Growing Convergence Research (GCR) (nsf24527)

Replaces Doc(s):NSF 19-551

Nationwide Science Basis

Directorate for Mathematical and Bodily Sciences

Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Financial Sciences

Directorate for Laptop and Data Science and Engineering

Directorate for Geosciences

Directorate for Engineering

Directorate for Organic Sciences

Directorate for STEM Schooling

Workplace of Integrative Actions

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

April 12, 2024

February 10, 2025

Second Monday in February, Yearly Thereafter

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND REVISION NOTES

Rising Convergence Analysis (GCR) is an NSF-wide program. Revisions make clear restrictions on the variety of proposals per PI or co-PI, present extra tips for proposal preparation, and make clear solicitation particular evaluate standards.

Any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation needs to be submitted in accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Insurance policies & Procedures Information (PAPPG) that’s in impact for the related due date to which the proposal is being submitted. The NSF PAPPG is recurrently revised and it’s the accountability 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

Basic Data

Program Title:

Rising Convergence Analysis (GCR)

Synopsis of Program:

Convergence analysis is a method for fixing vexing analysis issues, particularly, advanced issues specializing in societal wants or deep scientific challenges. It entails integrating information, strategies, and experience from totally different disciplines and growing novel paradigms that catalyze scientific discovery and innovation.

GCR identifies Convergence Analysis as having two main traits:

Analysis pushed by a particular and compelling downside. Convergence analysis is usually impressed by the necessity to deal with a particular problem or alternative, whether or not it arises from deep scientific questions or urgent societal wants.
Deep integration throughout disciplines. As specialists from totally different disciplines pursue frequent analysis challenges, their information, theories, strategies, information, analysis communities and languages change into more and more intermingled or built-in. New frameworks, paradigms and even disciplines can kind sustained interactions throughout a number of communities.

A definite attribute of convergence analysis, in distinction to different types of multidisciplinary analysis, is that from the inception, the convergence paradigm deliberately brings collectively intellectually numerous researchers and stakeholders to border the analysis questions, undertake frequent frameworks for addressing them, and create and implement modern scientific approaches for his or her answer. This consists of, when applicable, growing new built-in theories, strategies, analysis instruments, and methods of speaking throughout disciplines and sectors. Analysis groups working towards convergence goal to develop sustainable collaborations that won’t solely create options to the precise downside studied, but additionally develop novel methods of investigating associated analysis questions and open new analysis vistas.

This GCR solicitation targets multidisciplinary groups who’re embracing convergence analysis as a method of growing extremely modern options to advanced analysis issues. GCR proposals are anticipated to be daring and deal with scientific or technical challenges and bottlenecks which if resolved have the potential to rework scientific understanding and resolve vexing issues. Profitable GCR initiatives are anticipated to result in paradigm shifting approaches inside disciplines, institution of recent scientific communities, or improvement of transformative applied sciences which have the potential for broad scientific or societal impression.

The goal of GCR is to domesticate and develop the earliest foundations of convergent approaches for addressing a particular and compelling downside. As such, proposals submitted to this solicitation are anticipated to discover novel avenues not beforehand investigated which can be on the forefront of advancing science by deep integration. Proposers should make a convincing case that the analysis to be carried out is inside NSF’s purview, integrates throughout NSF directorate or division boundaries, and is presently not supported by different NSF packages or solicitations.

The proposers should define a five-year analysis plan delineated in two phases, Part I: years 1-2, and Part II: years 3-5. The overall funds for Part I’ll not exceed $1,200,000, and the full for Part II could not exceed $2,400,000. Profitable proposals will likely be funded initially for 2 years. Every workforce’s progress will likely be evaluated at a reverse web site go to close to the tip of 12 months 2; it will contain making ready a progress report and making a workforce presentation to a panel of reviewers/web site guests. Solely groups that present distinctive progress in line with the benefit evaluate and solicitation particular standards through the first two years and that articulate plans for furthering developments on the forefront of convergence analysis will likely be eligible for added funding for as much as three years pending availability of funds.

Cognizant Program Officer(s):

Please be aware 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):

47.041 — Engineering
47.049 — Mathematical and Bodily Sciences
47.050 — Geosciences
47.070 — Laptop and Data Science and Engineering
47.074 — Organic Sciences
47.075 — Social Behavioral and Financial Sciences
47.076 — STEM Schooling
47.083 — Workplace of Integrative Actions (OIA)

Award Data

Anticipated Kind of Award: Persevering with Grant

Estimated Variety of Awards: 6 to 10

Anticipated Funding Quantity: $16,000,000

$16,000,000 pending availability of funds, to help Part I of recent awards and to help Part II of initiatives began two years earlier which have proven distinctive progress.

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 neighborhood faculties) accredited in, and having a campus situated within the US, appearing on behalf of their school members. Particular Directions for Worldwide Department Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal consists of funding to be supplied to a world department campus of a US establishment of upper training (together with by 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: Impartial museums, observatories, analysis laboratories, skilled societies and related organizations situated within the U.S. which can be instantly related to instructional or analysis actions.

Who Might Function PI:

The PIs should maintain full-time appointments in analysis or instructing positions at US-based campuses/workplaces of eligible organizations.

Restrict on Variety of Proposals per Group:

There aren’t any restrictions or limits.

Restrict on Variety of Proposals per PI or co-PI: 1

A PI or a co-PI could take part in just one GCR mission at a time. This consists of presently funded initiatives and people presently underneath evaluate. No PI or co-PI could take part in any function, resembling researcher, guide, co-PI or PI in some other GCR proposal presently underneath evaluate. This eligibility constraint will likely be strictly enforced. If a person is concerned in a couple of pending GCR mission, probably the most lately submitted proposal will likely be returned with out evaluate. If a person is already concerned in an energetic GCR award, the newly submitted proposal will likely be returned with out evaluate. No exceptions will likely be made.

Previous PIs and co-PIs who’re not supported by this system could take part on this open competitors provided that the proposed analysis matters or themes are considerably totally different from these they pursued with prior NSF GCR help. New proposals that merely prolong the strategies and intent of a previous GCR award to a barely bigger scope or a brand new geographic space will likely be returned with out evaluate. In figuring out the connection between submitted proposals and previous awards, NSF will make use of textual content evaluation software program and technical experience of program administrators throughout the muse.

Proposal Preparation and Submission Directions

A. Proposal Preparation Directions

Letters of Intent: Not required

Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not required

Full Proposals:

B. Budgetary Data

C. Due Dates

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

April 12, 2024

February 10, 2025

Second Monday in February, Yearly Thereafter

Proposal Overview Data Standards

Advantage Overview Standards:

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

Award Administration Data

Award Circumstances:

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

Reporting Necessities:

Commonplace NSF reporting necessities apply.

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 Circumstances
Reporting Necessities

Company Contacts
Different Data

I. INTRODUCTION

Convergence analysis is a crucial mechanism for fixing many vexing analysis issues, particularly, these stemming from advanced scientific challenges. The 2 main traits of Convergence Analysis as outlined by the GCR program are:

Analysis pushed by a particular and compelling downside. Convergence analysis is usually impressed by the necessity to deal with a particular problem or alternative, whether or not it arises from deep scientific questions or urgent societal wants.
Deep integration throughout disciplines. As specialists from totally different disciplines pursue frequent analysis challenges, their information, theories, strategies, information, analysis communities and languages change into more and more intermingled or built-in. New frameworks, paradigms and even disciplines can emerge from sustained interactions throughout a number of communities.

From its inception, the convergence paradigm deliberately brings collectively intellectually numerous researchers and stakeholders to border the analysis questions, develop efficient methods of speaking throughout disciplines and sectors, and create and implement modern convergence approaches for his or her answer.

Convergence analysis is supported in some ways by the Packages of NSF. Cross-cutting initiatives particularly typically place precedence on convergence. Examples embody NSF Science and Know-how Facilities, NSF Engineering Analysis Facilities, Sensible Well being and Biomedical Analysis within the Period of Synthetic Intelligence and Superior Information Science, Way forward for Work on the Human-Know-how Frontier, Strengthening American Infrastructure, and lots of others. These packages rely on a analysis neighborhood with present capability for partaking in a convergent method. But, for a lot of particular and compelling issues in science and engineering, the capability for doing convergence analysis remains to be growing. The main focus of GCR is to facilitate the expansion and improvement of the earliest foundations of recent convergence analysis approaches to addressing particular and compelling issues. It’s anticipated that this work will, over time past the period of GCR award, feed into extra analysis on the forefront of science and engineering. This will likely happen, for instance, by NSF’s Convergence Accelerators, initiatives funded by different packages or solicitations, or institution of facilities or institutes supported by NSF or different funding companies.

II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This GCR solicitation is a name for proposals addressing advanced issues that require convergence paradigms to catalyze scientific discovery and innovation on the nexus of disciplines, however in areas for which analysis communities and built-in approaches haven’t but developed. In keeping with the 2 main traits of convergence analysis, the issue motivating the analysis needs to be rooted in a particular societal and/or scientific problem and the analysis technique ought to embrace deep integration throughout a number of disciplines. Of explicit curiosity are these issues and analysis methods which have potential to develop new scientific areas and catalyze sustained interactions throughout analysis communities past the interval of the award.

This GCR solicitation targets built-in workforce analysis that crosses NSF Directorate or Division boundaries and disciplines and is presently not supported by different NSF packages or solicitations. Proposers should clearly establish which components of various disciplines will likely be contributing to the convergence mission and the way the workforce plans to deeply combine these components. They need to additionally make a convincing case that the analysis to be carried out can’t be supported by different NSF packages and solicitations, innovates at interdisciplinary intersections past present approaches, and has potential to rework foundational scientific understanding. Proposals involving convergence in areas already lined by present packages and solicitations will likely be returned with out evaluate. In figuring out the connection between submitted proposals and present packages, NSF will make use of textual content evaluation software program and technical experience of program administrators throughout the muse.

The proposing workforce needs to be comprised of researchers from totally different disciplines that don’t sometimes work collectively within the proposed analysis areas and are essential to catalyze the proposed scientific discovery and innovation. Involvement as leads or companions is very inspired from investigators and establishments that will profit from better participation within the nationwide analysis enterprise, resembling primarily undergraduate establishments (PUIs), non-R1 IHEs, two-year faculties, minority-serving establishments (MSIs), and establishments inside EPSCoR jurisdictions. Engagement of different stakeholders essential for addressing the issue being studied can be inspired. Relying on the precise downside, stakeholders could also be from business, non-profit, neighborhood, and governmental organizations; colleges; and/or different non-academic entities. Every of the workforce members ought to display a readiness to have interaction in convergent science by committing time, effort, and mental experience all through the mission.

In shaping initiatives conscious of this name, proposers ought to articulate how they are going to deliberately convey collectively their analysis workforce and develop a convergent tradition of discovery and communication. Proposals ought to particularly deal with the methods that will likely be applied to prepare collaboration amongst mission individuals, promote workforce effectiveness, and advance convergent science processes and outcomes. Along with discussing the enter actions that may allow integration, proposals must also articulate the meant convergent outputs associated to each mental benefit and broader impacts.

All mission individuals ought to acknowledge that readiness to have interaction in in depth interactions and conceptual and methodological integration is important for the success of the mission. New coaching and studying experiences for individuals in any respect ranges, most significantly for post-docs and graduate college students, can be an integral part of a convergent tradition.

Essential Program Traits

Challenge funds needs to be used to develop new types of deep integration throughout disciplines and conduct transformative analysis with high-impact potential. The proposed actions needs to be designed to suit the five-year timeframe. The proposal ought to clarify how the mission workforce will advance progress in growing the basic scientific or engineering understanding wanted to deal with the precise societal and/or scientific downside that impressed the proposal. It ought to articulate what scientific and convergent outcomes are anticipated on two- and five-year time scales. It must also clarify how the mission could catalyze novel interactions past the mission period and new types of scientific discovery inside and throughout disciplines.

Proposals should embody the next:

An outline of a long-term scientific imaginative and prescient motivated by a particular societal and/or scientific downside;
A rationale explaining proposal suitability for this solicitation and why the said downside requires rising a brand new convergence analysis method;
Clear description of scientific or technical challenges and bottlenecks which if resolved have the potential to rework our foundational scientific understanding;
A five-year analysis plan, divided into two phases (years 1-2 and years 3-5), that employs a novel convergence paradigm comprising deep integration throughout disciplines;
A convergence administration plan that outlines methods and procedures for rising convergent science through the mission and past and that articulates how progress will likely be assessed.

Please discuss with the proposal preparation directions beneath for extra element on every of this stuff.

III. AWARD INFORMATION

Anticipated Funding Quantity: $16,000,000 pending availability of funds, to help Part I of recent awards and to help Part II of initiatives began two years earlier which have proven distinctive progress.

Profitable proposals will likely be funded initially for Part I. Every workforce’s progress will likely be evaluated at a reverse web site go to close to the tip of 12 months 2 and can then be thought of for Part II funding for as much as three years pending availability of funds.

Estimated program funds, variety of awards and common award measurement/period are topic to the supply of funds.

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 neighborhood faculties) accredited in, and having a campus situated within the US, appearing on behalf of their school members. Particular Directions for Worldwide Department Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal consists of funding to be supplied to a world department campus of a US establishment of upper training (together with by 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: Impartial museums, observatories, analysis laboratories, skilled societies and related organizations situated within the U.S. which can be instantly related to instructional or analysis actions.

Who Might Function PI:

The PIs should maintain full-time appointments in analysis or instructing positions at US-based campuses/workplaces of eligible organizations.

Restrict on Variety of Proposals per Group:

There aren’t any restrictions or limits.

Restrict on Variety of Proposals per PI or co-PI: 1

A PI or a co-PI could take part in just one GCR mission at a time. This consists of presently funded initiatives and people presently underneath evaluate. No PI or co-PI could take part in any function, resembling researcher, guide, co-PI or PI in some other GCR proposal presently underneath evaluate. This eligibility constraint will likely be strictly enforced. If a person is concerned in a couple of pending GCR mission, probably the most lately submitted proposal will likely be returned with out evaluate. If a person is already concerned in an energetic GCR award, the newly submitted proposal will likely be returned with out evaluate. No exceptions will likely be made.

Previous PIs and co-PIs who’re not supported by this system could take part on this open competitors provided that the proposed analysis matters or themes are considerably totally different from these they pursued with prior NSF GCR help. New proposals that merely prolong the strategies and intent of a previous GCR award to a barely bigger scope or a brand new geographic space will likely be returned with out evaluate. In figuring out the connection between submitted proposals and previous awards, NSF will make use of textual content evaluation software program and technical experience of program administrators throughout the muse.

V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

A. Proposal Preparation Directions

Full Proposal Preparation Directions: Proposers could 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 needs 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 obtainable 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 needs to be ready and submitted in accordance with the NSF Grants.gov Software Information: A Information for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Purposes by way of Grants.gov. The whole textual content of the NSF Grants.gov Software Information is obtainable 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 Software Information and Software Varieties 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 Software Package deal and Software 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 Software Information additionally could also be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, phone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mail from [email protected].

In figuring out which technique to make the most of within the digital preparation and submission of the proposal, please be aware the next:

Collaborative Proposals. All collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from a number of organizations 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 be aware that the proposal preparation directions supplied on this program solicitation could deviate from the PAPPG directions.

The next directions complement steering within the PAPPG:

Proposal Title: The title of the proposal should start with GCR adopted by colon. The remainder of the title of the proposal ought to describe the mission in concise, informative language so {that a} technically literate reader can perceive what the mission is about. The title ought to emphasize the science and engineering work to be undertaken and be appropriate to be used within the public press.

Challenge Description: Challenge Descriptions are restricted to fifteen pages in size.

Along with the necessities of the PAPPG, together with a separate part labeled “Broader Impacts”, the Challenge Description should embody the next three clearly labeled sections:

Lengthy-term imaginative and prescient: Describe the precise societal and/or scientific downside being addressed, together with its significance and a short description of what’s already recognized. Talk about why a brand new convergent method is required to deal with the issue and the potential for the proposed work to develop convergence analysis that continues past the mission period. Specify the brand new information and adjustments in analysis paradigms which can be anticipated and forms of outcomes that these will allow.
Appropriateness for this solicitation: Present a rationale explaining proposal suitability for this solicitation and articulating why the said downside requires rising new convergence analysis. This consists of figuring out how the proposed science doesn’t match different obtainable NSF funding mechanisms, which NSF areas the mission integrates throughout, and the way the proposed integration expands past the investigators’ and related analysis communities’ present work.
Analysis Plan:The analysis plan have to be written for a full 5 12 months scope of labor. Body the plan within the context of the prevailing scientific physique of information and approaches inside and throughout the concerned disciplines. Embody the next components:

Strategy: Describe the analysis questions or hypotheses and gaps in science, engineering and/or training information that the proposed analysis will deal with.
Challenges and bottlenecks: Describe scientific and/or technical challenges and bottlenecks that the proposed work addresses and the way resolving them has potential to vary the frontiers of science. Talk about the dangers and rewards concerned within the proposed analysis, together with points that will come up and approaches for addressing them.
Challenge actions: Describe the proposed actions, together with how the work will combine conceptual fashions, instruments, methodologies, and/or infrastructures from a number of disciplines in new methods. Articulate how these actions are anticipated to rework our foundational scientific understanding and notice broader impacts.
Description of two phases: Delineate the actions into two phases (Part I protecting years 1-2 and Part II protecting years 3-5). Specify each convergence and analysis targets, within the type of identifiable milestones, on the finish of every of the 2 phases. Help for Part II of GCR initiatives just isn’t assured, and can rely on the progress evaluation on the reverse web site go to close to the tip of 12 months 2 of the mission and availability of funds.
Assets Describe wanted assets to perform said goals. Assets could embody, amongst others, services, information, skilled improvement/coaching, and partnerships.

Supplementary Paperwork:

The proposal ought to embody relevant Supplementary Paperwork as instructed within the PAPPG. The next objects are to be supplied as Different Supplementary Paperwork.

Checklist of Challenge Personnel: Every proposal should embody a desk that lists the PI, co-PIs, and all senior/key personnel. This desk ought to checklist the next info for every particular person in separate columns: Final Identify, First Identify, Center Preliminary, Organizational Affiliation.

Convergence Administration Plan (two pages): Every proposal should comprise a Convergence Administration Plan that describes how the mission will likely be managed throughout disciplines, organizations, and companions over time. This side of the proposal ought to articulate what convergence is deliberate and the way will probably be operationalized and assessed.

This primary web page of this plan needs to be titled “Challenge Administration” and deal with the precise roles and duties of all individuals and organizations concerned (together with PIs, Co-PIs, different Senior/Key Personnel, paid consultants, stakeholder individuals and their organizations). It ought to articulate how duties and types of experience will likely be built-in over the course of the mission. This web page must also present a mission timeline throughout Part I and Part II, together with anticipated actions and milestones.

The second web page of this plan needs to be titled “Convergence Administration” and describe the brand new types of conceptual and/or methodological integration that the mission intends to develop. It ought to focus on how the analysis plan is designed to allow that integration, and the way progress in analysis and convergence will likely be assessed all through the period of the mission.

Letters of Collaboration: If the mission entails collaborative preparations of significance, these preparations needs to be described within the mission description and confirmed by letters of collaboration included as supplementary paperwork. Such letters should adhere to the beneficial format contained within the PAPPG and are restricted to stating the intent to collaborate and describing the character of collaboration. The letters could not comprise endorsements or analysis of the proposed mission, nor suggestions of the PI(s) or different statements of help.

B. Budgetary Data

Price Sharing:

Inclusion of voluntary dedicated price sharing is prohibited.

Finances Preparation Directions:

Proposals ought to embody a five-year funds. The overall funds for years 1 and a couple of mustn’t exceed $1, 200,000, and the full for the remaining three years mustn’t exceed $2,400,000.

C. Due Dates

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

April 12, 2024

February 10, 2025

Second Monday in February, Yearly Thereafter

D. Analysis.gov/Grants.gov Necessities

For Proposals Submitted Through Analysis.gov:

To arrange and submit a proposal by way of Analysis.gov, see detailed technical directions 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 person 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 needs 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 obtainable on the Grants.gov Applicant Assets webpage: https://www.grants.gov/net/grants/candidates.html. As well as, the NSF Grants.gov Software Information (see hyperlink in Part V.A) supplies directions relating to the technical preparation of proposals by way of Grants.gov. For Grants.gov person help, contact the Grants.gov Contact Middle at 1-800-518-4726 or by e-mail: [email protected]. The Grants.gov Contact Middle solutions common technical questions associated to the usage of Grants.gov. Particular questions associated to this program solicitation needs 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 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.

The NSF Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Analysis.gov informational web page supplies submission steering to candidates and hyperlinks to useful assets together with the NSF Grants.gov Software Information, Grants.gov Proposal Processing in Analysis.gov how-to information, and Grants.gov Submitted Proposals Continuously Requested Questions. Grants.gov proposals should go all NSF pre-check and post-check validations with the intention to be accepted by Analysis.gov at NSF.

When submitting by way of Grants.gov, NSF strongly recommends candidates provoke proposal submission at the very least 5 enterprise days upfront of a deadline to permit sufficient time to deal with NSF compliance errors and resubmissions by 5:00 p.m. submitting group’s native time on the deadline. Please be aware that some errors can’t be corrected in Grants.gov. As soon as a proposal passes pre-checks however fails any post-check, an applicant can solely right and submit the in-progress proposal in Analysis.gov.

Proposers that submitted by way of Analysis.gov could use Analysis.gov to confirm the standing of their submission to NSF. For proposers that submitted by way of Grants.gov, till an software has been acquired and validated by NSF, the Licensed Organizational Consultant could verify the standing of an software on Grants.gov. After proposers have acquired an e-mail notification from NSF, Analysis.gov needs to be used to verify 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 evaluate. All proposals are rigorously reviewed by a scientist, engineer, or educator serving as an NSF Program Officer, and often by three to 10 different individuals outdoors 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 consider are particularly properly certified to evaluate the proposal and/or individuals they would like not evaluate the proposal. These ideas could function one supply within the reviewer choice course of on the Program Officer’s discretion. Submission of such names, nevertheless, is elective. Care is taken to make sure that reviewers haven’t any conflicts of curiosity with the proposal. As well as, Program Officers could receive feedback from web site 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 obtainable 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 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 evaluate is one half. NSF’s mission is especially well-implemented by the combination of analysis and training and broadening participation in NSF packages, initiatives, and actions.

One of many strategic goals in help of NSF’s mission is to foster integration of analysis and training by the packages, 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 economic system. NSF’s contribution to the nationwide innovation ecosystem is to supply cutting-edge analysis underneath the steering of the Nation’s most inventive scientists and engineers. NSF additionally helps improvement of a powerful 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 can 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 packages, initiatives, and actions it considers and helps.

A. Advantage Overview Rules and Standards

The Nationwide Science Basis strives to put money into a sturdy and numerous portfolio of initiatives that creates new information and allows breakthroughs in understanding throughout all areas of science and engineering analysis and training. To establish which initiatives to help, NSF depends on a benefit evaluate course of that comes with consideration of each the technical elements 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 benefit evaluate course of for the number of initiatives.

1. Advantage Overview Rules

These rules are to be given due diligence by PIs and organizations when making 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 fundamental analysis and training, the next three rules apply:

All NSF initiatives needs to be of the very best high quality and have the potential to advance, if not remodel, the frontiers of information.
NSF initiatives, within the combination, ought to contribute extra broadly to attaining societal targets. These “Broader Impacts” could also be achieved by the analysis itself, by actions which can be instantly associated to particular analysis initiatives, or by actions which can be supported by, however are complementary to, the mission. The mission actions could also be based mostly on beforehand established and/or modern strategies and approaches, however in both case have to be properly justified.
Significant evaluation and analysis of NSF funded initiatives needs to be based mostly on applicable metrics, maintaining in thoughts the seemingly correlation between the impact of broader impacts and the assets supplied to implement initiatives. If the dimensions of the exercise is restricted, analysis of that exercise in isolation just isn’t prone to be significant. Thus, assessing the effectiveness of those actions could greatest be achieved at a better, extra aggregated, stage than the person mission.

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 mission. Thus, particular person initiatives ought to embody 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 factors can higher perceive their intent.

2. Advantage Overview Standards

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

The 2 benefit evaluate standards are listed beneath. Each standards are to be given full consideration through the evaluate and decision-making processes; every criterion is critical however neither, by itself, is ample. Due to this fact, proposers should absolutely deal with each standards. (PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.d(i). incorporates extra info to be used by proposers in improvement of the Challenge Description part of the proposal). Reviewers are strongly inspired to evaluate the factors, together with PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.d(i), previous to the evaluate 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 elements of the proposal and the way in which during which the mission could make broader contributions. To that finish, reviewers will likely be requested to judge 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 learn society and contribute to the achievement of particular, desired societal outcomes.

The next components needs to be thought of within the evaluate for each standards:

What’s the potential for the proposed exercise to
Advance information and understanding inside its personal subject 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 inventive, authentic, or doubtlessly transformative ideas?
Is the plan for finishing up the proposed actions well-reasoned, well-organized, and based mostly on a sound rationale? Does the plan incorporate a mechanism to evaluate success?
How properly certified is the person, workforce, or group to conduct the proposed actions?
Are there sufficient assets obtainable to the PI (both on the house group or by collaborations) to hold out the proposed actions?

Broader impacts could also be achieved by the analysis itself, by the actions which can be instantly associated to particular analysis initiatives, or by actions which can 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 embody, however should not restricted to: full participation of girls, individuals with disabilities, and different underrepresented teams in science, know-how, engineering, and arithmetic (STEM); improved STEM training 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 america; and enhanced infrastructure for analysis and training.

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

Extra Solicitation Particular Overview Standards

Along with above standards reviewers will likely be requested to deal with the next questions:

Is the imaginative and prescient motivating this proposal sufficiently compelling and impressive to justify funding in rising new convergence analysis? Is there potential for this mission to rework foundational scientific understanding and open new analysis vistas?
Is the proposed analysis applicable for this solicitation? Do the proposed concepts combine deeply throughout disciplines and differ markedly from analysis supported by different NSF packages, solicitations, or funding mechanisms?
Are the targets outlined for the 2 phases of the analysis plan sufficiently novel to develop new paradigms and approaches and transfer the science towards addressing the issue that engendered the proposal?
Are the proposed analysis actions modern, promising, and applicable for rising convergence analysis? Are these actions well-suited to constructing convergence and addressing scientific and/or technical challenges which can be presently limiting progress?
Is the proposed administration plan applicable to foster an efficient convergent workforce and advance the meant convergence and analysis outcomes?
Is the assembled workforce of mission individuals and companions applicable and important for the deliberate mission? Are the companion organizations and individuals meaningfully built-in?

B. Overview and Choice Course of

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

Reviewers will likely be requested to judge proposals utilizing two Nationwide Science Board authorized 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 take into account 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 needs to be declined or beneficial for award. NSF strives to have the ability to inform proposers whether or not their proposals have been declined or beneficial for funding inside six months. Giant or notably advanced proposals or proposals from new recipients 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 will likely be forwarded to the Division of Grants and Agreements or the Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Help 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 needs 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 resolution has been made, Principal Investigators are supplied suggestions about their proposals. In all circumstances, opinions are handled as confidential paperwork. Verbatim copies of opinions, excluding the names of the reviewers or any reviewer-identifying info, are despatched to the Principal Investigator/Challenge 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 attainable by the cognizant NSF Program administering this system. Verbatim copies of opinions, not together with the identification of the reviewer, will likely be supplied routinely to the Principal Investigator. (See Part VI.B. for added info on the evaluate course of.)

B. Award Circumstances

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 based mostly 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 Basic Circumstances (GC-1)*; or Analysis Phrases and Circumstances* and (5) any announcement or different NSF issuance which may be integrated by reference within the award discover. Cooperative agreements are also administered in accordance with NSF Cooperative Settlement Monetary and Administrative Phrases and Circumstances (CA-FATC) and the relevant Programmatic Phrases and Circumstances. 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 Circumstances and different essential 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, 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 chief department to make use of phrases and situations of Federal monetary help awards to maximise, according to legislation, the usage of items, merchandise, and supplies produced in, and providers supplied in, america.

In keeping 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 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 america. For extra info, go to NSF’s Construct America, Purchase America webpage.

Particular Award Circumstances:

Inside the first 90 days of the award, senior/key personnel from every funded mission will likely be required to take part in a digital workshop specializing in constructing convergence throughout disciplines. As well as, senior/key personnel will likely be required to attend a digital reverse web site go to close to the tip of 12 months two. The aim of this reverse web site go to is to evaluate progress the recipients have made in direction of constructing a convergent workforce, advancing the forefront of science, and making progress in direction of the mission’s targets. Every recipient workforce will put together briefing materials (10 pages or much less) describing its accomplishments and make a brief presentation which will likely be adopted by Q&A. The reviewers/web site guests will consider the workforce’s progress in direction of its said convergence and analysis targets and its plans for additional developments. Taking into consideration reviewers’ enter and based mostly on obtainable funding, NSF will determine if the workforce will obtain funding for the remaining three years.

Recipients will likely be required to incorporate applicable acknowledgment of NSF help underneath the Rising Convergence Analysis Program in any publication (together with World Extensive Net pages) of any materials based mostly on or developed underneath the mission, within the following phrases:

“This materials is predicated upon work supported by the Nationwide Science Basis Rising Convergence Analysis program underneath Grant No. (Recipient enters NSF grant quantity.)”

Recipients additionally will likely be required to orally acknowledge NSF help utilizing the language specified above throughout all information media interviews, together with well-liked media resembling radio, tv and information magazines.

C. Reporting Necessities

For all multi-year grants (together with each customary 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 funds interval. (Some packages or awards require submission of extra frequent mission experiences). No later than 120 days following expiration of a grant, the PI is also required to submit a remaining mission report, and a mission outcomes report for most of the people.

Failure to supply the required annual or remaining mission experiences, or the mission 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 experiences upfront to guarantee availability of required information.

PIs are required to make use of NSF’s digital project-reporting system, obtainable by Analysis.gov, for preparation and submission of annual and remaining mission experiences. Such experiences 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 essential 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 be aware that this system contact info is present on the time of publishing. See program web site for any updates to the factors of contact.

Basic inquiries relating to this program needs to be made to:

For questions associated to the usage of NSF techniques contact:

NSF Assist Desk: 1-800-381-1532
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 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 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, essential adjustments in proposal and award insurance policies and procedures, and upcoming NSF Grants Conferences. Subscribers are knowledgeable by e-mail or the person’s Net browser every time new publications are issued that match their recognized pursuits. “NSF Replace” additionally is obtainable 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.

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 training in all fields of science and engineering.”

NSF funds analysis and training 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 techniques, 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 fundamental analysis.

NSF receives roughly 55,000 proposals annually for analysis, training 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, person services, 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 tutorial 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 relating to preparation of all these proposals.

The Nationwide Science Basis has Telephonic System for the Deaf (TDD) and Federal Data Relay Service (FIRS) capabilities that allow people with listening to impairments to speak with the Basis about NSF packages, employment or common 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 america by competitively awarding grants and cooperative agreements for analysis and training 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 Basic 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 types and mission experiences 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 number of certified proposals; and mission experiences submitted by proposers will likely be used for program analysis and reporting inside 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 receive information relating to the proposal evaluate course of, award choices, or the administration of awards; to authorities contractors, specialists, volunteers and researchers and educators as needed to finish assigned work; to different authorities companies or different entities needing info relating to proposers or nominees as a part of a joint software evaluate course of, or with the intention to coordinate packages or coverage; and to a different Federal company, courtroom, or get together in a courtroom or Federal administrative continuing if the federal government is a celebration. Details about Principal Investigators could also be added to the Reviewer file and used to pick out potential candidates to function peer reviewers or advisory committee members. See System of Report 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, could scale back the potential for receiving an award.

An company could not conduct or sponsor, and an individual just isn’t required to answer, 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 relating to the burden estimate and some other side of this assortment of data, together with ideas for lowering this burden, to:

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

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