Assessing and Predicting Technology Outcomes (APTO) (nsf23600) | NSF

Nationwide Science Basis

Directorate for Know-how, Innovation and Partnerships

Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m. submitter’s native time):

     August 21, 2023

Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter’s native time):

     October 30, 2023

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 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 usually 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.

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Normal Data

Program Title:

Assessing and Predicting Know-how Outcomes (APTO)

Synopsis of Program:

The Nationwide Science Basis (NSF), by the Directorate for Know-how, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), is launching a brand new program on Assessing and Predicting Know-how Outcomes (APTO) to evaluate how investments in science and know-how analysis and improvement will contribute to particular outcomes for the Nation. The APTO program will help a cohort of initiatives that may work collectively to enrich one another’s analysis and improvement (R&D) efforts on know-how consequence fashions to precisely describe three forms of know-how outcomes: know-how capabilities, know-how manufacturing, and know-how use. These fashions ought to be capable of predict future in addition to previous states of know-how outcomes. Of explicit curiosity are prediction fashions which can be generalizable throughout a number of know-how areas. The result of this work will assist assess and consider the effectiveness of U.S. R&D investments and generate info that call makers may use to strategize and optimize investments for advancing long-term U.S. competitiveness into the long run.

The APTO program serves the TIP directorate’s want for know-how evaluation to grasp the place the U.S. stands — as a complete and in particular person areas — vis-à-vis competitiveness in the important thing know-how focus areas named in Sec. 10387 of the CHIPS and Science Act. TIP is interested by solutions to the query of which science and know-how investments would provide the best impression in the important thing know-how focus areas and could be important to the long-term nationwide safety and financial prosperity of the USA. As a key side of TIP’s know-how evaluation exercise, the APTO program will convey collectively multidisciplinary groups to assist develop the information, mental foundations, and analytics essential to tell choice making.

The analysis group has accrued vital insights in regards to the “charge and route of ingenious exercise”1 as an mixture financial good, and about what choice makers can do to extend the general manufacturing of that good. In the meantime, business has immense expertise with creating particular applied sciences and planning the best way to attain meant know-how outcomes over durations of a number of years. The APTO program goals to increase on this data base spanning academia and business to raised perceive and predict the long-term evolution of particular applied sciences over a interval of some years to a long time, and particularly mannequin how intentional, purposeful investments can change that evolution.

APTO will fund analysis and improvement of causal fashions that precisely describe previous and future know-how outcomes, particularly the capabilities, manufacturing, and use of particular applied sciences. These fashions ought to be capable of predict probably future outcomes for particular applied sciences and what intentional investments may reliably change or speed up these outcomes by appropriately capturing the assorted causal relationships. Constructing and testing these fashions would require vital quantities of specialised information gathered from quite a lot of sources, e.g., historic sources, experimentation, knowledgeable elicitation, and others. Knowledge extraction and processing instruments could have to be developed as a part of that effort.

APTO will help a cohort of initiatives that may work in collaboration on analysis and improvement of Know-how Consequence Fashions and in improvement/preparation of Knowledge Units and associated Instruments.

1 “The Charge and Path of Ingenious Exercise”, edited by R. R. Nelson, 1962. Princeton, NJ: Princeton College Press.

Cognizant Program Officer(s):

Please word that the next info 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):

47.084 — NSF Know-how, Innovation and Partnerships

Award Data

Anticipated Kind of Award: Customary Grant or Cooperative Settlement

Estimated Variety of Awards: 5 to twenty

Anticipated Funding Quantity: $30,000,000

Topic to availability of funds

Eligibility Data

Who Might Submit Proposals:

Proposals could solely be submitted by the next:

Establishments of Increased Schooling (IHEs) – Two- and four-year IHEs (together with group faculties) accredited in, and having a campus situated within the US, performing on behalf of their school members. Particular Directions for Worldwide Department Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal contains funding to be supplied to a world department campus of a US establishment of upper schooling (together with by use of subawards and guide 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: Impartial museums, observatories, analysis laboratories, skilled societies and related organizations situated within the U.S. which can be straight related to instructional or analysis actions.
For-profit organizations: U.S.-based business organizations, together with small companies, with robust capabilities in scientific or engineering analysis or schooling and a ardour for innovation.

Who Might Function PI:

There aren’t any restrictions or limits.

Restrict on Variety of Proposals per Group:

There aren’t any restrictions or limits.

Restrict on Variety of Proposals per PI or co-PI:

There aren’t any restrictions or limits.

Proposal Preparation and Submission Directions

A. Proposal Preparation Directions

Letters of Intent: Not required

Preliminary Proposals: Submission of Preliminary Proposals is required. Please see the total textual content of this solicitation for additional info.

Full Proposals:

B. Budgetary Data

Price Sharing Necessities:

Inclusion of voluntary dedicated price sharing is prohibited.

Oblique Price (F&A) Limitations:

Not Relevant

Different Budgetary Limitations:

Different budgetary limitations apply. Please see the total textual content of this solicitation for additional info.

C. Due Dates

Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m. submitter’s native time):

     August 21, 2023

Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter’s native time):

     October 30, 2023

Proposal Overview Data Standards

Advantage Overview Standards:

Nationwide Science Board permitted standards. Extra benefit evaluate standards apply. Please see the total textual content of this solicitation for additional info.

Award Administration Data

Award Situations:

Extra award situations apply. Please see the total textual content of this solicitation for additional info.

Reporting Necessities:

Customary NSF reporting necessities apply.

TABLE 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 Overview Procedures
Advantage Overview Rules and Standards
Overview and Choice Course of

Award Administration Data
Notification of the Award
Award Situations
Reporting Necessities

Company Contacts
Different Data

I. INTRODUCTION

The Nationwide Science Basis (NSF), by the Directorate for Know-how, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), is launching a brand new program on Assessing and Predicting Know-how Outcomes (APTO) to evaluate how investments in science and know-how analysis and improvement will contribute to particular outcomes for the Nation. The APTO program will help a cohort of initiatives that may work collectively to enrich one another’s analysis and improvement (R&D) efforts on know-how consequence fashions to precisely describe three forms of know-how outcomes: know-how capabilities, know-how manufacturing, and know-how use. These fashions ought to be capable of predict future in addition to previous states of know-how outcomes. Of explicit curiosity are prediction fashions which can be generalizable throughout a number of know-how areas. The result of this work will assist assess and consider the effectiveness of U.S. R&D investments and generate info that call makers may use to strategize and optimize investments for advancing long-term U.S. competitiveness into the long run.

The APTO program serves the TIP directorate’s want for know-how evaluation to grasp the place the U.S. stands — as a complete and in particular person areas — vis-à-vis competitiveness in the important thing know-how focus areas named in Sec. 10387 of the CHIPS and Science Act. TIP is interested by solutions to the query of which science and know-how investments would provide the best impression in the important thing know-how focus areas and could be important to the long-term nationwide safety and financial prosperity of the USA. As a key side of TIP’s know-how evaluation exercise, the APTO program will convey collectively multidisciplinary groups to assist develop the information, mental foundations, and analytics essential to tell choice making.

The analysis group has accrued vital insights in regards to the “charge and route of ingenious exercise”2 as an mixture financial good, and about what choice makers can do to extend the general manufacturing of that good. In the meantime, business has immense expertise with creating particular applied sciences and planning the best way to attain meant know-how outcomes over durations of a number of years. The APTO program goals to increase on this data base spanning academia and business to raised perceive and predict the long-term evolution of particular applied sciences over a interval of some years to a long time, and particularly mannequin how intentional, purposeful investments can change that evolution. This information will set the muse for future data-driven funding approaches that may advance U.S. competitiveness, foster innovation and profit all of America.

APTO will fund a cohort of initiatives to conduct R&D in fashions that may precisely describe previous and future outcomes together with the capabilities, manufacturing, and use of particular applied sciences. These fashions will be capable of predict probably outcomes for particular future applied sciences and what investments would reliably change or speed up these outcomes. In doing so, the fashions would wish to seize the vital causal construction between investments and know-how outcomes.

Constructing efficient know-how consequence fashions will probably require a generalized understanding of know-how evolution throughout all applied sciences. Nonetheless, the important thing applied sciences of curiosity to the APTO program embrace these from Sec. 10387 of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022:

Synthetic intelligence, machine studying, autonomy, and associated advances;
Excessive efficiency computing, semiconductors, and superior pc {hardware} and software program;
Quantum info science and know-how;
Robotics, automation, and superior manufacturing;
Know-how for pure and anthropogenic catastrophe prevention or mitigation;
Superior communications know-how and immersive know-how­;
Biotechnology, medical know-how, genomics, and artificial biology;
Knowledge storage, information administration, distributed ledger applied sciences, and cybersecurity, together with biometrics;
Superior power and industrial effectivity applied sciences, resembling batteries and superior nuclear applied sciences, together with however not restricted to for the needs of electrical era; and
Superior supplies science, together with composites 2D supplies, different next-generation supplies, and associated manufacturing applied sciences.

The fashions and strategies produced in APTO will allow assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of R&D investments, and whether or not they’re optimized for advancing long-term U.S. competitiveness, in these know-how areas in addition to others.

2 “The Charge and Path of Ingenious Exercise”, edited by R. R. Nelson, 1962. Princeton, NJ: Princeton College Press.

II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The APTO program is interested by supporting R&D in causal fashions for assessing and predicting outcomes associated to know-how capabilities, know-how manufacturing, and know-how use. To that finish, this system helps two Traces of Effort (LOE) — one on Know-how Consequence Fashions and the opposite on Knowledge Units and Instruments. This system will choose a cohort of initiatives which, taken collectively, are greatest in a position to cowl the total panorama of know-how evaluation and prediction throughout the important thing know-how focus areas listed above.

Particular person initiatives could deal with evaluation and prediction of a number of know-how outcomes (i.e., know-how Functionality, Manufacturing, Use) and on one or each Traces of Effort (i.e., Know-how Consequence Fashions, Knowledge Units & Instruments). This system will attempt to cowl the total breadth of areas, as greatest as potential, throughout the funded cohort of initiatives.

1. Know-how Outcomes and Traces of Effort

The technical targets of the APTO program are strategies, with associated information units and accompanying instruments, that assist to precisely assess and predict three forms of know-how outcomes:

Capabilities refers back to the state-of-the-art technical efficiency of an artifact or technique;
Manufacturing is the amount of creation of an artifact or adoption of a technique with a given stage of Capabilities; this may very well be a worldwide complete or the overall for various areas, industries, and many others.; and
Use is the rely of situations or quantity of utilization of an artifact or technique with a given stage of Capabilities; this may be a worldwide complete or the overall for various areas, client teams, and many others.

The APTO program will help the event of causal fashions that precisely describe how differing types and scales of investments change know-how outcomes, and by how a lot. For instance, think about a mannequin for high-performance computing that may very well be constructed with information till 1980 and make predictions on the state-of-the-art of pc chip capabilities in 1990 — what number of could be produced and what elements of the world would use them. Importantly, the fashions ought to be able to together with descriptions of what trigger(s) led to those outcomes and be capable of make correct predictions of the outcomes when the purported trigger(s) change. This causal understanding is crucial for appropriately assessing the effectiveness of earlier investments and for figuring out how future investments would possibly change future outcomes.

Constructing and testing know-how consequence fashions will probably require vital portions of specialised information gathered from quite a lot of sources together with historic information, information from experiments, knowledgeable elicitation, and others, to function mannequin inputs or to check mannequin outputs. Gathering and getting ready these information to be used within the fashions will probably require specialised instruments. The APTO program will help two Traces of Effort (LOEs) – Growth of Know-how Consequence Fashions and Growth of reference Knowledge Units together with related Instruments:

Know-how Consequence Fashions – Causal fashions that precisely predict know-how outcomes and what investments change them, together with accompanying software program and a reference to information units employed; and
Knowledge Units and Instruments – Derived and/or newly created information units used for creation and testing of Know-how Consequence Fashions. Might embrace information on know-how outcomes or predictors of these outcomes, together with instruments developed for effectively creating such datasets.

The three know-how outcomes and two LOEs mix to create a number of various kinds of actions that might happen within the APTO program. Examples embrace:

Traces of Effort

 

 

Know-how Consequence Fashions

Knowledge Units and Related Knowledge Creation/Preparation Instruments

Know-how Outcomes

Capabilities

Create a mannequin that predicts the likelihood that state-of-the-art telecommunication {hardware} in 2030 has bandwidth between X and Y TB/s. Practice this mannequin with information from 1730 to 1995 and take a look at it on information from 1995 to 2010.

Knowledge: e.g., mixture historic information from lab notebooks and educational journals from 1730 to 2010 on telecommunication applied sciences’ bandwidth, latency, and energy necessities.

Instruments: e.g., information extraction software program to learn a doc about, say, a telecommunication artifact and extracts the artifact’s bandwidth, latency, and energy, expressed in TB/s, s and Watts, and the yr of the doc.

Manufacturing

Create a mannequin that predicts the likelihood that the quantity of U.S. manufacturing of quantum computer systems with between X and Y logically-independent qubits in 2035 is between N and M. The mannequin contains parameters inferred from experimental information.

Knowledge: e.g., information from a randomized, managed experiment performed with, say, 50 firms on growing manufacturing in a single know-how utilizing 1 of three totally different methods; the output is a document of manufacturing adjustments and methods used.

Instruments: e.g., information processing software program to make disparate firm manufacturing information comparable throughout firms, as an example, by reconciling information codecs, product ontologies, and reporting errors.

Use

Create a mannequin that predicts the likelihood nation Z’s consumption of nucleic acid synthesis between X and Y base pairs per unit time in 2040 is between J and Okay. One of many mannequin’s inputs as a predictor is the quantity the know-how is mentioned in fashionable discourse.

Knowledge: e.g., dataset obtained by parsing fashionable press journalism from totally different nations from 1990 to 2000 for references to, say, artificial biology, that quantifies density of references by nation for every year.

Device: e.g., textual content understanding software program that identifies when a technical doc is referring to, say, nucleic acid synthesis, no matter precise terminology employed or the doc language.

Proposals could deal with a number of Know-how Outcomes and one or each LOEs. Given the character of the hassle concerned, it’s potential that the preliminary initiatives within the APTO program are extra centered on the Knowledge Units and Instruments LOE, although proposals within the Know-how Consequence Fashions LOE can even be equally thought-about. Proposals throughout each LOEs are additionally inspired, although not required. The APTO program will attempt to fund a cohort or initiatives that cowl all Know-how Outcomes and each LOEs. Proposals could suggest R&D within the above areas, or different mechanisms resembling prize challenges issued to realize particular targets as a part of the undertaking effort.

Primarily based on the preliminary proposals obtained, NSF may additionally select to establish and counsel alternatives for teaming amongst proposers for the total proposal, together with throughout proposals in several LOEs.

2. Know-how Consequence Fashions

Initiatives specializing in know-how consequence fashions ought to create fashions that precisely predict future know-how outcomes. The final word purpose is predictive causal fashions that describe what actions choice makers may take to vary know-how outcomes and by how a lot. Pursuit of this purpose could require intermediate modeling efforts that solely establish correlation as an alternative of causation, which have low predictive energy exterior of the information upon which they had been constructed, or which have unexplainable mechanics.

Mannequin Inputs

The main target of APTO is on the position of financial investments. It’s potential that the effectiveness of such investments is closely mediated and moderated by extra elements. Frequent candidates for predictors for future know-how outcomes embrace R&D funding (public, non-public) in mixture or particular to the know-how; how the R&D funding is spent (e.g., object-level analysis vs. collective analysis instruments, grants vs. contracts, and many others.); educational publications; patents; publication norms; mental property regulation; the modularity of the know-how; scaling relationships within the design of the know-how; stage of settlement on the dominant know-how design; schooling spending (public, non-public); commencement charges and numbers of graduates; inhabitants development; measurement of working age inhabitants; historic industrial manufacturing of comparable applied sciences; market focus of producers; market focus of shoppers; adjustments in outcomes of different applied sciences; and adjustments in different outcomes for a similar know-how.

Mannequin Outputs

Mannequin outputs would usually be the likelihood {that a} know-how consequence (Functionality, Manufacturing, or Use) shall be inside a number of potential values, by a specific date. For instance, mannequin outputs could also be expressed as likelihood distributions throughout potential consequence values for every future date. APTO is interested by mannequin outputs which can be at the very least 5 years into the mannequin’s future (see Accuracy Analysis) — and ideally a long time out.

Accuracy Analysis

Prediction accuracy enhancements are a key purpose of this system and shall be thought-about each in the course of the proposal evaluate and in analysis of multi-year efforts. Prediction accuracy ought to be examined utilizing strategies resembling out-of-sample prediction that prepare the mannequin with information till yr N after which predict the end result in yr N+5. Prediction accuracy ought to be quantified utilizing generalized metrics that comprehensively describe the hole in info between utilizing predicted values to explain the true outcomes (e.g., Kullback-Leibler divergence, cross-entropy, log-loss, and many others.). These could also be supplemented by extra metrics of accuracy.

It’s anticipated that the overwhelming majority of mannequin improvement and testing shall be performed with historic information, which is helpful for assessing previous know-how investments. Nonetheless, for testing out-of-sample predictions, utilizing previous information creates the potential of over-fitting, even when unintentional. As such, mannequin improvement and testing ought to make full use of methods to extend the robustness of the ensuing mannequin. This will embrace coaching a mannequin on information from a know-how and testing on holdout information from the identical know-how, coaching a mannequin on information from one set of applied sciences after which testing it on one other set of applied sciences, and different related strategies.

Benchmarks

APTO is interested by improvement of benchmarks for know-how consequence fashions. For instance, a “theory-free” method could construct extrapolation fashions utilizing solely historic development information, resembling ARIMA (Autoregressive Built-in Shifting Common) fashions. Know-how consequence fashions may very well be in contrast with such development extrapolation fashions to measure their efficiency.

Time Scale

Predictions and prediction accuracy could also be reported at a time scale no shorter than yearly, although fashions could select to utilize quicker time scales.

Time Horizon

Predictions ought to be made and evaluated at the very least 5 years into the long run from the newest information used within the mannequin. For instance, if a know-how consequence mannequin is constructed utilizing information till 1980, prediction accuracy from 1985 and onward ought to be reported.

For know-how consequence fashions of Manufacturing and Use, the intention is knowing what actions choice makers can take to have an effect on these outcomes previous to the Functionality first being created.

Granularity and Generalization

The final word intention of the APTO program is correct predictions throughout many key applied sciences, however these key applied sciences are particular: fashions ought to make predictions about Capabilities, Manufacturing or Use of particular key applied sciences, and never aggregated measures of know-how as a complete like complete issue productiveness. Nonetheless, know-how consequence fashions could vary in granularity from bespoke fashions for particular applied sciences (e.g., skinny movie photovoltaics) to coarser fashions for broader lessons of applied sciences (e.g., all photovoltaics). It’s potential (although not but robustly demonstrated) that elevated predictive accuracy for any key know-how may be reliably completed by leveraging technical info distinctive to that know-how (e.g., photo-voltaic capabilities being a operate of modules, constructed from wafers, constructed from silicon). Generalizable fashions could require switching between technology-specific modes when particular info and frameworks are helpful and accessible, and coarser-grained modes when they aren’t.

The APTO program is interested by assessing transferability of fashions, i.e., whether or not fashions developed for one key know-how focus space may very well be quickly transferred to a different focus space.

3. Knowledge Units & Instruments

Awards below the Knowledge Units & Instruments LOE will create information units, with related instruments, which can be helpful for creating and testing know-how consequence fashions that precisely predict future know-how outcomes. Knowledge units may be created on the know-how outcomes to be predicted (Capabilities, Manufacturing, and Use), in addition to potential predictors of know-how outcomes; these will function mannequin outputs or mannequin inputs for the Know-how Consequence Fashions LOE. Knowledge units may be created by aggregation, preparation, and curation of historic information, together with by digitization, archival analysis, acquisition from information distributors, and many others. Knowledge units can be constructed by creating and amassing novel information, resembling by experiments designed to check a specific hypothesized predictor.

Examples of potential information sources for outcomes and predictors embrace (that is an illustrative listing and never meant to be exhaustive):

educational journals;
commerce journals;
patents;
vendor product information sheets;
firm accounting information;
authorities survey information; and
knowledgeable elicitation.

Essential Metadata

Consequence information ought to be timestamped with when the end result occurred, at a time decision of at the very least the yr, to be helpful for testing of predictive fashions (and certain improvement). Every consequence data-point must also be described with as a lot extra specificity and metadata as potential (e.g., “thin-film photo-voltaic with effectivity X created in yr Y in metropolis Z with method N, in line with journal article M”). Amongst different makes use of, such info will assist in constructing an ontology of the applied sciences for which outcomes are being predicted.

Know-how Protection

Knowledge units from a big of a swath of know-how are inspired; relying on the extent of decision, one may establish hundreds and even hundreds of thousands of know-how domains. Knowledge set measurement may be elevated by growing samples inside a single, centered area (e.g., 1,000 information factors to 1,000,000 information factors on inside combustion engines) or growing the breadth of domains sampled (e.g., 1,000 information factors in inside combustion engines plus 1,000 information factors on search algorithms). The worth of extra information being a centered information set vs. broad information set shall be decided by its utility in growing the predictive accuracy of generalizable know-how consequence fashions; inspection of the best way to make this trade-off is inspired.

Geographic and Temporal Protection

The APTO program is mainly aimed toward data most related to U.S. choice makers. Nonetheless, initiatives are inspired to additionally incorporate information which have geographic protection past the USA and even OECD (Organisation for Financial Co-operation and Growth) member nations, and temporal protection going again greater than a long time.

Instruments

Knowledge instruments exist at the side of information units. The APTO program is interested by commercially-available instruments in addition to creation of recent instruments to allow entry and use of related information units.

Knowledge instruments could also be essential that may scour massive units of paperwork, together with technical paperwork, (i) for people who comprise related info, resembling these pertaining to a selected know-how, and (ii) for extracting the related information factors from the paperwork.

Technical information, significantly capabilities information, are sometimes offered in quite a lot of methods, resembling expressing the identical functionality kind in several items (e.g., kilos vs. kilograms). Knowledge extraction instruments will probably even be wanted to mechanically convert such disparate descriptions of knowledge right into a single illustration to assist with interpretation of knowledge units and making of know-how consequence fashions.

So long as information discovery, extraction, and conversion are imperfect, they may produce false negatives, false positives, and different errors that should be accounted when creating an information set. Knowledge processing instruments could have to be created to additional clear or characterize the outputs of the opposite instruments in order that the outputs can grow to be a know-how information set used for constructing know-how consequence fashions.

Whereas information discovery, extraction, conversion, and processing are described right here, different information instruments could also be wanted to create an efficient workflow for creating massive, numerous information units related for constructing fashions to foretell know-how outcomes. Knowledge instruments are usually not strictly required to be within the type of software program nor completely automated. Nonetheless, instruments will ideally be capable of be quickly utilized to massive numbers of numerous paperwork and/or numerous applied sciences.

4. Issues for Use-Impressed Analysis within the APTO Program

Gaps Between Capabilities, Manufacturing and Use

The temporal hole between Capabilities, Manufacturing and Use may be very small or massive. For instance, it’s potential to create a brand new machine studying functionality and mechanically push it out to a billion private digital gadgets in a single day. In different circumstances, nevertheless, there may be a long time between a functionality first being created and it being produced at any notable scale, or between its manufacturing and its use by a number of customers. Thus, it can rely on the know-how and the situation as to how significant are the distinctions between these know-how outcomes.

Ontologies of Applied sciences

Defining what constitutes a definite know-how may be fraught, particularly as know-how efficiency adjustments over time and thus the know-how itself evolves. The complexities of ontologies for know-how are thus at the very least considerably analogous to the complexities of ontologies of biology, with questions of what constitutes a single species or perhaps a single organism. It could be that making predictions which can be correct and interpretable would require additionally making advances in know-how ontologies, and so submissions that intention to make such advances are welcomed, supplied that the advances are leveraged to make extra correct predictions.

Ontologies of applied sciences could also be hierarchical, with varied sorts of aggregation. Nonetheless, the objects of curiosity for the APTO program shall be applied sciences themselves, and never overarching metrics of all technological progress like complete issue productiveness. However, such overarching metrics should still be helpful as a predictor of particular person applied sciences’ future Capabilities, Manufacturing, or Use.

Multidimensional Know-how Efficiency

Applied sciences’ capabilities are usually multidimensional, even when some dimensions are usually not explicitly reported or thought-about. For instance, a battery’s power storage capability will be the solely characteristic reported, as a result of its weight and quantity are assumed, standardized, and/or deemed irrelevant. Nonetheless, these unattended-to dimensions of capabilities could also be obstacles that forestall a know-how from being extra broadly produced or used; as soon as the potential improves the obstacles could drop and the know-how could also be produced or used extra.

Technical vs. Financial Efficiency

A know-how in isolation may be described when it comes to technical outputs vs. technical inputs. For instance, a photo-voltaic could also be characterised by energy produced per unit time per unit of floor space at photo voltaic midday. Nonetheless, moreover related may be financial efficiency metrics: how a lot it prices to provide, purchase, and many others. Financial metrics are doubtlessly beneficial information as they mixture a considerable amount of info (e.g., in regards to the many provide chains or manufacturing course of that feeds into that know-how). Nonetheless, financial efficiency metrics are additionally fraught as a result of they will range for causes unrelated to the technological functionality itself (e.g., revenue margins altering resulting from competitors, merchandise being offered at a loss to achieve market share, adjustments in rates of interest, enter price adjustments resulting from technical enhancements additional up within the provide chain, and many others.). The APTO program will think about prediction of each technical and financial metrics, however care ought to be taken that the financial metrics are interpreted in gentle of their extra complexities.

Interactions and Dependencies Between Applied sciences

The thing of curiosity for the APTO program is particular person key applied sciences and their outcomes. Nonetheless, one know-how’s outcomes are probably impacted by these of one other know-how. For instance, enhancements in computing energy made potential extra maneuverable airplanes, as a result of extra maneuverable however unstable airplane designs may very well be stabilized by speedy floor changes made by a pc. As such, understanding and predicting particular person know-how outcomes could require monitoring and anticipating a number of applied sciences’ interactions. Such broader know-how protection would additionally permit for understanding and predicting eventualities of a number of applied sciences’ outcomes collectively.

Consequence Frontiers vs. Populations

For evaluation and prediction of Capabilities, the APTO program’s major object of curiosity is the frontier of what has ever been completed. This can be a single worth for key applied sciences with just one efficiency dimension, whereas it could be a multi-dimensional floor for key applied sciences with a number of efficiency dimensions. For evaluation and prediction of Manufacturing or Use, the APTO program’s object of curiosity is each the frontier and the inhabitants. For instance, predictions can embrace if/when Manufacturing or Use of a know-how first begins in any location but in addition how that Manufacturing or Use subsequently expands to different areas or will increase in amount inside these areas it’s current.

Theoretical Advances

It’s anticipated that advancing predictive accuracy could require vital advances within the idea of technological change. Submissions that intention to make such theoretical advances are welcomed, supplied that such insights are leveraged to make extra correct predictions or reveal when theoretical limits have been reached.

5. Outputs

All fashions, information, and instruments created for the APTO program ought to be made overtly accessible and accessible. It’s potential that sure information units could also be proprietary in nature and can’t be made open entry — these ought to be clearly justified.

III. AWARD INFORMATION

As much as a complete of $30 million could also be awarded yearly topic to the supply of funds. Awards could also be 1 to five years in length. Awards are anticipated to have an annual funds of $500,000 to $4 million. Awards of longer than 1 yr shall be made as cooperative agreements. Awards could also be made for 1-year efforts for pilots, planning and preparation for bigger subsequent efforts to be submitted to future APTO program solicitations.

For multi-year awards, help of every yr past the primary shall be contingent on passable evaluate of progress in the direction of focused targets. Progress shall be offered to NSF in a mid-year check-in and to NSF and/or exterior reviewers in the direction of the tip of every yr. This evaluate will decide if subsequent-year funding shall be awarded.

IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Who Might Submit Proposals:

Proposals could solely be submitted by the next:

Establishments of Increased Schooling (IHEs) – Two- and four-year IHEs (together with group faculties) accredited in, and having a campus situated within the US, performing on behalf of their school members. Particular Directions for Worldwide Department Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal contains funding to be supplied to a world department campus of a US establishment of upper schooling (together with by use of subawards and guide 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: Impartial museums, observatories, analysis laboratories, skilled societies and related organizations situated within the U.S. which can be straight related to instructional or analysis actions.
For-profit organizations: U.S.-based business organizations, together with small companies, with robust capabilities in scientific or engineering analysis or schooling and a ardour for innovation.

Who Might Function PI:

There aren’t any restrictions or limits.

Restrict on Variety of Proposals per Group:

There aren’t any restrictions or limits.

Restrict on Variety of Proposals per PI or co-PI:

There aren’t any restrictions or limits.

V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

A. Proposal Preparation Directions

Preliminary Proposals (required): Preliminary proposals are required and should be submitted through Analysis.gov, even when full proposals shall be submitted through Grants.gov.

Submission of a preliminary proposal conveys an understanding on the a part of the preliminary proposer that their preliminary proposal and related contact info shall be shared with different preliminary proposers for the needs of teaming. All preliminary proposals ought to subsequently moreover embrace, within the final line of the Overview part of the Undertaking Abstract, a contact e-mail tackle to be shared together with the preliminary proposal for this objective.

Preliminary proposals should embrace:

Cowl Sheet (1 web page) (For planning functions, as quickly as November 1, 2023, ought to be proven as the beginning date.)
Undertaking Abstract (1 web page)

Overview

LOEs addressed (Know-how Consequence Fashions and/or Knowledge Units and Related Knowledge Creation/Preparation Instruments)
Know-how Outcomes addressed (Capabilities, Manufacturing, and/or Use)
Years of effort proposed (1-5) (Initiatives of greater than 1 yr shall be awarded as cooperative agreements.)
Summary (as much as 125 phrases)
Contact e-mail tackle


Mental Advantage
Broader Impacts


Undertaking Description (as much as 6 pages)

Undertaking (as much as 3 pages): For every LOE addressed, describe the purpose(s), primary concept(s), and technical method. Clearly describe the fashions, information or instruments focused by the hassle. If there are preliminary outcomes, describe them. If there are technical challenges to the proposed method, describe how they are going to be addressed.
Personnel (1 web page): Please present a Desk of Investigators, together with the names, establishments and experience (key phrases) of the PI and all College Associates. Non-funded collaborators may additionally be included on this desk however ought to be clearly marked as such.
Finances Planning (as much as 2 pages): For every LOE addressed, embrace a tough estimate of prices per yr, to no higher precision than $100,000 per yr. Embody 2-3 choices for funding ranges for every proposed yr of effort. For every funding possibility, present a number of focused targets and an estimated likelihood for the targets being attained by yr.


References Cited (1 web page)

Different sections specified within the PAPPG are usually not required and won’t be reviewed. Preliminary proposals should not comprise proprietary information.

Preliminary proposals shall be reviewed internally by NSF, which can ship a discover of encouragement or discouragement to submit a full proposal. Solely these inspired to submit a full proposal ought to think about investing the numerous effort and time into creating a full proposal.

Preliminary proposals shall be returned with out evaluate if deemed inappropriate for funding by NSF, not conscious of this funding alternative, or not inside areas set forth for help on this program solicitation.

Full Proposal Preparation Directions: Proposers could choose to submit proposals in response to this Program Solicitation through Analysis.gov or Grants.gov.

Full Proposals submitted through 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 whole textual content of the PAPPG is on the market 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 through Grants.gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation through 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 Functions through Grants.gov. The whole textual content of the NSF Grants.gov Utility Information is on the market 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 Varieties 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 word the next:

Collaborative Proposals. All collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from a number of organizations should be submitted through Analysis.gov. PAPPG Chapter II.E.3 offers extra info on collaborative proposals.

See PAPPG Chapter II.D.2 for steering on the required sections of a full analysis proposal submitted to NSF. Please word that the proposal preparation directions supplied on this program solicitation could deviate from the PAPPG directions.

B. Budgetary Data

Price Sharing:

Inclusion of voluntary dedicated price sharing is prohibited.

Different Budgetary Limitations:

Proposals for efforts longer than 1 yr ought to embrace a year-by-year funds, with every year starting from $500,000 to $4 million. For multi-year awards, help of every yr past the primary shall be contingent on passable evaluate of progress in the direction of meant targets.

C. Due Dates

Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m. submitter’s native time):

     August 21, 2023

Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter’s native time):

     October 30, 2023

D. Analysis.gov/Grants.gov Necessities

For Proposals Submitted Through Analysis.gov:

To arrange and submit a proposal through Analysis.gov, see detailed technical directions accessible 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 consumer help, name the Analysis.gov Assist Desk at 1-800-673-6188 or e-mail [email protected]. The Analysis.gov Assist Desk solutions basic 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 workers 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 on the market 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) offers directions concerning the technical preparation of proposals through Grants.gov. For Grants.gov consumer help, contact the Grants.gov Contact Middle at 1-800-518-4726 or by e-mail: [email protected]. The Grants.gov Contact Middle solutions basic technical questions associated to the usage of Grants.gov. Particular questions associated to this program solicitation ought to be referred to the NSF program workers contact(s) listed in Part VIII of this solicitation.

Submitting the Proposal: As soon as all paperwork have been accomplished, the Licensed Organizational Consultant (AOR) should submit the applying to Grants.gov and confirm the specified funding alternative and company to which the applying is submitted. The AOR should then signal and submit the applying to Grants.gov. The finished software shall be transferred to Analysis.gov for additional processing.

Proposers that submitted through Analysis.gov could use Analysis.gov to confirm the standing of their submission to NSF. For proposers that submitted through Grants.gov, till an software has been obtained and validated by NSF, the Licensed Organizational Consultant could verify the standing of an software on Grants.gov. After proposers have obtained an e-mail notification from NSF, Analysis.gov ought to be used to verify the standing of an software.

VI. NSF PROPOSAL PROCESSING AND REVIEW PROCEDURES

Proposals obtained by NSF are assigned to the suitable NSF program for acknowledgement and, in the event that they meet NSF necessities, for evaluate. All proposals are fastidiously reviewed by a scientist, engineer, or educator serving as an NSF Program Officer, and normally by three to 10 different individuals exterior NSF both as advert hoc reviewers, panelists, or each, who’re specialists within the explicit fields represented by the proposal. These reviewers are chosen by Program Officers charged with oversight of the evaluate course of. Proposers are invited to counsel names of individuals they imagine are particularly effectively certified to evaluate the proposal and/or individuals they would like not evaluate 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-compulsory. 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 workers additional evaluate suggestions for awards. A flowchart that depicts your entire NSF proposal and award course of (and related timeline) is included in PAPPG Exhibit III-1.

A complete description of the Basis’s benefit evaluate course of is on the market on the NSF web site at: https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/coverage/merit_review/.

Proposers must also concentrate on core methods which can be important to the achievement 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 evaluate 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 targets 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, prepare, 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 steering of the Nation’s most artistic scientists and engineers. NSF additionally helps improvement of a powerful science, know-how, engineering, and arithmetic (STEM) workforce by investing in constructing the data that informs enhancements in STEM instructing 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 Overview Rules and Standards

The Nationwide Science Basis strives to put money into a strong and numerous portfolio of initiatives that creates new data and permits breakthroughs in understanding throughout all areas of science and engineering analysis and schooling. To establish which initiatives to help, NSF depends on a benefit evaluate course of that comes with 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 benefit evaluate course of for the collection of initiatives.

1. Advantage Overview 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 workers when figuring out whether or not or to not advocate proposals for funding and whereas overseeing awards. On condition 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 very 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 targets. These “Broader Impacts” could also be completed 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 revolutionary 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, holding in thoughts the probably correlation between the impact of broader impacts and the sources supplied 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 greatest be performed at the next, extra aggregated, stage than the person undertaking.

With respect to the third precept, even when evaluation of Broader Impacts outcomes for explicit initiatives is finished at an aggregated stage, PIs are anticipated to be accountable for finishing up the actions described within the funded undertaking. Thus, particular person initiatives ought to embrace clearly said targets, 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 benefit evaluate rules present the idea for the benefit evaluate standards, in addition to a context inside which the customers of the standards can higher perceive their intent.

2. Advantage Overview Standards

All NSF proposals are evaluated by use of the 2 Nationwide Science Board permitted benefit evaluate standards. In some situations, nevertheless, NSF will make use of extra standards as required to focus on the precise targets of sure packages and actions.

The 2 benefit evaluate standards are listed under. Each standards are to be given full consideration in the course of the evaluate and decision-making processes; every criterion is critical however neither, by itself, is adequate. Subsequently, proposers should totally tackle each standards. (PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.d(i). comprises extra info to be used by proposers in improvement of the Undertaking Description part of the proposal). Reviewers are strongly inspired to evaluate the standards, together with PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.d(i), previous to the evaluate of a proposal.

When evaluating NSF proposals, reviewers shall be requested to think about what the proposers wish to do, why they wish to do it, how they plan to do it, how they may 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 best way by which the undertaking could make broader contributions. To that finish, reviewers shall be requested to guage all proposals towards two standards:

Mental Advantage: The Mental Advantage criterion encompasses the potential to advance data; and
Broader Impacts: The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the potential to learn society and contribute to the achievement of particular, desired societal outcomes.

The next components ought to be thought-about within the evaluate for each standards:

What’s the potential for the proposed exercise to
Advance data and understanding inside its personal discipline or throughout totally different fields (Mental Advantage); and
Profit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)?

To what extent do the proposed actions counsel and discover artistic, unique, or doubtlessly 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, staff, or group to conduct the proposed actions?
Are there ample sources accessible to the PI (both on the residence group or by collaborations) to hold out the proposed actions?

Broader impacts could also be completed 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 data and actions that contribute to achievement of societally related outcomes. Such outcomes embrace, however are usually not restricted to: full participation of girls, individuals with disabilities, and different underrepresented teams in science, know-how, engineering, and arithmetic (STEM); improved STEM schooling and educator improvement at any stage; elevated public scientific literacy and public engagement with science and know-how; 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 USA; and enhanced infrastructure for analysis and schooling.

Proposers are reminded that reviewers can even be requested to evaluate the Knowledge Administration Plan and the Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan, as applicable.

Extra Solicitation Particular Overview Standards

Along with the Mental Advantage and Broader Impacts standards, reviewers shall be requested to deal with the next questions:

Contribution to targets of this system: How effectively will the proposed analysis contribute to the targets of this system? For instance, will analysis below the Know-how Consequence Fashions LOE end in predictive causal fashions, or one thing else? Will analysis below the Knowledge Units and Instruments LOE make information units and instruments related to the important thing applied sciences of curiosity, or to different applied sciences? Analysis that doesn’t make rapid contributions to the last word program targets should still make high-impact contributions to these targets in the long run, however a idea is required for a way these long-term contributions shall be made.
Chance of success: What are the chances that the proposal’s targets shall be reached? What are the chances that conducting these targets will end in success on the targets of this system?
Integration throughout LOEs: Will analysis below the Knowledge Units and Instruments LOE usefully contribute to different analysis below the Know-how Consequence Fashions LOE? Will analysis below the Know-how Consequence Fashions LOE make use of advances below the Knowledge Units and Instruments LOE? Integration throughout LOEs could also be achieved inside a single proposal or throughout a portfolio of proposals.

B. Overview and Choice Course of

Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation shall be reviewed by Advert hoc Overview.

Reviewers shall be requested to guage proposals utilizing two Nationwide Science Board permitted benefit evaluate standards and, if relevant, extra 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 evaluate will think about the recommendation of reviewers and can formulate a advice.

After scientific, technical and programmatic evaluate 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 beneficial for award. NSF strives to have the ability to inform candidates whether or not their proposals have been declined or beneficial for funding inside six months. Massive or significantly advanced proposals or proposals from new awardees could require extra evaluate 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 advice.

After programmatic approval has been obtained, the proposals beneficial for funding shall be forwarded to the Division of Grants and Agreements or the Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Assist for evaluate of enterprise, monetary, and coverage implications. After an administrative evaluate 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 danger.

As soon as an award or declination choice has been made, Principal Investigators are supplied suggestions about their proposals. In all circumstances, critiques are handled as confidential paperwork. Verbatim copies of critiques, excluding the names of the reviewers or any reviewer-identifying info, are despatched to the Principal Investigator/Undertaking Director by the Program Officer. As well as, the proposer will obtain an evidence of the choice to award or decline funding.

VII. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

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 potential by the cognizant NSF Program administering this system. Verbatim copies of critiques, not together with the id of the reviewer, shall be supplied mechanically to the Principal Investigator. (See Part VI.B. for added info on the evaluate 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, resembling Grant Normal Situations (GC-1)*; or Analysis Phrases and Situations* and (5) any announcement or different NSF issuance which may 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 through 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 info on NSF Award Situations and different vital info on the administration of NSF awards is contained within the NSF Proposal & Award Insurance policies & Procedures Information (PAPPG) Chapter VII, accessible 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, Making certain the Future is Made in All of America by All of America’s 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, per regulation, the usage of items, merchandise, and supplies produced in, and providers supplied in, the USA.

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 accessible 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 USA. For added info, go to NSF’s Construct America, Purchase America webpage.

Particular Award Situations:

Multi-year awards shall be made as cooperative agreements. The cooperative settlement awards could embrace Particular Situations referring to the interval of efficiency, assertion of labor, awardee duties, NSF duties, joint NSF-awardee duties, funding and funding schedule, reporting necessities, and different situations. PIs shall be required to take part in a number of digital conferences:

Kickoff assembly: 2-day assembly inside roughly first 30 days of the Award. All PIs of all awards.
Verify-in assembly: 1-day assembly with NSF halfway by every award yr. Every awarded PI individually.
Analysis assembly: 2-day assembly with NSF and reviewers in remaining a part of every award yr. All PIs of all awards. The aim of the analysis assembly is to evaluate progress the awardees have made in the direction of their goal targets. Every awardee will put together briefing materials (anticipated to be 10 pages or much less) describing undertaking accomplishments and make a brief presentation which shall be adopted by questions and solutions. The reviewers will consider the awardee’s progress in the direction of its goal targets. Taking into consideration reviewers’ enter, NSF will decide whether or not the undertaking will obtain funding for the following yr.

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 tip of the present funds interval. (Some packages or awards require submission of extra frequent undertaking reviews). No later than 120 days following expiration of a grant, the PI is also required to submit a remaining undertaking report, and a undertaking outcomes report for most people.

Failure to supply the required annual or remaining undertaking reviews, or the undertaking outcomes report, will delay NSF evaluate 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 reviews prematurely to guarantee availability of required information.

PIs are required to make use of NSF’s digital project-reporting system, accessible by Analysis.gov, for preparation and submission of annual and remaining undertaking reviews. Such reviews present info on accomplishments, undertaking members (particular person and organizational), publications, and different particular merchandise and impacts of the undertaking. Submission of the report through 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 info on NSF Reporting Necessities and different vital info on the administration of NSF awards is contained within the NSF Proposal & Award Insurance policies & Procedures Information (PAPPG) Chapter VII, accessible electronically on the NSF Web site at https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg.

VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS

Please word that this system contact info 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: 1-800-673-6188
Analysis.gov Assist Desk e-mail: [email protected]

For questions referring to Grants.gov contact:

Grants.gov Contact Middle: If the Licensed Organizational Representatives (AOR) has not obtained a affirmation message from Grants.gov inside 48 hours of submission of software, please contact through phone: 1-800-518-4726; e-mail:[email protected].

IX. OTHER INFORMATION

The NSF web site offers probably the most complete supply of data on NSF Directorates (together with contact info), 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 recent NSF funding alternatives and publications, vital adjustments in proposal and award insurance policies and procedures, and upcoming NSF Grants Conferences. Subscribers are knowledgeable by e-mail or the consumer’s Internet browser every time new publications are issued that match their recognized pursuits. “NSF Replace” additionally is on the market on NSF’s web site.

Grants.gov offers a further digital functionality to seek for Federal government-wide grant alternatives. NSF funding alternatives could also be accessed through this mechanism. Additional info on Grants.gov could also be obtained at https://www.grants.gov.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

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, Okay-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 functions for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships. The company operates no laboratories itself however does help Nationwide Analysis Facilities, consumer 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 stage.

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 a majority of these proposals.

The Nationwide Science Basis has Telephonic Machine 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 basic info. 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 USA 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 Varieties:


 

Ship an e-mail to:

[email protected]

or phone:

(703) 292-8134

(703) 292-5111

PRIVACY ACT AND PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENTS

The data requested on proposal varieties and undertaking reviews is solicited below the authority of the Nationwide Science Basis Act of 1950, as amended. The data on proposal varieties shall be utilized in reference to the collection of certified proposals; and undertaking reviews submitted by awardees shall be used for program analysis and reporting throughout the Govt Department and to Congress. The data requested could also be disclosed to certified reviewers and workers assistants as a part of the proposal evaluate course of; to proposer establishments/grantees to supply or get hold of information concerning the proposal evaluate course of, award selections, or the administration of awards; to authorities contractors, specialists, volunteers and researchers and educators as essential to finish assigned work; to different authorities businesses or different entities needing info concerning candidates or nominees as a part of a joint software evaluate course of, or in an effort to coordinate packages or coverage; and to a different Federal company, court docket, or social gathering in a court docket 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 Information,” and NSF-51, “Reviewer/Proposal File and Related Information.” Submission of the knowledge is voluntary. Failure to supply full and full info, nevertheless, could scale back the potential of receiving an award.

An company could not conduct or sponsor, and an individual will not be required to reply to, an info 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 data is estimated to common 120 hours per response, together with the time for reviewing directions. Ship feedback concerning the burden estimate and another side of this assortment of data, together with options for lowering this burden, to:

Suzanne H. Plimpton
Experiences Clearance Officer
Coverage Workplace, Division of Establishment and Award Assist
Workplace of Finances, Finance, and Award Administration
Nationwide Science Basis
Alexandria, VA 22314