NSF 04-43: Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NSE) <BR>

November 10, 2004

Preliminary proposals are only required for Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSEC).

November 12, 2004

for Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT)

November 18, 2004

for Nanoscale Exploratory Research (NER)

March 01, 2005

for Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSEC): Full proposals may ONLY be submitted by invitation from NSF.

Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NSE)
Program Solicitation for FY 2005

The National Science Foundation (NSF) announces a program on collaborative research and education in the area of nanoscale science and engineering.  The goal of this program is to support fundamental research and catalyze synergistic science and engineering research and education in emerging areas of nanoscale science and technology, including: biosystems at the nanoscale; nanoscale structures, novel phenomena, and quantum control; nanoscale devices and system architecture; nanoscale processes in the environment; multi-scale, multi-phenomena theory, modeling and simulation at the nanoscale; manufacturing processes at the nanoscale; and studies on the societal and educational implications of scientific and technological advances on the nanoscale.  This solicitation will provide support for Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT), Nanoscale Exploratory Research (NER), and Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSEC).

A related program solicitation will focus on Nanotechnology Science and Engineering Education (NSEE) for FY 2005 which will provide support for four components: Centers for Learning and Teaching in Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NCLT), Informal Science Education in Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NISE), Instructional Materials Development in Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NIMD), and Nanotechnology in Undergraduate Education (NUE). Other research and education projects in nanoscale science and engineering will continue to be supported in the relevant Programs and Divisions.

One nanometer (one billionth of a meter) is a magical point on the dimensional scale.  Nanostructures are at the confluence of the smallest of human-made devices and the largest molecules of living systems. Nanoscale science and engineering here refer to the fundamental understanding and resulting technological advances arising from the exploitation of new physical, chemical, and biological properties of systems that are intermediate in size, between isolated atoms and molecules and bulk materials, where the transitional properties between the two limits can be controlled.  During the last few years, novel structures, phenomena, and processes have been observed at the nanoscale (from a fraction of nanometer to about 100 nm) and new experimental, theoretical and simulation tools have been developed for investigating them.  These advances provide fresh opportunities for scientific and technological developments in nanoparticles, nanostructured materials, nanodevices, and systems.

Nanotechnology is the creation and utilization of functional materials, devices, and systems with novel properties and functions that are achieved through the control of matter, atom-by-atom, molecule by molecule or at the macromolecular level.  A revolution has begun in science, engineering and technology, based on the ability to organize, characterize, and manipulate matter systematically at the nanoscale.  Far-reaching outcomes for the 21^st century are envisioned in both scientific knowledge and a wide range of technologies in most industries, healthcare, conservation of materials and energy, biology, environment and education.  Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NSE) underpin innovations in critical areas ranging from manufacturing to medicine.  Opportunities have opened as new tools enable fundamental discoveries and technological advances.  Outstanding benefits have resulted from initial applications.  A special challenge and opportunity is restructuring teaching at all levels to include NSE concepts and nurturing the scientific and technical workforce of the 21^st century.

Formidable challenges remain, however, in the areas of fundamental understanding, device design, system design and architecture, manufacturing, and system integration and deployment before the potential of nanotechnology becomes a reality.  Successful development and application of nanoscience and technology will require careful consideration and analysis of associated social and ethical phenomena. Key research areas have been identified in advanced materials, nanobiotechnology, nanoelectronics, advanced healthcare, environmental improvement, efficient energy conversion and storage, space exploration, economical transportation, nanobiosensors, societal dimensions of nanotechnology, and improving nanotechnology education. 

The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI; http://nano.gov) is a government-wide activity designed to ensure that investments in this area are made in a coordinated and timely manner, and to accelerate the pace of revolutionary discoveries.  NSF’s Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NSE) priority area, for which this is the flagship solicitation, represents NSF’s contribution to leadership in the NNI.  This fiscal year 2005 competition is the fifth year of the NSE.  Collaborative research among physicists, chemists, biologists, materials scientists, geoscientists, mathematicians, computer scientists, engineers, social and behavioral scientists, economists, and educators is an integral part of both NNI and NSE.   This year’s NNI effort places increased focus on fundamental research and education in novel instrumentation, nanomaterials and manufacturing processes at the nanoscale, nanoelectronics and challenges faced by conventional CMOS technology, nanobiosystems with relevance to healthcare, devices for biological, chemical, radiological and explosive agents detection and protection, energy conversion and storage, and influences of social networks on development and application of nanoscale science, engineering and technology.   This NSE solicitation supports these emphases, where appropriate to NSF programs.

The NSF's mission is to promote the progress of science, engineering and related education in the United States.  Its role in supporting research and education is particularly important in creating physical and human resources infrastructure in emerging areas such as nanoscale science and engineering.  NSF also promotes partnerships, including collaboration with other agencies, industry and national laboratories, for projects of mutual interest. International collaborations are also strongly encouraged.

The current pace of revolutionary discoveries in nanoscience and technology is expected to accelerate greatly in the next decade.  This will have profound implications on existing technologies and could result in the development of completely new technologies, improvements in health, the conservation of materials and energy, and a sustainable environment.  Awards made in response to this solicitation will contribute to such future advancements.

This solicitation, previous program announcements, and additional information concerning related activities such as workshops and publications, including the “Nanotechnology Research Directions” (2000) prepared by the National Science and Technology Council, are available on-line at https://www.nsf.gov/nano and http://nano.gov.

RESEARCH AND EDUCATION THEMES

This initiative focuses on eight high-risk/high-reward research and education themes, where special opportunities exist for fundamental studies in nanoscale science and engineering.  The eight areas are:

• Biosystems at the Nanoscale. Research in this area supports the development of a fundamental understanding of nanobiostructures and processes, nanobiotechnology, and techniques for a broad range of applications in biomaterials, biosystem-based electronics, agriculture, energy, and health.  The goal is to stimulate progress in the study of biological and biologically inspired systems in which nanostructures play an important role.   This includes developing an understanding of the relationships among chemical composition, single molecule behavior, and physical shape at the nanoscale and biological function. Additional research areas include the study of organelles and subcellular complexes such as ribosomes and molecular motors; construction of nanometer-scale probes and devices for research in genomics, proteomics, cell biology, and nanostructured tissues; and synthesis of nanoscale materials based on the principles of biological self-assembly.  Biosynthesis and bioprocessing offer fundamentally new ways to manufacture nanostructured products, including novel biomaterials, improved delivery of bioactive molecules, nanoscale sensory systems, biochips, and the modification of existing biomolecular machines for new functions.

• Nanoscale Structures, Novel Phenomena, and Quantum Control.  Research in this area explores the novel phenomena and material structures that appear at the nanoscale.  This research is critical to overcoming obstacles to miniaturization as feature sizes in devices reach the nanoscale.  Research in this area also refers to fundamental physics and chemistry aspects, development of the experimental tools necessary to characterize and measure nanostructures and phenomena, and development of techniques for synthesis and design.  It also includes investigations of quantum algorithms and means for error correction in quantum information systems.  Examples of possible benefits include molecular electronics, nanostructured catalysts, advanced drugs, quantum computing, DNA computing, the development of high capacity computer memory chips, production of two- and three-dimensional nanostructures "by design,” nanoscale fluidics, biophotonics, control of surface processes and lubrication.

• Nanoscale Devices and System Architecture.  New concepts and design methodologies are needed to create new nanoscale devices, synthesize nanosystems and integrate them into architectures for various operational environments.   These require a profound understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological interactions among nanoscale components.  In order to systemize the design of complex nanosystems, multiple layers of abstractions and various mathematical models to represent component behavior in different layers are also required.  Research in this area includes development of new tools for sensing, assembling, processing, manipulating, manufacturing and integration along scales, controlling and testing nanostructures, devices, design and architecture of concepts, software specialized for nanosystems, and design automation tools for assembling systems of large numbers of heterogeneous nanocomponents.  One can envision ”smart” systems that sense and gather information and analyze and respond to that information, more powerful computing systems and architectures, and novel separation systems with molecular resolution.

• Silicon Nanoelectronics and Beyond (SNB): Research in SNB explores fundamental understanding of materials, processes, devices, design, and architecture challenges faced by the semiconductor industry at and beyond the time horizons of the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS, http://www/public.itrs.net). Research will also explore ultimate limits to scaling of features and alternative physical principles for devices employed in sensing, storage, communication, and computation, including biological, molecular, and other emerging areas of electronics at the nanoscale. The research activity in this topic area could help develop innovative technologies, including bottom-up technologies at the atomic and molecular levels, that are integrable with CMOS technology and at the same time have potential to provide alternative and complementary solutions. Examples include: (a) nanoscale device structures exploiting unique electronic, photonic, and/or magnetic materials properties, nanotubes, biological, molecular, and quantum structures; (b) novel modeling, design, and systems architecture concepts, including models with enhanced fidelity across multiple levels of abstraction, spanning atoms, materials, devices, circuits, and systems; (c) innovative approaches for device processing, packaging, testing, and characterization at nanoscale dimensions, including lithographic techniques with self-assembly methods to support the fabrication of complex structures; (d) novel approaches to design, including principles of self organization, with tools that address and leverage uncertainties associated with nanoscale dimensions through probabilistic and statistical techniques.

Under a Memorandum of Agreement signed in January 2004, the designated staff of the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) will assist in proposal evaluation in this SNB topic area.   If you submit a proposal for SNB, the proposal and subsequently generated review materials will be made available to designated SRC staff for the purpose of proposal evaluation and, possibly, additional funding opportunities.  Designated SRC staff will be subject to a confidentiality agreement that protects personal and proprietary information of proposers.  The submitted proposal should have an informative title that begins with “NIRT/SNB):. . . .” or “NER/SNB: . . . .”, as appropriate to the mode of support.

• Nanoscale Processes in the Environment.  Research in this area will focus on probing nanostructures and processes of relevance in the environment from the Earth’s core to the upper atmosphere and beyond.  Nanoparticles and other nanostructures found in the environment may originate from natural sources, be engineered for various uses, or be by-products of industrial and other processes such as combustion.  Emphasis will be on understanding the distribution, composition, origin, and behavior of nanoscale structures under a wide variety of naturally occurring physical/chemical conditions, including nanoscale interactions at the interface between organic and inorganic solids, liquid and gases, and between living and non-living systems. Examples are biomineralization of nanoscale structures, molecular studies of mineral surfaces, study of transport of ultrafine colloidal particles and aerosols, and study of interplanetary dust particles. Possible benefits of nanoscale studies include better understanding of molecular processes in the environment, the development of manufacturing processes that reduce pollution, new water purification techniques, artificial photosynthetic processes for clean energy, development of environmental biotechnology, and understanding the role of surface microbiota in regulating chemical exchanges between mineral surfaces and water or air.

• Multi-scale, Multi-phenomena Theory, Modeling and Simulation at the Nanoscale.  The emergence of new behaviors and processes in nanostructures, nanodevices and nanosystems creates an urgent need for theory, modeling, large-scale computer simulation and new design tools in order to understand, control and accelerate development in new nanoscale regimes and systems.  Research on theory, mathematical methods, modeling and simulation of physical, chemical and biological systems at the nanoscale will include techniques such as quantum mechanics and quantum chemistry, multi-particle simulation, molecular simulation, grain and continuum-based models, stochastic methods, and nanomechanics.  Approaches that make use of more than one such technique and focus on their integration will play an important role in this effort.  The interplay of coupled, time-dependent and multi-scale phenomena and processes in large atomistic and molecular systems will be encouraged.  A critical issue is the ability to make connection between structures, properties and functions.  Examples of possible benefits include better understanding of processes in chemistry, biology, physics, materials science and engineering, and the geosciences, and realization of functional nanostructures and architectures "by design" such as new chemicals, multifunctional materials, bioagents and electronic devices.

• Manufacturing Processes at the Nanoscale.  Research in this area will focus on creating nanostructures and assembling them into nanosystems and then into larger scale structures.  This research should address understanding nanoscale processes, developing novel tools for measurement and manufacturing at the nanoscale, developing novel concepts for high-rate synthesis and processing of nanostructures and nanosystems, and scale up of nanoscale synthesis and processing methods.  Examples are synthesis of nanostructures for various functions, fabrication methods for devices and nanosystems, design concepts for manufacturing, simulation of the manufacturing methods at the nanoscale, and evaluation of the economic and environmental implications of manufacturing at the nanoscale.   Possible benefits include improving understanding of manufacturing processes in the pre-competitive environment, generating a new group of nanoscale manufacturing methods, increasing the performance and scale up of promising techniques, and establishing the physical and human infrastructure for measurements and manufacturing capabilities.|

• Societal and Educational Implications of Scientific and Technological Advances on the Nanoscale.   Innovations in science and technology both require societal support and influence social structures and processes, sometimes in unexpected ways.  Examining the ethical and other social implications of these societal interactions is necessary, in order to understand their scope and influence and to anticipate and respond effectively to them.  Support for nanoscience and nanotechnology is likely to enhance understanding of fundamental natural processes, from living systems to astronomy, and change the production and use of many goods and services.  Studies of the varied social interactions that involve these new scientific and technological endeavors can improve our understanding of, e.g., economic implications of innovation; barriers to adoption of nanotechnology in commerce, healthcare, or environmental protection; educational and workforce needs; ethical issues in the selection of research priorities and applications and in the potential to enhance human intelligence and develop artificial intelligence; society’s reaction to both newly created nanoparticles and nanoparticles that newly developed techniques permit us to recognize, detect, characterize, and relate to health and environmental issues; implications of converging interests of different fields of science and engineering towards the nanoscale; risk perception, communication, and management; and public participation and involvement in scientific and technological development and use.   This theme aims at a long-term vision for addressing societal, ethical, environmental, and educational concerns

These eight scientific themes are linked by the overarching goals of achieving systematic control of phenomena at the nanoscale, exploiting new phenomena and functions that do not extrapolate outside of the nanoscale domain, and applying such capabilities in areas of national interest.  Proposals that incorporate elements of more than one scientific theme are welcome.  Given NSF’s strong focus on developing the infrastructure for nanoscale science and engineering, all proposals should address integration of research and education, including course development, student fellowships, and other aspects according to the nature of the project.

In FY 2005, consistent with NNI emphases, NSF encourages proposals involving novel instrumentation, manufacturing processes, nanoelectronics and challenges faced by conventional CMOS technology, energy conversion and storage, and devices for chemical, biological, radiological, or explosive agents detection that involve nanoscale processes are particularly encouraged within the seven research and education themes above (see list of NSF and NNI sponsored workshops on line on https://www.nsf.gov/nano).  Research on converging science and technology integrated from the nanoscale for revolutionary products and improving human performance also are encouraged (see “Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance” on line at https://www.nsf.gov/nano). 

Each of the themes should emphasize the integration of research and education, including course development, student fellowships, and other aspects according to the nature of the project.

NSF does not normally support technical assistance, pilot plant efforts, research requiring security classification, the development of products for commercial marketing or market research for a particular project or invention. Research with disease-related goals, including work on the etiology, diagnosis or treatment of physical or mental disease, abnormality or malfunction in human beings or animals, is normally not supported.  Animal models of such conditions or the development or testing of drugs or other procedures for their treatment also are not eligible for support.  Research in bioengineering, with diagnosis or treatment related goals, however, that apply engineering principles to problems in biology and medicine while advancing engineering knowledge is eligible for support. Bioengineering research to aid persons with disabilities is also eligible.

Synergistic collaboration among researchers, and collaborations or partnerships with industry or government laboratories is encouraged.  For foreign participants, the U.S. organization may provide funds under participant support costs for travel and per diem for visits to the U.S. organization, as consistent with applicable international agreements.  No NSF funds may go directly to foreign organizations.  For this solicitation, funds for salaries and research expenses of staff of national laboratories, state agencies, and non-NSF Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) may not be requested.  However, it is appropriate for students supported by the award to work at an FFRDC or comparable site or for the award to support research expenses incurred when scientists from such entities work at university sites.  Federal employees may not receive salaries or in other ways augment their agency’s appropriation through grants made by this solicitation, and no funds for equipment at FFRDCs are allowed.

B. Nanoscale Exploratory Research (NER): Proposals may be submitted by U.S. academic institutions with undergraduate and/or Ph.D. programs in disciplines usually supported by NSF. Research may be proposed by individual investigators or by small groups from academic institutions.  Synergistic collaboration among researchers, and collaboration or partnerships with industry or government laboratories are encouraged when appropriate. Prospective proposers are encouraged to contact one of the program officers listed in this solicitation (except for the MPS program officers) for additional guidance on suitability of NER submission if there are questions. 

C. Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSEC):  NSECs may be based at a single U.S. academic institution or may consist of a lead institution in partnership with one or more partner institutions.  U.S. academic institutions with undergraduate and Ph.D. programs in disciplines normally supported by NSF are eligible to submit one preliminary proposal -- and one full proposal ONLY if invited by NSF -- as the lead institution. Partnerships of the lead institution with other universities/colleges are encouraged. 

 A single institution cannot be the lead institution in more than one preliminary proposal, or on more than one full proposal if invited by NSF.  Institutions may be involved as a partner institution in any number of preliminary proposals and full proposals.

PI Eligibility Limit:

The Nanoscale Scien ce and Engineering Centers (NSEC) component requires that Principal Investigators be at the faculty level or equivalent.

Limit on Number of Proposals:

A. Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT): An organization – a university, or a campus in a multi-campus university -- may submit no more than four (4) proposals in response to this solicitation on which it is the lead organization. An exception is made for an additional NIRT proposal that may be submitted in nanoscale processes in the environment or societal and educational implications of scientific and technological advances on the nanoscale. Both of those research and education themes are described in Section II. The same organization may be a collaborative partner in any number of other multi-organization group proposals in which it is not the lead. An authorized organizational representative of the lead organization will make the selection of the proposals that are submitted. Proposals submitted to other NSF programs are not eligible for consideration by this competition. NIRT proposals involving more than one organization must be submitted as a single administrative package with the managing principal investigator from the lead organization.

B. Nanoscale Exploratory Research (NER): An institution – a university, or a campus in a multi-campus university -- may submit no more than two (2) proposals in response to this NER solicitation on which it is the lead institution. An exception is made for an additional NER proposal that may be submitted in nanoscale processes in the environment, societal and educational implications of scientific and technological advances on the nanoscale or "nanoscale devices and system architecture." All those research and education themes are described in Section II. At least one proposal must have a P.I. or co-P.I. at the level of assistant professor or equivalent. An authorized organizational representative of the lead institution will make the selection of the proposals that are submitted. Proposals submitted to other NSF programs are not eligible for consideration by this competition. NER proposals involving more than one institution must be submitted as a single administrative package with the managing principal investigator from the lead institution.

C. Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSEC): In order to reduce the burden of proposal writing for the science and engineering community and the burden of subsequent proposal review and evaluation for reviewers and NSF staff, NSF will accept full proposals for NSECs by invitation only, based on the results of the preliminary proposal evaluation. While more than one institution may be involved as a partner institution in a preliminary proposal and full proposal, one lead institution must accept overall management responsibility for the Center in a preliminary proposal and full proposal. Full proposals may ONLY be submitted by invitation from NSF. U.S. academic institutions with undergraduate and Ph.D. programs in disciplines normally supported by NSF are eligible to submit only one (1) preliminary proposal – and only one (1) full proposal ONLY if invited by NSF – as the lead institution.

Estimated program budget, number of awards and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.

A. Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT): A NIRT award will be in the range of $250,000-$500,000 per year for four years depending on the scope of the work proposed.  Grants may be awarded in a variety of sizes and durations.  The total request for NSF funding for each project, for all investigators and all organizations, may not exceed $2 million.  NSF expects to fund approximately 50-55 NIRT awards in FY 2005 depending on the quality of submissions and the availability of funds.  Anticipated date of awards: April 2005.

B. Nanoscale Exploratory Research (NER):  NER awards will be made as one-year grants.  NER awards may not exceed $160,000 and cannot be renewed.   NSF plans to fund about 45-50 new NER awards in fiscal year 2005.  NSF expects to invest approximately $6.1 million in this solicitation component in FY 2005, subject to the quality of submissions and availability of funds. Anticipated date of awards: April 2005.

C. Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSEC):  NSF plans to establish 2 NSECs in FY 2005.  The NSEC awards are expected to be about $4 million per year for the Center on Hierarchical Nanomanufacturing and about $2.6 million per year for the Center for Nanotechnology in Society, (CNS), both  for five years.  NSECs will be eligible to compete for one five-year renewal.  NSF expects to invest approximately $7 million in the NSEC solicitation component from fiscal year 2005 funds.  Awards will be made as cooperative agreements. Anticipated date of award: April 2005.

Preliminary proposals are only required for the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSEC)

Preliminary proposals must be submitted via NSF FastLane by 5:00 p.m. proposer's local time on November 10, 2004.  Preliminary proposals must consist of: 

(1) A Cover Sheet showing the name of the proposed Center Director (principal investigator) and key participants (co-principal investigators), and the preliminary proposal title.

(2) A Project Summary (not to exceed one page), providing an executive summary highlighting the main activities, administration, infrastructure and partnerships of the Center.  It must indicate, in separate statements, the intellectual merit of the proposed work and its broader impacts.  (See Section VI.)

(3) A Project Description providing a narrative, not to exceed 15 pages total, which must:

• Provide an overview of the Center as a whole, including the vision of the Center, a concise rationale for establishing the Center, and an outline of the existing and planned capabilities of the participating institutions in relevant research and education. 
• Describe the proposed research and education activities of the Center; indicating clearly which investigators and/or groups of investigators will have primary responsibility for the various aspects of the research and education program.
• Describe the activities proposed to integrate research and education, develop human resources, and cooperate with public and private sector organizations.
• If appropriate, provide a systems-level focus for the Center and/or plans to develop proof-of-concept test beds.
• If appropriate, describe activities to collaborate with shared experimental facilities and/or cooperative activities with international partners.
• Give an outline of the proposed arrangements for administration and management of the Center.
• Describe, in separate statements, the intellectual merit of the proposed work and its broader impacts.  (See Section VI.)

In addition, in the Project Description:

The Center on Hierarchical Manufacturing (CHM), must address:

• A systems-level focus that drives the research from discovery through proof-of-concept, including the design and/or development of nanosystems, structures, enabling tools technology, processes or devices and proof-of-concept test beds that pull together disparate research efforts to test a system or complex concept and thus identify where further research efforts are required; and
• Collaboration with the other centers on nanomanufacturing, including two NSECs established in 2003 and one in 2004, and grantees from other agencies.  The new NSECs are expected to: a. collaborate with grantees from other agencies with similar programs; b. share resources with those programs for mutual advantage; c. work toward a nanomanufacturing network that encourages extensive industrial collaboration; and d. participate in joint nanomanufacturing reviews.  

The Center for Nanotechnology in Society (CNS), must address:

• A long-term vision for addressing societal, ethical, environmental and educational concerns;
• Justifications for specific research foci;
• Clearinghouse and outreach activities;
• Involvement of partners or affiliates and collaboration with other NSEC and NIRT grantees on topics related to responsible nanotechnology; and
• Plans to involve a wide range of stakeholders.

(4)   A References Cited section, not to exceed two pages.

(5)  Biographical Sketches of the proposed Center Director (PI) and key participants (co-PIs), not to exceed two pages each.

(6)  Cumulative proposal budget for the entire Center, including subawards to other institutions, as applicable, for the five-year total only, provided as a single budget page.   To do this in FastLane, please enter the 5-year total budget in FastLane as the year 1 budget – this will also print as the cumulative budget in FastLane.  In the same way, if more than one institution is involved, include a separate single five-year total budget for each non-lead institution (subawardee) if, and only if, the 5-year total for that subawardee exceeds $3 million.  Also provide a single budget justification for anticipated costs for the first year of the project, for the entire Center including all subawardee institutions (limited to 2 pages).

(7)  Special Information/Supplementary Documentation, consisting only of:

7.a.  A list of each participating institution, and each participating investigator (at the faculty level or equivalent), by full name, and indicate his or her institutional and departmental affiliations.  Additional biographical information is not required in the preliminary proposal.  Names should be grouped by institution, and listed alphabetically within each group.

7b.  A one-page synopsis of institutional and other commitments to the proposed Center. (Letters of support should not be included at this stage).

Preliminary proposals and cost sharing are only  required for NSECs. Preliminary proposals that exceed the page limitations will be ineligible for consideration and will be returned without review.

Proposal preparation instructions supplement or deviate from the standard GPG instructions. Each of the major areas has its own set of instruction/deviations that are provided in this section:

      A.   Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT)
      B.   Nanoscale Exploratory Research (NER)
      C.   Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSEC) 

A. NANOSCALE INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TEAMS (NIRT)

NIRT - Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions

Proposers must identify the program solicitation number NSF 04-043 in the program announcement/solicitation block on the Cover Sheet and to select “Nanoscale: Interdiscpl Resrch T” from the FastLane org. unit pull-down list.   Proposal title must begin with "NIRT:".  For administrative purposes, all NIRT proposals must be submitted via FastLane to CTS (contact Geoff Prentice, gprentic@nsf.gov).  Proposers must indicate in order of priority one (or more) of the eight research and education themes described in Section II which the proposal addresses.  This must be stated in the last line of the project summary, and it will be used to assist in assignment of the proposal to the most appropriate panel.   Failure to follow these instructions may delay processing.

NOTE :  The Project Summary and Project Description sections must indicate, in separate statements, the intellectual merit of the proposed work and its broader impacts.  (See Section VI.)

NIRT proposals must conform to the requirements of the Grant Proposal Guide (GPG), with three modifications:

• Collaborative research activities should be described and submitted in a single proposal in which a single award is requested, with subawards administered by the lead organization to any other participating organizations.  (See GPG section II.D.3.a.)  This solicitation encourages team approaches in the belief that a synergistic blend of expertise is needed to make major headway in research, education, and development of the infrastructure.  Budgets for any subawards to different organizations must be included.
• The project description is limited to fifteen (15) pages plus one (1) additional page per each co-principal investigator.  For example, a proposal with one (1) principal investigator and four (4) co-principal investigators listed on the cover page and budget request would be limited to 19 pages of project description.  The maximum number of PIs and Co-PIs is five, so the maximum number of pages in the project description would be 19 pages.
• The project description should include a discussion of the management, education and outreach aspects of the project.   The proposal should describe the roles to be played by the participating organizations, the responsibilities of the managing PI and the activities of associated partners, and arrangements for networking, exchange, and dissemination of data and results.  The managing PI must be from the lead organization.  Details on the education, training, and outreach activities planned as part of the project should be included. Opportunities for students to obtain novel research or educational experiences should be detailed, as well as any specific training activities or workshops.

The page limitation guidelines described above will be strictly enforced.

Proposal Deadline Date:  Full proposals for NIRT are due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time on November 12, 2004.  Proposals must be submitted electronically through the FastLane system by the lead organization.

Inquiries regarding NIRT proposals should be directed to Geoff Prentice (gprentic@nsf.gov), Program Director, Chemical and Transport Systems.

B. NANOSCALE EXPLORATORY RESEARCH (NER)

NER -  Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions

Proposers must identify the program solicitation number NSF 04-043 in the program announcement/solicitation block on the Cover Sheet and to select “Nanoscale: Exploratory Rsrch” from the FastLane org. unit pull-down list. The proposal title must begin with "NER: ".  For administrative purposes, all NER proposals must be submitted via FastLane to BES (contact Leon Esterowitz, lesterow@nsf.gov).  Proposers must indicate one (or more) of the seven research and education themes listed in Section II.B which the proposal addresses; this must be stated in the last line of the project summary.  Failure to follow these instructions may delay processing.

NOTE :  The Project Summary and Project Description sections must indicate, in separate statements, the intellectual merit of the proposed work and its broader impacts.  (See Section VI.)

Proposal Deadline Date:  Full proposals for NER are due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time on November 18, 2004.  Proposals must be submitted electronically through the FastLane system by the lead institution.

Investigators are strongly encouraged to contact the NSF staff members in the program covering the proposal topic (all directorates except for the Mathematical and Physical Sciences) before submitting an NER proposal if there are questions.    For general questions about NER requirements contact Leon Esterowitz (lesterow@nsf.gov).

C: NANOSCALE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING CENTERS (NSEC)

NSEC -  Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions

Proposers must identify the program solicitation number NSF 04-043 in the program announcement/solicitation block on the Cover Sheet and to select “Nanoscale Science & Engin Ctr.” from the FastLane org. unit pull-down list.  The preliminary proposal and full proposal title(s) must begin with “NSEC:” Compliance with this requirement is critical to determining the relevant proposal processing guidelines. Failure to follow these instructions may delay processing.

By invitation from NSF (and only with invitation) full proposals must be submitted via NSF FastLane by 5:00 p.m. proposer's local time on March 1, 2005.  A clear disclosure must be made on the Cover Sheet if a related proposal has been submitted or is planned to be submitted to another federal agency. A brief explanation of overlap (up to one page) should be provided in the supplementary documentation section of the FastLane proposal preparation module.

The proposal must contain the following items in the order indicated.    Proposals that exceed the page limitations will be ineligible for consideration and will be returned without review.  Items (4) through (10),  (11), and (12) if appropriate or applicable, below should be entered in the “Project Description”, in the order given here.

(1)   NSF Cover Sheet.   

(2)   Table of Contents.  Will be generated automatically by FastLane. 

(3)  Executive Summary (to be entered in the Project Summary section).   Provide a clear vision for and overarching description of the proposed Center and its potential impact.  Briefly describe the institutional setting(s) of the Center, its proposed scope and organization, activities in research and education and their integration, development of human resources, collaborative activities with industry and other sectors, links with related major research teams or Centers on or off campus, and management plan.  Describe, in separate statements, the intellectual merit of the proposed work and its broader impacts.  (See Section VI.)  Limit:  3 pages.

(4)    List of Participants. List each participating institution, and each participant (faculty level or equivalent), by full name, and indicate his or her institutional and departmental affiliation.  Names should be grouped by institution, and listed alphabetically within each group.

(5)  Project Description.  Provide a concise description of the long-term research goals and intellectual focus of the Center, and describe the planned research activities in sufficient detail to enable their scientific and engineering merit and significance to be assessed.  Describe the role and intellectual contribution of each faculty-level participant, and briefly outline the resources available or planned to accomplish the research goals (it will be helpful to underline the name of each investigator wherever it occurs).  The need for an interactive, interdisciplinary approach involving a team of investigators, and the means of achieving this, should be clearly established.  Describe proposed interactions with other groups and institutions as appropriate.  Describe, in separate statements, the intellectual merit of the proposed work and its broader impacts (see Section VI).  Limit for this section: 15 pages, including diagrams, figures and illustrations.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  Even if diagrams, figures and illustrations are submitted in the supplementary documentation section of the FastLane proposal preparation module, they must still be counted in the 15-page limit for this section.

(6)     Education, Human Resources, and Outreach.  Describe the proposed activities of the Center in education and human resource development, including plans for participation by undergraduates, pre-college students and teachers if appropriate, and members of underrepresented groups.  Interdisciplinary fellowships may include undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, senior researchers or faculty.  Outline plans for seminar series, colloquia, workshops, conferences, summer schools and related activities, as appropriate.  Describe any additional outreach programs not included in other sections of the proposal.  Limit:  5 pages.

(7)     Collaboration with Industry and Public and Private Sector Organizations.  Describe the proposed interactions and collaborations with industry, non-governmental organizations and, where appropriate, with other institutions and sectors, including government laboratories and national user facilities.  Define the goals of the collaboration, and describe the planned activities.  Describe the roles of the senior participants, the mechanisms planned to stimulate and facilitate knowledge transfer, and the potential long-term impact of the collaborations.  Limit:  3 pages.

(8)    Seed Funding and Emerging Areas.  The NSEC should have a mechanism to identify and support exploratory efforts, including proof-of-concept projects in emerging areas relevant to the Center’s intellectual focus. NSF intends to provide flexibility for NSECs to respond quickly and effectively to new opportunities.  These may include (but are not limited to): seed support for junior faculty and for investigators changing fields; high-risk high-reward research projects; the development of tools to facilitate research or outreach activities at  remote sites; and innovative interdisciplinary educational ventures.  Seed funding through the Center is not intended to provide a substitute for NSF individual investigator funding: the criteria and mechanisms for selecting and evaluating projects must be clearly addressed in the management plan.  Include the names of key investigators expected to pursue exploratory projects for the first year.  Limit: 3 pages.

(9)     Management Plan.  Describe the plans for administration of the Center, including the functions of key personnel and the role of the external advisory committee, the executive committee, and the program committee.  Describe the procedures and criteria used to select, administer, and evaluate the research programs of the Center, including seed funding and collaborative programs with other groups and institutions as appropriate.  Describe plans for implementing and evaluating the educational programs and outreach activities of the Center.  Limit: 3 pages.

(10)     Institutional and Other Sector Support.  Outline institutional and other commitments to the Center, including cost sharing funds or in-kind (see (14) below), space, faculty and staff positions, access to capital equipment and existing facilities and resources, commitments for collaboration and outreach programs.  Identify sources of cost sharing and when they would be available.  Limit: 1 page.

(11)    The following requirements are specific to each center and can be addressed in additional pages:

The Center on Hierarchical Manufacturing (CHM)

11A. (CHM) Systems-Level Focus, Proof-of-Concept Test Beds, and Design and Development Activities.  Describe the system-level focus driving the research from discovery through the proof-of-concept, including design and/or prototyping efforts and proof-of-concept test beds. Also describe any connection with development of new technologies, products and services, and partnerships in developing these activities. Limit: 4 pages.

11B. (CHM) Collaboration with the other centers on nanomanufacturing, Describe the existing connections and plans to (a) collaborate with grantees from other agencies with similar programs; (b) share resources with those programs for mutual advantage; (c) work toward a nanomanufacturing network that encourages extensive industrial collaboration; and (d) participate in joint nanomanufacturing reviews.   Limit: 2 pages.

11C.     Studies of Societal Implications.  Describe the research and educational activities addressing the potential economic, legal, ethical and other societal implications of nanomanufacturing.  Limit: 3 pages.

Center for Nanotechnology in Society (CNS)

11A.   (CNS)  Long-term vision and specific research foci.  Elaborate the long-term vision for addressing societal, ethical, environmental and educational concerns, through research, education, outreach and dissemination.  Justifications for specific research foci should take account of a broad range of interests and concerns.  Limit: 4 pages.

11 B. (CNS) Collaboration with other NSEC and NIRT grantees on topics related to responsible nanotechnology. Describe the existing connections and plans to collaborate with other NSE grantees (and grantees of other agencies, if appropriate).  Limit: 2 pages.

11C. (CNS) Clearinghouse and outreach. Specify activities and relevant partners.  Limit: 2 pages.

(12)    Other Activities: Complete the following sections only if appropriate or applicable:

12A.  International Collaboration. Describe the nature of the collaboration and the expected international and scientific or engineering benefits to the research and education program.  Include a description of the research facilities at the foreign site, as appropriate, and of the division of effort and expertise among the collaborators.  Limit:  1 page.

12B.   Shared Research Facilities.  Describe the shared facilities to be established or collaborated with, including specific major instrumentation and plans for instrument development if any.  Describe plan for maintaining and operating the facilities or resources, including staffing and provision for user fees for outside users if appropriate.  Limit: 2 pages.

(13)   References Cited Section (not to exceed 5 pages).

(14)   Biographical Sketches.

Include a biographical sketch for each faculty-level (or equivalent) participant, listing mentors and collaborators, and up to ten publications most pertinent to this proposal.  Limit: 2 pages for each investigator. 

(15)   Budget Pages

Submit budget pages for the Center for each year of support (1 through 5). FastLane will generate a five-year cumulative budget automatically.   Provide separate budget pages for the lead institution and any other subawards irrespective of amount. Also provide budget justification for the five-year cumulative budget, for the lead institution and for all participating subawardees. The budget justification is limited to 5 pages.

Budgetary Information (Preliminary Proposals and Full Proposals) on Cost Sharing Requirements

Cost sharing at a level equal to 10% of the total amount requested from NSF funds is required for all NSEC proposals.  The proposed cost sharing must be shown on line M of the proposal budget. The narrative associated with cost sharing should be included in the budget justification that is a part of the proposal budget.  Justification on faculty and staff support, access to instrumentation, location and space, must be also included in the budget justification.

Only items that would be allowable under the applicable cost principles, if charged to the project, may be included in the awardee's contribution to cost sharing.  Contributions may be made from any non-Federal source, including non-Federal grants and contracts, and may be cash or in kind (see OMB Circular A-110, Section 23).  It should be noted that contributions counted as cost sharing toward projects of another Federal agency may not be counted towards meeting the specific cost sharing requirements of the NSF award.

All cost sharing amounts are subject to audit.  Failure to provide the level of cost sharing reflected in the approved award budget may result in termination of the NSF award, disallowance of award costs and/or refund of award funds to NSF.

(16)    Current and Pending Support.

List current and pending support for the Center Director and co-Principal Investigators. Enter in “Current and Pending Support” FastLane form.

(17)   Reviewer Information

Enter the following information into the FastLane “List of Suggested Reviewers” form: (1) in the “Reviewers Not To Include” section - a list of individuals (and their affiliations) outside the participating institutions whose participation in the review of the full proposal might constitute a conflict of interest through association with the participants; and (2) in the “Suggested Reviewers” section - a list of individuals who might be suitable to act as impartial reviewers.

PROPOSAL DUE DATES for NSEC: 

PRELIMINARY PROPOSALS must be submitted via FastLane by 5:00 PM proposer’s local time on November 10, 2004.  NSF will issue letters of invitation by December 15, 2003 to submit full proposals.

FULL PROPOSALS – by invitation from NSF only – must be submitted via FastLane by 5:00 PM proposer’s local time on March 1, 2005.

Investigators are strongly encouraged to contact the cognizant NSF Program Officers listed in this solicitation before submitting an NSEC proposal.  For general questions about NSEC requirements contact Jian Cao (jcao@nsf.gov, for Center for Hierarchical Nanomanufacturing) or Rachelle Hollander (rholland@nsf.gov, for the Center on Nanotechnology in Society).

Cost sharing is required for the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSEC). Cost sharing equal to 10% of the total amount requested from NSF is required for NSEC.   Cost sharing may be cash or in kind, and is subject to audit.

Cost sharing is not required for the Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT) or the Nanoscale Exploratory Reserch (NER).

November 10, 2004
Preliminary proposals are only required for Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSEC).

November 12, 2004
for Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT)

November 18, 2004
for Nanoscale Exploratory Research (NER)

March 01, 2005
for Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSEC): Full proposals may ONLY be submitted by invitation from NSF.

NSF also supports other programs with a focus on nanoscale science and engineering.  Existing programs for individual investigator awards, NSF centers and facilities (including Science and Technology Centers, Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers, Engineering Research Centers), Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeships (IGERT), SBIR/STTRs and other NSF programs will also continue to support research in this general area.   Principal Investigators are encouraged to examine all of the opportunities within the NSF to determine which of them is best for their particular proposed activities.