NSF 21-553: Enabling Quantum Leap: Quantum Interconnect Challenges for Transformational Advances in Quantum Systems (QuIC-TAQS)
Program Solicitation
Document Information
Document History
- Posted: January 15, 2021
- Replaces: NSF 19-532
- Replaced by: NSF 22-630
Program Solicitation NSF 21-553
Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m. submitter's local time): April 12, 2021 Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter's local time): June 14, 2021 Important Information And Revision NotesThere are several revisions to NSF 19 – 532:
Any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation should be submitted in accordance with the revised NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 20-1), which is effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after June 1, 2020. Summary Of Program RequirementsGeneral InformationProgram Title:
Synopsis of Program:
Cognizant Program Officer(s): Please note that the following information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact.
Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):
Award InformationAnticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant or Continuing Grant Estimated Number of Awards: 10 to 12 The final number of awards will depend on the availability of funds and the quality of the proposals. Anticipated Funding Amount: $25,000,000 Anticipated funding amount is pending availability of funds. Each project team may receive support of up to a total of $2,500,000 over the project duration of 4 years. It is not expected that all awards will receive the maximum amount; the size of awards will depend upon the type of research program proposed. The budget must be commensurate with the scope of the project and thoroughly justified in the proposal. Eligibility InformationWho May Submit Proposals:
Who May Serve as PI:
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI: 2
Proposal Preparation and Submission InstructionsA. Proposal Preparation Instructions
B. Budgetary Information
C. Due Dates
Proposal Review Information CriteriaMerit Review Criteria: National Science Board approved criteria. Additional merit review criteria apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. Award Administration InformationAward Conditions: Standard NSF award conditions apply. Reporting Requirements: Standard NSF reporting requirements apply.
I. IntroductionThe "Quantum Leap: Leading the Next Quantum Revolution" is one of NSF's "10 Big Ideas" that aims to empower U.S. researchers to propel the science and engineering of quantum phenomena through high-risk, high-payoff projects. In 2019, NSF held a workshop to identify the scientific challenges in the development of quantum interconnects for the next-generation of information technologies. This workshop highlighted the need for focused convergent research in quantum interconnects to enable progress in quantum information science. The findings of the workshop were summarized in https://arxiv.org/abs/1912.06642. Although this report represents a view of the current needs in this area, it highlights examples of areas of research that is non-prescriptive. In addition to those topics and ideas presented in the workshop, this solicitation welcomes ideas and topics in the area of quantum interconnects that were not covered by the workshop. As a part of the Quantum Leap, QuIC-TAQS research efforts are expected to explore highly innovative, original, and potentially transformative ideas for developing and applying quantum science, quantum computing, and quantum engineering in the specific area of quantum interconnects. In addition, these efforts will contribute to training the next generation of a highly skilled workforce. The program serves to support the process for bringing these ideas into reality. The challenge in achieving quantum connected modules requires advancing basic principles and developing devices with controls and protocols. Proposed activities should explore new concepts involving quantum methods, algorithms, and/or materials that exploit quantum phenomena and enable novel efficient devices, circuits, and/or system architectures. The activities should be designed to accelerate fundamental understanding of the physical, chemical, biological, computational, or information-theoretic mechanisms that underlay the transfer of quantum information. To achieve these goals, a variety of approaches for generation, processing, communication with, and sensing of quantum states could be considered, including modeling, analysis, and computational simulations. Where appropriate, the proposed activities should include validation and verification through measurement, experimentation, and/or device demonstration. Research topics of interest include all aspects of quantum interconnects. These range from quantum interconnects for modular quantum processors and computers, the quantum internet, quantum enhanced interconnected sensors and integrated quantum photonic platforms. In addition, research into quantum interconnects between various quantum systems and atomic/photonic, atomic/atomic and photonic/photonic interconnects is of interest. The education of scientists and engineers with expertise in quantum technologies and advanced cyberinfrastructure who are able to work collaboratively with researchers on science and engineering topics, spanning both theoretical tools as well as experimental approaches, platforms, and testbeds, is crucially important for bringing new ideas into reality. Creative and novel approaches to K-12 and informal education tools as well as training of a new generation of teachers are needed to secure the continuing supply of talent. Reaching out and establishing impactful collaborations with underrepresented groups including collaborations with Minority Serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities provides means of growing the pool of US Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) talent. We encourage proposals that include educational and workforce development components that address these goals. II. Program DescriptionCompetitive proposals are expected to present a collaborative, integrated approach and make a compelling case for how the selected topics are unified to potentially deliver a breakthrough in quantum interconnect technologies. Potential Research Areas: Interconnected quantum systems, whether the interconnection is between quantum interfaces, chip-to-chip, or across continent-scale distances, rely on a set of common quantum communication elements. To fully realize the potential of quantum interconnection, significant convergent research by an interdisciplinary team is required, to advance areas such as:
Diverse and innovative ideas that fit with the scope of quantum interconnects are encouraged. A discussion of examples of application specific challenges follows in the sections below. Quantum enhanced Interconnected sensors In order to realize the goal of interconnected quantum sensors in real-world applications, research must go beyond current sensor capabilities and create new devices and architectures that can not only detect but create a quantum sensing platform integrated into a quantum network for long distance entangled distribution. Most existing quantum-enhanced sensing demonstrations leverage non-classical resources to improve the measurement performance at a single sensor, but many real-world applications rest upon a network of sensors that work collectively to undertake measurement tasks. Recent theoretical works on quantum-enhanced sensing based on multipartite entanglement show that interconnecting distributed quantum sensors can form an entangled sensor network that can probe global parameters at the Heisenberg limit. Several research and technical challenges must be addressed for the construction of entangled quantum sensor network, which include but are not limited to
Quantum Interconnects for modular quantum processors and scalable computers Modern classical computing systems connect thousands of distributed computers, memories and storage to carry out large-scale calculations. The comparable modular quantum computer system would incorporate quantum processors via a quantum network using quantum interconnects. Challenges in this area include:
Research is also needed in distributing tasks across a quantum modular system efficiently, especially since the functionality of the modules and interconnects may vary affecting performance. Integrated quantum photonic platforms The development of scalable integrated quantum photonic platforms for QuIC is needed to achieve efficient matter-photon or photon-photon qubit connections. This research requires cross disciplinary efforts. It includes all aspects of such development such as:
Quantum internet A Quantum Internet enables the exchange of quantum information between a large number of nodes across potentially global distances at high bit rates. Enabling a system of this scale with high throughput requires addressing major research challenges (beyond those listed above) which include, but are not limited to:
The Quantum Internet must also be able to route information from any point to any other point in the network, through multiple nodes and for multiple information flows simultaneously. Associated systems-level research challenges include but are not limited to:
QuIC-TAQS Programmatic Considerations: Among the programmatic considerations, the following features are deemed important under this QuIC-TAQS research solicitation in order to realize the promise of this field over the coming years:
The QuIC - TAQS program also encourages other activities with the potential to increase the impact of projects:
III. Award InformationEstimated program budget, number of awards and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds. The estimated program budget is $25,000,000 with 10 -12 awards expected. Each project team may receive support of up to a total of $2,500,000 over the project duration of 4 years. It is not expected that all awards will receive the maximum amount; the size of awards will depend upon the type of research program proposed. The budget must be commensurate with the scope of the project and thoroughly justified in the proposal. IV. Eligibility InformationWho May Submit Proposals:
Who May Serve as PI:
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 1
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI: 2
V. Proposal Preparation And Submission InstructionsA. Proposal Preparation InstructionsPreliminary Proposals (required): Preliminary proposals are required and must be submitted via the NSF FastLane system, even if full proposals will be submitted via Grants.gov. Preliminary proposals must be submitted via FastLane in accordance with the instructions below. Preliminary proposals that are not compliant with this solicitation will be returned without review. It is the submitting organization's responsibility to ensure that the proposal is compliant with all applicable requirements. If there are multiple universities involved in a preliminary proposal, it must be submitted as a single proposal with subawards and not as separately submitted collaborative proposals. Preliminary proposals must contain the items listed below and strictly adhere to the specified page limitations. No additional information may be provided as an appendix or by links to web pages. Figures and tables must be included within the applicable page limit. Preliminary proposals must meet all formatting requirements specified in the NSF PAPPG https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg.. Unlike full proposals, preliminary proposals must ONLY include the following items: Cover Sheet: Select the QuIC - TAQS program solicitation number from the pull-down list. Check the box indicated for preliminary proposal. A minimum of three senior personnel must participate. Title of Proposed Project: The title for the proposed QuIC - TAQS project must begin with "QuIC - TAQS Preliminary Proposal:". Project Summary: The project summary may not be more than one page in length and must consist of three parts:
Proposals that do not separately address in the project summary both intellectual merit and broader impacts will be returned without review. Project Description: The project description of the preliminary proposal is limited to five pages and must include the following subsections:
References Cited: Indicate with an asterisk any cited publications that resulted from prior research funded by NSF for the PI, or co-PI (s). Biographical Sketches: The standard NSF two-page biographical sketches must be prepared for the PI, co-PIs, and other senior personnel listed on the project summary page. Budget: The preliminary proposal will include a budget for each of the proposed years. FastLane will automatically provide a cumulative budget. Preliminary proposal budgets should not include detailed subaward budgets. However, the budget justification should include planned levels for subawards to any partner institution. Enter the anticipated total level of subaward support on line G5, Subawards. Single Copy Documents: Collaborators and Other Affiliations Information: Proposers should follow the guidance specified in the PAPPG Chapter II.C.1e for details. This information will be used by NSF to help manage reviewer selection. In the Supplementary Documentation section, include the following:
Review of Preliminary Proposals and Invitation to Submit a Full Proposal: The preliminary proposals will be reviewed by panels of external experts. Based on the reviews, a limited number of preliminary proposal teams will be invited to submit full proposals. By mid-May 2021, PIs should expect to receive a message from the QuIC - TAQS program, indicating whether or not a full proposal is invited for the project. Such an invitation is required for submission of a full proposal; full proposals submitted without an invitation will be returned without review. Full Proposal Preparation Instructions: Proposers may opt to submit proposals in response to this Program Solicitation via FastLane or Grants.gov.
See PAPPG Chapter II.C.2 for guidance on the required sections of a full research proposal submitted to NSF. Please note that the proposal preparation instructions provided in this program solicitation may deviate from the PAPPG instructions. Based on the review of preliminary proposals, a limited number of PIs will be invited to submit a full proposal. Such an invitation is required for submission of a full proposal; full proposals submitted without an invitation will be returned without review. If multiple universities are involved in an invited full proposal, it must be submitted as a single full proposal with subawards, and not as separately submitted collaborative proposals. The full proposals will be reviewed by panels of outside experts. Both standard criteria (Intellectual Merit and Broader Impact), as well as Additional Solicitation Specific Review Criteria, will be given full consideration during the review and decision-making processes; each criterion is necessary but neither, by itself, is sufficient. Please consider all the details described in Section VI. NSF PROPOSAL PROCESSING AND REVIEW PROCEDURES. Special instructions for submitting to this solicitation FastLane Users: Proposers are reminded to identify the program solicitation number (located on the first page of this document) in the first block on the NSF Cover Sheet. Compliance with this requirement is critical to determining the relevant proposal processing guidelines. Please note that even though proposals must be submitted to the Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences/Office of Multidisciplinary Activities, once received the proposals will be managed by a cross-disciplinary team of NSF Program Directors. Grants.gov Users : The program solicitation number will be pre-populated by Grants.gov on the NSF Grant Application Cover Page, however you will need to locate the Division Code, Program Code, Division Name, and Program Name for the specific solicitation you are applying to by visiting https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/pgmannounce.jsp . As stated previously, even though proposals must be submitted to the Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences/Office of Multidisciplinary Activities, once received the proposals will be managed by a cross-disciplinary team of NSF Program Directors. The following instructions supplement the guidance in the PAPPG and Grants.gov Application Guide. Cover Sheet: Select the QuIC - TAQS program solicitation number from the pull-down list. Check the box indicated for full proposal. A minimum of three senior personnel must participate. Title of Proposed Project: The title for the proposed QuIC - TAQS project must begin with "QuIC - TAQS:". Project Description (maximum 15 pages) must include the following subsections:
Supplementary Documents: Include the following:
B. Budgetary InformationCost Sharing: Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited. C. Due Dates
D. FastLane/Research.gov/Grants.gov RequirementsFor Proposals Submitted Via FastLane or Research.gov:
For Proposals Submitted Via Grants.gov:
Proposers that submitted via FastLane or Research.gov may use Research.gov to verify the status of their submission to NSF. For proposers that submitted via Grants.gov, until an application has been received and validated by NSF, the Authorized Organizational Representative may check the status of an application on Grants.gov. After proposers have received an e-mail notification from NSF, Research.gov should be used to check the status of an application. VI. NSF Proposal Processing And Review ProceduresProposals received by NSF are assigned to the appropriate NSF program for acknowledgement and, if they meet NSF requirements, for review. All proposals are carefully reviewed by a scientist, engineer, or educator serving as an NSF Program Officer, and usually by three to ten other persons outside NSF either as ad hoc reviewers, panelists, or both, who are experts in the particular fields represented by the proposal. These reviewers are selected by Program Officers charged with oversight of the review process. Proposers are invited to suggest names of persons they believe are especially well qualified to review the proposal and/or persons they would prefer not review the proposal. These suggestions may serve as one source in the reviewer selection process at the Program Officer's discretion. Submission of such names, however, is optional. Care is taken to ensure that reviewers have no conflicts of interest with the proposal. In addition, Program Officers may obtain comments from site visits before recommending final action on proposals. Senior NSF staff further review recommendations for awards. A flowchart that depicts the entire NSF proposal and award process (and associated timeline) is included in PAPPG Exhibit III-1. A comprehensive description of the Foundation's merit review process is available on the NSF website at: https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/merit_review/. Proposers should also be aware of core strategies that are essential to the fulfillment of NSF's mission, as articulated in Building the Future: Investing in Discovery and Innovation - NSF Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2018 – 2022. These strategies are integrated in the program planning and implementation process, of which proposal review is one part. NSF's mission is particularly well-implemented through the integration of research and education and broadening participation in NSF programs, projects, and activities. One of the strategic objectives in support of NSF's mission is to foster integration of research and education through the programs, projects, and activities it supports at academic and research institutions. These institutions must recruit, train, and prepare a diverse STEM workforce to advance the frontiers of science and participate in the U.S. technology-based economy. NSF's contribution to the national innovation ecosystem is to provide cutting-edge research under the guidance of the Nation's most creative scientists and engineers. NSF also supports development of a strong science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce by investing in building the knowledge that informs improvements in STEM teaching and learning. NSF's mission calls for the broadening of opportunities and expanding participation of groups, institutions, and geographic regions that are underrepresented in STEM disciplines, which is essential to the health and vitality of science and engineering. NSF is committed to this principle of diversity and deems it central to the programs, projects, and activities it considers and supports. A. Merit Review Principles and CriteriaThe National Science Foundation strives to invest in a robust and diverse portfolio of projects that creates new knowledge and enables breakthroughs in understanding across all areas of science and engineering research and education. To identify which projects to support, NSF relies on a merit review process that incorporates consideration of both the technical aspects of a proposed project and its potential to contribute more broadly to advancing NSF's mission "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense; and for other purposes." NSF makes every effort to conduct a fair, competitive, transparent merit review process for the selection of projects. 1. Merit Review Principles These principles are to be given due diligence by PIs and organizations when preparing proposals and managing projects, by reviewers when reading and evaluating proposals, and by NSF program staff when determining whether or not to recommend proposals for funding and while overseeing awards. Given that NSF is the primary federal agency charged with nurturing and supporting excellence in basic research and education, the following three principles apply:
With respect to the third principle, even if assessment of Broader Impacts outcomes for particular projects is done at an aggregated level, PIs are expected to be accountable for carrying out the activities described in the funded project. Thus, individual projects should include clearly stated goals, specific descriptions of the activities that the PI intends to do, and a plan in place to document the outputs of those activities. These three merit review principles provide the basis for the merit review criteria, as well as a context within which the users of the criteria can better understand their intent. 2. Merit Review Criteria All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two National Science Board approved merit review criteria. In some instances, however, NSF will employ additional criteria as required to highlight the specific objectives of certain programs and activities. The two merit review criteria are listed below. Both criteria are to be given full consideration during the review and decision-making processes; each criterion is necessary but neither, by itself, is sufficient. Therefore, proposers must fully address both criteria. (PAPPG Chapter II.C.2.d(i). contains additional information for use by proposers in development of the Project Description section of the proposal). Reviewers are strongly encouraged to review the criteria, including PAPPG Chapter II.C.2.d(i), prior to the review of a proposal. When evaluating NSF proposals, reviewers will be asked to consider what the proposers want to do, why they want to do it, how they plan to do it, how they will know if they succeed, and what benefits could accrue if the project is successful. These issues apply both to the technical aspects of the proposal and the way in which the project may make broader contributions. To that end, reviewers will be asked to evaluate all proposals against two criteria:
The following elements should be considered in the review for both criteria:
Broader impacts may be accomplished through the research itself, through the activities that are directly related to specific research projects, or through activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the project. NSF values the advancement of scientific knowledge and activities that contribute to achievement of societally relevant outcomes. Such outcomes include, but are not limited to: full participation of women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); improved STEM education and educator development at any level; increased public scientific literacy and public engagement with science and technology; improved well-being of individuals in society; development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce; increased partnerships between academia, industry, and others; improved national security; increased economic competitiveness of the United States; and enhanced infrastructure for research and education. Proposers are reminded that reviewers will also be asked to review the Data Management Plan and the Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan, as appropriate. Additional Solicitation Specific Review Criteria In addition to the two NSF review criteria (intellectual merit and broader impacts), additional criteria will be used in the review of both QuIC - TAQS preliminary and full proposals:
B. Review and Selection ProcessProposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will be reviewed by Panel Review. Reviewers will be asked to evaluate proposals using two National Science Board approved merit review criteria and, if applicable, additional program specific criteria. A summary rating and accompanying narrative will generally be completed and submitted by each reviewer and/or panel. The Program Officer assigned to manage the proposal's review will consider the advice of reviewers and will formulate a recommendation. After scientific, technical and programmatic review and consideration of appropriate factors, the NSF Program Officer recommends to the cognizant Division Director whether the proposal should be declined or recommended for award. NSF strives to be able to tell applicants whether their proposals have been declined or recommended for funding within six months. Large or particularly complex proposals or proposals from new awardees may require additional review and processing time. The time interval begins on the deadline or target date, or receipt date, whichever is later. The interval ends when the Division Director acts upon the Program Officer's recommendation. After programmatic approval has been obtained, the proposals recommended for funding will be forwarded to the Division of Grants and Agreements for review of business, financial, and policy implications. After an administrative review has occurred, Grants and Agreements Officers perform the processing and issuance of a grant or other agreement. Proposers are cautioned that only a Grants and Agreements Officer may make commitments, obligations or awards on behalf of NSF or authorize the expenditure of funds. No commitment on the part of NSF should be inferred from technical or budgetary discussions with a NSF Program Officer. A Principal Investigator or organization that makes financial or personnel commitments in the absence of a grant or cooperative agreement signed by the NSF Grants and Agreements Officer does so at their own risk. Once an award or declination decision has been made, Principal Investigators are provided feedback about their proposals. In all cases, reviews are treated as confidential documents. Verbatim copies of reviews, excluding the names of the reviewers or any reviewer-identifying information, are sent to the Principal Investigator/Project Director by the Program Officer. In addition, the proposer will receive an explanation of the decision to award or decline funding. VII. Award Administration InformationA. Notification of the AwardNotification 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 ConditionsAn NSF award consists of: (1) the award notice, which includes any special provisions applicable to the award and any numbered amendments thereto; (2) the budget, which indicates the amounts, by categories of expense, on which NSF has based its support (or otherwise communicates any specific approvals or disapprovals of proposed expenditures); (3) the proposal referenced in the award notice; (4) the applicable award conditions, such as Grant General Conditions (GC-1)*; or Research Terms and Conditions* and (5) any announcement or other NSF issuance that may be incorporated by reference in the award notice. Cooperative agreements also are administered in accordance with NSF Cooperative Agreement Financial and Administrative Terms and Conditions (CA-FATC) and the applicable Programmatic Terms and Conditions. NSF awards are electronically signed by an NSF Grants and Agreements Officer and transmitted electronically to the organization via e-mail. *These documents may be accessed electronically on NSF's Website at https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/award_conditions.jsp?org=NSF. Paper copies may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf.gov. More comprehensive information on NSF Award Conditions and other important information on the administration of NSF awards is contained in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) Chapter VII, available electronically on the NSF Website at https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg. C. Reporting RequirementsFor all multi-year grants (including both standard and continuing grants), the Principal Investigator must submit an annual project report to the cognizant Program Officer no later than 90 days prior to the end of the current budget period. (Some programs or awards require submission of more frequent project reports). No later than 120 days following expiration of a grant, the PI also is required to submit a final project report, and a project outcomes report for the general public. Failure to provide the required annual or final project reports, or the project outcomes report, will delay NSF review and processing of any future funding increments as well as any pending proposals for all identified PIs and co-PIs on a given award. PIs should examine the formats of the required reports in advance to assure availability of required data. PIs are required to use NSF's electronic project-reporting system, available through Research.gov, for preparation and submission of annual and final project reports. Such reports provide information on accomplishments, project participants (individual and organizational), publications, and other specific products and impacts of the project. Submission of the report via Research.gov constitutes certification by the PI that the contents of the report are accurate and complete. The project outcomes report also must be prepared and submitted using Research.gov. This report serves as a brief summary, prepared specifically for the public, of the nature and outcomes of the project. This report will be posted on the NSF website exactly as it is submitted by the PI. More comprehensive information on NSF Reporting Requirements and other important information on the administration of NSF awards is contained in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) Chapter VII, available electronically on the NSF Website at https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg. VIII. Agency ContactsPlease note that the program contact information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact. General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:
For questions related to the use of FastLane or Research.gov, contact:
For questions relating to Grants.gov contact:
IX. Other InformationThe NSF website provides the most comprehensive source of information on NSF Directorates (including contact information), programs and funding opportunities. Use of this website by potential proposers is strongly encouraged. In addition, "NSF Update" is an information-delivery system designed to keep potential proposers and other interested parties apprised of new NSF funding opportunities and publications, important changes in proposal and award policies and procedures, and upcoming NSF Grants Conferences. Subscribers are informed through e-mail or the user's Web browser each time new publications are issued that match their identified interests. "NSF Update" also is available on NSF's website. Grants.gov provides an additional electronic capability to search for Federal government-wide grant opportunities. NSF funding opportunities may be accessed via this mechanism. Further information on Grants.gov may be obtained at https://www.grants.gov. About The National Science FoundationThe National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent Federal agency created by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 USC 1861-75). The Act states the purpose of the NSF is "to promote the progress of science; [and] to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare by supporting research and education in all fields of science and engineering." NSF funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. It does this through grants and cooperative agreements to more than 2,000 colleges, universities, K-12 school systems, businesses, informal science organizations and other research organizations throughout the US. The Foundation accounts for about one-fourth of Federal support to academic institutions for basic research. NSF receives approximately 55,000 proposals each year for research, education and training projects, of which approximately 11,000 are funded. In addition, the Foundation receives several thousand applications for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships. The agency operates no laboratories itself but does support National Research Centers, user facilities, certain oceanographic vessels and Arctic and Antarctic research stations. The Foundation also supports cooperative research between universities and industry, US participation in international scientific and engineering efforts, and educational activities at every academic level. Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities to work on NSF-supported projects. See the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide Chapter II.E.6 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.
Privacy Act And Public Burden StatementsThe 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 System of Record Notices, NSF-50, "Principal Investigator/Proposal File and Associated Records," and NSF-51, "Reviewer/Proposal File and Associated Records.” 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 |