This document has been archived and replaced by NSF 14-555.

Title: Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL)(nsf13608)
Date: 11/27/2013
Replaces: NSF 12-560

Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL)

[1]Program Solicitation
NSF 13-608

Replaces Document(s):
NSF 12-560

   NSF Logo

   National Science Foundation
   Directorate for Education & Human Resources
        Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings

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

        January 14, 2014

        November 14, 2014

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND REVISION NOTES

   Revision Summary:
     * Eliminates preliminary proposals or letters of intent;
     * Replaces the Research and Full-Scale Development project types,
       and introduces two new project types: (1) Research in Service to
       Practice and (2) Innovations in Development;
     * Enhances the descriptions of each project type and emphasizes that
       all proposals must clearly articulate how they advance
       evidence-based knowledge of STEM learning in informal learning
       environments through research and/or evaluation;
     * Revises the description of what is required for external review
       and evaluation of projects; and
     * Revises the description of dissemination.

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

General Information

   Program Title:

     Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL)

   Synopsis of Program:

     The Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program seeks to
     advance new approaches to and evidence-based understanding of the
     design and development of STEM learning in informal environments;
     provide multiple pathways for broadening access to and engagement
     in STEM learning experiences; advance innovative research on and
     assessment of STEM learning in informal environments; and develop
     understandings of deeper learning by participants.

     The AISL program supports five types of projects: (1) Pathways, (2)
     Research in Service to Practice, (3) Innovations in Development,
     (4) Broad Implementation, and (5) Conferences, Symposia, and
     Workshops.

   Cognizant Program Officer(s):

   Please note that the following information is current at the time of
   publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of
   contact.
     * Address Questions to the Program, telephone: (703)292-8616, email:
       [2]DRLAISL@nsf.gov

   Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):
     * 47.076 --- Education and Human Resources

Award Information

   Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant or Continuing Grant

   Estimated Number of Awards: 31 to 46

   It is anticipated that about 6-10 Pathways awards, 7-10 Research in
   Service to Practice awards, 10-13 Innovations in Development awards,
   3-6 Broad Implementation awards, and 5-7 Conferences, Symposia, and
   Workshops will be made in FY 2014, pending availability of funds.
   EAGERS, RAPIDS, and CAREER awards are also made from these funds.
   Similar awards are anticipated in FY 2015, pending availability of
   funds.

   Anticipated Funding Amount: $20,000,000 to $27,000,000

   in FY 2014 and FY 2015 for new awards made under this solicitation,
   pending availability of funds. Normal limits for funding requests of
   AISL proposals are as follows: (1) Pathways projects: up to $300,000
   with duration up to two years; (2) Research in Service to Practice
   projects: from $300,000 to $2,000,000 with a duration from two to five
   years; (3) Innovations in Development projects: $500,000 to $3,000,000
   with duration up to five years; (4) Broad Implementation projects from
   $500,000 to $3,000,000 with a duration from two to five years; and (5)
   Conferences, Symposia, and Workshops projects up to $250,000 with a
   duration of up to two years.

Eligibility Information

   Who May Submit Proposals:

     The categories of proposers eligible to submit proposals to the
     National Science Foundation are identified in the Grant Proposal
     Guide, Chapter I, Section E.

   Who May Serve as PI:

     There are no restrictions or limits.

   Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:

     There are no restrictions or limits.

   Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI:

     There are no restrictions or limits.

Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions

   A. Proposal Preparation Instructions
     * Letters of Intent: Not Applicable

     * Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not Applicable

     * Full Proposals:
          + Full Proposals submitted via FastLane: NSF Proposal and Award
            Policies and Procedures Guide, Part I: Grant Proposal Guide
            (GPG) Guidelines apply. The complete text of the GPG is
            available electronically on the NSF website at:
            [3]http://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:
            [4]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grant
            sgovguide)

   B. Budgetary Information 
     * Cost Sharing Requirements: Inclusion of voluntary committed cost
       sharing is prohibited.

     * 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
     * Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
            January 14, 2014
            November 14, 2014

Proposal Review Information Criteria

   Merit Review Criteria: National Science Board approved criteria apply.

Award Administration Information

   Award Conditions: Standard NSF award conditions apply.

   Reporting Requirements: Additional reporting requirements apply.
   Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

     [5]Summary of Program Requirements 

    I. [6]Introduction
   II. [7]Program Description
   III. [8]Award Information
   IV. [9]Eligibility Information
    V. [10]Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions
         A. [11]Proposal Preparation Instructions
         B. [12]Budgetary Information
         C. [13]Due Dates
         D. [14]FastLane/Grants.gov Requirements
   VI. [15]NSF Proposal Processing and Review Procedures
         A. [16]Merit Review Principles and Criteria
         B. [17]Review and Selection Process
   VII. [18]Award Administration Information
         A. [19]Notification of the Award
         B. [20]Award Conditions
         C. [21]Reporting Requirements
   VIII. [22]Agency Contacts
   IX. [23]Other Information

I. INTRODUCTION

   About the National Science Foundation and the Directorate for
   Education and Human Resources

   The National Science Foundation (NSF) is charged with promoting the
   vitality of the nation's science and engineering research and
   education enterprises.

   The Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) makes
   investments that support a healthy and robust national science,
   technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education enterprise.
   The directorate works toward that vision through its mission, which is
   to support the preparation of a diverse, globally competent STEM
   workforce and a STEM-literate citizenry through investment in
   innovative research and development on STEM education and learning.

   Opportunities to learn STEM effectively - for people of all ages, from
   all corners of the Nation, and in many venues (e.g., classrooms and
   living rooms; science centers and virtual centers) - are the
   foundation for a scientifically literate society and strong scientific
   workforce. These in turn are the basis for keeping our Nation globally
   competitive, prosperous and secure. EHR provides the focus for NSF's
   investments to advance STEM learning, scientific literacy, and a
   globally competitive science and engineering workforce.

   The EHR investments are concentrated into three categories that form a
   strategic framework for the directorate's mission. Within each of
   these categories, EHR will continue to build and emphasize its
   research and development activities.
     * Learning and learning environments: Investments in this category
       seek to develop understanding of the cognitive, affective, and
       non-cognitive foundations of STEM learning; to study emerging
       contexts and tools for learning STEM concepts and skills; and to
       build environments that promote new, high-impact learning
       opportunities for tomorrow's scientists and engineers, as well as
       citizens and students living in an increasingly
       technology-oriented society.
     * Broadening participation in STEM: Programs in this category
       capitalize on the Nation's diversity in order to increase the
       scientific workforce by engaging and building capacity in all
       people in STEM learning and professional training, particularly
       those from groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in
       STEM fields.
     * STEM workforce: Workforce investments are intended to improve the
       education and preparation of a STEM workforce that will be ready
       to capitalize on unprecedented advances in technology and science,
       and to address future global, social, and economic challenges.
       This framework positions the directorate to respond more readily
       to emerging opportunities created by new technologies,
       improvements in the STEM education evidence base, administration
       priorities, and other national or societal needs.

   Different programs within EHR emphasize different categories of the
   research and development activities
   ([24]http://www.nsf.gov/about/budget/fy2014/pdf/25_fy2014.pdf).

   To achieve these goals, the Directorate sponsors programs in the
   Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings
   (DRL), Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE), Division of Graduate
   Education (DGE), and Human Resource Development (HRD). The AISL
   program is managed in DRL.

   About the Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal
   Settings

   The Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings
   (DRL) supports the research and development of innovative resources,
   models, and tools for K-12 STEM education and teacher learning;
   research and development within partnerships of K-12 school districts
   and institutions of higher education; fundamental research on STEM
   learning; research and development of experiences that enable lifelong
   STEM learning inside and outside of school; research on national STEM
   education priorities; and evaluation studies and activities. While
   DRL-funded research may be situated in institutional and social
   settings and may involve development of learning resources, tools, and
   model learning environments, the principal goal is to understand and
   support STEM learning in all its forms, by the full range of learners,
   in a full range of settings. This includes development of innovative
   and effective approaches and instruments for promoting and assessing
   learning. A particular focus is on understanding how to improve STEM
   learning and education opportunities for all learners, including those
   from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM - especially women,
   minorities, persons with disabilities, English-language learners, and
   veterans. DRL encourages the submission of EAGER, RAPID, INSPIRE, and
   CAREER proposals in its programs.

   DRL funds projects through the following programs:
     * Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL)
     * Discovery Research K-12 (DRK-12)
     * Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers
       (ITEST)
     * Math and Science Partnership (MSP)
     * Promoting Research and Innovation in Methodologies for Evaluation
       (PRIME)
     * Research on Education and Learning (REAL)

   Each program can be accessed from [25]the DRL Web Page.

   Solicitations in this Division have been informed by a newly issued
   publication, which was developed jointly by National Science
   Foundation and the Institute of Education Sciences in the U.S.
   Department of Education entitled, Common Guidelines for Education
   Research and Development. The Guidelines describe six types of
   research studies that can generate evidence about how to increase
   learning among target audiences. Research types include those that
   generate the most fundamental understandings related to education and
   learning; examinations of associations between variables; iterative
   design and testing of strategies or interventions; and assessments of
   the impact of a fully-developed intervention on an education outcome.
   For each research type, there is a description of the purpose and the
   expected empirical and/or theoretical justifications, types of project
   outcomes, and quality of evidence.

   The Guidelines publication can be found on the NSF website with the
   number NSF 13-126
   ([26]http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13126/nsf13126.pdf). A set of
   FAQs regarding the Guidelines are available with the number NSF
   13-127([27]http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13127/nsf13127.pdf). Grant
   proposal writers and PIs are encouraged to familiarize themselves with
   both documents and use the information therein to help in the
   preparation of proposals to NSF.

II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

   The Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program seeks to advance
   new approaches to and evidence-based understanding of the design and
   development of STEM learning in informal environments for public and
   professional audiences; provide multiple pathways for broadening
   access to and engagement in STEM learning experiences; advance
   innovative research on and assessment of STEM learning in informal
   environments; and develop understandings of deeper learning by
   participants.

   Whether for personal satisfaction, professional advancement, or
   fulfilling learning requirements for pre-K through graduate and
   professional education, greater possibilities for accessing and
   understanding informal education are emerging through increased access
   to STEM learning anywhere and anytime. These personalized learning
   options and participatory learning environments are also expanding and
   broadening participation in STEM and blurring many distinctions
   between formal and informal learning settings. Many of these changes
   are related directly or indirectly to the pervasiveness and
   accessibility of digital technologies.

   AISL invites proposals that: address immediate challenges and
   opportunities in informal education; anticipate radically different
   structures, functions, and purposes of informal STEM education;
   challenge existing assumptions about learning and learning
   environments; and envision the future needs of diverse learners,
   educators, and STEM professionals in this nation.

   When trying to decide whether a proposal is appropriate for AISL,
   please consider the following:
     * AISL projects should build on fundamental research in STEM
       education, including prior development and research efforts. These
       should provide theoretical and empirical justification for the
       proposed project.
     * As a research and development program, AISL projects should
       contribute to the development of innovative products that are
       useable and useful for diverse participants. These products may
       include, but are in no way limited to, exhibitions and programs in
       museums, zoos, aquaria, planetariums, nature centers, parks, and
       other environments; science communication; after-school and summer
       programs; radio, television, film, or media programs or series;
       DYI/maker initiatives, research-related experiences such as
       citizen science, and on-line experiences such as games,
       simulations, social media, mobile computing, distributed networks,
       and massive online open courses. Projects may choose to include
       how content and practices connect with STEM-related frameworks and
       curricula, or college and career readiness standards in schools,
       universities, or other educational settings.
     * AISL projects should generate knowledge about developing, testing,
       and implementing innovative research, models, resources, and tools
       in informal learning environments. Knowledge generating foci may
       include, for example, "what is happening," "to what extent,"
       "why," "how," "what works for whom," and "under what
       circumstances."
     * Outcomes from AISL projects should produce evidence of impact,
       utility, feasibility, and/or potential for wide-spread use, as
       well as evidence of advancing knowledge and the evidence base
       about STEM learning in informal learning environments.
     * The AISL program also recognizes the complexities of measuring
       STEM learning in informal environments. As such, the program
       encourages innovative assessment methods that draw from knowledge
       and practice of learning across these environments.
     * The contributions of AISL projects to advancing knowledge and the
       evidence base in STEM education differ from the EHR Core Research
       program (ECR). AISL's research and development investments focus
       on the translation of foundational and early stage research to
       research, design, development, and implementation of STEM learning
       in informal environments. As such, the knowledge base to which
       AISL contributes most is more closely aligned with theories of
       practice and designed-based research than with foundational theory
       building.

   AISL Project Types

   The program supports five types of projects: (1) Pathways, (2)
   Research in Service to Practice, (3) Innovations in Development, (4)
   Broad Implementation, and (5) Conferences, Symposia, and Workshops.

   (1) Pathways

   Projects can be funded for up to $300,000 total and up to two years in
   duration.

   Pathways projects allow practitioners and researchers an opportunity
   to undertake exploratory development work or feasibility studies that
   have the potential to lead to the submission of innovative,
   field-advancing proposals of other project types, such as Research in
   Service to Practice or Innovations in Development. This type of
   project should produce evidence, findings, and/or deliverables that
   form the basis of anticipated further innovative, or potentially
   transformative, research and development work. The proposal needs to
   explicitly state how the project informs future work and how it
   contributes to the advancement of STEM learning in informal
   environments.

   (2) Research in Service to Practice

   Projects can be funded for $300,000 to $2 million and from two to five
   years in duration.

   The Research in Service to Practice project type specifically focuses
   on research that advances knowledge and the evidence base for
   practices, assumptions, broadening participation, and emerging
   educational arrangements in STEM learning in informal environments.
   Successful research proposals identify a need for knowledge building
   in order to better understand or improve practice.

   While all proposals are required to advance knowledge, Research in
   Service to Practice proposal have knowledge generating questions, such
   as "what is happening," "to what extent," "why," "how," "what works
   for whom," and "under what circumstances" as their primary focus.

   Research in Service to Practice proposals may be qualitative and/or
   quantitative in nature; involve methodological advances; develop or
   adapt assessment instruments or scales; use large databases; aggregate
   data across multiple or distributed settings; focus on post-hoc
   analyses of existing data, or conduct longitudinal studies that shed
   light on the impact of STEM learning activities on participants,
   institutions, and/or systems.

   The Research in Service to Practice project type may also include
   proposals for syntheses or meta-analyses, which address important
   research, development, and/or implementation research findings in STEM
   learning. The products of syntheses and meta-analyses should be
   useable by multiple audiences of educators. AISL particularly
   encourages such projects that provide research findings and
   recommendations that are useful to STEM education practitioners,
   researchers, and decision makers.

   Proposals need to demonstrate a review of the literature and the
   underlying theoretical framework that informs the research plan.
   Proposals should detail research methods, including qualitative,
   quantitative, and iterative design-based data collection and analysis
   plans, as appropriate.

   Research in Service to Practice proposals should describe how
   practitioners are integral collaborators in the research endeavor.
   Proposals are encouraged to include how research capacity among
   practitioners, new researchers, and/or evaluators is being enhanced
   through the project.

   (3) Innovations in Development

   Projects can be funded for $500,000 to $3 million and up to five years
   in duration.

   The Innovations in Development project type is specifically expected
   to result in innovative models, programs, technologies, assessments,
   resources, and/or systems for any area of STEM learning in informal
   environments.

   Projects should build on evidence from prior development and research
   efforts in the field. An explicit theoretical framework as well as
   either a logic model or theory of action should guide projects. (See
   notes in Supplementary documents.)

   In addition, proposals must articulate a plan and process for the
   design, development, implementation, and evidence-building components
   (based on research and/or evaluation) of the proposed work. Iterative,
   design-based research approaches are encouraged, if appropriate.

   (4) Broad Implementation

   Projects can be funded for $500,000 to $3 million and from two to five
   years in duration.

   The Broad Implementation project type specifically supports the
   expansion of models, programs, technologies, assessments, resources,
   research, and/or systems that have a documented record of success,
   innovation, and/or evidence-based knowledge building. The
   documentation may include summative evaluation or research data that
   indicates readiness for distribution to a broader population or new
   setting(s).

   The focus of expanded reach may include, but is not limited to,
   geography, age, socio-economic status, cultural/linguistic group, race
   and ethnicity, gender, disability, or learning setting. Where
   appropriate, investigators are encouraged to emphasize individuals
   from underrepresented or underserved groups as a target audience for a
   component or for the entire focus of the project.

   Proposals must articulate a plan and process for the design,
   development, implementation, and evidence-building components (based
   on research and/or evaluation) of the proposed work. Project design
   may address innovative integration, incremental improvements,
   adaptations, or trials under typical conditions. Iterative,
   design-based research approaches are encouraged, if appropriate.
   Proposals should discuss how evidence (based on research and/or
   evaluation) will be collected to show broad implementation and impact.

   (5) Conferences, Symposia, and Workshops (see [28]GPG, II.D.8.)

   Conferences, Symposia, and Workshops should be well focused, relate to
   the goals of the AISL program, and generate product(s) usable by
   practitioners and researchers. The program is particularly interested
   in proposals that lead to, for example, the development of communities
   of practice, the formulation of field-advancing practice, assessments,
   and/or research agendas for the participating professional
   communities. Proposals should clearly indicate how the study
   contributes to the advancement of STEM learning in informal
   environments.

   Note: Proposals for Conferences, Symposia, and Workshops above $50,000
   are now due on the solicitation deadline. Proposals under that
   threshold may continue to be submitted at anytime.

   Other Funding Opportunities

   The programs listed below may also be of interest; see individual
   solicitations for due dates:

   EHR Core Research (ECR) grants
   [29]http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13555/nsf13555.htm

   Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) grants
   [30]http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503214

   Selected Resources

   The Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE) works
   in collaboration with the NSF AISL program to strengthen and advance
   the field of informal STEM education and its infrastructure by
   providing resources for NSF principal investigators, ISE
   professionals, and STEM researchers. Resources on the CAISE
   InformalScience.org website may be pertinent to proposal preparation.
   See [31]http://www.informalscience.org/nsf-aisl for more information.

   Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, and the
   National Science Foundation (August, 2013). Common Guidelines for
   Education Research and Development: A Report from the Institute of
   Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, and the National
   Science Foundation. NSF 13-126
   ([32]http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13126/nsf13126.pdf). FAQs: NSF
   13-127([33]http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13127/nsf13127.pdf).

   National Research Council (2012). A Framework for K-12 Science
   Education: Practices, crosscutting concepts, and core ideas.
   Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press.
   [34]http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13165#

   National Research Council (2012). Education for Life and Work:
   Developing transferable knowledge and skills in the 21^st century.
   Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press.
   [35]http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12190

   National Research Council. (2011). Expanding Underrepresented Minority
   Participation: America's science and technology talent at the
   crossroads. Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press.
   [36]http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12984

   National Research Council (2009). Surrounded by Science. Washington,
   D. C.: The National Academies Press.
   [37]http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12614

   National Research Council (2002). Scientific Research in Education.
   Washington, D. C.: The National Academies Press.
   [38]http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=10236

   National Science Board (2010). NSB Report: Preparing the Next
   Generation of STEM Innovators.
   [39]http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsb1033 

   National Science Foundation (2011). Empowering the Nation Through
   Discovery and Innovation - NSF Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY)
   2011-2016. [40]http://www.nsf.gov/news/strategicplan/

   National Science Foundation (2008). Fostering Learning in the
   Networked World: The Cyberlearning Opportunity and Challenge. A 21st
   Century Agenda for the National Science Foundation, Report of the NSF
   Task Force on Cyberlearning.
   [41]http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08204/nsf08204.pdf

   Penuel, W.R. and Fishman, B.J. (2012). Large-scale science education
   intervention research we can use. Journal of Research in Science
   Teaching, 49(3), 281-304.

   President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (2010).
   Prepare and Inspire: K-12 Education in Science, Technology,
   Engineering, and Math (STEM) for America's Future.
   [42]http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/pcas
   t-stem-ed-final.pdf

   U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology.
   (2013). Expanding Evidence Approaches for Learning in a Digital World,
   Washington, D.C.
   [43]http://www.ed.gov/edblogs/technology/files/2013/02/Expanding-Evide
   nce-Approaches.pdf

   U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology (March
   5, 2012). Transforming American Education: Learning powered by
   technology. [44]http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/netp2010.pdf

III. AWARD INFORMATION

   It is anticipated that about 6-10 Pathways awards, 7-10 Research in
   Service to Practice awards, 10-13 Innovations in Development awards,
   3-6 Broad Implementation awards, and 5-7 Conferences, Symposia, and
   Workshops will be made in FY 2014, pending availability of funds.
   EAGERS, RAPIDS, and CAREER awards are also made from these funds.
   Similar awards are anticipated in FY 2015, pending availability of
   funds.

   $20-27M in FY 2014 and FY 2015 for new awards made under this
   solicitation, pending availability of funds. Normal limits for funding
   requests of AISL proposals are as follows: (1) Pathways projects: up
   to $300,000 with duration up to two years; (2) Research in Service to
   Practice projects: from $300,000 to $2,000,000 with a duration from
   two to five years; (3) Innovations in Development projects: $500,000
   to $3,000,000 with duration up to five years; (4) Broad Implementation
   projects from $500,000 to $3,000,000 with a duration from two to five
   years; and (5) Conferences, Symposia, and Workshops projects up to
   $250,000 with a duration of up to two years.

IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

   Who May Submit Proposals:

     The categories of proposers eligible to submit proposals to the
     National Science Foundation are identified in the Grant Proposal
     Guide, Chapter I, Section E.

   Who May Serve as PI:

     There are no restrictions or limits.

   Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:

     There are no restrictions or limits.

   Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI:

     There are no restrictions or limits.

V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

   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:
       [45]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg.
       Paper copies of the GPG may be obtained from the NSF Publications
       Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from
       [46]nsfpubs@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:
       ([47]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgo
       vguide). 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 [48]nsfpubs@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.4 of the Grant Proposal
   Guide provides additional information on collaborative proposals.

   Important Proposal Preparation Information: FastLane will check for
   required sections of the full proposal, in accordance with Grant
   Proposal Guide (GPG) instructions described in Chapter II.C.2. The GPG
   requires submission of: Project Summary; Project Description;
   References Cited; Biographical Sketch(es); Budget; Budget
   Justification; Current and Pending Support; Facilities, Equipment &
   Other Resources; Data Management Plan; and Postdoctoral Mentoring
   Plan, if applicable. If a required section is missing, FastLane will
   not accept the proposal. 

   Please note that the proposal preparation instructions provided in
   this program solicitation may deviate from the GPG instructions. If
   the solicitation instructions do not require a GPG-required section to
   be included in the proposal, insert text or upload a document in that
   section of the proposal that states, "Not Applicable for this Program
   Solicitation." Doing so will enable FastLane to accept your proposal.

   Please note that per guidance in the GPG, the Project Description must
   contain, as a separate section within the narrative, a discussion of
   the broader impacts of the proposed activities. Unless otherwise
   specified in this solicitation, you can decide where to include this
   section within the Project Description.

   1. Cover Sheet.

   Proposers are reminded to include the number of this solicitation on
   the Cover Sheet. Failure to do so will delay processing of the
   proposal. (Grants.gov Users: The program solicitation number will be
   pre-populated by Grants.gov on the NSF Grant Application Cover Page).

   All proposal submitted to AISL are assumed to have the potential for
   conducting research on human subjects. Therefore, proposers must
   select the human subjects box on the cover sheet. To avoid delays in
   processing, it is strongly recommended that PIs begin the process of
   obtaining appropriate Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals or
   exemptions as awards will not be made without such approvals or
   exemptions. Proposers should refer to the NSF Grant Proposal Guide for
   information related to human subjects' research.

   2. Project Summary.

   Each proposal must a submit summary of the proposed project not more
   than one page in length. The Project Summary should be written in the
   third person, informative to other persons working in the same or
   related fields, and, insofar as possible, understandable to a
   scientifically or technically literate lay reader. It should not be an
   abstract of the proposal.

   The Project Summary consists of three sections:

   (1) Overview
     * The first sentence must identify the AISL project type: Pathways,
       Research in Service to Practice, Innovations in Development, Broad
       Implementation, or Conferences, Symposia, and Workshops.
     * The Overview includes a description of the activity that would
       result if the proposal were funded and a statement of objectives
       and methods to be employed.

   (2) Intellectual Merit: a statement on the intellectual merit of the
   proposed activity
     * The statement on intellectual merit should describe the potential
       of the proposed activity to advance knowledge, and

   (3) Broader Impacts: a statement on the broader impacts of the
   proposed activity.
     * The statement on broader impacts should describe the potential of
       the proposed activity to benefit society and contribute to the
       achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.

   Please note that as part of NSF's effort to implement automated
   compliance checking in FastLane, the project summary section will now
   include three text boxes (Overview, Intellectual Merit, and Broader
   Impacts) and information must be entered into all three text boxes or
   the proposal will not be accepted by FastLane.

   3. Project Description (Narrative)

   In addition to the requirements outlined in the GPG and this
   solicitation, the first sentence of the Project Description, like the
   Project Summary, must identify the AISL project type: (1) Pathways,
   (2) Research in Service to Practice, (3) Innovations in Development,
   and (4) Broad Implementation, or (5) Conferences, Symposia, and
   Workshops.

   The narrative is limited to 15 single-spaced pages and should include
   the following information in section headings labeled A through E.

   A. Project Rationale

   All AISL proposals need to explicitly address each of the numbered
   items below.
    1. Describe primary project goals, hypotheses, model, products, or
       research questions being proposed. As knowledge generation is a
       component of all AISL proposals, indicate how project goals,
       hypotheses, models, products, or research questions may seek to
       shed light on issues such as "what is happening," "to what
       extent," "why," "how," "what works for whom," and "under what
       circumstances."
    2. State the foci of the project. Most proposals are likely to have a
       primary focus on STEM learning in informal environments. AISL also
       encourages projects to attend to broadening participation,
       including individuals from underrepresented and underserved
       groups, or to workforce development, including 21^st century
       skills, and college and career readiness standards, when
       appropriate.
    3. Explain how the proposed project builds on prior research and
       practice in STEM education. Provide theoretical and empirical
       justification for proposed project.
    4. Explicitly discuss how the project is innovative, and how it will
       advance the evidence base for knowledge, practice, capacity, or
       other critical aspects of STEM learning in informal environments.
    5. Identify the STEM content area(s). STEM content may focus on any
       areas of STEM that NSF supports, including interdisciplinary
       learning and learning that positions STEM within meaningful
       personal, cultural or societal frameworks. The STEM content area
       should be discussed in sufficient depth to provide a clear
       understanding of concepts, topics, processes, and associated
       skills that are conveyed to the target audience. Topics should be
       relevant to the age levels of proposed target audience(s).
       Projects may include STEM and art or the humanities.
    6. If applicable, describe results of relevant prior NSF support of
       senior project personnel within the past five years, such that
       reviewers can judge the quality and impact of that work. If a
       proposal is based on a prior AISL award, the findings and
       accomplishments of that project should be clearly specified, along
       with the award number and PI name.

   B. Project Design

   All AISL proposals need to explicitly address each of the numbered
   items below.
    1. Describe the project's deliverables.
    2. Describe measures of learning outcomes for the target audiences,
       including how the chosen measures are appropriate for the proposed
       work and of practical interest and utility to practitioners and
       decision makers. Recent reports encourage measuring learning
       outcomes in such terms as interest, engagement, motivation,
       behavior, identity, persistence, understanding, awareness,
       knowledge, and use of STEM content and practices, and 21^st
       century skills.
    3. Identify the target audience(s)-public or professional-for the
       work and an appropriate approach for reaching that audience.
       Public audiences may include learners of any age, educational
       level, geographic, or cultural background, including those from
       groups underrepresented in STEM or underserved in STEM, including
       geographic regions and economically challenged communities.
       Professional audiences may include those involved in any aspect of
       STEM learning in informal environments research or development,
       such as STEM educators, evaluators, education/learning
       researchers, technologists, media professionals, or STEM
       professionals doing outreach in informal settings. Address the
       relevance of STEM learning and project design to proposed target
       audiences and age levels.
    4. If applicable, describe how the project encourages the broader
       participation in STEM experiences by individuals from groups
       underrepresented in STEM or those from underserved communities.
    5. Describe the evidence-based knowledge generation process for the
       project, including the questions, instruments, methods, and
       analyses to be employed.
    6. Describe the project's intended impacts on the informal STEM
       education field.

   C. Dissemination Plan

   All AISL proposals must include a creative communication strategy for
   reaching a broad audience for the resources and findings of the
   project including, where appropriate, practitioners, public audiences,
   scholars, and local, regional and national decision makers. While the
   potential results of the proposed research are expected to be of
   sufficient significance to merit peer-reviewed and broader
   publication, approaches that reach broader audiences are strongly
   encouraged. Proposals should identify the key elements of a
   communication plan, e.g., target audiences and identification of the
   channels/media/technologies appropriate for reaching specific
   audiences.

   D. Evaluation and External Review

   All AISL proposals must describe and make a strong case for how a
   project contributes to the knowledge base of the informal STEM
   learning field, through research, evaluation, or a combination of
   research and evaluation processes. External reviews of projects are
   also required and may take various forms, appropriate to the project.

   For projects that involve research studies: External review processes
   might include an external review panel or advisory board proposed by
   the project or a third-party evaluator. The external critical review
   should be sufficiently independent and rigorous to (1) influence the
   project's activities at appropriate junctures in order to improve the
   quality of its findings and (2) near the completion of the project,
   determine if the project addressed its intended goals and comment on
   the quality of the project's work. Proposals should describe the
   expertise of the external reviewer(s); explain how that expertise
   relates to the goals and objectives of the proposal; and specify how
   the PI will report and use results of the project's external, critical
   review process.

   For projects with development components: Proposals must include an
   evaluation plan and demonstrate that the evaluator(s) is involved from
   the early stage of the project's conception. The evaluation plan must
   emphasize the coherence between the proposal goals and the evidence of
   meeting such goals. It must be appropriate to the type, scope, and
   scale of the proposed project. It is strongly encouraged that the
   plans include front end, formative, and remedial/iterative evaluation,
   as appropriate to achieving the project's goals.

   If an evaluation, and not a research component, is the project's
   primary means of advancing evidence-based knowledge of STEM learning
   in informal environments, the evaluation plan must include a summative
   evaluation. The summative evaluation should be sufficiently
   independent and rigorous to generate evidence of the impact of the
   project with respect to its intended outcomes. If the person(s) with
   evaluation expertise is internal to the project, then the external
   review process must incorporate an external review panel or advisory
   board that provides an objective, external review of the summative
   evaluation. (See guidelines for Allowable Additional Supplementary
   Documents.)

   E. Project Management

   All AISL proposals need to explicitly address each of the numbered
   items below.
    1. Describe the composition of the project's Leadership Team.
       Proposals should construct their teams carefully, such that the
       leadership team includes expertise both in practice and in
       knowledge building. The project's management plan should make it
       clear how these expertise are both integrally involved in the
       design of project.
    2. Describe members of the larger project team, including STEM
       professionals, collaborators, advisory board members, consultants,
       and contractors. Delineate the relevant experience and expertise
       that team members provide in STEM content, learning research,
       informal learning environments, knowledge of target audiences,
       media, research and evaluation--and how the project maximizes the
       use of appropriate collaborative efforts.
    3. Explain the project's management plan and how the project team and
       partners will work collaboratively to achieve project outcomes.
    4. Provide information on collaborations with any of the following
       individuals or groups connected to the proposal; e.g.,
       practitioners, research scientists, learning researchers,
       evaluators, community groups, industry, graduate and undergraduate
       students, content or context specialists, co-designers, advisors,
       or presenters who engage directly with public audiences.
    5. Delineate a schedule or work plan with major milestones for key
       project tasks.

   Please note that per guidance in the GPG, the Project Description must
   contain, as a separate section within the narrative, a discussion of
   the broader impacts of the proposed activities. Proposers may decide
   where to include this section within the Project Description([49]GPG,
   II C-2 d (i)).

   4. Budgets

   All budget requests must be consistent with the project scope and
   duration. All budgets, both grantee and subaward budgets, must be
   accompanied by budget justifications that include itemizations
   corresponding to each FastLane or Grants.gov budget line items and
   provide sufficient detail as to justify the expense and it relevance
   to achieving the project goals. Requested equipment must be essential
   components of project deliverables. If personnel expenses are entered
   for postdoctoral scholars (section B of the budget), a one-page
   postdoctoral mentoring plan is required in the supplementary documents
   or the proposal will be returned without review (see GPG).

   Include under Travel (Line E on the FastLane budget and Field D on the
   Grants.gov budget) the cost for the PI to attend a two-day meeting
   every other year at, or near, NSF.

   Each subaward on Line G.5 (FastLane) or Field F.5 (Grants.gov)
   requires a complete set of proposal budget forms accompanied by a
   budget justification that includes the basis for selecting the
   subawardee, as well as itemization of expenses and explanations.

   5. Other Forms 

   Biographical Sketches: Sketches must be provided for the PI, Co-PIs,
   and other Senior Personnel and may not exceed two pages per person.
   These sketches may, but are not required to, follow the NSF prescribed
   format.

   Current and Pending Support: Required for the PI, Co-PIs, and senior
   project personnel. The proposal being submitted should be listed first
   and identified as pending.

   Facilities, Equipment & Other Resources: In order to assess the scope
   of the project, all organizational resources necessary for the project
   must be described in the Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources
   section (See the GPG Chapter II.C.2.i). The description should be
   narrative in nature and must not include any quantifiable financial
   information.

   6. Supplementary Documents 

   Note: Supplementary Documents are distinct from Appendices, as
   stipulated in the Grant Proposal Guide: Appendices may not be included
   unless a formal deviation has been authorized. See GPG Chapter II.A
   for more information about deviations.

   Note: The 15-page Project Description must provide sufficient
   information for reviewers to make reasoned judgments about the
   proposed work.

   The following are required Supplementary documents:

   1. Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan. All AISL proposals that
   include funding for Postdoctoral researchers must submit a one page
   Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan in the supplementary documents
   section otherwise the proposal may not be accepted or may be returned
   without review (see GPG Chapter II.C.2.j. for additional instructions
   for preparation of this section).

   2. Data Management Plan. FastLane will not permit submission of a
   proposal that is missing a Data Management Plan. Plans for data
   management and sharing of the products of research, including
   preservation, documentation, and sharing of data, samples, physical
   collections, curriculum materials and other related research and
   education products should be described in no more than two pages
   labeled "Data Management Plan" (see GPG Chapter II.C.2.j. for
   additional instructions for preparation of this section). For more
   information and the instructions for proposals submitted to the
   Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) see:
   [50]http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/dmp.jsp

   Allowable Additional Supplementary Documents: 

   1. Letters of commitment from consultants, advisors, distributors, and
   organizational partners indicating their roles in the project and
   their commitment to participate, if funded.

   2. Summaries of formative and summative evaluation findings of prior
   work (2 pg maximum in total), if applicable.

   3. Additional details of logic models, theory of action, and
   evaluation plans, as appropriate for the proposed work (5 pg maximum
   in total).

   4. PIs may submit an additional 30 pages maximum in the Supplementary
   Documents section in addition to the items listed above to provide a
   limited amount of additional supporting information, when applicable.
   For example, these may include scripts of media productions, exhibit
   sketches, and floor plans.

   5. Deliverables that involve media or technology that cannot solely be
   represented on the printed page. Only media that cannot be submitted
   in Supplementary Documents may be provided as DVD or CD; 15 copies
   labeled with proposal number, title, and PI, must be sent to:
   Advancing Informal STEM Learning, EHR/DRL, Room 885, National Science
   Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230. These
   materials, which will not be returned, must be received within 5
   business days following electronic submission of the proposal; clearly
   mark the package re: Supplementary Documents and indicate the proposal
   number.

B. Budgetary Information

   Cost Sharing: Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is
   prohibited

   Other Budgetary Limitations: 

   Funding for the following are not supported by this program: capital
   or operating expenses; purchase of major or office equipment;
   vehicles; undergraduate tuition; paid advertising; admissions or
   similar fees; expenses for school field trips, camps, science
   festivals, science fairs or competitions that are not integral to the
   conduct of the research and development efforts of the project; or
   projects whose primary focus is health or medicine.

C. Due Dates

     * Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
            January 14, 2014
            November 14, 2014

D. FastLane/Grants.gov Requirements

   For Proposals Submitted Via FastLane: 

     To prepare and submit a proposal via FastLane, see detailed
     technical instructions available at:
     [51]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
     [52]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.

   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. Comprehensive information about using
     Grants.gov is available on the Grants.gov Applicant Resources
     webpage: [53]http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html. In
     addition, the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide (see link in
     Section V.A) provides instructions regarding the technical
     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: [54]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.

   Proposers that submitted via FastLane are strongly encouraged to use
   FastLane to verify the status of their submission to NSF. For
   proposers that submitted via Grants.gov, until an application has been
   received and validated by NSF, the Authorized Organizational
   Representative may check the status of an application on Grants.gov.
   After proposers have received an e-mail notification from NSF,
   Research.gov should be used to check the status of an application.

VI. NSF PROPOSAL PROCESSING AND REVIEW PROCEDURES

   Proposals received by NSF are assigned to the appropriate NSF program
   for acknowledgement and, if they meet NSF requirements, for review.
   All proposals are carefully reviewed by a scientist, engineer, or
   educator serving as an NSF Program Officer, and usually by three to
   ten other persons outside NSF either as ad hoc reviewers, panelists,
   or both, who are experts in the particular fields represented by the
   proposal. These reviewers are selected by Program Officers charged
   with oversight of the review process. Proposers are invited to suggest
   names of persons they believe are especially well qualified to review
   the proposal and/or persons they would prefer not review the proposal.
   These suggestions may serve as one source in the reviewer selection
   process at the Program Officer's discretion. Submission of such names,
   however, is optional. Care is taken to ensure that reviewers have no
   conflicts of interest with the proposal. In addition, Program Officers
   may obtain comments from site visits before recommending final action
   on proposals. Senior NSF staff further review recommendations for
   awards. A flowchart that depicts the entire NSF proposal and award
   process (and associated timeline) is included in the GPG as
   [55]Exhibit III-1.

   A comprehensive description of the Foundation's merit review process
   is available on the NSF website at:
   [56]http://nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/merit_review/.

   Proposers should also be aware of core strategies that are essential
   to the fulfillment of NSF's mission, as articulated in [57]Empowering
   the Nation Through Discovery and Innovation: NSF Strategic Plan for
   Fiscal Years (FY) 2011-2016. These strategies are integrated in the
   program planning and implementation process, of which proposal review
   is one part. NSF's mission is particularly well-implemented through
   the integration of research and education and broadening participation
   in NSF programs, projects, and activities.

   One of the core strategies in support of NSF's mission 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 variety of learning perspectives.

   Another core strategy in support of NSF's mission is broadening
   opportunities and expanding participation of groups, institutions, and
   geographic regions that are underrepresented in STEM disciplines,
   which 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.

A. Merit Review Principles and Criteria

   The National Science Foundation strives to invest in a robust and
   diverse portfolio of projects that creates new knowledge and enables
   breakthroughs in understanding across all areas of science and
   engineering research and education. To identify which projects to
   support, NSF relies on a merit review process that incorporates
   consideration of both the technical aspects of a proposed project and
   its potential to contribute more broadly to advancing NSF's mission
   "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health,
   prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense; and for other
   purposes." NSF makes every effort to conduct a fair, competitive,
   transparent merit review process for the selection of projects.

   1. Merit Review Principles

   These principles are to be given due diligence by PIs and
   organizations when preparing proposals and managing projects, by
   reviewers when reading and evaluating proposals, and by NSF program
   staff when determining whether or not to recommend proposals for
   funding and while overseeing awards. Given that NSF is the primary
   federal agency charged with nurturing and supporting excellence in
   basic research and education, the following three principles apply:
     * All NSF projects should be of the highest quality and have the
       potential to advance, if not transform, the frontiers of
       knowledge.
     * NSF projects, in the aggregate, should contribute more broadly to
       achieving societal goals. These "Broader Impacts" may be
       accomplished through the research itself, through activities that
       are directly related to specific research projects, or through
       activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the
       project. The project activities may be based on previously
       established and/or innovative methods and approaches, but in
       either case must be well justified.
     * Meaningful assessment and evaluation of NSF funded projects should
       be based on appropriate metrics, keeping in mind the likely
       correlation between the effect of broader impacts and the
       resources provided to implement projects. If the size of the
       activity is limited, evaluation of that activity in isolation is
       not likely to be meaningful. Thus, assessing the effectiveness of
       these activities may best be done at a higher, more aggregated,
       level than the individual project.

   With respect to the third principle, even if assessment of Broader
   Impacts outcomes for particular projects is done at an aggregated
   level, PIs are expected to be accountable for carrying out the
   activities described in the funded project. Thus, individual projects
   should include clearly stated goals, specific descriptions of the
   activities that the PI intends to do, and a plan in place to document
   the outputs of those activities.

   These three merit review principles provide the basis for the merit
   review criteria, as well as a context within which the users of the
   criteria can better understand their intent.

   2. Merit Review Criteria

   All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two National
   Science Board approved merit review criteria. In some instances,
   however, NSF will employ additional criteria as required to highlight
   the specific objectives of certain programs and activities.

   The two merit review criteria are listed below. Both criteria are to
   be given full consideration during the review and decision-making
   processes; each criterion is necessary but neither, by itself, is
   sufficient. Therefore, proposers must fully address both criteria.
   ([58]GPG Chapter II.C.2.d.i. contains additional information for use
   by proposers in development of the Project Description section of the
   proposal.) Reviewers are strongly encouraged to review the criteria,
   including [59]GPG Chapter II.C.2.d.i., prior to the review of a
   proposal.

   When evaluating NSF proposals, reviewers will be asked to consider
   what the proposers want to do, why they want to do it, how they plan
   to do it, how they will know if they succeed, and what benefits could
   accrue if the project is successful. These issues apply both to the
   technical aspects of the proposal and the way in which the project may
   make broader contributions. To that end, reviewers will be asked to
   evaluate all proposals against two criteria:
     * Intellectual Merit: The Intellectual Merit criterion encompasses
       the potential to advance knowledge; and
     * Broader Impacts: The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the
       potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of
       specific, desired societal outcomes.

   The following elements should be considered in the review for both
   criteria:
    1. What is the potential for the proposed activity to
         a. Advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or
            across different fields (Intellectual Merit); and
         b. Benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader
            Impacts)?
    2. To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore
       creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?
    3. Is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities
       well-reasoned, well-organized, and based on a sound rationale?
       Does the plan incorporate a mechanism to assess success?
    4. How well qualified is the individual, team, or organization to
       conduct the proposed activities?
    5. Are there adequate resources available to the PI (either at the
       home organization or through collaborations) to carry out the
       proposed activities?

   Broader impacts may be accomplished through the research itself,
   through the activities that are directly related to specific research
   projects, or through activities that are supported by, but are
   complementary to, the project. NSF values the advancement of
   scientific knowledge and activities that contribute to achievement of
   societally relevant outcomes. Such outcomes include, but are not
   limited to: full participation of women, persons with disabilities,
   and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering,
   and mathematics (STEM); improved STEM education and educator
   development at any level; increased public scientific literacy and
   public engagement with science and technology; improved well-being of
   individuals in society; development of a diverse, globally competitive
   STEM workforce; increased partnerships between academia, industry, and
   others; improved national security; increased economic competitiveness
   of the United States; and enhanced infrastructure for research and
   education.

   Proposers are reminded that reviewers will also be asked to review the
   Data Management Plan and the Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan,
   as appropriate.

B. Review and Selection Process

   Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will be
   reviewed by Ad hoc Review and/or Panel Review.

   Reviewers will be asked to evaluate proposals using two National
   Science Board approved merit review criteria and, if applicable,
   additional program specific criteria. A summary rating and
   accompanying narrative will be completed and submitted by each
   reviewer. The Program Officer assigned to manage the proposal's review
   will consider the advice of reviewers and will formulate a
   recommendation.

   After scientific, technical and programmatic review and consideration
   of appropriate factors, the NSF Program Officer recommends to the
   cognizant Division Director whether the proposal should be declined or
   recommended for award. NSF strives to be able to tell applicants
   whether their proposals have been declined or recommended for funding
   within six months. Large or particularly complex proposals or
   proposals from new awardees may require additional review and
   processing time. The time interval begins on the deadline or target
   date, or receipt date, whichever is later. The interval ends when the
   Division Director acts upon the Program Officer's recommendation.

   After programmatic approval has been obtained, the proposals
   recommended for funding will be forwarded to the Division of Grants
   and Agreements for review of business, financial, and policy
   implications. After an administrative review has occurred, Grants and
   Agreements Officers perform the processing and issuance of a grant or
   other agreement. Proposers are cautioned that only a Grants and
   Agreements Officer may make commitments, obligations or awards on
   behalf of NSF or authorize the expenditure of funds. No commitment on
   the part of NSF should be inferred from technical or budgetary
   discussions with a NSF Program Officer. A Principal Investigator or
   organization that makes financial or personnel commitments in the
   absence of a grant or cooperative agreement signed by the NSF Grants
   and Agreements Officer does so at their own risk.

   Once an award or declination decision has been made, Principal
   Investigators are provided feedback about their proposals. In all
   cases, reviews are treated as confidential documents. Verbatim copies
   of reviews, excluding the names of the reviewers or any
   reviewer-identifying information, are sent to the Principal
   Investigator/Project Director by the Program Officer. In addition, the
   proposer will receive an explanation of the decision to award or
   decline funding.

VII. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Notification of the Award

   Notification of the award is made to the submitting organization by a
   Grants Officer in the Division of Grants and Agreements. Organizations
   whose proposals are declined will be advised as promptly as possible
   by the cognizant NSF Program administering the program. Verbatim
   copies of reviews, not including the identity of the reviewer, will be
   provided automatically to the Principal Investigator. (See Section
   VI.B. for additional information on the review process.)

B. Award Conditions

   An NSF award consists of: (1) the award notice, 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 notice; (4) the applicable award
   conditions, such as Grant General Conditions (GC-1)*; or Research
   Terms and Conditions* and (5) any announcement or other NSF issuance
   that may be incorporated by reference in the award notice. 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
   [60]http://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/award_conditions.jsp?org=NSF.
   Paper copies may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse,
   telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from [61]nsfpubs@nsf.gov.

   More comprehensive information on NSF Award Conditions and other
   important information on the administration of NSF awards is contained
   in the NSF Award & Administration Guide (AAG) Chapter II, available
   electronically on the NSF Website at
   [62]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag.

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 prior to the
   end of the current budget period. (Some programs or awards require
   submission of more frequent project reports). Within 90 days following
   expiration of a grant, the PI also is required to submit a final
   project report, and a project outcomes report for the general public.

   Failure to provide the required annual or final project reports, or
   the project outcomes report, will delay NSF review and processing of
   any future funding increments as well as any pending proposals for all
   identified PIs and co-PIs on a given award. 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 Research.gov, for preparation and submission of
   annual and final project reports. Such reports provide information on
   accomplishments, project participants (individual and organizational),
   publications, and other specific products and impacts of the project.
   Submission of the report via Research.gov constitutes certification by
   the PI that the contents of the report are accurate and complete. The
   project outcomes report also must be prepared and submitted using
   Research.gov. This report serves as a brief summary, prepared
   specifically for the public, of the nature and outcomes of the
   project. This report will be posted on the NSF website exactly as it
   is submitted by the PI.

   More comprehensive information on NSF Reporting Requirements and other
   important information on the administration of NSF awards is contained
   in the NSF Award & Administration Guide (AAG) Chapter II, available
   electronically on the NSF Website at
   [63]http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=aag.

   PIs are required to (1) post final evaluation reports or other
   knowledge-building products of the project to the web site
   [64]http://www.informalscience.org/ (or other sites designated by
   AISL) as part of submission of the Final Report and (2) provide
   project data via the AISL Online Project Monitoring System (OPMS). PIs
   may be requested to provide additional project data for AISL program
   analysis and evaluation.

VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS

   Please note that the program contact information is current at the
   time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points
   of contact.

   General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:
     * Address Questions to the Program, telephone: (703)292-8616, email:
       [65]DRLAISL@nsf.gov

   For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact:
     * FastLane Help Desk, telephone: 1-800-673-6188; e-mail:
       [66]fastlane@nsf.gov.

   For questions relating to Grants.gov contact:
     * Grants.gov Contact Center: If the Authorized Organizational
       Representatives (AOR) has not received a confirmation message from
       Grants.gov within 48 hours of submission of application, please
       contact via telephone: 1-800-518-4726; e-mail:
       [67]support@grants.gov.

   For administrative questions contact the Program by e-mail at
   [68]DRLAISL@nsf.gov or phone at (703)292-8616

IX. OTHER INFORMATION

   The NSF website provides the most comprehensive source of information
   on NSF Directorates (including contact information), programs and
   funding opportunities. Use of this website by potential proposers is
   strongly encouraged. In addition, "NSF Update" is an
   information-delivery system designed to keep potential proposers and
   other interested parties apprised of new NSF funding opportunities and
   publications, important changes in proposal and award policies and
   procedures, and upcoming NSF [69]Grants Conferences. Subscribers are
   informed through e-mail or the user's Web browser each time new
   publications are issued that match their identified interests. "NSF
   Update" also is available on NSF's website at
   [70]https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNSF/subscriber/new?topic
   _id=USNSF_179.

   Grants.gov provides an additional electronic capability to search for
   Federal government-wide grant opportunities. NSF funding opportunities
   may be accessed via this new mechanism. Further information on
   Grants.gov may be obtained at [71]http://www.grants.gov.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

   The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent Federal agency
   created by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42
   USC 1861-75). The Act states the purpose of the NSF is "to promote the
   progress of science; [and] to advance the national health, prosperity,
   and welfare by supporting research and education in all fields of
   science and engineering."

   NSF funds research and education in most fields of science and
   engineering. It does this through grants and cooperative agreements to
   more than 2,000 colleges, universities, K-12 school systems,
   businesses, informal science organizations and other research
   organizations throughout the US. The Foundation accounts for about
   one-fourth of Federal support to academic institutions for basic
   research.

   NSF receives approximately 55,000 proposals each year for research,
   education and training projects, of which approximately 11,000 are
   funded. In addition, the Foundation receives several thousand
   applications for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships. The agency
   operates no laboratories itself but does support National Research
   Centers, user facilities, certain oceanographic vessels and Arctic and
   Antarctic research stations. The Foundation also supports cooperative
   research between universities and industry, US participation in
   international scientific and engineering efforts, and educational
   activities at every academic level.

   Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities
   provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons
   with disabilities to work on NSF-supported projects. See Grant
   Proposal Guide Chapter II, Section D.2 for instructions regarding
   preparation of these types of proposals.

   The National Science Foundation has Telephonic Device for the Deaf
   (TDD) and Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) capabilities that
   enable individuals with hearing impairments to communicate with the
   Foundation about NSF programs, employment or general information. TDD
   may be accessed at (703) 292-5090 and (800) 281-8749, FIRS at (800)
   877-8339.

   The National Science Foundation Information Center may be reached at
   (703) 292-5111.

     The National Science Foundation promotes and advances scientific
     progress in the United States by competitively awarding grants and
     cooperative agreements for research and education in the sciences,
     mathematics, and engineering.

     To get the latest information about program deadlines, to download
     copies of NSF publications, and to access abstracts of awards, visit
     the NSF Website at [72]http://www.nsf.gov
	 
     * Location:                                4201 Wilson Blvd.  
                                                Arlington, VA 22230
     * For General Information
       (NSF Information Center):                (703) 292-5111
	   
     * TDD (for the hearing-impaired):          (703) 292-5090
	 
     * To Order Publications or Forms:
                  Send an e-mail to:            [73]nsfpubs@nsf.gov
                       or telephone:            (703) 292-7827
					   
     * To Locate NSF Employees:                 (703) 292-5111

PRIVACY ACT AND PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENTS

   The information requested on proposal forms and project reports is
   solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act
   of 1950, as amended. The information on proposal forms will be used in
   connection with the selection of qualified proposals; and project
   reports submitted by awardees will be used for program evaluation and
   reporting within the Executive Branch and to Congress. The information
   requested may be disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff assistants
   as part of the proposal review process; to proposer
   institutions/grantees to provide or obtain data regarding the proposal
   review process, award decisions, or the administration of awards; to
   government contractors, experts, volunteers and researchers and
   educators as necessary to complete assigned work; to other government
   agencies or other entities needing information regarding applicants or
   nominees as part of a joint application review process, or in order to
   coordinate programs or policy; and to another Federal agency, court,
   or party in a court or Federal administrative proceeding if the
   government is a party. Information about Principal Investigators may
   be added to the Reviewer file and used to select potential candidates
   to serve as peer reviewers or advisory committee members. See Systems
   of Records, [74]NSF-50, "Principal Investigator/Proposal File and
   Associated Records," 69 Federal Register 26410 (May 12, 2004), and
   [75]NSF-51, "Reviewer/Proposal File and Associated Records," 69
   Federal Register 26410 (May 12, 2004). Submission of the information
   is voluntary. Failure to provide full and complete information,
   however, may reduce the possibility of receiving an award.

   An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to
   respond to, an information collection unless it displays a valid
   Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The OMB control
   number for this collection is 3145-0058. 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 the burden estimate and any other aspect of this collection
   of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to:

   Suzanne H. Plimpton
   Reports Clearance Officer
   Office of the General Counsel
   National Science Foundation
   Arlington, VA 22230

   [76]Policies and Important Links

   |
   [77]Privacy | [78]FOIA | [79]Help | [80]Contact NSF | [81]Contact Web
   Master | [82]SiteMap

   National Science Foundation

   The National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington,
   Virginia 22230, USA
   Tel: (703) 292-5111, FIRS: (800) 877-8339 | TDD: (800) 281-8749

   Last Updated:
   11/07/06
   [83]Text Only
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References

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  68. mailto:DRLAISL@nsf.gov
  69. http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/outreach.jsp
  70  https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNSF/
  subscriber/new?topic_id=USNSF_179
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  74. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/
  SOR_PA_NSF-50_Principal_Investigator_Proposal_File.pdf
  75. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/
  SOR_PA_NSF-51_Reviewer_Proposal_File.pdf
  76. http://www.nsf.gov/policies
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  78. http://www.nsf.gov/policies/foia.jsp
  79. http://www.nsf.gov/help/
  80. http://www.nsf.gov/help/contact.jsp
  81. mailto:webmaster@nsf.gov
  82. http://www.nsf.gov/help/sitemap.jsp
  83. http://transcoder.usablenet.com/tt/referrer