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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.
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.
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
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 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.
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.
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):
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.
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.
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 athttps://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.
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:
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
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
For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact:
FastLane Help Desk, telephone: 1-800-673-6188; e-mail: 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: support@grants.gov.
IX. Other Information
The NSF Website provides the most comprehensive source of information on NSF Directorates (including contact information), programs and funding opportunities. Use of this Website by potential proposers is strongly encouraged. In addition, MyNSF (formerly the Custom News Service)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 Regional 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. MyNSF also is available on NSF's Website at https://www.nsf.gov/mynsf/.
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 http://www.grants.gov.
ABOUT THE DOMESTIC NUCLEAR DETECTION OFFICE
Recognizing the risks associated with the potential use of a nuclear weapon within the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has integrated all nuclear detection research, development, testing, evaluation, acquisition, and operational support into a single office: the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). The DNDO will develop a global nuclear detection architecture; conduct research and development; and acquire and support the deployment of domestic nuclear detection systems.
The DNDO is a jointly staffed office established to improve the Nation’s capability to detect and report unauthorized attempts to import, possess, store, develop, or transport nuclear or radiological material for use against the Nation, and to further enhance this capability over time.
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 40,000 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 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 https://www.nsf.gov
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, NSF-50, "Principal Investigator/Proposal
File and Associated Records," 69 Federal Register 26410 (May 12, 2004),
and 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 Division of Administrative Services National Science Foundation Arlington, VA 22230
