April 29, 2004

October 29, 2004
BY INVITATION ONLY

Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT)

The IGERT program has been developed to meet the challenges of educating U.S. Ph.D. scientists and engineers who will pursue careers in research and education, with the interdisciplinary backgrounds, deep knowledge in chosen disciplines, and technical, professional, and personal skills to become, in their own careers, leaders and creative agents for change. The program is intended to catalyze a cultural change in graduate education, for students, faculty, and institutions, by establishing innovative new models for graduate education and training in a fertile environment for collaborative research that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. It is also intended to facilitate diversity in student participation and preparation, and to contribute to the development of a diverse, globally-engaged, science and engineering workforce.

The National Science Foundation continues the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program into its seventh annual competition. Proposals for new IGERT projects as well as proposals based on existing IGERT projects are invited. The IGERT program has been developed to meet the challenges of educating U.S. Ph.D. scientists and engineers who will pursue careers in research and education with the interdisciplinary backgrounds, deep knowledge in chosen disciplines, and technical, professional, and personal skills to become, in their own careers, leaders and creative agents for change. The program is intended to catalyze a cultural change in graduate education, for students, faculty, and institutions, by establishing innovative new models for graduate education and training in a fertile environment for collaborative research that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. It is also intended to facilitate diversity in student participation and preparation, and to contribute to the development of a diverse, globally-engaged, science and engineering workforce.

IGERT is an NSF-wide endeavor involving the Directorates for Biological Sciences (BIO), Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), Education and Human Resources (EHR), Engineering (ENG), Geosciences (GEO), Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS), Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE), the Office of Polar Programs (OPP), and the Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE).

Proposals submitted to the IGERT program must be integrative, research-based, graduate education and training activities in emerging areas of science and engineering. The IGERT project should be organized around an interdisciplinary theme involving a diverse group of faculty members and other investigators with appropriate expertise in research and teaching. The interdisciplinary theme provides a framework for integrating research and education and for promoting collaborative efforts within and across departments and institutions. Students should gain the breadth of skills, strengths, and understanding to work in an interdisciplinary environment while being well grounded with depth of knowledge in a major field. As an opportunity for faculty to experiment with new approaches to graduate education, the IGERT project should provide students with experience relevant to both academic and nonacademic careers.  This may involve such activities as internships and mentoring in industrial, national laboratory, academic, or other settings. Globalization of research and career opportunities places importance on providing students with an international perspective. This may be gained through programs within the institution, or through strongly integrated, collaborative research experiences and/or fieldwork at foreign institutions and sites. The graduate experience should contribute to the professional and personal development of the students and equip them to understand and integrate scientific, technical, business, social, ethical, and policy issues to confront the challenging problems of the future.

The IGERT project may draw upon investigators from one or more academic departments within a single institution or from more than one institution. The primary emphasis should be on integrative, innovative approaches to education and training of doctoral students. Participation of individuals at the undergraduate, masters, and postdoctoral levels may be included if such participation clearly strengthens the doctoral program. All stipend recipients supported by IGERT funds must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., its territories or its possessions. However, individuals, including foreign students, who are supported by other sources of funds may participate as IGERT associates. In contributing to a diverse science and engineering workforce for the future, the IGERT project should include strategies for recruitment, mentoring, and retention aimed at members of groups underrepresented in science and engineering, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Features of IGERT Projects

IGERT projects are expected to incorporate and integrate the following features:

A comprehensive interdisciplinary theme, appropriate for doctoral-level research, that serves as the foundation for traineeship activities;

Integration of the interdisciplinary research with innovative graduate education and training mechanisms, curricula enhancement, and other educational features that foster strong interactions among participating students and faculty;

An environment that exposes students to a broad base of state-of-the-art research instruments and equipment and educational tools and methodologies;

Career development opportunities, provision for developing professional and personal skills, fostering an international perspective, and instruction in ethics and the responsible conduct of research;

Program strategy and plan for recruitment, mentoring, retention, and graduation of U.S. graduate students, including efforts aimed at members of groups underrepresented in science and engineering;

Strategy and methodology for formative assessments of the project’s effectiveness by individuals internal and external to the institution and program improvements based on these assessments;

Administrative plan and organizational structure that ensures effective management of the project resources;

Plan for dissemination of innovative graduate education activities both within and outside the institution; and

Institutional commitment to facilitating and furthering the plans and goals of the IGERT project, to creating a supportive environment for integrative research and education, and to institutionalizing the successful elements of the project after NSF funding ends.

Principal Investigator

The Principal Investigator (PI) shall be the Director of the IGERT project and is expected to be an essential participant in its educational and research activities. The PI will have overall responsibility for administration of the award, management of the project, and interactions with the NSF.

Two-Stage IGERT Competition

Proposers for new and renewal IGERT projects compete in a two-stage process.  In the first stage, all proposers must submit a preliminary proposal (preproposal) that outlines the planned IGERT project. In the second stage, based on panel review of the preliminary proposals, successful proposers will be invited to submit full proposals. Only those proposers invited to submit full proposals may do so, consistent with the institutional limitations discussed in Section III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION (below).  For renewal proposals, site visits may be conducted as part of the review process.

U.S. academic institutions in the United States, its territories or possessions that grant the Ph.D. degree in the sciences and engineering may submit proposals. Projects may involve more than one institution, but a single institution must accept overall management responsibility. Non-Ph.D. granting, nonacademic, and international organizations may serve as collaborating organizations.

A PI or co-PI may participate in only one proposal submission. That restriction applies to preliminary proposals as well as full proposals. A PI or co-PI on one proposal may serve as non-senior personnel on other proposals.

Projects involving research in any of the areas appropriate for funding by NSF are eligible. To encourage the development of innovative projects, there is no limit on the number of preliminary proposals that may be submitted by an institution. However, at the full proposal stage, an institution may select and submit no more than two single-institution full proposals and, as lead institution with other participating U.S institutions, one multi-institution full proposal.

Proposals for new IGERT projects as well as proposals based on existing IGERT projects may be submitted, but the limit on the number of proposals an institution may submit as a lead institution applies to a combined total of new and renewal IGERT proposals. There is no limit on the number of multi-institution full proposals on which an institution may participate as a non-lead institution.

NSF plans to make approximately 38 new and renewal IGERT awards from this competition, depending on the quality of the proposals and the availability of funds.  The anticipated funding amount in FY 2005 is $30.8 million.  Awards will be made in amounts up to $600,000 per year for a duration of five years. Projects requiring substantially lower levels of funding may also be proposed. 

For new IGERT projects only:  Additional funds of up to $200,000 may be provided in Year 1 for purposes appropriate to the new IGERT project, including shared research equipment, special-purpose research materials, software, and databases, and faculty release time for development of new curricula.  (See Section V. for additional information.)

For new and renewal IGERT projects:  If proposed, additional funding up to a total of $200,000 PER AWARD may also be provided for IGERT projects that include strongly integrated international research activities in Years 2 through 5.  These activities should be designed to significantly enhance the research, education, and training experiences of the IGERT students.  NSF plans on allocating $2,000,000 from this competition to support well integrated international research activities for approximately 10 of the IGERT awards.

Proposals should be prepared in accordance with the general guidelines contained in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG), with exception of deviations given in the specific IGERT instructions below. The complete text of the GPG is available electronically on the NSF Web Site at: https://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?gpg. Paper copies of the GPG may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (301) 947-2722 or by e-mail from pubs@nsf.gov.

PRELIMINARY PROPOSAL CONTENT

Cover Sheet: Select the IGERT program solicitation number shown at the beginning of this solicitation from the pull down menu, and then select IGERT Preproposal for the program unit from the ensuing screen. An informative title for the proposed IGERT project, that begins with “IGERT: ”, must be provided. Check the box indicated for preproposal. FastLane allows one PI and at most four Co-PIs to be designated. Additional lead personnel should be designated as non co-PI Senior Personnel.  If international activities are proposed, the international activities box should be checked and the countries involved listed.

(A) Project Summary (1-page limit): Provide a summary description of the IGERT project, including its research theme and key education and training features, in a manner that will be informative to a general technical audience. The project summary must explicitly address both the intellectual merit and the broader impacts of the proposed activity, or the proposal will be returned without review. At the top of this page include the title of the IGERT project, the name of the principal investigator, and the lead institution. Also list any other participating institutions/organizations.

(B) Table of Contents: The Table of Contents is generated by FastLane and cannot be edited.

(C) Project Description: The project description contains the following items: a through g, which are limited to a combined total length of 7 pages, inclusive of tables, figures, or other graphical data. The research and education discussions in items c and d should be balanced in length.

a. List of Participants (1-page limit): Include departmental and institution/organization affiliation of all faculty members and other senior personnel expected to have an important role in the project.

b. Vision, Goals, and Thematic Basis: Describe the vision, goals, and anticipated impact of the proposed IGERT project.  Describe the thematic basis and unifying aspects of the interdisciplinary research and educational activities to be offered. Include a discussion of what is currently missing from graduate education and training or what could be done more effectively, and how the proposed project will address these issues. Summarize the value-added aspects of the proposed project, and be specific about what is new and innovative.  Proposals should clearly articulate project objectives, planned outcomes with respect to recruitment, retention, degree conferral, and career placement of trainees; project monitoring guidelines; and how outcomes will be measured.  Proposals based on existing IGERT projects must clearly indicate what improvements and innovations are proposed for the renewal period, and the plans for evaluating the impact of the project, documenting and disseminating to the appropriate professional communities what was learned from the project, and sustaining the essential elements of the project after NSF funding ceases.

c. Major Research Efforts: Describe the major research efforts, their cutting-edge aspects, and how they are interwoven and integrated to form the thematic basis for the interdisciplinary project. They should be described in sufficient detail for reviewers to assess their scientific merit and relevance to the project theme. If an international component is included, describe how it is to be integrated in the core research, education, and training activities of the IGERT project. 

d. Education and Training: Describe the graduate education and training mechanisms that are central to the IGERT project, the logic and evidence to support them, and how they are to be integrated with the research and across the disciplines. Novel aspects should be emphasized to enable assessment of their innovation and potential impact. Discuss plans for how students will be recruited and mentored as well as career development opportunities, provisions for developing professional and personal skills, fostering an international perspective and ability to work in diverse teams, and integrating instruction in ethics and the responsible conduct of research.  If proposed, discuss the benefits of international research experiences (e.g. quality of research partners, development of long-term international research partnerships, etc.).

e. Management, Assessment, and Institutional Commitment: Describe the strategies for management of the IGERT project and for assessment using external expertise of the project’s effectiveness in its impact on students, faculty, and institution. Describe the commitment that the institution will make to facilitating and furthering project plans and goals and to creating a supportive environment for interdisciplinary research and education. Indicate how student and faculty diversity will be promoted as an integral part of the project.  Describe any plans for collaborating with recruitment, retention, and professional development programs available at the institution, particularly those supported by NSF such as those listed under "Full Proposal-Recruitment, Mentoring and Retention."

f. Other Resources and Connections: Describe anticipated resource commitments to the IGERT project by other participating organizations, such as industry, government, non-U.S. institutions, and private foundations.  Describe the nature and extent of connections with existing NSF multidisciplinary and industry-related programs such as those listed under "Full Proposal-Organization, Management, and Institutional Commitment."   Proposers proposing international activities may wish to consult the OISE (Office of International Science and Engineering) member of the IGERT Coordinating Committee, listed in Section VIII, CONTACTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.  Cost sharing is not required under this program solicitation.  Any information submitted will not be auditable as cost sharing.

g. Recent Traineeship Experience and Results from Prior NSF Support (if applicable): Describe prior experience with and outcomes of any related graduate traineeship project, including IGERT projects, during the past five years. In this description, address not only the outcomes of the prior project, but also, in a comparative manner, describe the differences and value-added aspects of the proposed IGERT project.

(D) References Cited (1-page limit)

(E) Biographical Sketches and Current Research Support (1-page limit per participant; a maximum of 20 biographical sketches may be included. Additional individuals may be included in the List of Participants, Section (C). a. The biographical sketch should include the individual’s academic and professional history, other activities or accomplishments, a list of current research support, dissertations directed, and may include a list of the five most significant publications. In choosing what to include, emphasize information that will be helpful for understanding the strengths, qualifications, and specific impact the individual brings to the IGERT project.

(F) Estimated Five-Year Budget Summary:  Prepare a one page, five-year summary of total estimated expenses. Proposed budgets should be consistent with the budgetary criteria outlined for full proposals. Funds requested for graduate student trainees should be entered in line F: Participant Support, as stipends (F.1), travel (F.2), and cost of education (F.4).  The number of trainees to be supported and the duration of support per trainee should be consistent with the NSF-specified stipend of $30,000 per year and cost-of-education funds of $10,500 per year per trainee.  All IGERT- supported students are expected to be full-time IGERT trainees.  IGERT support for two years (24 months per student) is strongly recommended.  Alternative plans for graduate student support must be justified in the proposal.  Enter your five-year summary budget as Year 1, and FastLane will automatically create the cumulative budget.

Budget Justification   (1-page limit): Provide a discussion of the proposed allocation of funds in the major budget categories of Section (F), above, with sufficient clarity to show how resources will be utilized in carrying out the planned IGERT project activities. If requested, clearly discuss the use of funds for international activities.

FULL PROPOSAL CONTENT

Only those proposers invited to submit full proposals may do so. Full proposals must contain the items listed below and adhere to the specified page limitations, using reader-friendly fonts. No additional information may be provided by links to web pages.

Cover Sheet: Select the IGERT program solicitation number shown at the beginning of this solicitation from the pull down menu, and then select IGERT Full Proposal for the program unit from the ensuing screen. An informative title for the proposed IGERT project, that begins with “IGERT: ”, must be provided. Enter the related preproposal number in the appropriate box.  If international activities are proposed, the international cooperative activities box should be checked and the countries involved listed.  You may list a starting date of July 1, 2005.

(A) Project Summary (1-page limit): Provide a summary description of the IGERT project, including its research theme and key education and training features, in a manner that will be informative to a general technical audience. The project summary must explicitly address both the intellectual merit and the broader impacts of the proposed activity, or the proposal will be returned without review. At the top of this page include the title of the IGERT project, the name of the principal investigator, and the lead institution. Also list any other participating institutions/organizations.

(B) Table of Contents: The Table of Contents is generated by FastLane and cannot be edited.

(C) Project Description: The project description section contains the following items: a through j. Items a through h are limited to a combined total length of 25 pages, inclusive of tables, figures, or other graphical data. The research and education discussions in items c and d (below) should be balanced in length.

a. List of Participants (1-page limit): Include departmental and institutional/organizational affiliation of all faculty members and other senior personnel expected to have an important role in the project.

b. Vision, Goals, and Thematic Basis: Discuss the vision, goals, and broader impacts of the proposed IGERT project. Describe the thematic basis and unifying aspects of the interdisciplinary research and educational activities to be offered. Include a discussion of what is currently missing from graduate education and training or what could be done more effectively, and how the proposed project will address these issues. Benefits to be realized from opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in research and education should be emphasized. Summarize the value-added aspects of the proposed project, and be specific about what is new and innovative. Proposals should clearly articulate project objectives, planned outcomes with respect to recruitment, retention, degree conferral, and career placement of trainees; project monitoring guidelines; and how outcomes will be measured.  Proposals based on existing IGERT projects must clearly indicate what improvements and innovations are proposed for the renewal period, and the plans for evaluating the impact of the project, documenting and disseminating to the appropriate professional communities what was learned from the project, and sustaining the essential elements of the project after NSF funding ceases.

c. Major Research Efforts: Describe the major research efforts, their cutting-edge aspects, and how they are interwoven and integrated to form the thematic basis for the interdisciplinary project. For each research area described, specify the faculty members and other principals involved, and provide sufficient detail to enable assessment of the scientific merit and relevance to the overall project theme. Needs for special materials, shared equipment, travel to research sites, or interdisciplinary curriculum development must be justified in the context of the research theme and breadth of challenges involved. If an international component is included, describe how it is to be  integrated into the core research, education, and training activities of the IGERT project.

d. Education and Training: Describe the graduate education and training mechanisms that are central to the IGERT project, the logic and evidence to support them, and how they are to be integrated with the research and across the disciplines. Novel aspects should be emphasized to enable assessment of the innovation and potential impact. Specify faculty members and other participants with primary responsibility for these integrative efforts. Describe strategies for developing a community of students. Discuss plans for providing career development opportunities, developing professional and personal skills, fostering an international perspective and ability to work in diverse teams, and integrating instruction in ethics and the responsible conduct of research. If planned student training includes internships, fieldwork, or other opportunities, domestic and foreign, identify the potential mentors and discuss how the opportunity is intended to strengthen both a student’s graduate experience and the IGERT project.  If proposed, discuss the benefits of international research experiences (e.g. quality of research partners, development of long-term international research partnerships, etc.).  Supporting letters from host organizations should document willingness to receive students and the expected role of individual mentors. Show typical student pathways through the program and the effect on expected time to degree and career progression. The role of undergraduate, masters, and postdoctoral components, if proposed, must also be described with sufficient detail to clarify the benefit to the doctoral program and to justify support through this type of award.

e. Organization, Management, and Institutional Commitment: Describe plans and procedures for the organization and management of the IGERT project. The plans should be specific and include use of a formal mechanism that assures the fair and effective allocation of IGERT resources and enables faculty members, students, and others to interact effectively in furthering project goals. Plans should include provision for an external advisory body. Consider the institutional or departmental obstacles you foresee in implementing your project, and how you plan to address them. Describe the commitment of the institution at all appropriate administrative levels to facilitating and furthering the plans and goals of the IGERT project and to creating a supportive environment for integrative research and education. A supporting letter of commitment from the senior administration of the submitting institution must accompany this proposal. Should a multi-institution project be proposed, then provide a careful justification that considers the administrative complexity and the expected benefits to student experiences. Discuss the role of any other academic institutions or organizations such as industry, government, non-U.S. institutions, or private foundations that are expected to participate in the IGERT project. Describe the nature and extent of connections with existing NSF multidisciplinary and industry-related programs such as the Science and Technology Centers (www.nsf.gov/od/oia/programs/stc/about.htm), Engineering Research Centers (www.eng.nsf.gov/eec/erc.htm), Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (www.nsf.gov/mps/divisions/dmr/aboutic_current_res.htm), and Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/goali/start.htm ).  Discuss plans for sustaining the key features of the IGERT project after NSF funding is completed.  For renewal proposals, discuss the plan for how successful elements of the project will be sustained after NSF funding ceases.

f. Performance Assessment: Describe a performance plan and methodology that relates the goals of the IGERT project, as it impacts students, faculty, and institution, to indicators and specific measurements for formative assessment of progress towards goal achievement. The assessment should involve evaluators internal and external to the institution who can render an objective evaluation and whose expertise spans the education and research objectives of the IGERT project.  Describe how the results of the assessment will be applied to modify the project.

g. Recruitment, Mentoring, and Retention: Describe plans for recruitment, mentoring, and retention of U.S. graduate students, including specific provisions, beyond the norm, aimed at members of groups underrepresented in science and engineering. Discuss how new students will be staged into the program, the duration and level of their support with IGERT funds, and provisions for continued support through the completion of degree. IGERT support for two years (24 months) of full participation is strongly recommended. Alternative plans for student support must be justified in the proposal.  Describe the diversity makeup of faculty participating in the IGERT project. If applicable, discuss how undergraduate student participation will be used to further the goals of attracting and graduating members of underrepresented groups. Describe the nature and extent of connections with recruitment, retention, and professional development programs available at the institution, particularly those supported by NSF, such as Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professional (www.ehr.nsf.gov/EHR/HRD/agep.asp), Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (www.ehr.nsf.gov/EHR/HRD/amp.asp), Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (www.ehr.nsf.gov/EHR/HRD/tcup.asp), Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Undergraduate Program (www.ehr.nsf.gov/EHR/HRD/hbcu.asp), and the Centers for Research Excellence in Science and Technology (www.ehr.nsf.gov/EHR/HRD/crest.asp ).  Specify the Ph.D. programs in which the IGERT graduate students may enroll.

h. Recent Traineeship Experience and Results from Prior NSF Support (if applicable; up to 5 pages, within the 25-page limit for project description): Describe your experience with and outcomes of any related graduate traineeship project, including IGERT projects, during the past five years. In this description, address in a comparative manner not only the outcomes of the prior project, including failures and proposed remedies, but also the differences and value-added aspects of the proposed IGERT project. Value-added aspects may include: new areas of research; new educational paradigms for students, faculty, and institution; sustainable vertical and lateral impact on faculty, institution, and even outside your institution; and recruitment, mentoring, retention, and career paths of U.S. graduate students, with special emphasis on those from underrepresented groups.

i. International Collaboration (for applicants requesting additional funds of up to a total of $200,000 per award; 2-page limit): Describe the procedures and arrangements for selecting, preparing, and sending IGERT students to foreign sites for research and education collaboration, including how their activities abroad will be integrated into and benefit the overall IGERT program. Discuss how specific projects will be determined for individual students and how effective mentoring will be ensured in the foreign host institutions. Address the practical aspects of sending U.S. students abroad, including logistical arrangements, language and cultural issues, supervision abroad to ensure the student’s welfare, and administrative requirements.

j. Recruitment and Retention History (1 page per participating department/program): Explain your capacity to host an IGERT project, and past performance, resources, and ability to attract well-qualified U.S. graduate students in science and engineering, including those from underrepresented groups. Provide the following specific information for the last three years, regarding recruitment and retention of students in the participating departments/programs. (For proposals based on existing IGERT projects, provide this data for all students participating in the project): (1) total number of applicants, (2) total number of applicants accepted, (3) total number of applicants who enrolled, (4) total number of students currently enrolled in the program indicating part-time and full-time status, (5) number of students who have withdrawn from the program, (6) total number of Ph.D.s awarded, (7) average time to degree, defined as number of enrolled quarters or semesters (specify) since the baccalaureate degree, (8) position types and employers of graduates, and (9) other relevant measures of student success. In addition, provide separate data for women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities for each of the above categories. A tabular format should be used with separate tables for each participating department/program.

(D) References Cited (3-page limit)

(E) Biographical Sketches and Current Research Support (2-page limit each for PI and co-PIs; 1-page limit each for other participants; a maximum of 20 biographical sketches may be included, with up to 5 additional sketches of international participants when international activities are proposed): The biographical sketch should include the individual’s academic and professional history, other activities or accomplishments, titles of dissertations directed, a list of current research support, and may include a list of the five most significant publications. In choosing what to include, emphasize information that will be helpful for understanding the strengths, qualifications, and specific impact the individual brings to the IGERT project.

(F) Budget and Allowable Costs: Provide a FastLane budget for each year of support requested, not to exceed  $600,000 per year for 5 years, with the following two exceptions:  (1) for new awards, the first-year budget may include up to an additional $200,000 as a special allocation for purposes discussed below, and (2) if proposed for either new or renewal awards, proposers may incorporate in Years 2 through 5 a budget for international collaborative activities not to exceed a total of $200,000 per award.  The FastLane system will automatically fill out the cumulative 5-year budget for the proposal.  Awarded funds not expended in the specific year requested may be carried over ONLY with appropriate justification provided in the annual report to NSF and with the approval of the cognizant program officer. The major portion of funds must be used for doctoral student stipends and educational and training activities.  A limited amount of funds may be budgeted for necessary administrative support, support of short-term visitors, and to partially defray the costs of research and publication by students. No funds for faculty research or salaries will be provided, with the following exceptions: (a) one month per year of salary support for the Principal Investigator for management purposes; (b) up to 4 months total of faculty salary support for development of IGERT curricula. The faculty salary support for development of curricula should be requested from within the first-year special allocation; however, its expenditure may be extended over the first two years of IGERT project activity.

Additional funds requested for international activities should be appropriate to enable the unique benefits expected for the IGERT graduate students and the IGERT project. The primary support is intended for graduate students through internships (university, government, industry), collaborative research and/or fieldwork with foreign collaborators, or in other settings abroad appropriate to the research area. The stays should be of sufficient duration to acculturate the student and provide a meaningful research and education experience. Limited funds may also be used for student preparation, administration of the international activities, and faculty visits to foreign sites for research coordination and developing communication linkages between institutions. Requests for travel funds for the sole purpose of attending international conferences or workshops are not appropriate. Reciprocal visits by foreign researchers and students to the U.S. institutions are encouraged, although NSF funds will normally not be used for such visits. Proposers should consult the Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences/Office of International Science and Engineering member of the IGERT Coordinating Committee, listed in Section VIII, CONTACTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

The NSF contribution to graduate student stipends is currently $30,000 per year per IGERT trainee for a 12 month appointment, and budgeting for stipends should be made on this basis for each year of the award.  All IGERT-supported students are expected to be full-time IGERT trainees.  IGERT support for 2 years (24 months per student) is strongly recommended.  Alternative plans for graduate student support must be justified in the proposal. NSF also provides a cost-of-education allowance for tuition, health insurance, and normal fees of $10,500 per year per student (for 12 months.)  If this allowance is not fully required, then it may be used to support other IGERT student-related activities. Funds requested for graduate student trainees should be entered in line F: Participant Support, as stipends (F.1), travel (F.2), and cost of education (F.4). The number of trainees anticipated, along with the duration of the appointment, should be listed and consistent with the requested stipend funds. Undergraduate student stipends should be consistent with those of the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, and postdoctoral stipends may be determined by the institution. If applicable, these costs should be listed separately on line G.6. (Other) and described in the budget justification. At most two half-time postdoctoral positions may be supported with IGERT funds. All stipend recipients must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., its territories or its possessions. (NOTE:  Entering stipends on Line G6 on the proposal budget is in variance with Chapter II.C.2.g.v. of the Grant Proposal Guide. It states that Line F on the proposal budget should be used for costs of transportation, per diem, stipends and other related costs for participants or trainees.)

Purchase of shared research equipment, special-purpose research materials, software and databases that cost $5,000 or more per item may be requested within the first-year special allocation, and should be listed under Equipment on line D. Any of those items that cost less than $5,000 per item should be listed under Materials and Supplies on line G1.  Personnel and shop costs for developing and constructing special instruments may be requested within the regular yearly budget. Funds for facility renovation or for equipment installation or maintenance are not allowed. Awards will carry an 8% allowance for indirect costs based on the total direct cost, excluding equipment and cost-of-education allowances, but not excluding participant support.   This is in variance with Chapter II.C.2.g.v. of the Grant Proposal Guide.

For multi-institution projects, the lead institution shall submit the proposal, with other participating institutions included under subawards. Budgets shall be provided for the overall project as well as individually for the lead institution and for each participating institution/organization that receives a subaward.

Budget Justification (3-page limit): Provide a justification for the funds requested for the overall project in each budget category of Section (F) and line G.6.  Describe the proposed allocation of funds in the major budget categories with sufficient clarity to show how resources will be utilized in carrying out the planned IGERT project activities. Indicate the total number of graduate students to be supported and the staging and duration and FTE level of their support on IGERT funds. If the first-year special allocation of funds for new awards is requested, describe in a separate table how the funds are to be used. If additional funds are requested for international activities, describe in a separate table the requested amount and allocations over the project duration, beginning with Year 2 of the award. Provide details of anticipated resource commitments of any other organizations expected to participate in the IGERT project, such as government, industry, non-U.S. institutions, or private foundations. Appropriate letters of commitment from participating organizations should be included in Supplementary Documentation (below).  Cost sharing is not required under this solicitation. Any information provided here and in similar places in this solicitation will not be auditable as cost sharing.

(G) Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources (1-page limit): Provide a description of facilities and major instruments that are available to the project and require no additional support from NSF.

(H) Supplementary Documentation: Up to eight supporting letters, including one that must be from the senior administration of the submitting institution, may be provided as part of the proposal, with up to four additional letters when international activities are proposed. Letters of endorsement from foreign counterparts should discuss the benefits and foreign commitment to the project.

8% of total direct cost, excluding equipment and cost-of-education allowances, but not excluding participant support.  This is in variance with Chapter II.C.2.g.v. of the Grant Proposal Guide.

The NSF contribution to graduate student stipends is currently $30,000 per year per IGERT trainee for a 12 month appointment and budgeting for stipends should be made on this basis for each year of the award.  All IGERT-supported students are expected to be full-time IGERT trainees.  IGERT support for 2 years (24 months per student) is strongly recommended.  Alternative plans for graduate student support must be justified in the proposal.  If there is an increase in the approved stipend amount beyond $30,000, requests for additional project funding during the five-year period may be granted, depending on funds available. All graduate and other stipend recipients must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., its territories or possessions.

April 29, 2004

October 29, 2004
BY INVITATION ONLY

All proposals must be submitted via FastLane by 5:00 PM local time on the deadline dates listed at the beginning of this solicitation. Applicants are urged to submit well in advance of the stated deadlines to avoid any possible delays in use of the FastLane system.

Awarded IGERT projects will submit their annual project reports through a special IGERT Web-based reporting system that standardizes the evaluation across all sites. Any proposed carrying forward of funds should be justified in the annual report. An on-site evaluation will be conducted by an external team of experts in the third year of full implementation of the grant.