging data to facilitate subsequent retrieval, and on mathematical algorithms useful for mining the extremely large data sets that will be produced by next generation nuclear detection systems. Innovative signal processing techniques and algorithms, together with test bed experiments, are needed for feature extraction of anomalies associated with the movement of material of interest to DNDO/NSF.

In all cases, the DNDO and NSF, which will jointly manage the program, seek significant advances in nuclear detection capabilities. These advances can be based on new technology or by enabling transformational uses of current technology. Evolutionary (i.e. spiral) advances in current technology are generally not appropriate topics for ARI proposals.

This DNDO/NSF research program encourages PI's to consider the development of education programs for the training of graduate and undergraduate students in this important area. A unique opportunity exists for collaboration to develop interdisciplinary courses with a view toward the establishment of a comprehensive framework for addressing nuclear detection. Also encouraged are innovative approaches that provide students with substantial opportunities to gain deeper knowledge and expertise in this area. This program seeks to integrate research and education, which is a key strategy NSF supports and promotes. Proposals with an international dimension are welcome.

Research proposals on detection of biological, chemical, and conventional weapons are excluded from the scope of this solicitation.

TYPES OF SUPPORT

Projects funded under this solicitation will support research activities of the following types:

DNDO/NSF Academic Research Initiative Seed Award (ARI-SA)
DNDO/NSF Academic Research Initiative Mid-size Award (ARI-MA) and
DNDO/NSF Academic Research Initiative Large Award (ARI-LA):
1. DNDO/NSF Research Initiative Seed Award (ARI-SA) proposals should involve innovative and high-risk research in a focused area with potential for high impact. The research must include the involvement of at least one undergraduate or graduate student. The requested budget may be for up to an all-inclusive total, including both direct and indirect costs, of $300,000, over a duration not to exceed three years.
2. DNDO/NSF Academic Research Initiative Mid-size Award (ARI-MA) proposals should involve a comprehensive program of innovative and high-risk research in a focused or interdisciplinary area with potential for high impact. The research must include the involvement of multiple undergraduate, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. The requested budget may be for up to an all-inclusive total, including both direct and indirect costs, of $2,000,000, over a duration not to exceed five years. Collaborations with National Laboratories including, e.g. summer internships and other exchange of personnel, are strongly encouraged but must be performed on a no-exchange-of-funds basis.
3. DNDO/NSF Academic Research Initiative Large Award (ARI-LA) proposals must involve fundamental contributions in research by two or more investigators from different disciplines (e.g., engineering and social science; computer science and physics; etc.) or different institutions. ARI-LA proposals should generate new concepts and approaches that are enabled by the synergistic interaction of diverse fields or multiple institutions. The PI and up to four co-PI's must be listed on the cover page of the proposal, and have the diverse skills necessary to pursue the research objectives. The requested budget may be for up to an all-inclusive total, including both direct and indirect costs, of $7,500,000, over a duration not to exceed five years. Collaborations with National Laboratories including, e.g. summer internships and other exchange of personnel are strongly encouraged but no salary support for national laboratory personnel is permissible under an ARI award.

All students supported with award funds must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., its territories, or its possessions.

An annual grantees workshop will enable the investigators of grants awarded through this solicitation to review progress, exchange information, and promote collaborations. The PI, all co-PI’s, and at least one of the students supported from each funded grant will be required to participate. Members of the DNDO global nuclear defense architecture team and appropriate members of the end-user community are also expected to be present at this annual workshop to provide guidance on the rapidly evolving needs in nuclear detection. Funds must be included in each year of the proposal budget for attendance at this annual workshop. For budgetary purposes, the workshop may be assumed to be in the Washington, D.C. area and be of three days duration. This workshop will be a primary mechanism for the DNDO/NSF program managers to assess progress and thus to adjust the future funding profiles for individual projects.

III. Award Information

Estimated program budget, number of awards and average award size or duration are subject to the availability of funds, and the quality and appropriateness of proposals received.

IV. Eligibility Information

Organization Limit:

Proposals may only be submitted by the following:

Universities and colleges: U.S. universities and two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges)

PI Limit:

An individual researcher may not be named as a participant on more than one proposal submitted to this solicitation. This limitation includes participation as a PI, co-PI, senior researcher, consultant, or any other role for which financial remuneration is requested. ARI award funds may not provide salary support to industry, government laboratories or international organizations but may be used, in limited cases, to support travel in support of collaborative work.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:

None Specified

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI: 1

Additional Eligibility Info:

V. Proposal Preparation And Submission Instructions

A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

Letters of Intent (required): Submission of Letters of Intent (LOI) is required. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

Letters of Intent must be submitted via FastLane: NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) Guidelines apply. The complete text of the GPG is available electronically on the NSF website at: https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg.

Letters of Intent must be submitted via FastLane by March 28, 2007, 5 p.m. proposer's local time. Letters of Intent are required for all proposals. To prepare a Letter of Intent in Fastlane, login as a PI under Proposals, Awards and Status, select 'Proposal Functions', then select 'Letters of Intent.'

The following information is required for all Letters of Intent:

Listing of Principal Investigators/Project Directors and co-Principal Investigators/co-Project Directors.
Project Synopsis- provide a paragraph summarizing scientific merit and broader impacts of the project, and its specific relationship to detection of domestic nuclear threats.
Reference Section- up to ten key references.

In addition, proposers must send the following two documents via e-mail immediately after submission of their Letter of Intent (LOI). After receipt of the LOI identification number, send an e-mail to ari2007@nsf.gov. The subject heading of the e-mail should note the LOI identification number and the lead institution. Attach an Excel spreadsheet (use the template available at https://www.nsf.gov/eng/cbet/ari/) containing two lists: one lists the last names, first names and institutional affiliations of all senior personnel (PI and co-PI's) and any named personnel whose salary is requested in the project budget; the second one lists the full names and institutional affiliations of all people having conflicts of interest with any senior personnel (PI and co-PI's) or named personnel whose salary is requested in the project budget. These lists will be used by DHS and NSF to check for conflicts of interest in assembling the review community. Remember to e-mail this document; do not use FastLane or Grants.gov.

Letter of Intent Preparation Instructions:

When submitting a Letter of Intent through FastLane in response to this Program Solicitation please note the conditions outlined below:

SPO Submission is Not Required when submitting Letters of Intent
A Minimum of 0 and Maximum of 4 Other Senior Project Personnel are allowed
Reference Section is Required when submitting Letters of Intent
Submission of multiple Letters of Intent are Not allowed

Full Proposal Preparation Instructions: Proposers may opt to submit proposals in response to this Program Solicitation via Grants.gov or via the NSF FastLane system.

Full proposals submitted via FastLane: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the general guidelines contained in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG). The complete text of the GPG is available electronically on the NSF website at: https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg. Paper copies of the GPG may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from pubs@nsf.gov. Proposers are reminded to identify this program solicitation number in the program solicitation block on the NSF Cover Sheet For Proposal to the National Science Foundation. Compliance with this requirement is critical to determining the relevant proposal processing guidelines. Failure to submit this information may delay processing.

Full proposals submitted via Grants.gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation via Grants.gov should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Applications via Grants.gov. The complete text of the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide is available on the Grants.gov website and on the NSF website at: (https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/docs/grantsgovguide.pdf). To obtain copies of the Application Guide and Application Forms Package, click on the Apply tab on the Grants.gov site, then click on the Apply Step 1: Download a Grant Application Package and Application Instructions link and enter the funding opportunity number, (the program solicitation number without the NSF prefix) and press the Download Package button. Paper copies of the Grants.gov Application Guide also may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from pubs@nsf.gov.

In determining which method to utilize in the electronic preparation and submission of the proposal, please note the following:

Collaborative Proposals. All collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from multiple organizations must be submitted via the NSF FastLane system. Chapter II, Section D.3 of the Grant Proposal Guide provides additional information on collaborative proposals.

Cover Sheet:

Project Title Block: The project title for ARI proposals must begin with "ARI-SA, ARI-MA, or ARI-LA:" as appropriate and follow with an informative title.

Program Selection Block: This will be populated automatically upon selecting the ARI solicitation (see next program block).

Program Solicitation Block:

FastLane Users: Select the ARI program solicitation number from the pull-down list. Entries on the cover sheet are limited to the principal investigator and a maximum of four co-principal investigators. Additional project leaders or senior personnel should be listed on the Project Summary page and entered into FastLane as senior investigators.

Grants.gov Users: The ARI program solicitation number will be pre-populated by Grants.gov on the NSF Grant Application Cover Page. NSF allows one principal investigator and a maximum of four co-principal investigators to be identified on a proposal. Instructions for entering additional senior project participants are included in Section V.5. of the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide.

PI and co-PI's Block: For ARI-LA proposals, the PI and up to four co-PI's must be listed on the cover page of the proposal and must have the diverse skills necessary to pursue the research objectives.

Project Summary:

The Project Summary is limited to one page.

In addition to addressing the intellectual merit and broader impacts of the proposal, the Project Summary must include a brief but explicit statement on how the proposed research relates to nuclear threat detection. Omission of this statement will result in the proposal being returned without review.

Project Description:

Descriptor Codes: To facilitate the proposal review process, at the beginning of the project description, each proposal must specify a primary review code chosen from the following list:

Primary Review Code (specify one and only one)

CISE (for Computer & Information Science & Engineering)

ENG (for Engineering)

MPS (for Mathematical and Physical Sciences)

SBE (for Social Behavioral and Economic Sciences)

OCI (for Cyberinfrastructure)

IDP (for Interdisciplinary: optional designation for proposals that are broadly interdisciplinary or for which no single disciplinary area stands out as primary)

Also, to underscore multidisciplinary collaborations, up to two secondary review codes chosen from the list below may be specified below the primary review code:

Secondary Review Codes (specify from none up to two)

CISE (for Computer & Information Science & Engineering)

EHR (for Education and Human Resources)

ENG (for Engineering)

MPS (for Mathematical and Physical Sciences)

SBE (for Social Behavioral and Economic Sciences)

OCI (for Cyberinfrastructure)

INT (for International: optional designation for proposals that include a significant international dimension.)

IDP (for Interdisciplinary: designation for proposals that are broadly interdisciplinary and/or for which no single disciplinary area stands out)

Project Descriptions must adhere to the 15 page limit, as described in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) or NSF Grants.gov Application Guide.

Describe the vision and goals of the proposed research, approaches and methodologies to attain the goals, and the expected outcomes. The project description must present a clear and compelling explanation of the cutting edge nature of the proposed research and its potential for significantly advancing nuclear detection capabilities. High risk proposals with the potential for high impact are encouraged.

Proposed Research: Narrative consisting of the following items:

An explanation of the scientific context, intellectual merit, relevance to nuclear threat detection, the transformational potential and timeliness of the proposed project;

A description of the proposed research;

A discussion of the broader impacts of the proposed work;

For large awards, a justification for why an effort involving at least two investigators is necessary to carry out the proposed project;

Especially for large awards, a discussion of the mode of collaboration with description of any use of cyberinfrastructure;

A description of the contribution to be made by each senior investigator;

A timeline for the planned work; and

Plans for disseminating the results.

Modes of Dissemination and Education: Narrative describing:

The mode of training undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers, including co-mentorship or other collaborative training; and

Plans for dissemination and education/outreach, including any pilot activities.

Management Plan: Especially for large awards, narrative describing:

How the group effort will be coordinated, including any use of cyberinfrastructure;

How decisions will be made regarding the conduct of the project; and

How collaboration will be evaluated;

References Cited: References should include full titles of articles and book chapters cited. This section should include bibliographic citations only and must not be used to provide parenthetical information outside of the project description. Indicate with an asterisk (*) references co-authored by two or more proposal investigators.
Biographical sketches: For PIs, co-PIs and all senior personnel, provide brief biographical sketches using the format described in the Grant Proposal Guide. Note that recent collaborators and other affiliates should also be collected into the combined list given in the Supplementary Documentation (see below).
Budget: Include up to five annual budgets, one for each year of the duration of the award; a cumulative budget will be automatically generated by FastLane. A detailed budget justification (up to three pages) should document proposed expenses. Multi-institutional proposals should use the award-sub award proposal mechanisms or the collaborative mechanism (see GPG guidelines, chapter II.D.3).

Mention if any government furnished equipment (GFE, e.g. specific radioactive sources to calibrate or test detector systems) is required.

An annual grantees workshop will enable the investigators of grants awarded through this solicitation to review progress, exchange information, and promote collaborations. The PI, all co-PI’s, and at least one of the students supported from each funded grant will be required to participate. Members of the DNDO global nuclear defense architecture team and appropriate members of the end-user community are also expected to be present at this annual workshop to provide guidance on the rapidly evolving needs in nuclear detection. Funds must be included in each year of the proposal budget for attendance at this annual workshop. For budgetary purposes the workshop may be assumed to be in the Washington, D.C. area and be of three days duration. This workshop will be a primary mechanism for the DNDO/NSF program managers to assess progress and thus to adjust the future funding profiles for individual projects.

Current and Pending Support: A full description of the total level of current and pending support from all sources for the key personnel. Any overlap between federally funded projects and the proposed research must be clarified.
Facilities: A description of the facilities (including laboratories, computational facilities, and cyber infrastructure) that will be made available to the project. Separate facilities descriptions should be included for multi-institutional projects or those involving non-academic partners.
Suggested Reviewers/Reviewers Not to Include (Optional): Include potential reviewers who span the range of disciplines represented by the ARI proposal.
Supplementary Documentation: In addition, proposers must send the following two documents via e-mail immediately after submission of their proposal. After receipt of the NSF proposal number, send an e-mail to ari2007@nsf.gov. The subject heading of the e-mail should note the proposal number and the lead institution. Attach an Excel spreadsheet (use template available at https://www.nsf.gov/eng/cbet/ari/) containing two lists: one lists the last names, first names and institutional affiliations of all senior personnel (PI and co-PI's) and any named personnel whose salary is requested in the project budget; the second one lists the full names and institutional affiliations of all people having conflicts of interest with any senior personnel (PI and co-PI's) or named personnel whose salary is requested in the project budget. If the e-mail attachments are identical to the ones submitted for the LOI, please also enter "No Changes Made" in the subject heading. If there are any changes to the e-mail attachments, please enter "Changes Made" in the subject heading. These lists will be used by DHS and NSF to check for conflicts of interest in assembling the review community. Remember to e-mail this document; do not use FastLane or Grants.gov.

B. Budgetary Information

Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is not required by DNDO or NSF.

Other Budgetary Limitations: All students supported with award funds must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., its territories or its possessions.

C. Due Dates

Letter of Intent Due Date(s) (required):

March 28, 2007

(for all size ARI proposals)

Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):

May 02, 2007

(for all size ARI proposals)

First Wednesday in April, Annually Thereafter Through 2011

D. FastLane/Grants.gov Requirements

For Proposals Submitted Via FastLane:

Detailed technical instructions regarding the technical aspects of preparation and submission via FastLane are available at: https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a1/newstan.htm. For FastLane user support, call the FastLane Help Desk at 1-800-673-6188 or e-mail fastlane@nsf.gov. The FastLane Help Desk answers general technical questions related to the use of the FastLane system. Specific questions related to this program solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this funding opportunity.

Submission of Electronically Signed Cover Sheets. The Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) must electronically sign the proposal Cover Sheet to submit the required proposal certifications (see Chapter II, Section C of the Grant Proposal Guide for a listing of the certifications). The AOR must provide the required electronic certifications within five working days following the electronic submission of the proposal. Further instructions regarding this process are available on the FastLane Website at: https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/fastlane.jsp.
For Proposals Submitted Via Grants.gov:

Before using Grants.gov for the first time, each organization must register to create an institutional profile. Once registered, the applicant's organization can then apply for any federal grant on the Grants.gov website. The Grants.gov's Grant Community User Guide is a comprehensive reference document that provides technical information about Grants.gov. Proposers can download the User Guide as a Microsoft Word document or as a PDF document. The Grants.gov User Guide is available at: http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport. In addition, the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide provides additional technical guidance regarding preparation of proposals via Grants.gov. For Grants.gov user support, contact the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or by email: support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov Contact Center answers general technical questions related to the use of Grants.gov. Specific questions related to this program solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this solicitation.

Submitting the Proposal: Once all documents have been completed, the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) must submit the application to Grants.gov and verify the desired funding opportunity and agency to which the application is submitted. The AOR must then sign and submit the application to Grants.gov. The completed application will be transferred to the NSF FastLane system for further processing.

VI. NSF Proposal Processing And Review Procedures

Proposals received by NSF under this joint solicitation will be assigned to the appropriate NSF program and, if they meet NSF proposal preparation requirements, for review. All proposals will be carefully reviewed by DNDO/NSF staff, and by three to ten other persons outside NSF and DNDO who are experts in the particular fields represented by the proposal. These reviewers will be selected by the DNDO/NSF 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 persons they would prefer not review the proposal. These suggestions may serve as one source in the reviewer selection process at the Program Officers' discretion. Submission of such names, however, is optional. Care is taken to ensure that reviewers have no conflicts with the proposer.

A. DNDO/NSF Merit Review Criteria

All proposals received under this solicitation will be evaluated through use of the two National Science Board (NSB)-approved merit review criteria: intellectual merit and the broader impacts of the proposed effort. DNDO and NSF staff will also employ additional criteria as provided elsewhere in this solicitation to highlight the specific objectives of certain programs and activities.

The two NSB-approved merit review criteria are listed below. The criteria include considerations that help define them. These considerations are suggestions and not all will apply to any given proposal. While proposers must address both merit review criteria, reviewers will be asked to address only those considerations that are relevant to the proposal being considered and for which the reviewer is qualified to make judgements.

What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity?
How important is the proposed activity to advancing knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields? How well qualified is the proposer (individual or team) to conduct the project? (If appropriate, the reviewer will comment on the quality of the prior work.) To what extent does the proposed activity suggest and explore creative and original 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?

DNDO/NSF staff will give careful consideration to the following in making funding decisions:

Integration of Research and Education
One of the principal strategies in support of NSF's goals is to foster integration of research and education through the programs, projects, and activities it supports at academic and research institutions. These institutions provide abundant opportunities where individuals may concurrently assume responsibilities as researchers, educators, and students and where all can engage in joint efforts that infuse education with the excitement of discovery and enrich research through the diversity of learning perspectives.

Integrating Diversity into NSF Programs, Projects, and Activities
Broadening opportunities and enabling the participation of all citizens -- women and men, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities -- is essential to the health and vitality of science and engineering. NSF is committed to this principle of diversity and deems it central to the programs, projects, and activities it considers and supports.

Additional Review Criteria:

The following additional merit review considerations apply:

How well does the proposal describe how the project will lead to progress in addressing a "big problem" in detection of the nuclear threat that involves innovation and/or high risk.
For Mid-size and Large awards only: How well does the proposal describe why a project requires a long timeline, multi-disciplinary and/or multi-institutional effort?
What potential does the project have for a major advance that is relevant to detection of shielded or unshielded nuclear weapons or Special Nuclear Material (plutonium or highly enriched uranium)?
What is the project's potential to attract broad scientific and public interest and support?
How effective are the project's educational, dissemination, and, especially for large awards, management plans?

B. Review and Selection Process

Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will be reviewed by Panel Review.

Reviewers will be asked to formulate a recommendation to either support or decline each proposal. The Program Officers 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, a panel consisting of a DNDO Executive and an NSF Executive will recommend whether each proposal should be declined or recommended for award. DNDO/NSF are striving to be able to tell applicants whether their proposals have been declined or recommended for funding within three months. The time interval begins on the date of receipt of the proposal. The interval ends when the NSF/DNDO Executive Panel accepts the Program Officers' 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 DNDO/NSF Program Officers. 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 NSF 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 DNDO/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 NSF Division of Grants and Agreements. Organizations whose proposals are declined will be advised as promptly as possible by the DNDO/NSF Program Managers 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 Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) 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 https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/general_conditions.jsp?org=NSF. Paper copies may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from pubs@nsf.gov.

More comprehensive information on NSF Award Conditions and other important information on the administration of NSF awards is contained in the NSF Grant Policy Manual (GPM) Chapter II, available electronically on the NSF Website at https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpm.

Special Award Conditions:

NSF will fund the initial year of the projects with funds made available from DHS in accordance with NSF policies and conditions. Future funding beyond year one will be awarded and administered by DNDO, contingent upon awardees' progress and availability of funds, in accordance with DHS/DNDO policies and procedures.

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. Within 90 days after expiration of a grant, the PI also is required to submit a final project report.

Although NSF will provide funding only for the initial year of each award, all annual and final project reports must be submitted through FastLane.

Failure to provide the required annual or final project reports will delay the DNDO/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.

An annual grantees workshop will enable the investigators of grants awarded through this solicitation to review progress, exchange information, and promote collaborations. The PI, all co-PI’s, and at least one of the students supported from each funded grant will be required to participate. Members of the DNDO global nuclear defense architecture team and appropriate members of the end-user community are also expected to be present at this annual workshop to provide guidance on the rapidly evolving needs in nuclear detection. Funds must be included in each year of the proposal budget for attendance at this annual workshop. For budgetary purposes the workshop may be assumed to be in the Washington, D.C. area and be of three days duration. This workshop will be a primary mechanism for the DNDO/NSF program managers to assess progress and thus to adjust the future funding profiles for individual projects. (Include in budget request.)

VIII. Agency Contacts

General inquiries regarding this program should be made to: