Nationwide Science Basis
Directorate for Geosciences
Division of Ocean Sciences
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitting group’s native time):
June 10, 2024
Essential Data And Revision Notes
Any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation ought to be submitted in accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Insurance policies & Procedures Information (PAPPG) that’s in impact for the related due date to which the proposal is being submitted. The NSF PAPPG is recurrently revised and it’s the duty of the proposer to make sure that the proposal meets the necessities specified on this solicitation and the relevant model of the PAPPG. Submitting a proposal previous to a specified deadline doesn’t negate this requirement.
Abstract Of Program Necessities
Normal Data
Program Title:
NSF Ocean Observatories Initiative Facility Board (OOIFB) Administrative Help Workplace
Synopsis of Program:
The NSF Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) is a community-inspired and community-serving giant scale analysis facility enabling ocean science analysis. It consists of an built-in community of instrumentation arrays, distributed in numerous coastal and international ocean places that accumulate, archive, and distribute high quality oceanic and marine atmospheric knowledge to the ocean and Earth science communities. NSF has established the NSF Ocean Observatories Initiative Facility Board (OOIFB) to interact the person neighborhood by workshops, neighborhood conferences, and different interactive mechanisms to supply the NSF OOI and the NSF with a greater understanding of the present and future neighborhood wants as they relate to the scientific and technological innovation that the OOI helps.
This solicitation invitations proposals for an Administrative Help Workplace to help the OOIFB in finishing up its duties. The Help Workplace is liable for group of conferences and workshops, coordination and help for journey for OOIFB members and workshop individuals, upkeep of the OOIFB web site, in addition to different actions described inside the Program Description part of this solicitation.
Cognizant Program Officer(s):
Please be aware that the next data is present on the time of publishing. See program web site for any updates to the factors of contact.
Relevant Catalog of Federal Home Help (CFDA) Quantity(s):
Award Data
Anticipated Sort of Award: Normal Grant or Persevering with Grant
Estimated Variety of Awards: 1
Anticipated Funding Quantity: $3,500,000
$3.5 million complete for 5 years at $700,000 per 12 months. Quantity is topic to the provision of funds.
Eligibility Data
Who Might Submit Proposals:
Proposals could solely be submitted by the next:
Establishments of Greater Schooling (IHEs) – Two- and four-year IHEs (together with neighborhood faculties) accredited in, and having a campus situated within the US, appearing
on behalf of their college members. Particular Directions for Worldwide Department Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal consists of funding to be offered to an
worldwide department campus of a US establishment of upper schooling (together with by use of subawards and marketing consultant preparations), the proposer should clarify
the profit(s) to the undertaking of efficiency on the worldwide department campus, and justify why the undertaking actions can’t be carried out on the US campus.
Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Unbiased museums, observatories, analysis laboratories, skilled societies and related organizations situated within the U.S. which can be straight related to academic or analysis actions.
Who Might Function PI:
Restricted to people who usually are not serving as PI, co-PI or Senior/Key Personnel for energetic or pending OOI Operations and Upkeep Awards or subawards.
Restrict on Variety of Proposals per Group:
There are not any restrictions or limits.
Restrict on Variety of Proposals per PI or co-PI:
1
Proposal Preparation and Submission Directions
A. Proposal Preparation Directions
Letters of Intent: Not required
Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not required
B. Budgetary Data
C. Due Dates
Proposal Evaluate Data Standards
Advantage Evaluate Standards:
Nationwide Science Board authorized standards. Further advantage evaluation standards apply. Please see the total textual content of this solicitation for additional data.
Award Administration Data
Award Situations:
Further award situations apply. Please see the total textual content of this solicitation for additional data.
Reporting Necessities:
Further reporting necessities apply. Please see the total textual content of this solicitation for additional data.
Desk Of Contents
Abstract of Program Necessities
Introduction
Program Description
Award Data
Eligibility Data
Proposal Preparation and Submission Directions
Proposal Preparation Directions
Budgetary Data
Due Dates
Analysis.gov/Grants.gov Necessities
NSF Proposal Processing and Evaluate Procedures
Advantage Evaluate Rules and Standards
Evaluate and Choice Course of
Award Administration Data
Notification of the Award
Award Situations
Reporting Necessities
Company Contacts
Different Data
I. Introduction
As a part of its mission the Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE) helps amenities that present companies and infrastructure to help analysis and schooling within the ocean sciences. One such facility is the NSF Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) which consists of an built-in community of cabled and non-cabled arrays of instrumentation distributed in numerous coastal and international ocean places. Information movement is enabled by an built-in system of {hardware} and software program (cyberinfrastructure) that receives, processes, and broadly distributes measurements from over 800 devices in fastened and cellular places comprising the observatory. The OOI is designed to accommodate new devices to help future work proposed by the person neighborhood.
This infrastructure facilitates interdisciplinary investigation of short-term meteorological, tectonic, volcanic, geological, geophysical, and ecological occasions, in addition to long-term tendencies in ocean circulation patterns, local weather change, ocean acidity, geophysical occasions, and ecosystems. In Might 2023, NSF renewed the present Cooperative Settlement (CA) for OOI Administration and Operation (O&M) for the interval October 1, 2023, by September 30, 2028.
OCE has additionally established an impartial and sturdy committee to interact and nurture the analysis neighborhood and to symbolize and encourage OOI-based science to the nationwide and worldwide neighborhood at giant. Preliminary membership of the Ocean Observatories Initiative Facility Board (OOIFB) was established following the discharge of a Expensive Colleague Letter
(NSF 17-034). Presently, appointments are made following the procedures described within the OOIFB Constitution (Constitution – Ocean Observatories Initiative Facility Board – OOIFB)
This solicitation seeks proposals from organizations that want to be thought-about for the Administrative Help Workplace to help the OOIFB in finishing up its duties as described herein and within the OOIFB Phrases of Reference.
The length of the award is meant to be 5 years.
II. Program Description
A. Background
The Ocean Observatories Initiative Facility Board (OOIFB) has been established to supply impartial, community-based analysis concerning the actions and efficiency of the NSF OOI facility. The OOIFB promotes engagement and supplies the OOI and the NSF with present and forward-looking neighborhood enter on the cutting-edge science and technological innovation that the NSF OOI facility can help. The OOIFB consists of seven non-conflicted members of the oceanographic neighborhood, one in all whom serves as Chair, and two further representatives from the NSF OOI Operator. In-person/ hybrid conferences of the OOIFB are scheduled at the very least as soon as per 12 months, extra generally twice. As well as, one teleconference name is scheduled each month.
Key duties of the OOIFB are:
Serving because the prime scientific and technical conduit among the many oceanographic neighborhood, the NSF, and the OOI operator.
Offering management in neighborhood oversight of the OOI Science Plan (https://ooifb.org/ooi-science-plan/).
Conducting workshops, surveys, neighborhood conferences, and/or different applicable mechanisms, to interact the person neighborhood to tell the OOI concerning related advances in scientific inquiry, schooling, and technological improvements.
Creating and implementing methods to increase scientific and public consciousness of the distinctive scientific and technological alternatives of the OOI and guaranteeing that the oceanographic neighborhood is stored knowledgeable of OOI developments.
Figuring out current and potential new end-user communities, their wants for knowledge and meta-data data, and offering suggestions on the OOI’s effectiveness in disseminating this data to end-user communities and most of the people.
Serving to to establish and the place applicable assist set up collaborative relationships with potential governmental, industrial, academic, and worldwide companions within the OOI.
Supporting truthful and constant entry to the OOI by all sectors of the person neighborhood.
Selling neighborhood adherence to relevant NSF and OOI insurance policies for knowledge assortment, pattern archiving, and so forth. as pertaining to OOI actions.
Guaranteeing the appropriateness of current and/or facilitating the evolution of efficiency requirements for {hardware} and cyberinfrastructure, and in doing so addressing points comparable to short- and long-term instrument calibration, incorporation of novel applied sciences, sampling, growth of technological upgrades, and so forth.
Sustaining current and/or establishing new committees as required for acquiring in-depth assessments of extremely specialised points of OOI elements and operations. At present, the OOIFB has established the Information Methods Committee (DSC, https://ooifb.org/working-groups/data-systems-committee-dsc-2/) tasked to assist guarantee well timed and dependable entry to high-quality OOI knowledge. The DSC evaluates and recommends enhancements to the info companies insurance policies and practices of the OOI Facility.
B. Assertion of Work
The OOIFB Administrative Help Workplace will broadly facilitate actions crucial for the OOIFB to efficiently accomplish its normal objective and duties outlined above. The Administrative Help Workplace will present the administration construction and assets to seamlessly allow the OOIFB and its committees to hold out the mandate as described herein and within the OOIFB Phrases of Reference (www.nsf.gov/geo/oce/packages/ooi/ooifb-tor.jsp). Particular duties of the possible recipient will embody:
Coordinating logistics and journey preparations wanted to schedule and conduct the semi-annual conferences of the OOIFB.
Coordinating and organizing month-to-month teleconferences for the OOIFB and DSC, respectively and some other committee that could be established.
Supporting journey prices for OOIFB and committee members for participation in semi-annual assembly(s).
Recording the minutes of calls and conferences and issuing publicly out there variations inside one month of every assembly’s prevalence.
Coordinating and supporting workshops and different neighborhood engagement actions requested by the OOIFB, together with a City Corridor or related assembly per 12 months at a significant convention within the U.S. and different actions that is likely to be funded individually.
Aiding the OOIFB in getting ready studies summarizing actions, findings, and proposals from community-based workshops.
Offering different help as decided by the OOIFB Chair wanted to efficiently execute OOIFB duties outlined within the OOIFB Phrases of Reference.
Supporting wage necessities of the OOIFB Chair for one month per 12 months throughout the interval of efficiency.
Sustaining and recurrently updating the OOIFB web site (https://ooifb.org/) that disseminates data to the OOI neighborhood and normal public regarding ongoing actions, insurance policies, planning, and accomplishments of the OOIFB.
Creating and offering Annual Work Plans and the related prices to NSF to hold out actions of the OOIFB Administrative Help Workplace.
Initiating, managing, and overseeing the funding allocations required to help the OOIFB and its committees
Offering annual reporting of OOIFB Administrative Help Workplace standing by way of duties accomplished, milestones achieved, and funds obligated and expended.
III. Award Data
One award is predicted to be made to a professional group. Estimated program funds and common award measurement/length are topic to the provision of funds.
IV. Eligibility Data
Who Might Submit Proposals:
Proposals could solely be submitted by the next:
Establishments of Greater Schooling (IHEs) – Two- and four-year IHEs (together with neighborhood faculties) accredited in, and having a campus situated within the US, appearing
on behalf of their college members. Particular Directions for Worldwide Department Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal consists of funding to be offered to an
worldwide department campus of a US establishment of upper schooling (together with by use of subawards and marketing consultant preparations), the proposer should clarify
the profit(s) to the undertaking of efficiency on the worldwide department campus, and justify why the undertaking actions can’t be carried out on the US campus.
Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Unbiased museums, observatories, analysis laboratories, skilled societies and related organizations situated within the U.S. which can be straight related to academic or analysis actions.
Who Might Function PI:
Restricted to people who usually are not serving as PI, co-PI or Senior/Key Personnel for energetic or pending OOI Operations and Upkeep Awards or subawards.
Restrict on Variety of Proposals per Group:
There are not any restrictions or limits.
Restrict on Variety of Proposals per PI or co-PI:
1
Further Eligibility Data:
To qualify for an award from this solicitation, the proposing group should exhibit the potential to supply efficient help to the OOIFB.
V. Proposal Preparation And Submission Directions
A. Proposal Preparation Directions
Full Proposal Preparation Directions: Proposers could choose to submit proposals in response to this Program Solicitation by way of Analysis.gov or Grants.gov.
Full Proposals submitted by way of Analysis.gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation ought to be ready and submitted in accordance with the final pointers contained within the NSF Proposal and Award Insurance policies and Procedures Information (PAPPG). The entire textual content of the PAPPG is accessible electronically on the NSF web site at: https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg. Paper copies of the PAPPG could also be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, phone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mail from [email protected]. The Put together New Proposal setup will immediate you for this system solicitation quantity.
Full proposals submitted by way of Grants.gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation by way of Grants.gov ought to be ready and submitted in accordance with the NSF Grants.gov Utility Information: A Information for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Purposes by way of Grants.gov. The entire textual content of the NSF Grants.gov Utility Information is accessible on the Grants.gov web site and on the NSF web site at: (https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=grantsgovguide). To acquire copies of the Utility Information and Utility Types Package deal, click on on the Apply tab on the Grants.gov website, then click on on the Apply Step 1: Obtain a Grant Utility Package deal and Utility Directions hyperlink and enter the funding alternative quantity, (this system solicitation quantity with out the NSF prefix) and press the Obtain Package deal button. Paper copies of the Grants.gov Utility Information additionally could also be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, phone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mail from [email protected].
In figuring out which technique to make the most of within the digital preparation and submission of the proposal, please be aware the next:
Collaborative Proposals. All collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from a number of organizations should be submitted by way of Analysis.gov. PAPPG Chapter II.E.3 supplies further data on collaborative proposals.
See PAPPG Chapter II.D.2 for steerage on the required sections of a full analysis proposal submitted to NSF. Please be aware that the proposal preparation directions offered on this program solicitation could deviate from the PAPPG directions.
The next directions complement the steerage within the PAPPG and NSF Grants.gov Utility Information.
Proposal Set-Up: Proposers ought to choose “Middle” for the Sort of Proposal.
Venture Description (as much as 15 pages): Along with the steerage specified within the PAPPG, together with the requirement for a separate part labeled “Broader Impacts,” the Venture Description part of the proposal ought to tackle the {qualifications} and capabilities of the proposing group to carry out the duties of the OOIFB Administrative Help Workplace as described in Part II.B. of this solicitation. The Venture Description should:
Clearly current the administration construction, functionality, expertise, and {qualifications} of the group proposed to function the Administrative Help Workplace. Embrace an aggregated description of the inner and exterior assets (each bodily and personnel) that the group and any potential collaborating members will present to this system. Clarify the roles and duties of every recognized or deliberate workforce entity, if relevant. Describe the next:
How the proposed administration construction and PI will work together with and help the OOIFB established by NSF.
The strategy to carrying out the duties essential to help conferences of the OOIFB, the DSC, and some other committees that could be established.
The strategy to carrying out the duties essential to conduct workshops, City Halls, and different neighborhood engagement actions requested by the OOIFB.
How the proposing group will straight work together with and help the OOIFB Chair in carrying out the OOIFB mandate.
How the proposed Administrative Help Workplace will additional develop and preserve OOIFB’s web site (https://ooifb.org/) that describes and summarizes OOIFB actions accomplished and in course of.
How the proposed Administrative Help Workplace will plan actions and decide budgets wanted for submittal of Annual Work Plans to the NSF.
The strategy to initiating, managing, and overseeing the funding allocations required to help the OOIFB.
How the reporting necessities required by this solicitation shall be achieved in a well timed and environment friendly method.
Please be aware that each one data related to figuring out the standard of the proposed work should be included as a part of the Venture Description.
Normal Data: For added data on this competitors, together with NSF practices and insurance policies, proposing organizations ought to contact the Cognizant Program Officer: George Voulgaris ([email protected]). The next publicly out there paperwork shall be informative:
B. Budgetary Data
Value Sharing:
Inclusion of voluntary dedicated value sharing is prohibited.
Finances Preparation Directions:
The complete proposal ought to embody a funds for every year of the proposed operational interval from October 1, 2024, by September 30, 2029. The funds ought to be primarily based on complete funding of not more than $700,000 per 12 months, inclusive of oblique prices. The proposal ought to present all staffing and budgeting data wanted to explain how the group would fulfill the recipient duties in Part II of this solicitation. Requested funds quantities for every year of the proposal ought to replicate the extent thought-about essential to carry out the NSF-funded actions described within the proposal.
Organizations that haven’t beforehand acquired NSF awards ought to evaluation the NSF Potential New Awardee Information (https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf20032&org=NSF) for added steerage in getting ready their funds submission.
C. Due Dates
D. Analysis.gov/Grants.gov Necessities
For Proposals Submitted Through Analysis.gov:
To arrange and submit a proposal by way of Analysis.gov, see detailed technical directions out there at: https://www.analysis.gov/research-portal/appmanager/base/desktop?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=research_node_display&_nodePath=/researchGov/Service/Desktop/ProposalPreparationandSubmission.html. For Analysis.gov person help, name the Analysis.gov Assist Desk at 1-800-381-1532 or e-mail [email protected]. The Analysis.gov Assist Desk solutions normal technical questions associated to the usage of the Analysis.gov system. Particular questions associated to this program solicitation ought to be referred to the NSF program employees contact(s) listed in Part VIII of this funding alternative.
For Proposals Submitted Through Grants.gov:
Earlier than utilizing Grants.gov for the primary time, every group should register to create an institutional profile. As soon as registered, the applicant’s group can then apply for any federal grant on the Grants.gov web site. Complete details about utilizing Grants.gov is accessible on the Grants.gov Applicant Assets webpage: https://www.grants.gov/internet/grants/candidates.html. As well as, the NSF Grants.gov Utility Information (see hyperlink in Part V.A) supplies directions concerning the technical preparation of proposals by way of Grants.gov. For Grants.gov person help, contact the Grants.gov Contact Middle at 1-800-518-4726 or by electronic mail: [email protected]. The Grants.gov Contact Middle solutions normal technical questions associated to the usage of Grants.gov. Particular questions associated to this program solicitation ought to be referred to the NSF program employees contact(s) listed in Part VIII of this solicitation.
Submitting the Proposal: As soon as all paperwork have been accomplished, the Approved Organizational Consultant (AOR) should submit the appliance to Grants.gov and confirm the specified funding alternative and company to which the appliance is submitted. The AOR should then signal and submit the appliance to Grants.gov. The finished utility shall be transferred to Analysis.gov for additional processing.
The NSF Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Analysis.gov informational web page supplies submission steerage to candidates and hyperlinks to useful assets together with the NSF Grants.gov Utility Information, Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Analysis.gov how-to information, and Grants.gov Submitted Proposals Steadily Requested Questions. Grants.gov proposals should go all NSF pre-check and post-check validations with a purpose to be accepted by Analysis.gov at NSF.
When submitting by way of Grants.gov, NSF strongly recommends candidates provoke proposal submission at the very least 5 enterprise days prematurely of a deadline to permit enough time to deal with NSF compliance errors and resubmissions by 5:00 p.m. submitting group’s native time on the deadline. Please be aware that some errors can’t be corrected in Grants.gov. As soon as a proposal passes pre-checks however fails any post-check, an applicant can solely appropriate and submit the in-progress proposal in Analysis.gov.
Proposers that submitted by way of Analysis.gov could use Analysis.gov to confirm the standing of their submission to NSF. For proposers that submitted by way of Grants.gov, till an utility has been acquired and validated by NSF, the Approved Organizational Consultant could test the standing of an utility on Grants.gov. After proposers have acquired an e-mail notification from NSF, Analysis.gov ought to be used to test the standing of an utility.
VI. NSF Proposal Processing And Evaluate Procedures
Proposals acquired by NSF are assigned to the suitable NSF program for acknowledgement and, in the event that they meet NSF necessities, for evaluation. All proposals are rigorously reviewed by a scientist, engineer, or educator serving as an NSF Program Officer, and often by three to 10 different individuals exterior NSF both as advert hoc reviewers, panelists, or each, who’re consultants within the explicit fields represented by the proposal. These reviewers are chosen by Program Officers charged with oversight of the evaluation course of. Proposers are invited to recommend names of individuals they imagine are particularly effectively certified to evaluation the proposal and/or individuals they would like not evaluation the proposal. These options could function one supply within the reviewer choice course of on the Program Officer’s discretion. Submission of such names, nevertheless, is non-obligatory. Care is taken to make sure that reviewers haven’t any conflicts of curiosity with the proposal. As well as, Program Officers could get hold of feedback from website visits earlier than recommending remaining motion on proposals. Senior NSF employees additional evaluation suggestions for awards. A flowchart that depicts the whole NSF proposal and award course of (and related timeline) is included in PAPPG Exhibit III-1.
A complete description of the Basis’s advantage evaluation course of is accessible on the NSF web site at: https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/coverage/merit_review/.
Proposers also needs to concentrate on core methods which can be important to the success of NSF’s mission, as articulated in Main the World in Discovery and Innovation, STEM Expertise Growth and the Supply of Advantages from Analysis – NSF Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2022 – 2026. These methods are built-in in this system planning and implementation course of, of which proposal evaluation is one half. NSF’s mission is especially well-implemented by the mixing of analysis and schooling and broadening participation in NSF packages, initiatives, and actions.
One of many strategic goals in help of NSF’s mission is to foster integration of analysis and schooling by the packages, initiatives, and actions it helps at educational and analysis establishments. These establishments should recruit, practice, and put together a various STEM workforce to advance the frontiers of science and take part within the U.S. technology-based economic system. NSF’s contribution to the nationwide innovation ecosystem is to supply cutting-edge analysis below the steerage of the Nation’s most artistic scientists and engineers. NSF additionally helps improvement of a powerful science, expertise, engineering, and arithmetic (STEM) workforce by investing in constructing the information that informs enhancements in STEM educating and studying.
NSF’s mission requires the broadening of alternatives and increasing participation of teams, establishments, and geographic areas which can be underrepresented in STEM disciplines, which is crucial to the well being and vitality of science and engineering. NSF is dedicated to this precept of range and deems it central to the packages, initiatives, and actions it considers and helps.
A. Advantage Evaluate Rules and Standards
The Nationwide Science Basis strives to put money into a sturdy and numerous portfolio of initiatives that creates new information and allows breakthroughs in understanding throughout all areas of science and engineering analysis and schooling. To establish which initiatives to help, NSF depends on a advantage evaluation course of that includes consideration of each the technical points of a proposed undertaking and its potential to contribute extra broadly to advancing NSF’s mission “to advertise the progress of science; to advance the nationwide well being, prosperity, and welfare; to safe the nationwide protection; and for different functions.” NSF makes each effort to conduct a good, aggressive, clear advantage evaluation course of for the choice of initiatives.
1. Advantage Evaluate Rules
These rules are to be given due diligence by PIs and organizations when getting ready proposals and managing initiatives, by reviewers when studying and evaluating proposals, and by NSF program employees when figuring out whether or not or to not suggest proposals for funding and whereas overseeing awards. Provided that NSF is the first federal company charged with nurturing and supporting excellence in primary analysis and schooling, the next three rules apply:
All NSF initiatives ought to be of the best high quality and have the potential to advance, if not rework, the frontiers of data.
NSF initiatives, within the mixture, ought to contribute extra broadly to reaching societal objectives. These “Broader Impacts” could also be achieved by the analysis itself, by actions which can be straight associated to particular analysis initiatives, or by actions which can be supported by, however are complementary to, the undertaking. The undertaking actions could also be primarily based on beforehand established and/or progressive strategies and approaches, however in both case should be effectively justified.
Significant evaluation and analysis of NSF funded initiatives ought to be primarily based on applicable metrics, conserving in thoughts the probably correlation between the impact of broader impacts and the assets offered to implement initiatives. If the dimensions of the exercise is restricted, analysis of that exercise in isolation will not be more likely to be significant. Thus, assessing the effectiveness of those actions could finest be carried out at a better, extra aggregated, degree than the person undertaking.
With respect to the third precept, even when evaluation of Broader Impacts outcomes for explicit initiatives is completed at an aggregated degree, PIs are anticipated to be accountable for finishing up the actions described within the funded undertaking. Thus, particular person initiatives ought to embody clearly said objectives, particular descriptions of the actions that the PI intends to do, and a plan in place to doc the outputs of these actions.
These three advantage evaluation rules present the premise for the advantage evaluation standards, in addition to a context inside which the customers of the standards can higher perceive their intent.
2. Advantage Evaluate Standards
All NSF proposals are evaluated by use of the 2 Nationwide Science Board authorized advantage evaluation standards. In some situations, nevertheless, NSF will make use of further standards as required to focus on the precise goals of sure packages and actions.
The 2 advantage evaluation standards are listed beneath. Each standards are to be given full consideration throughout the evaluation and decision-making processes; every criterion is important however neither, by itself, is adequate. Due to this fact, proposers should totally tackle each standards. (PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.d(i). comprises further data to be used by proposers in improvement of the Venture Description part of the proposal). Reviewers are strongly inspired to evaluation the standards, together with PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.d(i), previous to the evaluation of a proposal.
When evaluating NSF proposals, reviewers shall be requested to contemplate what the proposers wish to do, why they wish to do it, how they plan to do it, how they are going to know in the event that they succeed, and what advantages may accrue if the undertaking is profitable. These points apply each to the technical points of the proposal and the way in which wherein the undertaking could make broader contributions. To that finish, reviewers shall be requested to guage all proposals in opposition to two standards:
Mental Advantage: The Mental Advantage criterion encompasses the potential to advance information; and
Broader Impacts: The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the potential to profit society and contribute to the achievement of particular, desired societal outcomes.
The next components ought to be thought-about within the evaluation for each standards:
What’s the potential for the proposed exercise to
Advance information and understanding inside its personal subject or throughout completely different fields (Mental Advantage); and
Profit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)?
To what extent do the proposed actions recommend and discover artistic, unique, or probably transformative ideas?
Is the plan for finishing up the proposed actions well-reasoned, well-organized, and primarily based on a sound rationale? Does the plan incorporate a mechanism to evaluate success?
How effectively certified is the person, workforce, or group to conduct the proposed actions?
Are there enough assets out there to the PI (both on the house group or by collaborations) to hold out the proposed actions?
Broader impacts could also be achieved by the analysis itself, by the actions which can be straight associated to particular analysis initiatives, or by actions which can be supported by, however are complementary to, the undertaking. NSF values the development of scientific information and actions that contribute to achievement of societally related outcomes. Such outcomes embody, however usually are not restricted to: full participation of girls, individuals with disabilities, and different underrepresented teams in science, expertise, engineering, and arithmetic (STEM); improved STEM schooling and educator improvement at any degree; elevated public scientific literacy and public engagement with science and expertise; improved well-being of people in society; improvement of a various, globally aggressive STEM workforce; elevated partnerships between academia, business, and others; improved nationwide safety; elevated financial competitiveness of the US; and enhanced infrastructure for analysis and schooling.
Proposers are reminded that reviewers may even be requested to evaluation the Information Administration and Sharing Plan and the Mentoring Plan, as applicable.
Further Solicitation Particular Evaluate Standards
Along with the usual advantage evaluation standards, the evaluation course of may even embody an evaluation of the proponent group’s construction, functionality, and expertise in supporting the executive wants of a science community-based group.
The proposed strategy to carrying out every of the necessities listed within the Assertion of Work (Part II.B.), outlined by the proponent within the Program Description of this Solicitation, shall be particularly evaluated by way of understanding the requirement, comprehensiveness of the strategy, and chance of profitable efficiency.
B. Evaluate and Choice Course of
Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation shall be reviewed by
Advert hoc Evaluate and/or Panel Evaluate.
Reviewers shall be requested to guage proposals utilizing two Nationwide Science Board authorized advantage evaluation standards and, if relevant, further program particular standards. A abstract ranking and accompanying narrative will typically be accomplished and submitted by every reviewer and/or panel. The Program Officer assigned to handle the proposal’s evaluation will take into account the recommendation of reviewers and can formulate a suggestion.
After scientific, technical and programmatic evaluation and consideration of applicable elements, the NSF Program Officer recommends to the cognizant Division Director whether or not the proposal ought to be declined or advisable for award. NSF strives to have the ability to inform proposers whether or not their proposals have been declined or advisable for funding inside six months. Massive or significantly advanced proposals or proposals from new recipients could require further evaluation and processing time. The time interval begins on the deadline or goal date, or receipt date, whichever is later. The interval ends when the Division Director acts upon the Program Officer’s suggestion.
After programmatic approval has been obtained, the proposals advisable for funding shall be forwarded to the Division of Grants and Agreements or the Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Help for evaluation of enterprise, monetary, and coverage implications. After an administrative evaluation has occurred, Grants and Agreements Officers carry out the processing and issuance of a grant or different settlement. Proposers are cautioned that solely a Grants and Agreements Officer could make commitments, obligations or awards on behalf of NSF or authorize the expenditure of funds. No dedication on the a part of NSF ought to be inferred from technical or budgetary discussions with a NSF Program Officer. A Principal Investigator or group that makes monetary or personnel commitments within the absence of a grant or cooperative settlement signed by the NSF Grants and Agreements Officer does so at their very own threat.
As soon as an award or declination choice has been made, Principal Investigators are offered suggestions about their proposals. In all instances, opinions are handled as confidential paperwork. Verbatim copies of opinions, excluding the names of the reviewers or any reviewer-identifying data, are despatched to the Principal Investigator/Venture Director by the Program Officer. As well as, the proposer will obtain a proof of the choice to award or decline funding.
VII. Award Administration Data
A. Notification of the Award
Notification of the award is made to the submitting group by an NSF Grants and Agreements Officer. Organizations whose proposals are declined shall be suggested as promptly as doable by the cognizant NSF Program administering this system. Verbatim copies of opinions, not together with the id of the reviewer, shall be offered mechanically to the Principal Investigator. (See Part VI.B. for added data on the evaluation course of.)
B. Award Situations
An NSF award consists of: (1) the award discover, which incorporates any particular provisions relevant to the award and any numbered amendments thereto; (2) the funds, which signifies the quantities, by classes of expense, on which NSF has primarily based its help (or in any other case communicates any particular approvals or disapprovals of proposed expenditures); (3) the proposal referenced within the award discover; (4) the relevant award situations, comparable to Grant Normal Situations (GC-1)*; or Analysis Phrases and Situations* and (5) any announcement or different NSF issuance that could be included by reference within the award discover. Cooperative agreements are also administered in accordance with NSF Cooperative Settlement Monetary and Administrative Phrases and Situations (CA-FATC) and the relevant Programmatic Phrases and Situations. NSF awards are electronically signed by an NSF Grants and Agreements Officer and transmitted electronically to the group by way of e-mail.
*These paperwork could also be accessed electronically on NSF’s Web site at https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/award_conditions.jsp?org=NSF. Paper copies could also be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, phone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mail from [email protected].
Extra complete data on NSF Award Situations and different essential data on the administration of NSF awards is contained within the NSF Proposal & Award Insurance policies & Procedures Information (PAPPG) Chapter VII, out there electronically on the NSF Web site at https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg.
Administrative and Nationwide Coverage Necessities
Construct America, Purchase America
As expressed in Govt Order 14005, Guaranteeing the Future is Made in All of America by All of Americas Staff (86 FR 7475), it’s the coverage of the manager department to make use of phrases and situations of Federal monetary help awards to maximise, in line with regulation, the usage of items, merchandise, and supplies produced in, and companies provided in, the US.
In line with the necessities of the Construct America, Purchase America Act (Pub. L. 117-58, Division G, Title IX, Subtitle A, November 15, 2021), no funding made out there by this funding alternative could also be obligated for an award until all iron, metal, manufactured merchandise, and development supplies used within the undertaking are produced in the US. For added data, go to NSFs Construct America, Purchase America webpage.
Particular Award Situations:
The award related to this solicitation shall be a normal or persevering with grant that can fund the OOIFB Administrative Help Workplace in accordance with authorized Annual Work Plans. The next are a few of the measures NSF makes use of to conduct oversight:
Evaluate of Annual Venture Experiences,
Annual Efficiency Experiences together with Metrics, and
Annual Work Plans
C. Reporting Necessities
For all multi-year grants (together with each normal and persevering with grants), the Principal Investigator should submit an annual undertaking report back to the cognizant Program Officer no later than 90 days previous to the top of the present funds interval. (Some packages or awards require submission of extra frequent undertaking studies). No later than 120 days following expiration of a grant, the PI is also required to submit a remaining annual undertaking report, and a undertaking outcomes report for most of the people.
Failure to supply the required annual or remaining annual undertaking studies, or the undertaking outcomes report, will delay NSF evaluation and processing of any future funding increments in addition to any pending proposals for all recognized PIs and co-PIs on a given award. PIs ought to look at the codecs of the required studies prematurely to guarantee availability of required knowledge.
PIs are required to make use of NSF’s digital project-reporting system, out there by Analysis.gov, for preparation and submission of annual and remaining annual undertaking studies. Such studies present data on accomplishments, undertaking individuals (particular person and organizational), publications, and different particular merchandise and impacts of the undertaking. Submission of the report by way of Analysis.gov constitutes certification by the PI that the contents of the report are correct and full. The undertaking outcomes report additionally should be ready and submitted utilizing Analysis.gov. This report serves as a short abstract, ready particularly for the general public, of the character and outcomes of the undertaking. This report shall be posted on the NSF web site precisely as it’s submitted by the PI.
Extra complete data on NSF Reporting Necessities and different essential data on the administration of NSF awards is contained within the NSF Proposal & Award Insurance policies & Procedures Information (PAPPG) Chapter VII, out there electronically on the NSF Web site at https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg.
Along with the Annual Venture Report, Closing Annual Venture Report, and Venture Outcomes Report the recipient will present the next:
A Draft Annual Work Plan (AWP), to be submitted by electronic mail to the NSF Program Officer yearly a minimal of 60 days previous to October 1. The AWP will cowl the upcoming operational 12 months and can tackle, however not be restricted to, Programmatic Targets, Metrics and Milestones, Staffing and Group Plans, and Main Planning Actions. AWP contents will replicate the schedules, funding ranges, pointers, and codecs authorized by the NSF Program Officer. The authorized Annual Work Plans will serve to information OOIFB Administrative Help Workplace actions for every respective 12 months throughout the interval of efficiency. Timeline changes shall be made for the primary 12 months of efficiency as wanted.
B Common Casual Experiences together with communication with the NSF Program Officer.
VIII. Company Contacts
Please be aware that this system contact data is present on the time of publishing. See program web site for any updates to the factors of contact.
Normal inquiries concerning this program ought to be made to:
For questions associated to the usage of NSF programs contact:
NSF Assist Desk: 1-800-381-1532
Analysis.gov Assist Desk e-mail: [email protected]
For questions regarding Grants.gov contact:
Grants.gov Contact Middle: If the Approved Organizational Representatives (AOR) has not acquired a affirmation message from Grants.gov inside 48 hours of submission of utility, please contact by way of phone: 1-800-518-4726; e-mail: [email protected].
IX. Different Data
The NSF web site supplies essentially the most complete supply of knowledge on NSF Directorates (together with contact data), packages and funding alternatives. Use of this web site by potential proposers is strongly inspired. As well as, “NSF Replace” is an information-delivery system designed to maintain potential proposers and different events apprised of latest NSF funding alternatives and publications, essential adjustments in proposal and award insurance policies and procedures, and upcoming NSF Grants Conferences. Subscribers are knowledgeable by e-mail or the person’s Internet browser every time new publications are issued that match their recognized pursuits. “NSF Replace” additionally is accessible on NSF’s web site.
Grants.gov supplies a further digital functionality to seek for Federal government-wide grant alternatives. NSF funding alternatives could also be accessed by way of this mechanism. Additional data on Grants.gov could also be obtained at https://www.grants.gov.
About The Nationwide Science Basis
The Nationwide Science Basis (NSF) is an impartial Federal company created by the Nationwide Science Basis Act of 1950, as amended (42 USC 1861-75). The Act states the aim of the NSF is “to advertise the progress of science; [and] to advance the nationwide well being, prosperity, and welfare by supporting analysis and schooling in all fields of science and engineering.”
NSF funds analysis and schooling in most fields of science and engineering. It does this by grants and cooperative agreements to greater than 2,000 faculties, universities, Ok-12 college programs, companies, casual science organizations and different analysis organizations all through the US. The Basis accounts for about one-fourth of Federal help to educational establishments for primary analysis.
NSF receives roughly 55,000 proposals every year for analysis, schooling and coaching initiatives, of which roughly 11,000 are funded. As well as, the Basis receives a number of thousand purposes for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships. The company operates no laboratories itself however does help Nationwide Analysis Facilities, person amenities, sure oceanographic vessels and Arctic and Antarctic analysis stations. The Basis additionally helps cooperative analysis between universities and business, US participation in worldwide scientific and engineering efforts, and academic actions at each educational degree.
Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) present funding for particular help or gear to allow individuals with disabilities to work on NSF-supported initiatives. See the NSF Proposal & Award Insurance policies & Procedures Information Chapter II.F.7 for directions concerning preparation of all these proposals.
The Nationwide Science Basis has Telephonic System for the Deaf (TDD) and Federal Data Relay Service (FIRS) capabilities that allow people with listening to impairments to speak with the Basis about NSF packages, employment or normal data. TDD could also be accessed at (703) 292-5090 and (800) 281-8749, FIRS at (800) 877-8339.
The Nationwide Science Basis Data Middle could also be reached at (703) 292-5111.
The Nationwide Science Basis promotes and advances scientific progress in the US by competitively awarding grants and cooperative agreements for analysis and schooling within the sciences, arithmetic, and engineering.
To get the newest details about program deadlines, to obtain copies of NSF publications, and to entry abstracts of awards, go to the NSF Web site at https://www.nsf.gov
2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314
For Normal Data
(NSF Data Middle):
(703) 292-5111
TDD (for the hearing-impaired):
(703) 292-5090
To Order Publications or Types:
Ship an e-mail to:
or phone:
(703) 292-8134
(703) 292-5111
Privateness Act And Public Burden Statements
The knowledge requested on proposal varieties and undertaking studies is solicited below the authority of the Nationwide Science Basis Act of 1950, as amended. The knowledge on proposal varieties shall be utilized in reference to the choice of certified proposals; and undertaking studies submitted by proposers shall be used for program analysis and reporting inside the Govt Department and to Congress. The knowledge requested could also be disclosed to certified reviewers and employees assistants as a part of the proposal evaluation course of; to proposer establishments/grantees to supply or get hold of knowledge concerning the proposal evaluation course of, award selections, or the administration of awards; to authorities contractors, consultants, volunteers and researchers and educators as crucial to finish assigned work; to different authorities businesses or different entities needing data concerning proposers or nominees as a part of a joint utility evaluation course of, or with a purpose to coordinate packages or coverage; and to a different Federal company, courtroom, or social gathering in a courtroom or Federal administrative continuing if the federal government is a celebration. Details about Principal Investigators could also be added to the Reviewer file and used to pick potential candidates to function peer reviewers or advisory committee members. See System of File Notices, NSF-50, “Principal Investigator/Proposal File and Related Data,” and NSF-51, “Reviewer/Proposal File and Related Data.” Submission of the data is voluntary. Failure to supply full and full data, nevertheless, could cut back the opportunity of receiving an award.
An company could not conduct or sponsor, and an individual will not be required to reply to, an data assortment until it shows a sound Workplace of Administration and Finances (OMB) management quantity. The OMB management quantity for this assortment is 3145-0058. Public reporting burden for this assortment of knowledge is estimated to common 120 hours per response, together with the time for reviewing directions. Ship feedback concerning the burden estimate and some other side of this assortment of knowledge, together with options for decreasing this burden, to:
Suzanne H. Plimpton
Experiences Clearance Officer
Coverage Workplace, Division of Establishment and Award Help
Workplace of Finances, Finance, and Award Administration
Nationwide Science Basis
Alexandria, VA 22314
