Research Initiation Grants and Career Advancement Awards to Broaden Participation in the Biological Sciences

Program Solicitation
NSF 05-581

		National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences       Division of Environmental Biology       Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences       Division of Biological Infrastructure       Division of Integrative Organismal Biology

Full Proposal Target Date(s):

July 05, 2005

July 12 and January 12 thereafter

Summary Of Program Requirements

General Information

Program Title:

Research Initiation Grants and Career Advancement Awards to Broaden Participation in the Biological Sciences

Synopsis of Program:

The Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) at NSF offers two funding opportunities under this solicitation 1) Research Initiation Grants (RIG) and 2) Career Advancement Awards (CAA), with the goal of broadening the participation of scientists from groups underrepresented in the biological sciences in the U.S. These activities seek to promote the development and retention of scientists from underrepresented groups and to increase the numbers of such individuals that serve as role models for the scientific workforce of the future. A specific goal is to increase the number of research proposals submitted to NSF by individuals from groups currently underrepresented in the biological sciences as well as from scientists at minority serving institutions so they can become actively and competitively engaged in research as independent investigators and, by so doing, create new research opportunities for students from underrepresented groups.

Cognizant Program Officer(s):

• Carter Kimsey, RIG/CAA Coordinator, telephone: 703 292-8470, email: rig-caabp@nsf.gov

• Gerald Selzer, RIG/CAA Coordinator - DBI, telephone: 703 292-8470, email: rig-caabp@nsf.gov

• Lucy Robinson, RIG/CAA Coordinataor - MCB, telephone: 703 292-8440, email: rig-caabp@nsf.gov

• Judith Venuti, RIG/CAA Coordinator - IOB, telephone: 703 292-8417, email: rig-caabp@nsf.gov

• W. Carl Taylor, RIG/CAA Coordinator - DEB, telephone: 703 292-8481, email: rig-caabp@nsf.gov

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

• 47.074 --- Biological Sciences

Eligibility Information

• Organization Limit:

  Proposals are to be submitted through the proposer’s college or university. Proposers affiliated with Minority-Serving Institutions MSIs, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) are especially encouraged to apply.

• PI Eligibility Limit:

  RIG and CAA eligibility is limited to scientists who are citizens, nationals or legally admitted permanent residents of the United States holding a doctoral degree or having equivalent experience in NSF-supported fields. Proposers from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

• Limit on Number of Proposals: There is no limit on the number of proposals that may be submitted by an institution, but an individual may be included in only one proposal.

Award Information

• Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant
• Estimated Number of Awards: 15 to 20
• Anticipated Funding Amount: $3,000,000 The BIO Directorate expects to invest up to $3,000,000 in these awards annually beginning in FY 2005. Estimated program budget, number of awards and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.

Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions

A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

• Full Proposal Preparation Instructions: This solicitation contains information that supplements the standard Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) proposal preparation guidelines. 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: Not Applicable.
• Other Budgetary Limitations: Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

C. Due Dates

• Full Proposal Target Date(s):

  July 05, 2005

  July 12 and January 12 thereafter

Proposal Review Information

• 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.

I. Introduction

The Directorate for the Biological Sciences (BIO) at NSF offers Research Initiation Grants (RIG) and Career Advancement Awards (CAA) for the purpose of broadening the participation of scientists from groups underrepresented in the biological sciences in the U.S.

Government reports from various sources document the underrepresentation of African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans in the U.S. scientific workforce. African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans as a group constituted 24 per cent of the U.S. population, but only 7 per cent of the total science and engineering workforce in 1999. The percentage of Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders is even smaller. Data reported by NSF in 2004 show that these proportions had not changed significantly. https://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/wmpd/start.htm

The intent of RIG and CAA activities is to promote the development and retention of scientists from underrepresented groups and to increase the numbers of such individuals that serve as role models for the U.S. scientific workforce of the future.

Proposers should note that the NSF BIO Directorate normally does not support 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. Animal models of such conditions or the development or testing of drugs or other procedures for their treatment also are not eligible for support.

II. Program Description

Two funding opportunities are covered by this solicitation: (1) Research Initiation Grants (RIG) and (2) Career Advancement Awards (CAA). The purpose of each is to increase opportunities for scientists and engineers who are members of groups underrepresented in biology to become actively and competitively engaged in research as independent investigators, and, by doing so, to create new research opportunities for students from underrepresented groups.

RIG awards are for beginning investigators to undertake activities, such as acquisition of preliminary data or development of collaborations that will lead to formulation of competitive grant applications. CAA awards are intended to provide support for scientists other than beginning investigators to undertake specific activities which will enhance their career development and competitiveness for research funds, for example, by acquiring new tools and /or skills to address contemporary research questions in the biological sciences.

A specific goal of the activities outlined here is to increase the number and competitiveness of research proposals in the biological sciences submitted to the NSF by members of groups currently underrepresented in biology as well as from scientists at minority serving institutions. One measure of success of these programs will be the number of future proposals received by NSF from awardees of RIGs or CAAs , or from members of underrepresented groups influenced or mentored by RIG or CAA awardees.

III. Eligibility Information

The Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) at NSF offers two funding opportunities under this solicitation 1) Research Initiation Grants (RIG) and 2) Career Advancement Awards (CAA), with the goal of broadening the participation of scientists from groups underrepresented in the biological sciences in the U.S. These activities seek to promote the development and retention of scientists from underrepresented groups and to increase the numbers of such individuals that serve as role models for the scientific workforce of the future. A specific goal is to increase the number of research proposals submitted to NSF by individuals from groups currently underrepresented in the biological sciences as well as from scientists at minority serving institutions so they can become actively and competitively engaged in research as independent investigators and, by so doing, create new research opportunities for students from underrepresented groups.

RIG and CAA eligibility is limited to scientists who are citizens, nationals or legally admitted permanent residents of the United States holding a doctoral degree or having equivalent experience in NSF-supported fields and who hold faculty or research-related positions at U.S. academic institutions.

There is no limit on the number of proposals that may be submitted by an institution, but an individual may be included in only one proposal.

Research Initiation Grants for Broadening Participation (RIG) Eligibility --Specific Criteria:

RIG is appropriate for a new investigator, usually in the first academic or research appointment. A RIG is not intended as a substitute for a postdoctoral fellowship. A proposer for a RIG should: (a) hold a faculty or research-related position in a U.S. college or university; (b) not previously have served as Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator on an independent Federal award for scientific or engineering research. (Previous Federal support as a post-doctoral fellow or as a research associate or graduate research assistant on a Federal grant where another person was the PI, or under a scientific and engineering education grant, does not exclude a proposer from RIG eligibility.)

Co-investigators are not permitted on RIG, but collaborations with or visiting scientist status in other laboratories is permitted.

Tenure or tenure-track status is not an eligibility factor, but the proposer must be the Principal Investigator. The submitting institution must provide a letter showing its support for the proposed activities. If the proposer is not in a tenure track appointment, the institution must state its contractual agreement with the proposer if the appointment period and requested grant award dates are not congruent. If the institution requires that a tenured or tenure-track faculty member serve as the responsible person for grant administration at the departmental level, and the proposer is not in that status, another individual may serve as the faculty sponsor. In that case, on the cover page in the "Names" block on the first "Co-PI/PD" line, type "Other Endorsement." above the name of the faculty sponsor.

Career Advancement Awards for Broadening Participation (CAA) Eligibility -- Specific Criteria

CAA are appropriate for other than beginning investigators. The proposer should hold a faculty or research-related position in a U.S. college or university. The proposer may have served as a Principal Investigator on an independent Federal grant award for scientific and/or engineering research.

Co-investigators are permitted on CAAs, and collaborations with or visiting scientist status in other laboratories is permitted.

IV. Award Information

The BIO Directorate expects to invest up to $3,000,000 beginning in FY 2005.

RIG awards are limited to a maximum of $150,000 for a period of 24 months with a possible addition of up to $25,000 for equipment.

CAA awards are limited to a maximum of $150,000 for 24 months with a possible addition of up to $25,000 for equipment. The size may be smaller, and the duration may be longer, if circumstances warrant.

The number of awards and average award size and/or duration are subject to the availability of funds.

V. Proposal Preparation And Submission Instructions

A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

Full Proposal Instructions:

Proposals submitted in response to this program announcement/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.

Because of the special nature of RIG and CAA, proposers are strongly encouraged to discuss their potential projects with an NSF program officer prior to proposal submission. General inquiries, as well as those about guidelines and eligibility, may be made to a RIG/CAA Coordinator, listed in section VIII. of this solicitation (email: rig-caabp@nsf.gov).

In addition to following the general format contained in the GPG (see link above), proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation must also adhere to the following special instructions.

For Research Initiation Grants for Broadening Participation (RIG):

Project Description. This narrative description, not to exceed 15 pages in length (including tables, figures, and other visual supplements), is the principal part of the proposal. It is a detailed statement of the work to be undertaken and will be the basis for evaluation of the intellectual merit and broader impact of the proposal. It should contain:

• A brief description of the proposer’s overall research goals.

• A detailed description of the proposed activities, including any preliminary data already available or a description of data that the proposer plans to obtain.

• The relationship of the proposed activities to the proposer’s projected longer term research goals.

• A discussion of how those activities will facilitate development of a subsequent research proposal.

• An explanation of how the award would broaden the participation of individuals from underrepresented groups in the areas of the biological sciences supported by the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences.

Budget (see below for limitations, and consult GPG for instructions on budget preparation). All proposers should include in the budget funds for travel to the Washington, DC area for one meeting of awardees.

• Budget Justification (not to exceed 3 pages). A budget explanation should be attached, explaining and justifying each line item for which funds are requested. Major cost items or unusual situation/inclusions should be explained.

Special Information and Supplementary Documentation: Except as indicated below all information necessary for the review of an RIG proposal should be contained in the 15-page project description and the accompanying bibliography, biographical sketch, and budget justification. For RIG proposals, the following are specific exceptions and are required:

• A letter of support for the proposer's activities by the institution must be supplied. It should be scanned in and submitted in the "Supplementary Documents" section.
• Letters describing collaborative arrangements and commitments, if any, should also be scanned and submitted in the "Supplementary Documents" section.

For Career Advancement Award for Broadening Participation (CAA):

Project Description. This narrative description, not to exceed 15 pages in length (including tables, figures, and other visual supplements), is the principal part of the proposal. It is a detailed description of the activities to be undertaken and is the basis for evaluating the intellectual merit and broader impact of the proposal. It should contain:

• A brief statement of the proposer's research interests and goals.
• Description of the proposed research, studies, and/or other activities.
• A discussion of how the proposed activities will help to advance the research career of the proposer, for example, through a change in research direction or by becoming proficient in new techniques for application to his/her research.
• An explanation of how the award will broaden the participation of individuals from underrepresented groups in the areas of the biological sciences supported by the NSF BIO Directorate.
• If applicable, a statement of Results from Prior NSF Support. (See GPG for information required)

Budget. (See below for limitations, and consult GPG for instructions on budget preparation.) All proposers should include in the budget funds for travel to the Washington, DC area for one meeting of awardees.

• Budget Justification (not to exceed 3 pages). A budget explanation should be attached, explaining and justifying each line item for which funds are requested. Major cost items or unusual situation/inclusions should be explained.

Special Information and Supplementary Documentation: Except as indicated below and in the GPG, all information necessary for the review of an CAA should be contained in the 15-page project description and the accompanying bibliography, biographical sketch, and budget justification. For CAA proposals, the following are specific exceptions and are required:

• A letter of support for the proposer's activities by the institution must be supplied. It should be scanned in and submitted in the "Supplementary Documents" section.
• Letters describing collaborative arrangements and commitments should be scanned and entered in FastLane in the "Supplementary Documents" section.

Proposers are reminded to identify the program announcement/solicitation number (05-581) in the program announcement/solicitation block on the proposal Cover Sheet. Compliance with this requirement is critical to determining the relevant proposal processing guidelines. Failure to submit this information may delay processing.

B. Budgetary Information

Cost Sharing:

Cost sharing is not required by NSF in proposals submitted under this Program Solicitation.

Other Budgetary Limitations:

Project Budget: RIG awards are limited to a maximum of $150,000 for a period of 24 months with a possible addition of up to $25,000 for equipment, if required.

Budget Justification (not to exceed 3 pages). A budget explanation should be attached, explaining and justifying each line item for which funds are requested. Major cost items or unusual situation/inclusions should be explained.

Appendices: Appendices are not allowed.

Project Budget: CAA awards are limited to a maximum of $150,000, with a possible addition of up to $25,000 for equipment, if required, and are usually for 24 months. The size may be smaller, and the duration may be longer, if circumstances warrant.

Budget Justification (not to exceed 3 pages). A budget explanation should be attached, explaining and justifying each line item for which funds are requested. Major cost items or unusual situations/inclusions should be explained.

Appendices. Appendices are not allowed.

C. Due Dates

Proposals must be submitted by the following date(s):

Full Proposal Target Date(s):

July 05, 2005

July 12 and January 12 thereafter

D. FastLane Requirements

Proposers are required to prepare and submit all proposals for this announcement/solicitation through the FastLane system. Detailed instructions for proposal 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 announcement/solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this announcement/solicitation.

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. Proposers are no longer required to provide a paper copy of the signed Proposal Cover Sheet to NSF. Further instructions regarding this process are available on the FastLane Website at: http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov

VI. Proposal Review Information

A. NSF Proposal Review Process

Reviews of proposals submitted to NSF are solicited from peers with expertise in the substantive area of the proposed research or education project. These reviewers are selected by Program Officers charged with the oversight of the review process. NSF invites the proposer to suggest, at the time of submission, the names of appropriate or inappropriate reviewers. Care is taken to ensure that reviewers have no conflicts with the proposer. Special efforts are made to recruit reviewers from non-academic institutions, minority-serving institutions, or adjacent disciplines to that principally addressed in the proposal.

The National Science Board approved revised criteria for evaluating proposals at its meeting on March 28, 1997 (NSB 97-72). All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two merit review criteria. In some instances, however, NSF will employ additional criteria as required to highlight the specific objectives of certain programs and activities.

On July 8, 2002, the NSF Director issued Important Notice 127, Implementation of new Grant Proposal Guide Requirements Related to the Broader Impacts Criterion. This Important Notice reinforces the importance of addressing both criteria in the preparation and review of all proposals submitted to NSF. NSF continues to strengthen its internal processes to ensure that both of the merit review criteria are addressed when making funding decisions.

In an effort to increase compliance with these requirements, the January 2002 issuance of the GPG incorporated revised proposal preparation guidelines relating to the development of the Project Summary and Project Description. Chapter II of the GPG specifies that Principal Investigators (PIs) must address both merit review criteria in separate statements within the one-page Project Summary. This chapter also reiterates that broader impacts resulting from the proposed project must be addressed in the Project Description and described as an integral part of the narrative.

Effective October 1, 2002, NSF will return without review proposals that do not separately address both merit review criteria within the Project Summary. It is believed that these changes to NSF proposal preparation and processing guidelines will more clearly articulate the importance of broader impacts to NSF-funded projects.

The two National Science Board approved merit review criteria are listed below (see the Grant Proposal Guide Chapter III.A for further information). 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 he/she is qualified to make judgments.

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:

The extent to which the proposed activities will broaden participation of individuals from underrepresented groups in the areas of the biological sciences supported by the NSF BIO DIrectorate.

B. Review Protocol and Associated Customer Service Standard

All proposals are carefully reviewed by at least three other persons outside NSF who are experts in the particular field represented by the proposal. Proposals submitted in response to this announcement/solicitation will be reviewed by 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.

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 Director. In addition, the proposer will receive an explanation of the decision to award or decline funding.

NSF is striving to be able to tell proposers whether their proposals have been declined or recommended for funding within six months. The time interval begins on the closing date of an announcement/solicitation, or the date of proposal receipt, whichever is later. The interval ends when the Division Director accepts the Program Officer's recommendation.

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 Division 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.A. 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 (NSF-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 agreement awards are administered in accordance with NSF Cooperative Agreement Financial and Administrative Terms and Conditions (CA-FATC). Electronic mail notification is the preferred way to transmit NSF awards to organizations that have electronic mail capabilities and have requested such notification from the Division of Grants and Agreements.

*These documents may be accessed electronically on NSF's Website at https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/. Paper copies of these documents 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 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. The GPM is also for sale through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office (GPO), Washington, DC 20402. The telephone number at GPO for subscription information is (202) 512-1800. The GPM may be ordered through the GPO Website at http://www.gpo.gov.

C. Reporting Requirements

For all multi-year grants (including both standard and continuing grants), the PI must submit an annual project report to the cognizant Program Officer at least 90 days before the end of the current budget period.

The proposer must keep in mind that a final report is must be substantive. It must be accepted by the Program Officer responsible for the program through which initial funding was granted. Failure to submit a report will prevent the PI from receiving future funding from NSF until a report is received.

RIG - Reporting Requirements: Standard NSF reporting requirements apply. Two additional statements are required:

1. An explanation of how the award contributes to broadening participation in the scientific workforce, particularly in the areas of the biological sciences supported by the NSF BIO Directorate.
2. A description how the results of the award will contribute to the submission of a future NSF research proposal.

CAA - Reporting Requirements: Standard NSF reporting requirements apply. Two additional statements are required:

1. An explanation of how the award contributes to broadening participation in the scientific workforce, particularly in the areas of the biological sciences supported by the NSF BIO Directorate..
2. A description how the results of the award will contribute to the submission of a future NSF research proposal.

Within 90 days after the expiration of an award, the PI is required to submit a final project report. Failure to provide final technical reports delays NSF review and processing of pending proposals for the PI and all Co-PIs. 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. This system permits electronic submission and updating of project reports, including information on project participants (individual and organizational), activities and findings, 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.

VIII. Contacts For Additional Information

General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:

• Carter Kimsey, RIG/CAA Coordinator, telephone: 703 292-8470, email: rig-caabp@nsf.gov

• Gerald Selzer, RIG/CAA Coordinator - DBI, telephone: 703 292-8470, email: rig-caabp@nsf.gov

• Lucy Robinson, RIG/CAA Coordinataor - MCB, telephone: 703 292-8440, email: rig-caabp@nsf.gov

• Judith Venuti, RIG/CAA Coordinator - IOB, telephone: 703 292-8417, email: rig-caabp@nsf.gov

• W. Carl Taylor, RIG/CAA Coordinator - DEB, telephone: 703 292-8481, email: rig-caabp@nsf.gov

For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact:

• FastLane Help Desk, telephone: 1-800-673-6188; e-mail: fastlane@nsf.gov.

IX. Other Programs Of Interest

The NSF Guide to Programs is a compilation of funding for research and education in science, mathematics, and engineering. The NSF Guide to Programs is available electronically at https://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?gp. General descriptions of NSF programs, research areas, and eligibility information for proposal submission are provided in each chapter.

Many NSF programs offer announcements or solicitations concerning specific proposal requirements. To obtain additional information about these requirements, contact the appropriate NSF program offices. Any changes in NSF's fiscal year programs occurring after press time for the Guide to Programs will be announced in the NSF E-Bulletin, which is updated daily on the NSF Website at https://www.nsf.gov/home/ebulletin, and in individual program announcements/solicitations. Subscribers can also sign up for NSF's MyNSF News Service (https://www.nsf.gov/mynsf/) to be notified of new funding opportunities that become available.

About The National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. Awardees are wholly responsible for conducting their project activities and preparing the results for publication. Thus, the Foundation does not assume responsibility for such findings or their interpretation.

NSF welcomes proposals from all qualified scientists, engineers and educators. The Foundation strongly encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to compete fully in its programs. In accordance with Federal statutes, regulations and NSF policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin or disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from NSF, although some programs may have special requirements that limit eligibility.

Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities (investigators and other staff, including student research assistants) to work on NSF-supported projects. See the GPG Chapter II, Section D.2 for instructions regarding preparation of these types of proposals.

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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; 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 applicant 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 needing information as part of the review process or in order to coordinate programs; 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," 63 Federal Register 267 (January 5, 1998), and NSF-51, "Reviewer/Proposal File and Associated Records," 63 Federal Register 268 (January 5, 1998). 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 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 this burden estimate and any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, Division of Administrative Services, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA 22230.

OMB control number: 3145-0058.