Division of Materials Research: Condensed Matter and Materials Theory (DMR:CMMT) (nsf23611) | NSF

Replaces Doc(s):
NSF 22-610

Nationwide Science Basis

Directorate for Mathematical and Bodily Sciences
     Division of Supplies Analysis

Full Proposal Deadline(s):

     Proposals Accepted Anytime

Investigators are suggested that the dates from April fifteenth to June fifteenth ought to, optimally, be averted for submissions.

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 on the time the proposal is submitted. The NSF PAPPG is commonly 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.

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Normal Info

Program Title:

Condensed Matter and Supplies Idea (CMMT)

Synopsis of Program:

CMMT helps theoretical and computational supplies analysis within the topical areas represented in DMR’s different Topical Supplies Analysis Applications (these are additionally variously often called Particular person Investigator Award (IIA) Applications, or Core Applications, or Disciplinary Applications), that are: Condensed Matter Physics (CMP), Biomaterials (BMAT), Ceramics (CER), Digital and Photonic Supplies (EPM), Metals and Metallic Nanostructures (MMN), Polymers (POL), and Stable State and Supplies Chemistry (SSMC). The CMMT program helps elementary analysis that advances conceptual understanding of onerous and delicate supplies, and materials-related phenomena; the event of related analytical, computational, and data-centric strategies; and predictive materials-specific principle, simulation, and modeling for supplies analysis. First-principles digital construction, quantum many-body and area theories, statistical mechanics, classical and quantum Monte Carlo, and molecular dynamics, are among the many strategies used within the broad spectrum of analysis supported in CMMT. Analysis might embody the advance of latest paradigms in supplies analysis, together with rising data-centric approaches using data-analytics or machine studying. Computational efforts span from the extent of workstations to superior and high-performance scientific computing. Emphasis is on approaches that start on the smallest applicable size scale, resembling digital, atomic, molecular, nano-, micro-, and mesoscale, required to yield elementary perception into materials properties, processes, and conduct, to foretell new supplies and states of matter, and to disclose new supplies phenomena. Approaches that span a number of scales of size and time could also be required to advance elementary understanding of supplies properties and phenomena, significantly for polymeric supplies and delicate matter. Areas of latest curiosity embrace, however aren’t restricted to: strongly correlated electron methods; topological phases; low-dimensional supplies and methods; quantum and classical nonequilibrium phenomena, the latter together with sample formation, supplies development, microstructure evolution, fracture, and the jamming transition; gels; glasses; disordered supplies, onerous and delicate; defects; high-temperature superconductivity; creation and manipulation of coherent quantum states; nanostructured supplies and mesoscale phenomena; sustainable supplies; polymeric supplies and delicate condensed matter; lively matter and associated collective conduct; biologically impressed supplies, and analysis on the interfaces of supplies with organic methods.

CMMT encourages doubtlessly transformative submissions on the frontiers of theoretical, computational, and data-intensive supplies analysis, which incorporates however just isn’t restricted to: i) advancing the understanding of emergent properties and phenomena of supplies and condensed matter methods, ii) growing materials-specific prediction and advancing understanding of properties, phenomena, and emergent states of matter related to both onerous or delicate supplies, iii) growing and exploring new paradigms together with computational and data-enabled approaches to advance elementary understanding of supplies and supplies associated phenomena, iv) fostering analysis at interfaces amongst subdisciplines represented within the Division of Supplies Analysis, v) harnessing machine studying or growing explainable machine studying to advance understanding of supplies and materials-related phenomena, or vi) growing new theoretical frameworks in areas of supplies analysis, resembling lively matter, nonequilibrium supplies or matter, the synthesis of solid-state supplies, or reformulating quantum many-body principle for conceptual perception or better tractability.

Analysis involving important supplies analysis cyberinfrastructure improvement, for instance, software program improvement with an goal to share software program with the broader supplies group, ought to be submitted to CMMT by means of Computational and Knowledge-Enabled Science and Engineering (CDS&E) in accordance with its submission directions for DMR.

Extra Info

Eligibility guidelines apply for submissions; please see Part II. Program Description, Part IV. Eligibility Info, and Part V.A Proposal Preparation Directions.

Cognizant Program Officer(s):

Please notice 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):

47.049
— Mathematical and Bodily Sciences

Award Info

Anticipated Kind of Award: Commonplace Grant or Persevering with Grant

Estimated Variety of Awards: 40

Roughly 40, pending availability of funds.

Anticipated Funding Quantity: $15,000,000

$15,000,000, pending availability of funds. Particular info on present awards by this system could be discovered by utilizing the NSF Award Search engine at https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearch.jsp to seek for awards by Aspect Code 1765.

Eligibility Info

Who Could Submit Proposals:

Proposals might solely be submitted by the next:

Establishments of Larger Training (IHEs) – Two- and four-year IHEs (together with group faculties) accredited in, and having a campus positioned 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 means of use of subawards and guide preparations), the proposer should clarify
the profit(s) to the mission of efficiency on the worldwide department campus, and justify why the mission 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 positioned within the U.S. which might be instantly related to academic or analysis actions.

Who Could Function PI:

See “Restrict on Variety of Proposals per PI or Co-PI” beneath.

Restrict on Variety of Proposals per Group:

There aren’t any restrictions or limits.

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

The NSF fiscal 12 months begins on October 1st and ends on September thirtieth of the next 12 months. The submission date of a proposal from an investigator, whether or not as PI or co-PI, to the CMMT program can’t be throughout the similar fiscal 12 months as one other proposal from that very same investigator, whether or not as PI or co-PI, to any DMR-TMRP. A listing of DMR-TMRPs could be discovered athttps://www.nsf.gov/funding/applications.jsp?org=DMR, underneath “Topical Supplies Analysis Applications.” Failure to look at this submission constraint will result in the offending proposal(s) being returned with out overview. This restriction additionally consists of proposals underneath Grant Alternatives for Educational Liaison with Trade (GOALI), Facilitating Analysis at Primarily Undergraduate Establishments (RUI/ROA), CDS&E, worldwide collaborative analysis applications, in addition to some other sort of proposal submitted on to the TMRPs. There aren’t any limits to collaborating as School Affiliate (as outlined in PAPPG Exhibit II-3.A.2) on a number of proposals concurrently underneath overview.

Exceptions:

Within the uncommon case involving continued funding of two present DMR initiatives which might be expiring in the identical fiscal 12 months an exception could also be thought of after session with the cognizant Program Officer(s).

Proposals for EAGER, RAPID, RAISE, and conferences, in addition to supplemental funding requests for present grants, aren’t topic to the restrictions on this solicitation and could also be submitted any time after session with and approval from the cognizant Program Officer(s). EAGER/RAPID/RAISE and convention proposals, in addition to requests for supplemental funding submitted with out prior approval by a Program Officer will likely be returned with out overview.

CAREER proposals are exempt from the limitation on the variety of proposals per fiscal 12 months, as are proposals to non-TMRP applications inside DMR, resembling Designing Supplies to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future (DMREF), Supplies Analysis Science and Engineering Facilities (MRSEC), Partnerships for Analysis and Training in Supplies (PREM), Supplies Innovation Platforms (MIP), nationwide services, and Analysis Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) websites. The variety of proposal submissions to divisions of NSF aside from DMR just isn’t restricted. Solely proposals which were withdrawn don’t depend towards the submission restrict.

Proposal Preparation and Submission Directions

A. Proposal Preparation Directions

Letters of Intent: Not required


Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not required

B. Budgetary Info

C. Due Dates

Proposal Evaluation Info Standards

Advantage Evaluation Standards:

Nationwide Science Board accepted standards. Extra advantage overview standards apply. Please see the complete textual content of this solicitation for additional info.

Award Administration Info

Award Situations:

Commonplace NSF award situations apply.

Reporting Necessities:

Commonplace NSF reporting necessities apply.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract of Program Necessities

Introduction
Program Description
Award Info
Eligibility Info
Proposal Preparation and Submission Directions

Proposal Preparation Directions
Budgetary Info
Due Dates
Analysis.gov/Grants.gov Necessities


NSF Proposal Processing and Evaluation Procedures

Advantage Evaluation Ideas and Standards
Evaluation and Choice Course of


Award Administration Info

Notification of the Award
Award Situations
Reporting Necessities


Company Contacts
Different Info

I. INTRODUCTION

By means of the Condensed Matter and Supplies Idea Program (CMMT), the Division of Supplies Analysis (DMR) helps principle, computation, data-centric, and modeling approaches to advance the basic conceptual understanding of onerous and delicate supplies and materials-related phenomena. This program nurtures the event of latest strategies, algorithms, software program, and data-centric approaches to help the pursuit of supplies analysis, materials-specific predictive principle and modeling, and the prediction of latest supplies and new states of matter.

II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

CMMT helps theoretical and computational supplies analysis within the topical areas represented in DMR’s different Topical Supplies Analysis Applications (these are additionally variously often called Particular person Investigator Award (IIA) Applications, or Core Applications, or Disciplinary Applications), that are: Condensed Matter Physics (CMP), Biomaterials (BMAT), Ceramics (CER), Digital and Photonic Supplies (EPM), Metals and Metallic Nanostructures (MMN), Polymers (POL), and Stable State and Supplies Chemistry (SSMC). The CMMT program helps elementary analysis that advances conceptual understanding of onerous and delicate supplies, and materials-related phenomena; the event of related analytical, computational, and data-centric strategies; and predictive materials-specific principle, simulation, and modeling for supplies analysis. First-principles digital construction, quantum many-body and area theories, statistical mechanics, classical and quantum Monte Carlo, and molecular dynamics, are among the many strategies used within the broad spectrum of analysis supported in CMMT. Analysis might embody the advance of latest paradigms in supplies analysis, together with rising data-centric approaches using data-analytics or machine studying. Computational efforts span from the extent of workstations to superior and high-performance scientific computing. Emphasis is on approaches that start on the smallest applicable size scale, resembling digital, atomic, molecular, nano-, micro-, and mesoscale, required to yield elementary perception into materials properties, processes, and conduct, to foretell new supplies and states of matter, and to disclose new supplies phenomena. Approaches that span a number of scales of size and time could also be required to advance elementary understanding of supplies properties and phenomena, significantly for polymeric supplies and delicate matter. Areas of latest curiosity embrace, however aren’t restricted to: strongly correlated electron methods; topological phases; low-dimensional supplies and methods; quantum and classical nonequilibrium phenomena, the latter together with sample formation, supplies development, microstructure evolution, fracture, and the jamming transition; gels; glasses; disordered supplies, onerous and delicate; defects; high-temperature superconductivity; creation and manipulation of coherent quantum states; nanostructured supplies and mesoscale phenomena; sustainable supplies; polymeric supplies and delicate condensed matter; lively matter and associated collective conduct; biologically impressed supplies, and analysis on the interfaces of supplies with organic methods.

CMMT encourages doubtlessly transformative submissions on the frontiers of theoretical, computational, and data-intensive supplies analysis, which incorporates however just isn’t restricted to: i) advancing the understanding of emergent properties and phenomena of supplies and condensed matter methods, ii) growing materials-specific prediction and advancing understanding of properties, phenomena, and emergent states of matter related to both onerous or delicate supplies, iii) growing and exploring new paradigms together with computational and data-enabled approaches to advance elementary understanding of supplies and supplies associated phenomena, iv) fostering analysis at interfaces amongst subdisciplines represented within the Division of Supplies Analysis, v) harnessing machine studying or growing explainable machine studying to advance understanding of supplies and materials-related phenomena, or vi) growing new theoretical frameworks in areas of supplies analysis, resembling lively matter, nonequilibrium supplies or matter, the synthesis of solid-state supplies, or reformulating quantum many-body principle for conceptual perception or better tractability.

Analysis involving important supplies analysis cyberinfrastructure improvement, for instance, software program improvement with an goal to share software program with the broader supplies group, ought to be submitted to CMMT by means of Computational and Knowledge-Enabled Science and Engineering (CDS&E) in accordance with its submission directions for DMR.

Initiatives at the moment supported by the CMMT program could be discovered by utilizing the NSF Award Search (Program Info) engine and getting into Aspect Code 1765.

Necessary Extra Info

All proposals submitted to the CMMT program (aside from the next exceptions) have to be submitted by means of this solicitation, in any other case they are going to be returned with out overview.

Exceptions are proposals by means of mechanisms which have their very own solicitations or program descriptions, resembling CAREER, CDS&E, and RUI/ROA. CAREER and CDS&E proposals ought to be submitted by means of their respective solicitations by the deadline date specified therein. RUI/ROA proposals don’t have any deadline: they need to be submitted by means of the RUI/ROA solicitation however are topic to the identical submission constraints as different proposals submitted to the DMR Topical Supplies Analysis Applications.

Proposals underneath the next particular classes are additionally welcome by means of this solicitation:

Facilitating Analysis at Primarily Undergraduate Establishments (RUI/ROA)


Expensive Colleague Letter: NSF and US-Israel Binational Science Basis, NSF 20-094


Expensive Colleague Letter: United States-Eire-Northern Eire R&D Partnership, NSF 20-064

Investigators are suggested that the dates from April fifteenth to June fifteenth ought to, optimally, be averted for submissions.

Proposals that fall exterior the scope and mission of the Division of Supplies Analysis will likely be returned with out overview. If potential investigators have questions, they’re inspired to seek the advice of with the cognizant Program Officer(s) effectively upfront of submission.

A multidisciplinary proposal bridging a number of NSF applications can request co-review by indicating multiple program. After the proposal has been created in Analysis.gov, click on on the “Handle The place to Apply” hyperlink the place applications could be added. If such a proposal selects CMMT as a secondary program, the proposal have to be submitted by the proposal submission deadline of the primary program. If such a proposal selects CMMT as the first program, it’s extremely inspired the proposal be submitted by proposal submission deadline of the secondary program with the intention to facilitate co-review.

Previous to getting ready any proposal for submission to CMMT requesting funding by means of a discretionary mechanism, resembling EAGER/RAPID, supplemental funding, or help for a convention/workshop, the PI should contact a CMMT Program Director to find out the appropriateness of the proposal for each this system and the actual sort of proposal. Proposals of those varieties and complement requests submitted with out prior approval by a CMMT Program Director will likely be returned with out overview.

Supplemental funding is meant just for unanticipated alternatives that come up throughout the course of the mission. Initiatives anticipating the inclusion of Analysis Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), or Analysis Experiences for Lecturers (RET) actions ought to embrace these as a part of the analysis proposal. Exceptions embrace the Profession-Life Steadiness initiative, MPS AGEP-GRS Expensive Colleague Letter and MPS-GRSV Expensive Colleague Letter.

III. AWARD INFORMATION

Estimated program price range, variety of awards, and common award measurement/length are topic to the supply of funds and the standard of the proposals. Common analysis awards supported by CMMT are usually, however not completely, within the vary of $85,000 to $160,000 per 12 months and of 2-4 years length.

IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Who Could Submit Proposals:

Proposals might solely be submitted by the next:

Establishments of Larger Training (IHEs) – Two- and four-year IHEs (together with group faculties) accredited in, and having a campus positioned 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 means of use of subawards and guide preparations), the proposer should clarify
the profit(s) to the mission of efficiency on the worldwide department campus, and justify why the mission 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 positioned within the U.S. which might be instantly related to academic or analysis actions.

Who Could Function PI:

See “Restrict on Variety of Proposals per PI or Co-PI” beneath.

Restrict on Variety of Proposals per Group:

There aren’t any restrictions or limits.

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

The NSF fiscal 12 months begins on October 1st and ends on September thirtieth of the next 12 months. The submission date of a proposal from an investigator, whether or not as PI or co-PI, to the CMMT program can’t be throughout the similar fiscal 12 months as one other proposal from that very same investigator, whether or not as PI or co-PI, to any DMR-TMRP. A listing of DMR-TMRPs could be discovered athttps://www.nsf.gov/funding/applications.jsp?org=DMR, underneath “Topical Supplies Analysis Applications.” Failure to look at this submission constraint will result in the offending proposal(s) being returned with out overview. This restriction additionally consists of proposals underneath Grant Alternatives for Educational Liaison with Trade (GOALI), Facilitating Analysis at Primarily Undergraduate Establishments (RUI/ROA), CDS&E, worldwide collaborative analysis applications, in addition to some other sort of proposal submitted on to the TMRPs. There aren’t any limits to collaborating as School Affiliate (as outlined in PAPPG Exhibit II-3.A.2) on a number of proposals concurrently underneath overview.

Exceptions:

Within the uncommon case involving continued funding of two present DMR initiatives which might be expiring in the identical fiscal 12 months an exception could also be thought of after session with the cognizant Program Officer(s).

Proposals for EAGER, RAPID, RAISE, and conferences, in addition to supplemental funding requests for present grants, aren’t topic to the restrictions on this solicitation and could also be submitted any time after session with and approval from the cognizant Program Officer(s). EAGER/RAPID/RAISE and convention proposals, in addition to requests for supplemental funding submitted with out prior approval by a Program Officer will likely be returned with out overview.

CAREER proposals are exempt from the limitation on the variety of proposals per fiscal 12 months, as are proposals to non-TMRP applications inside DMR, resembling Designing Supplies to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future (DMREF), Supplies Analysis Science and Engineering Facilities (MRSEC), Partnerships for Analysis and Training in Supplies (PREM), Supplies Innovation Platforms (MIP), nationwide services, and Analysis Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) websites. The variety of proposal submissions to divisions of NSF aside from DMR just isn’t restricted. Solely proposals which were withdrawn don’t depend towards the submission restrict.

V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

A. Proposal Preparation Directions

Full Proposal Preparation Directions: Proposers might decide 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 overall tips contained within the NSF Proposal and Award Insurance policies and Procedures Information (PAPPG). The whole textual content of the PAPPG is offered 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 Functions by way of Grants.gov. The whole textual content of the NSF Grants.gov Utility Information is offered 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 Kinds Package deal, click on on the Apply tab on the Grants.gov web site, 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 methodology to make the most of within the digital preparation and submission of the proposal, please notice the next:

Collaborative Proposals. All collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from a number of organizations have to be submitted by way of Analysis.gov. PAPPG Chapter II.E.3 supplies 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 notice that the proposal preparation directions offered on this program solicitation might deviate from the PAPPG directions.

Extra Necessities and Directions: The next directions complement the NSF PAPPG and the NSF Grants.gov Utility Information:

Mission Description : Investigators ought to briefly handle the connection of the current proposal to their at the moment funded initiatives or pending proposals and will clarify how the work proposed underneath this solicitation is distinct.

Knowledge Administration Plan : This solicitation helps the rising space of data-intensive computational and theoretical condensed matter and supplies analysis, together with supplies analysis pushed by synthetic intelligence and machine studying. Investigators are strongly inspired to contemplate the method of knowledge creation and develop practices and an sufficient plan for sharing software program and knowledge. The Knowledge Administration Plan ought to clarify how knowledge created by means of the mission will likely be made findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR), as applicable for the mission and the created knowledge. The Knowledge Administration Plan ought to be aware of the steering offered on the Division of Supplies Analysis hyperlink underneath Necessities by Directorate, Workplace, Division, Program, or different NSF Unit, at https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/coverage/dmp.jsp. It’s a cheap expectation that knowledge supporting printed work will likely be freely obtainable with out request inside an affordable time from publication. Additional efficient practices for making analysis knowledge discoverable and citable have additionally been communicated in a Expensive Colleague Letter from the Directorate for Mathematical and Bodily Sciences at https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf22055.

Proposers ought to notice that the Division of Supplies Analysis has made obtainable a Knowledge Administration and Sharing Plan Template to facilitate the creation of a responsive Knowledge Administration Plan. Utilizing the DMR template just isn’t obligatory, however extremely advisable. The template could be discovered right here: https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/coverage/dmpdocs/dmr_template.pdf

Proposers are reminded that the Knowledge Administration Plan will likely be reviewed (see Extra Solicitation Particular Evaluation Standards beneath).

Steered Reviewers : Investigators are requested to add underneath Single-Copy Paperwork a listing (with full names, affiliations, experience, and electronic mail addresses) of not less than 4 recommended reviewers who’re consultants within the specific area, are particularly well-qualified to overview the subject, and are at arm’s size (i.e. they don’t seem to be shut associates, collaborators over the previous 48 months, co-editors over the previous 24 months, or have some other conflicts of curiosity listed in Exhibit II-2 of the PAPPG). This listing also needs to embrace the Principal Investigator’s identify and establishment on the prime of the web page.

Revisions : For these proposals which might be resubmissions of beforehand declined proposals by any NSF Program, Investigators are requested to add underneath Single-Copy Paperwork an announcement (most size one web page) that discusses particularly how the current proposal has been modified in response to the feedback of the reviewers, panel, and Program Officer (because the case could also be). Proposals that within the judgment of the Program Officer haven’t been considerably revised will likely be returned with out overview.

B. Budgetary Info

Value Sharing:

Inclusion of voluntary dedicated value sharing is prohibited.

C. Due Dates

D. Analysis.gov/Grants.gov Necessities

For Proposals Submitted Through Analysis.gov:

To organize and submit a proposal by way of Analysis.gov, see detailed technical directions obtainable 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 1-800-381-1532 or e-mail [email protected]. The Analysis.gov Assist Desk solutions common 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 offered 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 consumer help, contact the Grants.gov Contact Heart at 1-800-518-4726 or by electronic mail: [email protected]. The Grants.gov Contact Heart solutions common 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 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 software will likely be transferred to Analysis.gov for additional processing.

Proposers that submitted by way of Analysis.gov might use Analysis.gov to confirm the standing of their submission to NSF. For proposers that submitted by way of Grants.gov, till an software has been acquired and validated by NSF, the Approved Organizational Consultant might test the standing of an software 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 software.

VI. NSF PROPOSAL PROCESSING AND REVIEW PROCEDURES

Proposals acquired by NSF are assigned to the suitable NSF program for acknowledgement and, in the event that they meet NSF necessities, for overview. All proposals are fastidiously 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 specific fields represented by the proposal. These reviewers are chosen by Program Officers charged with oversight of the overview course of. Proposers are invited to recommend names of individuals they consider are particularly effectively certified to overview the proposal and/or individuals they would favor not overview the proposal. These options might 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 don’t have any conflicts of curiosity with the proposal. As well as, Program Officers might get hold of feedback from web site visits earlier than recommending closing motion on proposals. Senior NSF workers additional overview suggestions for awards. A flowchart that depicts the complete NSF proposal and award course of (and related timeline) is included in PAPPG Exhibit III-1.

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

Proposers also needs to pay attention to core methods which might be important to the success of NSF’s mission, as articulated in Main the World in Discovery and Innovation, STEM Expertise Improvement 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 overview is one half. NSF’s mission is especially well-implemented by means of the combination of analysis and schooling and broadening participation in NSF applications, initiatives, and actions.

One of many strategic targets in help of NSF’s mission is to foster integration of analysis and schooling by means of the applications, initiatives, and actions it helps at tutorial 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 financial system. NSF’s contribution to the nationwide innovation ecosystem is to supply cutting-edge analysis underneath the steering of the Nation’s most artistic scientists and engineers. NSF additionally helps improvement of a robust science, know-how, engineering, and arithmetic (STEM) workforce by investing in constructing the information 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 might be underrepresented in STEM disciplines, which is important to the well being and vitality of science and engineering. NSF is dedicated to this precept of variety and deems it central to the applications, initiatives, and actions it considers and helps.

A. Advantage Evaluation Ideas and Standards

The Nationwide Science Basis strives to put money into a strong and numerous portfolio of initiatives that creates new information and permits breakthroughs in understanding throughout all areas of science and engineering analysis and schooling. To determine which initiatives to help, NSF depends on a advantage overview course of that comes with consideration of each the technical points of a proposed mission 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 overview course of for the choice of initiatives.

1. Advantage Evaluation Ideas

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 suggest 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 best high quality and have the potential to advance, if not remodel, the frontiers of data.
NSF initiatives, within the mixture, ought to contribute extra broadly to attaining societal objectives. These “Broader Impacts” could also be achieved by means of the analysis itself, by means of actions which might be instantly associated to particular analysis initiatives, or by means of actions which might be supported by, however are complementary to, the mission. The mission actions could also be primarily based on beforehand established and/or revolutionary strategies and approaches, however in both case have to be effectively justified.
Significant evaluation and analysis of NSF funded initiatives ought to be primarily based on applicable metrics, maintaining in thoughts the possible correlation between the impact of broader impacts and the sources offered to implement initiatives. If the dimensions of the exercise is proscribed, analysis of that exercise in isolation just isn’t more likely to be significant. Thus, assessing the effectiveness of those actions might finest be executed at a better, extra aggregated, degree than the person mission.

With respect to the third precept, even when evaluation of Broader Impacts outcomes for specific initiatives is completed at an aggregated degree, PIs are anticipated to be accountable for finishing up the actions described within the funded mission. Thus, particular person initiatives ought to embrace clearly acknowledged 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 overview rules present the idea for the advantage overview standards, in addition to a context inside which the customers of the factors can higher perceive their intent.

2. Advantage Evaluation Standards

All NSF proposals are evaluated by means of use of the 2 Nationwide Science Board accepted advantage overview standards. In some cases, nevertheless, NSF will make use of extra standards as required to spotlight the particular targets of sure applications and actions.

The 2 advantage overview standards are listed beneath. Each standards are to be given full consideration throughout the overview and decision-making processes; every criterion is important however neither, by itself, is enough. Due to this fact, proposers should totally handle each standards. (PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.d(i). accommodates extra info to be used by proposers in improvement of the Mission Description part of the proposal). Reviewers are strongly inspired to overview the factors, together with PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.d(i), previous to the overview of a proposal.

When evaluating NSF proposals, reviewers will likely 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 might accrue if the mission is profitable. These points apply each to the technical points of the proposal and the way in which by which the mission might make broader contributions. To that finish, reviewers will likely be requested to guage all proposals towards 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 of within the overview for each standards:

What’s the potential for the proposed exercise to

Advance information and understanding inside its personal area or throughout totally 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, authentic, 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, group, or group to conduct the proposed actions?
Are there sufficient sources obtainable to the PI (both on the dwelling group or by means of collaborations) to hold out the proposed actions?

Broader impacts could also be achieved by means of the analysis itself, by means of the actions which might be instantly associated to particular analysis initiatives, or by means of actions which might be supported by, however are complementary to, the mission. NSF values the development of scientific information and actions that contribute to achievement of societally related outcomes. Such outcomes embrace, however aren’t 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 degree; 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, trade, and others; improved nationwide safety; elevated financial competitiveness of the US; and enhanced infrastructure for analysis and schooling.

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

Extra Solicitation Particular Evaluation Standards

Evaluation of the Knowledge Administration Plan

NSF proposal overview consists of analysis of the Knowledge Administration Plan. Two points that ought to be thought of in reviewing Knowledge Administration Plans:

Acceptable : Is the Knowledge Administration Plan applicable for the sort of mission and the sort of knowledge that the mission will possible create? In some instances, an in depth knowledge administration plan is probably not required; nevertheless, on this case, the Knowledge Administration Plan should embrace a compelling and proposal-specific justification.
Responsive : The Knowledge Administration Plan ought to be aware of the steering offered on the Division of Supplies Analysis hyperlink underneath Necessities by Directorate, Workplace, Division, Program, or different NSF Unit, at https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/coverage/dmp.jsp. Does the Knowledge Administration Plan successfully convey that digital knowledge supporting printed work will likely be freely obtainable inside an affordable time from publication, with out the necessity for request to the investigator, and in a manner that the info is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR)?

B. Evaluation and Choice Course of

Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will likely be reviewed by Advert hoc Evaluation and/or Panel Evaluation.

Reviewers will likely be requested to guage proposals utilizing two Nationwide Science Board accepted advantage overview standards and, if relevant, extra program particular standards. A abstract score and accompanying narrative will usually be accomplished and submitted by every reviewer and/or panel. The Program Officer assigned to handle the proposal’s overview will take into account the recommendation of reviewers and can formulate a advice.

After scientific, technical and programmatic overview 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 candidates whether or not their proposals have been declined or advisable for funding inside six months. Massive or significantly advanced proposals or proposals from new awardees might require extra overview 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 advisable for funding will likely be forwarded to the Division of Grants and Agreements or the Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Assist for overview of enterprise, monetary, and coverage implications. After an administrative overview 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 might 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, 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/Mission 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 will likely be suggested as promptly as potential by the cognizant NSF Program administering this system. Verbatim copies of critiques, not together with the identification of the reviewer, will likely be offered mechanically to the Principal Investigator. (See Part VI.B. for extra info on the overview 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 price range, 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 that could be integrated 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 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, obtainable 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 America’s Employees (86 FR 7475), it’s the coverage of the chief 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 companies supplied 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 obtainable by means of this funding alternative could also be obligated for an award except all iron, metal, manufactured merchandise, and development supplies used within the mission are produced in the US. For added info, go to NSF’s Construct America, Purchase America webpage.

C. Reporting Necessities

For all multi-year grants (together with each normal and persevering with grants), the Principal Investigator should submit an annual mission report back to the cognizant Program Officer no later than 90 days previous to the tip of the present price range interval. (Some applications or awards require submission of extra frequent mission reviews). No later than 120 days following expiration of a grant, the PI is also required to submit a closing mission report, and a mission outcomes report for most of the people.

Failure to supply the required annual or closing mission reviews, or the mission outcomes report, will delay NSF overview 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 study the codecs of the required reviews upfront to guarantee availability of required knowledge.

PIs are required to make use of NSF’s digital project-reporting system, obtainable by means of Analysis.gov, for preparation and submission of annual and closing mission reviews. Such reviews present info on accomplishments, mission individuals (particular person and organizational), publications, and different particular merchandise and impacts of the mission. 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 mission outcomes report additionally have to 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 mission. This report will likely 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, obtainable electronically on the NSF Web site at https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg.

VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS

Please notice 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 methods contact:

NSF Assist Desk: 1-800-381-1532

For questions regarding Grants.gov contact:

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

IX. OTHER INFORMATION

The NSF web site supplies essentially the most complete supply of data on NSF Directorates (together with contact info), applications 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, vital adjustments in proposal and award insurance policies and procedures, and upcoming NSF Grants Conferences. Subscribers are knowledgeable by means of e-mail or the consumer’s Net browser every time new publications are issued that match their recognized pursuits. “NSF Replace” additionally is offered 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 info on Grants.gov could also be obtained at https://www.grants.gov.

Associated Applications:

Intently associated applications embrace:

Division of Supplies Analysis: Topical Supplies Analysis Applications (DMR:TMRP), (NSF 23-612).

Computational and Knowledge-Enabled Science and Engineering (CDS&E), see https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505920). CDS&E proposals for subjects lined by the Division of Supplies Analysis ought to be submitted to the CDS&E program description with CMMT as the first program.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

The Nationwide Science Basis (NSF) is an unbiased 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 means of grants and cooperative agreements to greater than 2,000 faculties, universities, Okay-12 college methods, companies, casual science organizations and different analysis organizations all through the US. The Basis accounts for about one-fourth of Federal help to tutorial establishments for primary analysis.

NSF receives roughly 55,000 proposals annually 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 services, sure oceanographic vessels and Arctic and Antarctic analysis stations. The Basis additionally helps cooperative analysis between universities and trade, US participation in worldwide scientific and engineering efforts, and academic actions at each tutorial 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 most of these proposals.

The Nationwide Science Basis has Telephonic System for the Deaf (TDD) and Federal Info Relay Service (FIRS) capabilities that allow people with listening to impairments to speak with the Basis about NSF applications, employment or common info. TDD could also be accessed at (703) 292-5090 and (800) 281-8749, FIRS at (800) 877-8339.

The Nationwide Science Basis Info Heart 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 most recent 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 Info
(NSF Info Heart):

(703) 292-5111

TDD (for the hearing-impaired):

(703) 292-5090

To Order Publications or Kinds:

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 types and mission reviews is solicited underneath the authority of the Nationwide Science Basis Act of 1950, as amended. The data on proposal types will likely be utilized in reference to the choice of certified proposals; and mission reviews submitted by awardees will likely 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 overview course of; to proposer establishments/grantees to supply or get hold of knowledge concerning the proposal overview course of, award selections, or the administration of awards; to authorities contractors, consultants, 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 overview course of, or with the intention to coordinate applications or coverage; and to a different Federal company, court docket, or occasion 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 out potential candidates to function peer reviewers or advisory committee members. See System of Document Notices, NSF-50, “Principal Investigator/Proposal File and Related Information,” and NSF-51, “Reviewer/Proposal File and Related Information.” Submission of the data is voluntary. Failure to supply full and full info, nevertheless, might cut back the potential of receiving an award.

An company might not conduct or sponsor, and an individual just isn’t required to reply to, an info assortment except 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 some other side of this assortment of data, together with options for lowering this burden, to:

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