Print

Archived funding opportunity

This document has been archived. The latest version is NSF 24-563.

NSF 07-566: Alliances for Broadening Participation in STEM (ABP)

Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP), Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) Supplements, Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP)

Program Solicitation

Document Information

Document History

Download the solicitation (PDF, 0.6mb)
View the program page

THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN ARCHIVED

Program Solicitation NSF 07-566

Replaces Document(s):
 NSF 06-552

 

NSF Logo

National Science Foundation

Directorate for Education & Human Resources
     Division of Human Resource Development

 

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

June 25, 2007

Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate

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

August 23, 2007

Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate

October 12, 2007

Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation

October 12, 2007

Educational Research Projects

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.

Changes from the previous solicitation, NSF 06-552, for the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation include:

  • Guidance for funding requests based on baccalaureate degree production;
  • Requirement for action plans identifying strategies for connecting the transfer of third-year BD recipients interested in and eligible for admission to AGEP graduate programs; 
  • Acceptance of project evaluation activities within cost of education allowance for BD requests. 
  • Requirement for rigorous evaluation;
  • Additional proposal review criteria for LSAMP proposals.

Changes from the previous solicitation, NSF 06-552, for the Alliances for Graduate Education in the Professoriate (AGEP) include:

  • Requirement that all AGEP proposals must describe plans for proactive recruitment of BD graduates into appropriate AGEP doctoral programs.

Summary Of Program Requirements

General Information

Program Title: 

Alliances for Broadening Participation in STEM  (ABP)
Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP), Bridge to the Doctorate (BD), Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP)

Synopsis of Program:

The two programs and BD activity included under the Alliances for Broadening Participation in Science and Engineering (ABP) solicitation seek to increase the number of students successfully completing quality degree programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Particular emphasis is placed on supporting groups that historically have been underrepresented in STEM: African Americans, Alaskan Natives, American Indians, Hispanic Americans and Native Pacific Islanders. ABP support begins at the baccalaureate level with the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program. For eligible students, significant financial support is continued for two years of graduate study via the Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) activity. Rounding out the ABP cluster are Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP), which further the graduate education of minority students through the doctorate level, preparing them for fulfilling opportunities and productive careers as STEM faculty and research professionals.

Cognizant Program Officer(s):

  • A. James Hicks, Program Director, LSAMP, BD, 815 N, telephone: (703) 292-8640, fax: (703) 292-9019, email: ahicks@nsf.gov

  • Roosevelt Johnson, Program Director, AGEP, 815 N, telephone: (703) 292-4669, fax: (703) 292-9018, email: ryjohnso@nsf.gov

  • Martha James, Assistant Program Director, LSAMP, BD, 815, telephone: (703) 292-7772, fax: (703) 292-9018, email: mjames@nsf.gov

  • Al Wilson, Senior Program Analyst, AGEP, 815, telephone: (703) 292-4835, fax: (703) 292-9018, email: awilson@nsf.gov

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

  • 47.076 --- Education and Human Resources

Award Information

Anticipated Type of Award:  Other Grant    Cooperative Agreement, Standard Grant; Supplemental Funding (Bridge to the Doctorate)

Estimated Number of Awards:    18 to  23   This includes 3 to 5 LSAMP Cooperative Agreements of up to $1M each per year over a 5 year duration; 14 to 17 BD supplements of up to $1M each for 24 months; and 1 to 2 AGEP Cooperative Agreements of up to $1M per year over a 5 year duration.

Anticipated Funding Amount:   $24,000,000  In FY07, this includes up to $17M for LSAMP BD supplements; In FY08, this includes $7M for new/renewal LSAMP and AGEP awards (subject to the availability of funds).

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: 

AGEP - Because AGEP is centered on sustainable institutional changes in graduate education, the Provost or Graduate Dean of the lead institution should serve as the Principal Investigator.  A full explanation should be provided for a PI designation in variance with this requirement.  Co-Principal Investigators from partner institutions may be designated as appropriate for the project.

LSAMP - To assure commitment in increasing the quality and quantity of underrepresented minorities in STEM disciplines at the undergraduate level, the President or Provost of the lead institution should serve as the Principal Investigator.  A full explanation should be provided for a PI designation in variance with this requirement.  Co-Principal investigators from partner institutions may be designated as appropriate for the project.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 

One proposal per alliance.

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI: 

 One proposal per PI.

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.

B. Budgetary Information

  • Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost Sharing is not required by NSF.  
  • Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:  The following limitations apply to BD supplements only. The NSF contribution to graduate student stipends will be $30,000 per year (12 months) for each of twelve students. Successfully matriculating graduate students are expected to receive a second year stipend at this dollar support level. NSF will provide a cost-of-education allowance to the institution for tuition, health insurance, and other normal fees of $10,500 per year for each of twelve students. Project evaluation costs may be included but not to exceed the maximum request of $987,000.  NSF will provide a flat $15,000 allowance per award in lieu of indirect costs. Graduate stipends should be listed on Line F, "Participant Support," on the proposal budget.
  • Other Budgetary Limitations: Not Applicable

C. Due Dates

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

    June 25, 2007

    Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate

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

    August 23, 2007

    Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate

    October 12, 2007

    Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation

    October 12, 2007

    Educational Research Projects

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:   Standard NSF award conditions apply

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

  • Agency Contacts

  • Other Information

    • I. Introduction

    The Division of Human Resource Development (HRD) serves as the focal point for NSF’s agency-wide commitment to broadening participation by all individuals in science and engineering. HRD programs reflect NSF's commitment to developing the resources of the scientific and technological community as a whole and ensuring an adequately trained research and development workforce. To meet the challenges presented by the United States’ increasing reliance on science and technology, Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) and Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) support efforts to strengthen the science and engineering education capabilities of participating institutions. In doing so, these programs help to fulfill an important outcome goal of the NSF Strategic Plan (FY 2006-2011): To cultivate a world-class, broadly inclusive science and engineering workforce, and expand the scientific literacy of all citizens.

    More broadly, HRD programs, including Research on Gender in Science and Engineering (GSE), Research in Disabilities Education (RDE), the Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUP) Program, Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate (HBCU-UP) Program, and Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) provide coordinated and integrated approaches to developing and leveraging individual talents and institutional infrastructures. Managed synergistically, these programs enable successful transitions from associate and baccalaureate-level study to the attainment of masters and doctoral degrees. Such efforts serve to increase the number of underrepresented minorities, women, and persons with disabilities well prepared for the science and engineering research, education, and workforce of the future.

    II. Program Description

    The programs encompassed by ABP provide complementary support to institutions of higher education in an effort to increase baccalaureate and advanced degree production to underrepresented populations in STEM disciplines. Program goals are accomplished principally through the formation of alliances among institutions of higher education and between academe, industry and the community.

    LOUIS STOKES ALLIANCES FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION (LSAMP)

    LSAMP program supports sustained and comprehensive approaches to broadening participation at the baccalaureate level. These approaches facilitate the production of students who are well prepared in STEM and motivated to pursue graduate education. Projects place emphasis on aggregate baccalaureate production; attention to individual student retention and progression to baccalaureate degrees; aggregation of student progression to graduate school entry and institutionalizing, disseminating and promoting the replication of strategies and collaborative approaches proven successful to transition undergraduate STEM students to graduate STEM programs.

    LSAMP activities must produce a demonstrable "near-term" increase in the numbers of STEM graduates and the promise of long-term change in the production of new Ph.D.s and their entrance into productive faculty or research careers. The strategy for implementing these projects must be clear and focused.

    LSAMP alliances must be structured to address two interrelated requirements:

    • First, the design of the alliance must be based on sound understanding of programmatic approaches known to be successful in meeting well-defined needs, must be cost effective, and must involve undergraduates in faculty research.
    • Second, the proposed plan must be comprehensive and longitudinal, since fragmented or isolated efforts provide insufficient responses to the acknowledged scope and scale of the problem being addressed by the LSAMP program.

    Successful programmatic approaches include, but are not limited to: (1) devoting careful attention to management and administrative collaboration among participating organizations so as to ensure long-term continuation of LSAMP or similar activities beyond the term of NSF financial support; and (2) developing specific evaluation plans and procedures for assessing qualitative and quantitative changes including the definition of a baseline of pre-LSAMP data which will be used to compare post-LSAMP retention, progression, and graduation rates in STEM fields.

    Comprehensive and longitudinal plans are reflected in: (1) the establishment of alliances with members drawn from among community colleges, colleges and universities, school systems, Federal/state/local government agencies, major national laboratories and centers, industry, private foundations, and STEM professional organizations, as necessary to achieve the proposed LSAMP objectives; (2) incorporation of academic, curricular, and co-curricular enrichment activities designed to improve instructional performance as well as increase the motivation, performance, and progression of talented students within undergraduate degree programs and in preparation for graduate degree programs; and (3) direct student support as necessary to enable students to attend academic year and summer enrichment activities without unnecessary loss of income.

    LSAMP provides latitude to proposers in designing projects to achieve the stated LSAMP goals. The structure and content of proposed projects should be governed by differences in the institutional and organizational capabilities of alliance members, strategies for the formation of the alliance, and characteristics of specific localities. Project specifics may encompass a wide variety of activities. The project activities must form a feasible, logical, and comprehensive effort focused upon improving the undergraduate educational experience. While the primary focus of LSAMP is at the undergraduate level, projects must include activities that affect student advancement through one or more of the critical transition points during STEM education: from high school to college, between 2- and 4-year college, from undergraduate study to the workplace, from undergraduate to graduate school, and from graduate school to faculty. These activities allow the LSAMP program to build linkages between the various sectors of the STEM community and the educational process to increase the flow of students and their advancement rate.

    The LSAMP project and program evaluation sections of this solicitation specify that proposals will be evaluated on their potential to increase minority participation in STEM disciplines. NSF requires potential awardees to rigorously evaluate students’ participation in LSAMP activities.

    The following are specific requirements for support under LSAMP program. Beginning in 2007, the program will no longer use "phases" as guidelines for progression through institutionalization, replication and dissemination for successful transition of undergraduate students to graduate STEM programs.  First time applicants, however,  must focus on baccalaureate production of underrepresented minorities in STEM and must define their current baseline production of baccalaureate recipients in STEM fields.  All applicants must commit to a significant increase in baccalaureate production in STEM fields within a five-year award period and make a compelling case for the level of increase they define as significant.  Subsequent support will be contingent on evidence of success in areas of individual student recruitment, retention and progression to baccalaureate degrees. Note:  NSF approved adjustments in the original baseline goal may be adjusted through additions and/or reductions in alliance membership.  A clear plan of action to significantly increase individual STEM students, rather than simply aggregate students, toward baccalaureate degree attainment is essential for a successful proposal.

    In addition to the above, proposals from previously funded alliances must include a plan to achieve institutionalization  of effective pathways to STEM graduate study and careers for baccalaureate recipients at participating institutions.  Entities seeking further support opportunities should refer to the eligibility guidelines for post-baccalaureate funding opportunities under the "Bridge To The Doctorate (BD)" and "Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate" sections of this solicitation.

    LSAMP awards will not exceed $1.0 million per year.  (See eligibility guidelines for the Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) activities under "Other Funding Opportunities" in the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation section.)

    LSAMP awards will be managed through Cooperative Agreements for up to 5 years.  Progress will be assessed annually prior to continued NSF support.  An LSAMP alliance nearing the completion of its five-year funding period may submit a competitive renewal proposal for an additional five years of support.  The LSAMP program will ensure that each project is funded in a cost-efficient manner by adjusting the funding levels as proposed below:

    NEW ALLIANCES

    Alliances are considered new if they have not received previous LSAMP funds and meets the criteria for a LSAMP partnership alliance described under "eligible organizations".   The president, provost or designee of the lead institution for a prospective new alliance must contact the NSF LSAMP program for guidance prior to submitting a proposal for funding.

    Guidelines for requesting funds for new alliances are indicated as follows:

    • $700,000 per year for alliances that award more than 500 STEM baccalaureate degrees annually;
    • Approximately $500,000 to $700,000 per year for alliances that award between 300-500 STEM baccalaureate degrees annually; and,
    • $500,000 or less per year for alliances that award fewer than 300 STEM baccalaureate degrees annually.

    MID-LEVEL ALLIANCES

    Alliances are considered at mid-level if they have received previous LSAMP support and (1) focus on the recruitment and retention of freshmen and sophomore students in STEM disciplines or (2) support early interventions for the retention of upper level students with an emphasis on graduate matriculation.

    Proposed funding guidelines for mid-level alliances are stipulated as follows:

    • $700,000 per year for alliances that award 700 or more STEM baccalaureate degrees annually;
    • Approximately $500,000 to $700,000 per year for alliances that award between 500-700 STEM baccalaureate degrees annually; and,
    • $500,000 or less per year for alliances that award fewer than 500 STEM baccalaureate degrees annually.

    SENIOR-LEVEL ALLIANCES

    Alliances are considered senior if they received previous LSAMP support and focus on persistence and attention to graduate study, institutionalization, community college interventions, and international activities.  Senior level alliances are eligible for Bridge to the Doctorate.

    Proposed funding guidelines for senior-level alliances are provided as follows:

    • $500,000 per year for projects that award 1,000 or more STEM baccalaureate degrees annually;
    • Approximately $300,000 to 500,000 per year for projects that currently award between 700-1,000 STEM baccalaureate degrees annually; and,
    • $300,000 or less per year for projects that award fewer than 700 STEM baccalaureate degrees annually.

    Alliances at each level are expected to continue to nurture, sustain, and institutionalize basic activities and practices which demonstrate proven success in improving the quality and numbers of underrepresented minority students matriculating in STEM disciplines. 

    Requested financial support should be clearly justified along with established recruitment, selection and accountability criteria.  Allowable student support is limited to financial support for employing team building principles (e.g., mentoring, collaborative learning experiences, small group clustering in academic sections, structured work-study groups), individual skill development (e.g., participation in special seminars and colloquia), involvement in research (e.g., stipends or salary for academic-year or summer research programs, and related personal career counseling and mentoring), preparation for graduate school application and success, and other activities designed to enhance student experiences and student/faculty/mentor interaction.

    LSAMP may provide supplements to enable direct support for students to attend summer enrichment activities and to participate in other activities throughout the academic year.  See section under "Other Funding Opportunities Through the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation" for additional information.

    OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THE LOUIS STOKES ALLIANCES FOR MINORITY PARTICIPATION PROGRAM

    A.  Bridge to the Doctorate (BD)

    For eligible students, financial support is available for two years of graduate study via the Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) activity.  

    Proposals for BD supplemental funding must describe effective strategies for recruiting, retaining, educating and graduating the participants. Proposers must provide documentation of past performance at the designated graduate institutional site of retaining, graduating, and placing significant numbers of LSAMP graduates into doctoral-degree programs. A plan for formally connecting a significant number of newly matriculated LSAMP students, including master's degree graduates, to doctoral degree programs is expected.

    Successful projects must demonstrate substantive and formal connection to other NSF-funded programs, such as CREST, NSF research centers, Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training Program (IGERT), Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education Program (GK-12), and AGEP.  Successful BD projects must ensure that a substantive number of first year BD participants apply to NSF's Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP).  Similarly, BD applicants must present an action plan describing dollar support and sources for continuing students in years three and beyond towards doctorate degrees.  Action plans identifying strategies for connecting the transfer of third-year BD recipients interested in and eligible for admission to AGEP graduate programs are required.

    Tracking of project participants into doctoral degree programs and into the workforce, including the professoriate is also expected. Other highly valued activities include regular BD meetings, mentoring of students, and resources to support annual student participation at professional meetings and seminars intending to focus productive academic efforts, demystify degree programs, and explain the intricacies of available career options. A critical mass of twelve (12) LSAMP graduate students from STEM disciplines is required and will be supported under this supplemental activity.

    The NSF contribution to graduate student stipends is $30,000 per year (12 months) for each of twelve students. Successfully matriculating graduate students are expected to receive a second year stipend at this dollar support level.

    NSF will provide a cost-of-education allowance to the institution for tuition, health insurance, and other normal fees of $10,500 per year for each of twelve students.  Costs for project evaluation may be included not to exceed the maximum limit for BD funding.  A flat allowance of $15,000 per award in lieu of indirect costs may also be requested.

    Graduate stipends should be listed on Line F, "Participant Support," on the proposal budget.  All stipend recipients funded under this supplement must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions.

    B.  Educational Research Projects

    All alliances are eligible for support of up to $100,000 annually (one- and two-year awards) for educational research projects on baccalaureate attainment in STEM by African Americans, Alaskan Natives, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Native Pacific Islanders. Proposals for LSAMP educational research projects should be based in a research design that incorporates appropriate and proven methodologies and strategies to (1) identify the research questions, (2) implement the collection and analysis of data, and (3) interpret the resulting measures and findings generated by the study. The results should provide convincing evidence of factors (including departmental- and institution-level) facilitating increased minority undergraduate access to STEM careers, including minority baccalaureate degree attainment and persistence of these traditionally underrepresented groups to STEM graduate study. Results should provide educators with practical and successful strategies to promote broader adoption or adaptation of the recommended practices within their educational systems (departments, institutions, alliances).

    LSAMP educational research studies should reflect explicit cognizance of the broad variety of institutions of higher education involved and should address the unique challenges and opportunities posed by that variety. Outcomes of the proposed research should be developed with the intent to inform the education community, including faculty, administrators, policymakers, and parents, enabling them to guide better the future development of learning experiences, and foster the retention, and academic success of diverse students in STEM.

    Requests for support for research projects must be submitted separately in the FastLane or Granst.gov systems.  The ABP solicitation number should be referenced.  Titles should begin with the words "LSAMP Research Project:" and be submitted on or before October 12, 2007.

    Additional funding opportunities for broader educational research topics in student learning, recruitment, retention, persistence to degree, and other STEM educational research for underrepresented minority populations are available throughout the Foundation.  Please refer to the NSF Website for additional information.

    C.  NSF-DoE Cooperative Activity

    Supplemental funding through the LSAMP program may be requested for student and faculty support in FY07, FY08, and FY09 (subject to the availability of funds) for summer undergraduate research experiences at the nation's laboratories.  Only alliances with active LSAMP awards are eligible to submit requests for funding. 

    For additional information on this funding opportunity, please refer to NSF 07-133 "Cooperative Activity with Department of Energy Programs for Education and Human Resource Development" (Dear Colleague Letter)

    RIGOROUS PROJECT EVALUATION

    It is expected that each LSAMP and BD proposal submission include plans for rigorous project evaluation.  This evaluation should be the basis for strengthening implementation over the course of the project and for annual reporting to NSF that will be used to justify continued investment in the project. Proposals should provide objectives, benchmarks, and indicators of progress that will inform reviewers of the proposers' understanding of essential factors for judging accountability, both quantitative (minority enrollment and Ph.D. production) and qualitative (the process of change in organizational culture).

    ALLIANCES FOR GRADUATE EDUCATION AND THE PROFESSORIATE (AGEP).

    The goal of the AGEP program is to increase the number of underrepresented minority students pursuing advanced study, obtaining doctoral degrees, and entering the professorate in STEM disciplines (including social sciences). Alliances participating in this program are expected to engage in comprehensive institutional cultural changes that will lead to sustained increases in the conferral of STEM doctoral degrees, significantly exceeding historic levels of performance.

    Specific objectives of AGEP are: (1) to develop and implement innovative models for recruiting, mentoring, and advancing minority students in STEM doctoral programs, and (2) to develop effective strategies for identifying and supporting underrepresented minorities who want to pursue academic careers.

    ALLIANCES

    Alliances consisting of two or more doctoral degree granting institutions serving the STEM graduate education needs are eligible to submit proposals. One institution must be designated as the lead institution for the project. Institutions in the U.S. and its territories having documented success in translating minority matriculates into degree recipients are strongly encouraged to participate. A single institution may participate in only one alliance. Through the alliance, it is anticipated that the strengths of the respective individual institutions will be maximized to serve AGEP goals. Alliance commitment will be assessed with respect to willingness and ability of participating institutions to align relevant financial and operational resources to the goals articulated by this program. To ensure commitment and the potential for success, the Provost or Graduate Dean of the lead institution should serve as the Principal Investigator (PI). A full explanation should be provided for a PI designation in variance with this agreement.

    ACTIVITIES

    The purpose of these awards is to catalyze changes in institutional, departmental, and organizational culture and practices that will result in significant increases in the recruitment, retention, degree conferral, and STEM career (especially academic) entry of underrepresented minority students. The proposal should clearly describe strategies to ensure effective recruitment, mentoring, retention, and degree completion of underrepresented minority students. Strategies may include, but are not limited to:

    • support for students to attend conferences,
    • coordinated recruitment among partner institutions,
    • proactive use of faculty in student recruitment,
    • development of systemic mentoring and mentor training,
    • faculty and student exchange programs,
    • specific preparation for the professoriate, and
    • more effective career counseling and career placement.

    In support of the activities described above, the program provides funding in a variety of cost categories, including:

    • provision for faculty release time,
    • program coordination and clerical support (partial),
    • special workshop/seminar support costs,
    • faculty/student travel between institutions (e.g., recruitment, joint research, etc.)
    • peer mentoring stipends, and
    • evaluation and assessment costs (partial).

    Under AGEP, NSF intends to support a portfolio of projects that serve as effective models for addressing these issues. Proposals should clearly describe strategies for increasing minority student admissions; for creating supportive environments for these students at both the institutional and departmental levels; as well as for developing student interest in, and preparation for, academic careers (teaching and other faculty roles). Relevant strategies may include, for example, developing partnerships with undergraduate institutions that produce large numbers of minority STEM majors (e.g., Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)); providing underrepresented minority undergraduates with enriched academic and research experiences that place strong emphasis on obtaining doctorates and pursuing academic careers; and/or developing student networks or mentoring programs at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels. Proposed projects must demonstrate substantive linkages with other NSF-funded programs within alliance institutions (i.e., LSAMP, HBCU-UP, TCUP, CREST, NSF research centers, ADVANCE, IGERT and GK-12) projects.  The activities described are illustrative of the broad range of activities that are possible under AGEP.

    In an effort to provide more direct connectivity between the AGEP program and the LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) Activity, all AGEP proposals must describe plans for proactive recruitment of BD graduates into appropriate AGEP doctoral programs. 

    Project strategies that do not specifically address the AGEP goals will not be considered competitive. The AGEP program stresses the building of a well-documented knowledge base of successful strategies.

    DISCIPLINES

    Projects involving any of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields normally supported by NSF are eligible. Social, behavioral, and economic science (SBE) fields are also eligible. Projects are expected to be comprehensive, broadly covering STEM (and SBE) departments. All participating departments must be explicitly identified in the proposal. Multiple STEM departments must be involved at AGEP institutions, and additional departments can be transitioned in over the 5-year cooperative agreement.  It is critical that the administrative infrastructure to implement AGEP be clearly described.  It is also critical that plans for institutionalization of AGEP-funded activities be clearly articulated.

    PROJECT EVALUATION

    It is expected that each AGEP project will complement its efforts with its own formative evaluation. This evaluation should be the basis for strengthening implementation over the course of the project and for annual reporting to NSF that will be used to justify continued investment in the project. Proposals should provide suggestions of objectives, benchmarks, and indicators of progress that will inform reviewers of the proposers' understanding of essential factors for judging accountability, both quantitative (minority enrollment and Ph.D. production) and qualitative (the process of change in organizational culture). This evaluation must show an effective process by which student progress will be assessed on an annual basis. Indicators of cultural changes include changes in policies, practices, and programs at the graduate school office or departmental levels. Changes can occur with student recruitment, admissions, and selection processes, academic support, and socialization to profession.

    PROGRAM EVALUATION

    Awardees will be required to participate in a program-level evaluation by which NSF can assess quantitative gains in relevant measures for underrepresented minority students and make qualitative assessments of the process of change. Shortly after awards have been made, project evaluators may be asked to assist NSF contractors in developing a program evaluation that will mutually benefit the agency and project participants. AGEP projects are expected to have the capability of collecting and analyzing data derived from program evaluation activities. AGEP projects must set (and meet) measurable goals and collect evidence (disaggregated by ethnicity, gender, and discipline) to determine progress toward the AGEP goal of significantly increasing the number of underrepresented minorities attaining doctoral degrees in STEM disciplines. Evaluation programs should also measure early career progression of doctoral recipients.

    ALLOWABLE STUDENT SUPPORT

    Student support is allowable, but AGEP is not intended to be a single fellowship program. If financial support is requested, proposals must clearly explain the need being addressed, as well as student recruitment, selection and accountability criteria. Allowable student support is generally limited to financial support for employing team building principles (e.g., collaborative learning experiences, small group clustering in academic sections, structured work-study groups), individual skill development (e.g., participation in special seminars and colloquia), involvement in research (e.g., stipends or salary for academic-year or summer research programs, and related personal career counseling and mentoring), and other activities designed to enhance student experiences and student/faculty/mentor interaction. AGEP will also provide direct support to enable students to attend summer enrichment activities and to participate in other activities throughout the academic year. Please note that student support can only be provided to U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent U.S. residents.

    PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

    To aid reviewers in assessing past performance of proposing institutions, proposals should include the following baseline data over the 1999-to-present time period (for U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent U.S. residents only):

    1. The sum and the average of the numbers of minority Ph.D. conferrals per year as well as the sum and the averages of minority graduate enrollments for each NSF-supported department, disaggregated by population subgroup (e.g., African American, Hispanic, and Native American),

    2. Annual total and minority baccalaureate and master's degree conferrals for departments of the submitting alliance institutions.

    III. Award Information

    NSF expects to make the following types of award(s): New and Renewal Cooperative Agreements (AGEP and LSAMP) and LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) Supplements The anticipated funding level for this competition for all funding opportunities is $24 million from a combination of FY07 and FY08 funds. BD SUPPLEMENTS: Approximately $17 million in fiscal 2007 funding is available for BD funding. NSF expects to fund 14-17 BD supplements. Successful proposals will be funded at a level of $987,000 for two years under the existing cooperative agreement. NEW AND RENEWAL AWARDS: Up to $7 million in fiscal 2008 funding will be made available for new and renewal LSAMP and AGEP cooperative agreements. Up to 5 new/renewal LSAMP awards and up to 2 new/renewal AGEP proposals are planned contingent on available funding. Awards will range from up to $2.5 million to $5 million over 5 years. New and renewal cooperative agreements for the AGEP and LSAMP programs will be made in fiscal 2008. Bridge to the Doctorate supplemental funding will be made in fiscal 2007 for eligible alliances.

    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: 

    AGEP - Because AGEP is centered on sustainable institutional changes in graduate education, the Provost or Graduate Dean of the lead institution should serve as the Principal Investigator.  A full explanation should be provided for a PI designation in variance with this requirement.  Co-Principal Investigators from partner institutions may be designated as appropriate for the project.

    LSAMP - To assure commitment in increasing the quality and quantity of underrepresented minorities in STEM disciplines at the undergraduate level, the President or Provost of the lead institution should serve as the Principal Investigator.  A full explanation should be provided for a PI designation in variance with this requirement.  Co-Principal investigators from partner institutions may be designated as appropriate for the project.

    Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 

    One proposal per alliance.

    Limit on Number of Proposals per PI: 

     One proposal per PI.

    Additional Eligibility Info:

    AGEP: An  alliance may hold only one active award at a time.  The alliance must consist of two or more doctoral degree granting institutions serving STEM graduate education needs.  One of these primary doctoral degree granting institutions must be designated as the lead institution for the project.  Secondary partner institutions (non doctoral degree granting) may participate in an alliance as subawardees.  An institution may be a primary member in only one alliance.

    LSAMP:  An alliance may hold only one active award at a time.  The alliance must consist of one or more doctoral degree granting institutions as well as other 2-4 year degree-granting institutions, including community colleges, serving STEM undergraduate education needs.  An institution may be a primary member in only one alliance.

    BD:  Only lead institutions on current LSAMP projects may apply for Bridge to the Doctorate funding.   BD sites at alliance institutions other than the lead alliance institution will be funded through subaward agreements.

    V. Proposal Preparation And Submission Instructions

    A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

    Letters of Intent (required):

    Letters of Intent (LOI) are required only for the AGEP program. The LOI must be submitted via FastLane using the Letters of Intent module in FastLane, even if the full proposal will be submitted via grants.gov. The LOI should contain the PI and co-PIs names, a proposed title, a list of possible participating organizations (if applicable), and a synopsis that describes the work in sufficient detail to permit an appropriate selection of reviewers.

    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
    • 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.

    The following information supplements the GPG guidelines. In order to be properly identified and routed by program staff, all proposals to ABP must identify the applicable program abbreviation and its associated program element code in the title and project summary. This information is as follows:

    LSAMP: program element 9133

    BD: program element 9133

    AGEP: program element 1515

    Proposals failing to clearly identify the appropriate program and program element may be returned without review at the discretion of NSF program staff.

    B. Budgetary Information

    Cost Sharing:   Cost sharing is not required by NSF in proposals submitted to the National Science Foundation.

    Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations:  The following limitations apply to BD supplements only. The NSF contribution to graduate student stipends will be $30,000 per year (12 months) for each of twelve students. Successfully matriculating graduate students are expected to receive a second year stipend at this dollar support level. NSF will provide a cost-of-education allowance to the institution for tuition, health insurance, and other normal fees of $10,500 per year for each of twelve students. Project evaluation costs may be included but not to exceed the maximum request of $987,000.  NSF will provide a flat $15,000 allowance per award in lieu of indirect costs. Graduate stipends should be listed on Line F, "Participant Support," on the proposal budget.

    C. Due Dates

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

      June 25, 2007

      Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate

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

      August 23, 2007

      Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate

      October 12, 2007

      Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation

      October 12, 2007

      Educational Research Projects

    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 are assigned to the appropriate NSF program and, if they meet NSF proposal preparation requirements, for review. All proposals are carefully reviewed by a scientist, engineer, or educator serving as an NSF Program Officer, and usually by three to ten other persons outside NSF who are experts in the particular fields represented by the proposal. These reviewers are selected by 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/or persons they would prefer not review the proposal. These suggestions may serve as one source in the reviewer selection process at the Program Officer's discretion. Submission of such names, however, is optional. Care is taken to ensure that reviewers have no conflicts with the proposer.

    A. NSF Merit Review Criteria

    All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two National Science Board (NSB)-approved merit review criteria: intellectual merit and the broader impacts of the proposed effort. In some instances, however, NSF will employ additional criteria as required 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?

    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:

      For proposals to the LSAMP Program, additional review criteria will apply in 2007. 

      ADDITIONAL REVIEW CRITERIA FOR LSAMP PROPOSALS

      In addition to the standard NSF review criteria of demonstrating intellectual merit and broader impacts of the project, reviewers will be asked to evaluate proposals in terms of linkages to other NSF programs and plans for rigorously evaluating the projects or programs over the duration of the grant period.

      Reviewers will be asked to evaluate proposals using the following program specific review criteria:

      Linkages:  Proposals should clearly demonstrate linkages to other NSF-funded programs and the benefits to alliance students and faculty.  For projects with BD funding, reviewers will be instructed to evaluate evidence of formal connections and involvement with AGEP institutions as well as the continuation of these connections through the STEM doctoral degree.

      Evaluation:  Proposals will be evaluated on the rigor of the evaluation plan.  Reviewers will be tasked to assess the proposed funding to implement a rigorous evaluation over the duration of the award period as well as the usefulness of the anticipated outcomes to the body of knowledge in improving student learning, recruitment and retention of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines and into the workforce.

    B. Review and Selection Process

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

    Reviewers will be asked to formulate a recommendation to either support or decline each proposal. The Program Officer assigned to manage the proposal's review will consider the advice of reviewers and will formulate a recommendation.

    After scientific, technical and programmatic review and consideration of appropriate factors, the NSF Program Officer recommends to the cognizant Division Director whether the proposal should be declined or recommended for award. NSF is striving to be able to tell applicants whether their proposals have been declined or recommended for funding within six months. The time interval begins on the date of receipt.  The interval ends when the Division Director accepts the Program Officer's 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 Program Officer.  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 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 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 Division of Grants and Agreements. Organizations whose proposals are declined will be advised as promptly as possible by the cognizant NSF Program administering the program. Verbatim copies of reviews, not including the identity of the reviewer, will be provided automatically to the Principal Investigator. (See Section VI.B. for additional information on the review process.)

    B. Award Conditions

    An NSF award consists of: (1) the award letter, which includes any special provisions applicable to the award and any numbered amendments thereto; (2) the budget, which indicates the amounts, by categories of expense, on which NSF has based its support (or otherwise communicates any specific approvals or disapprovals of proposed expenditures); (3) the proposal referenced in the award letter; (4) the applicable award conditions, such as Grant General Conditions (GC-1); * or Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) Terms and Conditions * and (5) any announcement or other NSF issuance that may be incorporated by reference in the award letter. Cooperative agreements also are administered in accordance with NSF Cooperative Agreement Financial and Administrative Terms and Conditions (CA-FATC) and the applicable Programmatic Terms and Conditions. NSF awards are electronically signed by an NSF Grants and Agreements Officer and transmitted electronically to the organization via e-mail.

    *These documents may be accessed electronically on NSF's Website at https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/general_conditions.jsp?org=NSF. Paper copies may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from pubs@nsf.gov.

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

    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. (Some programs or awards require more frequent project reports). Within 90 days after expiration of a grant, the PI also is required to submit a final project report.

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

    For LSAMP Alliances Only:  All alliances are required to report enrollment, degree data and other data annually via the WebAMP reporting system.

    VIII. Agency Contacts

    General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:

    • A. James Hicks, Program Director, LSAMP, BD, 815 N, telephone: (703) 292-8640, fax: (703) 292-9019, email: ahicks@nsf.gov

    • Roosevelt Johnson, Program Director, AGEP, 815 N, telephone: (703) 292-4669, fax: (703) 292-9018, email: ryjohnso@nsf.gov

    • Martha James, Assistant Program Director, LSAMP, BD, 815, telephone: (703) 292-7772, fax: (703) 292-9018, email: mjames@nsf.gov

    • Al Wilson, Senior Program Analyst, AGEP, 815, telephone: (703) 292-4835, fax: (703) 292-9018, email: awilson@nsf.gov

    For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact:

    • Margie Johnson, Senior Program Specialist, 815, telephone: (703) 292-7007, fax: (703) 292-9018, email: mcjohnso@nsf.gov

    • Cynthia Douglas, Management Specialist, AGEP, 815, telephone: (703) 292-8640, fax: (703) 292-9018, email: cdouglas@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.

    LSAMP and BD

    • A. James Hicks, Program Director, Directorate for Education & Human Resources, Division of Human Resource Development, 815 N, telephone: (703) 292-4668, fax: (703) 292-9018, email: ahicks@nsf.gov
    • Martha James, Assistant Program Director, Directorate for Education and Human Resources, Division of Human Resource Development, 815 N, telephone:  (703) 292-7772, fax (703) 292-9018, email:  mjames@nsf.gov
    • Margie Johnson, Senior Program Specialist, Directorate for Education & Human Resources, Division of Human Resource Development, 815 N, telephone: (703) 292-7002, email: mcjohnso@nsf.gov

    AGEP

    • Roosevelt Johnson, Program Director, Directorate for Education & Human Resources, Division of Human Resource Development, 815 N, telephone: (703) 292-4669, fax: (703) 292-9018, email: ryjohnso@nsf.gov
    • Al Wilson, Senior Program Analyst, Directorate for Education & Human Resources, Division of Human Resource Development, 815N, telephone:  (703) 292-4835, email:  awilson@nsf.gov
    • Cynthia Douglas, Management Operations Assistant, Directorate for Education & Human Resources, Division of Human Resource Development, 815 N, telephone: (703) 292-5175, email: cdouglas@nsf.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 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

    • Location:

    4201 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22230

    • For General Information
      (NSF Information Center):

    (703) 292-5111

    • TDD (for the hearing-impaired):

    (703) 292-5090

    • To Order Publications or Forms:

    Send an e-mail to:

    pubs@nsf.gov

    or telephone:

    (703) 292-7827

    • To Locate NSF Employees:

    (703) 292-5111


    Privacy Act And Public Burden Statements

    The information requested on proposal forms and project reports is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. The information on proposal forms will be used in connection with the selection of qualified proposals; and project reports submitted by awardees will be used for program evaluation and reporting within the Executive Branch and to Congress. The information requested may be disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff assistants as part of the proposal review process; to proposer institutions/grantees to provide or obtain data regarding the proposal review process, award decisions, or the administration of awards; to government contractors, experts, volunteers and researchers and educators as necessary to complete assigned work; to other government agencies or other entities needing information regarding applicants or nominees as part of a joint application review process, or in order to coordinate programs or policy; and to another Federal agency, court, or party in a court or Federal administrative proceeding if the government is a party. Information about Principal Investigators may be added to the Reviewer file and used to select potential candidates to serve as peer reviewers or advisory committee members. See Systems of Records, 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



    Top