Replaces Doc(s):
NSF 17-553
Nationwide Science Basis
Directorate for Mathematical and Bodily Sciences Division of Mathematical Sciences
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter’s native time):
March 14, 2024
March 14, 2029
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND REVISION NOTES
This program solicitation invitations proposals for brand new institute tasks from U.S. websites in addition to renewal proposals from any of the U.S.-based institutes which have earlier funding from NSF.
Any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation ought to be submitted in accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Insurance policies & Procedures Information (PAPPG) that’s in impact for the related due date to which the proposal is being submitted. The NSF PAPPG is recurrently revised and it’s the duty of the proposer to make sure that the proposal meets the necessities specified on this solicitation and the relevant model of the PAPPG. Submitting a proposal previous to a specified deadline doesn’t negate this requirement.
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Common Data
Program Title:
Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes
Synopsis of Program:
Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes are nationwide assets that purpose to advance analysis within the mathematical sciences by way of packages supporting discovery and dissemination of information in arithmetic and statistics and enhancing connections to associated fields by which the mathematical sciences can play essential roles. Institute actions assist focus the eye of a few of the finest mathematical minds on issues of specific significance and timeliness. Institutes are additionally neighborhood assets that contain a broad section of U.S.-based mathematical sciences researchers of their actions. The objectives of the Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes program embrace advancing analysis within the mathematical sciences, growing the affect of the mathematical sciences in different disciplines, and increasing the expertise base engaged in mathematical analysis in the USA.
Cognizant Program Officer(s):
Please observe that the next info is present on the time of publishing. See program web site for any updates to the factors of contact.
Joanna Kania-Bartoszynska, phone: (703) 292-4881, e mail: [email protected]
Stefaan G. De Winter, phone: (703) 292-2599, e mail: [email protected]
Marian Bocea, phone: (703) 292-2595, e mail: [email protected]
Pedro F. Embid-Droz, phone: (703) 292-4859, e mail: [email protected]
Zhilan J. Feng, phone: (703) 292-7523, e mail: [email protected]
Yuliya Gorb, phone: (703) 292-2113, e mail: [email protected]
Andrew D. Pollington, phone: (703) 292-4878, e mail: [email protected]
Yong Zeng, phone: (703) 292-7299, e mail: [email protected]
Relevant Catalog of Federal Home Help (CFDA) Quantity(s):
47.049 — Mathematical and Bodily Sciences
Award Data
Anticipated Kind of Award: Persevering with Grant
Estimated Variety of Awards: 5 to eight
Anticipated Funding Quantity: $40,000,000
As much as this quantity will probably be initially obtainable for this exercise in FY 2025, topic to availability of funds and high quality of proposals. Award quantities are anticipated to vary from roughly $2.5 million per 12 months to $6 million per 12 months for as much as 5 years.
Eligibility Data
Who Might Submit Proposals:
Proposals could solely be submitted by the next:
Establishments of Greater Schooling (IHEs) – Two- and four-year IHEs (together with neighborhood schools) accredited in, and having a campus positioned within the US, performing 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 a global department campus of a US establishment of upper schooling (together with by way of use of subawards and marketing consultant preparations), the proposer should clarify the profit(s) to the challenge of efficiency on the worldwide department campus, and justify why the challenge actions can’t be carried out on the US campus.
Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Unbiased museums, observatories, analysis laboratories, skilled societies and comparable organizations positioned within the U.S. which might be straight related to instructional or analysis actions.
Multi-institutional consortia are permitted, however a single entity should settle for general administration duty.
Who Might Function PI:
There aren’t any restrictions or limits.
Restrict on Variety of Proposals per Group:
There aren’t any restrictions or limits.
Restrict on Variety of Proposals per PI or co-PI:
There aren’t any restrictions or limits.
Proposal Preparation and Submission Directions
A. Proposal Preparation Directions
Letters of Intent: Not required
Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not required
Full Proposals:
B. Budgetary Data
Price Sharing Necessities:
Inclusion of voluntary dedicated value sharing is prohibited.
Oblique Price (F&A) Limitations:
Not Relevant
Different Budgetary Limitations:
Different budgetary limitations apply. Please see the total textual content of this solicitation for additional info.
C. Due Dates
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter’s native time):
March 14, 2024
March 14, 2029
Proposal Overview Data Standards
Benefit Overview Standards:
Nationwide Science Board permitted standards. Extra advantage assessment standards apply. Please see the total textual content of this solicitation for additional info.
Award Administration Data
Award Situations:
Extra award circumstances apply. Please see the total textual content of this solicitation for additional info.
Reporting Necessities:
Extra reporting necessities apply. Please see the total textual content of this solicitation for additional info.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract of Program Necessities
Introduction
Program Description
Award Data
Eligibility Data
Proposal Preparation and Submission Directions
Proposal Preparation Directions
Budgetary Data
Due Dates
Analysis.gov/Grants.gov Necessities
NSF Proposal Processing and Overview Procedures
Benefit Overview Ideas and Standards
Overview and Choice Course of
Award Administration Data
Notification of the Award
Award Situations
Reporting Necessities
Company Contacts
Different Data
I. INTRODUCTION
The Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) of the Nationwide Science Basis (NSF) helps plenty of analysis institutes within the mathematical sciences. The objectives of the Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes program embrace advancing analysis within the mathematical sciences, growing the affect of the mathematical sciences in different disciplines, and increasing the expertise base engaged in mathematical analysis in the USA. Institutes have confirmed to be an efficient technique of attaining these objectives. Two institutes have been established in 1980; since then, the portfolio of Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes has advanced, and DMS now helps a number of U.S.-based institutes. Additional details about DMS-supported institutes is offered by way of the website http://www.mathinstitutes.org/.
Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes are large-scale tasks that collectively have a number of essential impacts:
Institutes advance analysis within the mathematical sciences, encourage analysis that’s well timed and probably transformative, and help fast and broad dissemination of recent concepts;
Institutes focus effort and excellence within the mathematical sciences, working on a nationwide scale to achieve throughout the mathematical disciplines, to discover rising frontiers of these disciplines, and to interact with scientific alternatives in different fields;
Institutes present mental infrastructure for analysis collaborations throughout the mathematical sciences and on the interface of the mathematical sciences and different disciplines;
Institutes improve the affect of the mathematical sciences in different disciplines by sponsoring interdisciplinary actions and enhancing synergistic approaches to vital scientific issues;
Institutes present alternatives for college students and postdoctoral fellows to work together with main researchers;
Institutes assist the change of knowledge with enterprise, trade, authorities, and nationwide laboratories, offering entry to experience within the mathematical sciences;
Institutes display management in selling variety within the mathematical sciences enterprise;
Institutes present alternatives for outreach to the scientific neighborhood and the general public at massive;
Institutes play an essential position in fostering worldwide collaborations.
The mathematical sciences have gone by way of a interval of spectacular progress and pleasure. New concepts have been developed throughout the self-discipline and a few vital long-standing open issues have been solved. On the similar time, the mathematical sciences have been embraced as an enabling know-how in lots of areas of software, from the bodily sciences and engineering to the life sciences and synthetic intelligence applied sciences. The Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes have performed an essential position in these developments, and this position is anticipated to develop.
The Division of Mathematical Sciences invitations proposals for tasks that contribute to this essential, influential exercise. This competitors welcomes new tasks from U.S. websites in addition to renewal proposals from any of the U.S.-based institutes which have had earlier funding from NSF. The Division of Mathematical Sciences intends that awards ensuing from this competitors will probably be five-year persevering with grants and that renewal proposals following these awards could also be submitted to the subsequent competitors on this sequence, circa FY 2029.
II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) of the Nationwide Science Basis (NSF) seeks proposals for Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes that may advance analysis within the mathematical sciences, improve the affect of the mathematical sciences in different disciplines, and increase the expertise base engaged in mathematical analysis in the USA. DMS is especially considering proposals which might be inventive, display imaginative and prescient, and contain the fullest spectrum of the mathematical sciences applicable to the proposed institute’s mission.
The construction of a proposed institute is unspecified. The Division of Mathematical Sciences encourages potential candidates to think about the construction of the Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes presently supported by the Division and, the place applicable, to suggest different buildings that complement the prevailing ones and improve the potential to rework the mathematical sciences panorama.
The next issues ought to inform the proposed exercise.
Nationwide Assets
Whereas internet hosting a DMS analysis institute confers advantages on a internet hosting group, DMS intends analysis institute exercise to be at the beginning a service to the mathematical sciences neighborhood as an entire. Proposals centered on the pursuits or development of a specific establishment are usually not applicable for the Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes program.
Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institute actions are anticipated to contain the mathematical sciences neighborhood on a nationwide, if not worldwide, scale. Institute actions ought to replicate broad neighborhood involvement, not solely in participation but in addition in genesis of programmatic actions. Institute packages have to be open to purposes from members of all the related constituency throughout the nation. Proposals ought to embrace detailed plans to recruit and contain members from a variety of establishment varieties, demographic varieties, and profession seniority. Proposals ought to embrace description of an specific mechanism for choice of program organizers and program members that’s open and goals to replicate such steadiness.
It’s anticipated that institute exercise will probably be topic to route and oversight by distinguished governing boards. Such governing boards have to be constituted broadly, with membership throughout the related neighborhood, and proposals ought to describe the mechanisms by which governing boards will probably be appointed and thru which oversight will probably be carried out.
DMS notably values the analysis institutes for his or her capability to achieve a a lot wider neighborhood of U.S. mathematical scientists than these straight supported by DMS by way of its Particular person Investigator grant packages. Proposed tasks ought to embrace specific mechanisms to make sure the participation and assist of U.S.-based mathematical scientists with out different sources of grant assist.
Whereas institute packages will typically naturally contain international members, the majority of DMS funding for members in institute packages is anticipated to assist U.S.-based members, reflecting the funding of U.S. federal funds in Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes.
Workforce Growth
Whereas institute actions are anticipated to middle on advancing analysis within the mathematical sciences and associated fields, the Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes additionally play a big position within the coaching by way of analysis involvement of the subsequent technology of mathematical scientists. Proposals ought to embrace plans for the involvement of scholars and postdoctoral associates in institute actions, as applicable.
Data Dissemination and Outreach
It’s anticipated that Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institute actions will catalyze new discoveries. To boost this technique of discovery, institutes are anticipated to disseminate outcomes of programmatic actions, and proposals ought to embrace plans for such dissemination. Along with their major objectives in analysis development and workforce improvement, Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes can present distinctive and extremely seen venues for outreach to most people in addition to to the scientific neighborhood broadly, and proposals ought to embrace concepts for potential outreach actions.
Analysis and Reporting
Tasks on the size of Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes name for normal, ongoing analysis to watch and consider progress in assembly objectives, to supply suggestions, and to recommend potential modifications and enhancements. Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institute awards are topic to particular reporting necessities in regards to the programmatic actions and the members concerned. As well as, proposals ought to describe plans for formative analysis in the course of the course of the institute actions and for summative analysis of progress towards the institute’s objectives.
Briefly, a proposal ought to describe the imaginative and prescient for the proposed institute as a nationwide useful resource; the challenges motivating this imaginative and prescient; and the rationale for an institute to handle these challenges. It ought to outline the mission and objectives of the proposed institute; describe how these objectives will probably be achieved, along with applicable measures to judge progress towards these objectives; and make a compelling case for the institute’s nationwide scope and anticipated affect on the mathematical sciences. It ought to point out the governance and administration construction of the proposed institute; describe the method of producing, deciding on, and evaluating the actions of the proposed institute; and provides standards for the choice of members and the allocation of funds. It ought to comprise a plan reflecting a proactive method to variety; describe how this plan will probably be carried out; and description how its outcomes will probably be measured. It ought to handle the methods by which coaching of the subsequent technology of mathematical scientists will probably be built-in with the analysis program of the proposed institute; and talk about plans for outreach actions and the dissemination of information generated on the proposed institute.
Proposals from current institutes searching for renewal below this solicitation should describe each the institute’s previous accomplishments and its plans for future improvement.
III. AWARD INFORMATION
As much as eight awards will probably be made, relying on the standard of the submissions and the supply of funds. A complete quantity of as much as $40 million could also be obtainable in FY 2025 for this exercise. Award quantities are anticipated to vary from roughly $2.5 million per 12 months to $6 million per 12 months for as much as 5 years. Awards are anticipated to be persevering with grants; funds are launched yearly topic to approval by DMS and the supply of funds.
In Yr 5, institutes are welcome to submit a renewal proposal for a subsequent 5 years of funding. A renewal proposal could also be funded relying on the outcomes of prior assist and advantage assessment, all the time topic to the supply of funds. The assessment of renewal proposals will emphasize analysis of the outcomes below prior assist in addition to plans for future exercise. On the conclusion of the assessment of a renewal proposal, DMS will inform the awardee whether or not DMS finds that the institute’s actions warrant renewal for a further five-year interval, or whether or not a plan have to be enforce for phase-out of DMS assist. Renewal proposals could also be funded with phase-out awards of length fewer than 5 further years. Nevertheless, it’s anticipated that besides in uncommon circumstances the primary renewal proposal for a well-functioning newly-created institute will obtain a further 5 years of assist.
IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
Who Might Submit Proposals:
Proposals could solely be submitted by the next:
Establishments of Greater Schooling (IHEs) – Two- and four-year IHEs (together with neighborhood schools) accredited in, and having a campus positioned within the US, performing 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 a global department campus of a US establishment of upper schooling (together with by way of use of subawards and marketing consultant preparations), the proposer should clarify the profit(s) to the challenge of efficiency on the worldwide department campus, and justify why the challenge actions can’t be carried out on the US campus.
Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Unbiased museums, observatories, analysis laboratories, skilled societies and comparable organizations positioned within the U.S. which might be straight related to instructional or analysis actions.
Multi-institutional consortia are permitted, however a single entity should settle for general administration duty.
Who Might Function PI:
There aren’t any restrictions or limits.
Restrict on Variety of Proposals per Group:
There aren’t any restrictions or limits.
Restrict on Variety of Proposals per PI or co-PI:
There aren’t any restrictions or limits.
V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
A. Proposal Preparation Directions
Full Proposal Preparation Directions: Proposers could decide to submit proposals in response to this Program Solicitation through Analysis.gov or Grants.gov.
Full Proposals submitted through Analysis.gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation ought to be ready and submitted in accordance with the 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 through Grants.gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation through Grants.gov ought to be ready and submitted in accordance with the NSF Grants.gov Utility Information: A Information for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Purposes through 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 Varieties Package deal, click on on the Apply tab on the Grants.gov website, then click on on the Apply Step 1: Obtain a Grant Utility Package deal and Utility Directions hyperlink and enter the funding alternative quantity, (this system solicitation quantity with out the NSF prefix) and press the Obtain Package deal button. Paper copies of the Grants.gov Utility Information additionally could also be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, phone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mail from [email protected].
See PAPPG Chapter II.D.2 for steering on the required sections of a full analysis proposal submitted to NSF. Please observe that the proposal preparation directions offered on this program solicitation could deviate from the PAPPG directions.
Full proposals should conform to the NSF Proposal & Award Insurance policies & Procedures Information (PAPPG) necessities, with the next modifications:
Any multi-institutional collaboration have to be submitted as a single proposal with subawards.
Venture Description
The challenge description is topic to web page limits as described under, which will probably be strictly enforced. The Venture Description, restricted to 30 pages complete, consists of every of the next subjects:
The mental focus of the proposed institute; the rationale for the proposed institute, its mission and objectives, and its anticipated affect; plans for future progress and useful resource improvement; proposed steps towards creating its position as a nationwide useful resource; and outcomes of prior NSF assist of the institute if relevant. (This part is to not exceed 20 pages complete together with outcomes of prior NSF assist, which can take as much as 5 pages.)
A tentative schedule of scientific actions, with plans for Yr 1 and a provisional schedule for Years 2 and three. Plans for a brand new institute ought to replicate a “ramp-up” interval of as much as two years, with a full complement of actions no later than the start of Yr 3 of the award.
A separate part labeled “Broader Impacts” addressing 1) plans for human useful resource improvement, together with the choice and mentoring of pupil and postdoctoral members, as applicable, and the choice and involvement of researchers in any respect profession ranges, in addition to different broader impacts of the challenge, 2) plans for outreach and for dissemination of outcomes, 3) different broader impacts of the challenge.
Funds
Present a five-year funds for the proposed exercise. For brand new institute proposals, this funds ought to replicate a ramp-up of the institute’s actions throughout Years 1 and a pair of, with a full complement of actions carried out no later than the start of Yr 3. The Funds Justification part ought to take no matter area is critical to supply a breakdown of deliberate expenditures in composite funds classes comparable to Participant Help Prices, together with projected headcounts for members.
The funds ought to embrace funds to assist journey to an annual PI assembly for 2 members of the institute’s management staff.
Amenities, Gear and Different Assets
Embrace an outline of the services (together with any laboratories or computational services) that will probably be made obtainable for the institute actions.
Supplementary Documentation
Along with the necessities specified within the PAPPG, submit Supplementary Paperwork containing the next info:
Governance and Administration
The governance and administration construction of the proposed institute, together with an inventory of people who’ve agreed to function members of a governing board or advisory council; mechanisms for fiscal and administration oversight by a governing board or different group; plans for governing/advisory-board membership phrases and succession; mechanisms for focusing the proposed institute’s actions; mechanisms for selecting packages, deciding on members, and allocating funds; mechanisms for recruitment, choice, and appointment concerned in institute management succession and different management modifications; and rationales for the proposed administration practices. (This part is to not exceed 5 pages complete.)
Administration Plan
A Administration Plan describing the duties and anticipated contributions of every particular person within the institute management staff. (This part is to not exceed 5 pages complete.)
Broadening Participation
A plan reflecting the establishment’s method to broadening participation and leveraging the total spectrum of various expertise in STEM; an outline of how this plan will probably be carried out; and a top level view of how its outcomes will probably be measured. (This part is to not exceed 5 pages complete.)
Analysis
Measures to judge progress towards the proposed institute’s objectives; and a plan for quantitative and qualitative strategies to evaluate the effectiveness and affect of the proposed institute’s actions. (This part is to not exceed 5 pages complete.)
Letters of Collaboration
Any letters of collaboration documenting preparations of significance for the proposed challenge, together with commitments for area, college and employees positions, gear, and entry to services. Letters of assist or endorsement and letters of a laudatory nature for the proposed challenge are usually not acceptable.
B. Budgetary Data
Price Sharing:
Inclusion of voluntary dedicated value sharing is prohibited.
Different Budgetary Limitations:
Award quantities are anticipated to vary from roughly $2.5 million/12 months to $6 million/12 months for proposals submitted in response to this solicitation.
Funds Preparation Directions:
The Funds Justification part ought to present a breakdown of deliberate expenditures in composite funds classes comparable to Participant Help Prices, together with projected headcounts for members.
For brand new institute proposals, the 5-year funds ought to replicate a ramp-up of the institute’s actions throughout Years 1 and a pair of, with a full complement of actions carried out no later than the start of Yr 3.
C. Due Dates
Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter’s native time):
March 14, 2024
March 14, 2029
D. Analysis.gov/Grants.gov Necessities
For Proposals Submitted Through Analysis.gov:
To organize and submit a proposal through 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 assist, name the Analysis.gov Assist Desk at 1-800-673-6188 or e-mail [email protected]. The Analysis.gov Assist Desk solutions common technical questions associated to using the Analysis.gov system. Particular questions associated to this program solicitation ought to be referred to the NSF program employees contact(s) listed in Part VIII of this funding alternative.
For Proposals Submitted Through Grants.gov:
Earlier than utilizing Grants.gov for the primary time, every group should register to create an institutional profile. As soon as registered, the applicant’s group can then apply for any federal grant on the Grants.gov web site. Complete details about utilizing Grants.gov is offered on the Grants.gov Applicant Assets webpage: https://www.grants.gov/net/grants/candidates.html. As well as, the NSF Grants.gov Utility Information (see hyperlink in Part V.A) gives directions relating to the technical preparation of proposals through Grants.gov. For Grants.gov person assist, contact the Grants.gov Contact Heart at 1-800-518-4726 or by e mail: [email protected]. The Grants.gov Contact Heart solutions common technical questions associated to using Grants.gov. Particular questions associated to this program solicitation ought to be referred to the NSF program employees contact(s) listed in Part VIII of this solicitation.
Submitting the Proposal: As soon as all paperwork have been accomplished, the Approved Organizational Consultant (AOR) should submit the appliance to Grants.gov and confirm the specified funding alternative and company to which the appliance is submitted. The AOR should then signal and submit the appliance to Grants.gov. The finished software will probably be transferred to Analysis.gov for additional processing.
Proposers that submitted through Analysis.gov could use Analysis.gov to confirm the standing of their submission to NSF. For proposers that submitted through Grants.gov, till an software has been acquired and validated by NSF, the Approved Organizational Consultant could 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 assessment. All proposals are rigorously reviewed by a scientist, engineer, or educator serving as an NSF Program Officer, and normally by three to 10 different individuals outdoors 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 assessment course of. Proposers are invited to recommend names of individuals they imagine are particularly nicely certified to assessment the proposal and/or individuals they would favor not assessment the proposal. These recommendations could function one supply within the reviewer choice course of on the Program Officer’s discretion. Submission of such names, nevertheless, is optionally available. Care is taken to make sure that reviewers don’t have any conflicts of curiosity with the proposal. As well as, Program Officers could get hold of feedback from website visits earlier than recommending remaining motion on proposals. Senior NSF employees additional assessment suggestions for awards. A flowchart that depicts all the NSF proposal and award course of (and related timeline) is included in PAPPG Exhibit III-1.
A complete description of the Basis’s advantage assessment course of is offered on the NSF web site at: https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/coverage/merit_review/.
Proposers must also 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 Growth and the Supply of Advantages from Analysis – NSF Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2022 – 2026. These methods are built-in in this system planning and implementation course of, of which proposal assessment is one half. NSF’s mission is especially well-implemented by way of the mixing of analysis and schooling and broadening participation in NSF packages, tasks, and actions.
One of many strategic goals in assist of NSF’s mission is to foster integration of analysis and schooling by way of the packages, tasks, and actions it helps at educational and analysis establishments. These establishments should recruit, practice, and put together a various STEM workforce to advance the frontiers of science and take part within the U.S. technology-based economic system. NSF’s contribution to the nationwide innovation ecosystem is to supply cutting-edge analysis below the 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 data that informs enhancements in STEM educating and studying.
NSF’s mission requires the broadening of alternatives and increasing participation of teams, establishments, and geographic areas which 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 packages, tasks, and actions it considers and helps.
A. Benefit Overview Ideas and Standards
The Nationwide Science Basis strives to put money into a sturdy and various portfolio of tasks that creates new data and allows breakthroughs in understanding throughout all areas of science and engineering analysis and schooling. To determine which tasks to assist, NSF depends on a advantage assessment course of that includes consideration of each the technical elements of a proposed challenge 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 assessment course of for the choice of tasks.
1. Benefit Overview Ideas
These rules are to be given due diligence by PIs and organizations when making ready proposals and managing tasks, by reviewers when studying and evaluating proposals, and by NSF program employees when figuring out whether or not or to not advocate proposals for funding and whereas overseeing awards. Provided that NSF is the first federal company charged with nurturing and supporting excellence in primary analysis and schooling, the next three rules apply:
All NSF tasks ought to be of the best high quality and have the potential to advance, if not rework, the frontiers of information.
NSF tasks, within the combination, ought to contribute extra broadly to attaining societal objectives. These “Broader Impacts” could also be achieved by way of the analysis itself, by way of actions which might be straight associated to particular analysis tasks, or by way of actions which might be supported by, however are complementary to, the challenge. The challenge actions could also be primarily based on beforehand established and/or progressive strategies and approaches, however in both case have to be nicely justified.
Significant evaluation and analysis of NSF funded tasks ought to be primarily based on applicable metrics, holding in thoughts the probably correlation between the impact of broader impacts and the assets offered to implement tasks. If the dimensions of the exercise is proscribed, analysis of that exercise in isolation will not be prone to be significant. Thus, assessing the effectiveness of those actions could finest be finished at a better, extra aggregated, degree than the person challenge.
With respect to the third precept, even when evaluation of Broader Impacts outcomes for specific tasks is completed at an aggregated degree, PIs are anticipated to be accountable for finishing up the actions described within the funded challenge. Thus, particular person tasks 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 assessment rules present the idea for the advantage assessment standards, in addition to a context inside which the customers of the standards can higher perceive their intent.
2. Benefit Overview Standards
All NSF proposals are evaluated by way of use of the 2 Nationwide Science Board permitted advantage assessment standards. In some situations, nevertheless, NSF will make use of further standards as required to focus on the particular goals of sure packages and actions.
The 2 advantage assessment standards are listed under. Each standards are to be given full consideration in the course of the assessment and decision-making processes; every criterion is critical however neither, by itself, is enough. Subsequently, proposers should absolutely handle each standards. (PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.d(i). comprises further info to be used by proposers in improvement of the Venture Description part of the proposal). Reviewers are strongly inspired to assessment the standards, together with PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.d(i), previous to the assessment of a proposal.
When evaluating NSF proposals, reviewers will probably be requested to think about what the proposers need to do, why they need 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 challenge is profitable. These points apply each to the technical elements of the proposal and the best way by which the challenge could make broader contributions. To that finish, reviewers will probably be requested to judge all proposals towards two standards:
Mental Benefit: The Mental Benefit criterion encompasses the potential to advance data; and
Broader Impacts: The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the potential to learn society and contribute to the achievement of particular, desired societal outcomes.
The next components ought to be thought of within the assessment for each standards:
What’s the potential for the proposed exercise to
Advance data and understanding inside its personal subject or throughout completely different fields (Mental Benefit); and
Profit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)?
To what extent do the proposed actions recommend and discover inventive, unique, or probably transformative ideas?
Is the plan for finishing up the proposed actions well-reasoned, well-organized, and primarily based on a sound rationale? Does the plan incorporate a mechanism to evaluate success?
How nicely certified is the person, staff, or group to conduct the proposed actions?
Are there enough assets obtainable to the PI (both on the house group or by way of collaborations) to hold out the proposed actions?
Broader impacts could also be achieved by way of the analysis itself, by way of the actions which might be straight associated to particular analysis tasks, or by way of actions which might be supported by, however are complementary to, the challenge. NSF values the development of scientific data and actions that contribute to achievement of societally related outcomes. Such outcomes embrace, however are usually not restricted to: full participation of ladies, 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 USA; and enhanced infrastructure for analysis and schooling.
Proposers are reminded that reviewers will even be requested to assessment the Information Administration Plan and the Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan, as applicable.
Extra Solicitation Particular Overview Standards
Along with the above standards, the next will probably be used within the analysis course of:
Scope and Significance
The scope and significance of the acknowledged missions and objectives of the institute;
The chance that the proposed actions will probably be efficient in assembly the objectives;
The chance that the proposed institute will attain significance as a nationwide useful resource;
The probably general affect of the proposed scientific actions on the mathematical sciences.
Management, Governance, and Oversight
The capabilities of the institute management, together with administration and organizational capability of the proposed director(s), and the dedication of the proposed management staff;
The potential of the institute’s management and advisory groups to determine and interact with scientific challenges within the mathematical sciences;
The design, construction, and administration of the operation of the institute, together with the standard and effectiveness of the administration plan (together with plans for interplay among the many institute employees);
Prospects for recruitment on the nationwide scale for advisory committees, program organizers, and members.
Breadth
The probably effectiveness of the tactic of choice of actions to develop an general institute program of applicable scientific breadth;
The prospects for involvement of applicable subfields of the mathematical sciences;
The extent, the place applicable, to which communication and interplay with different areas of science and engineering are fostered;
The probably effectiveness of the tactic of choice of members to contain the mathematical sciences neighborhood on a nationwide scale and to recruit and contain members from a variety of establishment varieties, demographic varieties, and profession seniority;
The extent of the institutional dedication to selling variety and the standard of the institute’s plan to broaden participation in mathematical sciences analysis.
Workforce Growth
The standard and appropriateness of the institute’s coaching exercise, particularly plans to draw, contain, and mentor graduate college students and early-career researchers.
Dissemination and Outreach
The probably effectiveness of plans for dissemination of outcomes;
The probably effectiveness of plans for assist of distant participation in institute actions, the place applicable;
The probably effectiveness of plans for outreach to most people, if applicable.
Analysis and Evaluation
The standard of formative analysis plans — plans for ongoing evaluation (of all institute actions) used to tell and enhance each day by day institute actions and long-range institute planning;
The standard of the plans for summative analysis of progress towards the proposed institute’s objectives, together with plans for gathering quantitative and qualitative information in assist of analysis practices, for follow-through, and for monitoring of members.
Assets and Infrastructure
The standard and sure effectiveness of plans for future institute progress and useful resource improvement;
The standard and appropriateness of the infrastructure assist for the institute (together with, however not restricted to, area, administrative employees, gear, and entry to services) and the suitability of location with regard to workplace area, laboratory area if wanted, computing setting, entry to library services, transportation, and housing.
Outcomes below Prior Institute Help
The standard of prior actions carried out with present or prior NSF assist below Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes program awards with begin date previously 5 years, if any.
B. Overview and Choice Course of
Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will probably be reviewed by Advert hoc Overview and/or Panel Overview, Website Go to Overview, or Reverse Website Overview.
§ Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation will probably be merit-reviewed. The primary part of the merit-review course of will encompass a assessment by a panel of consultants from outdoors NSF, supplemented by further ad-hoc (mail) evaluations as applicable. Every proposal will obtain at the very least three written evaluations. The evaluations, along with a abstract of the panel dialogue, will probably be made obtainable to the Principal Investigator. These proposals which might be thought of probably the most meritorious by the DMS Institutes Administration Workforce will obtain website visits (on-site or reverse) that will embrace a committee of exterior consultants in the course of the second part of the merit-review course of.
§ The committee of program officers that will embrace exterior consultants will conduct both a reverse website go to or on-site assessment of the proposal utilizing the standards outlined on this solicitation and will probably be requested to formulate a suggestion to both assist or decline the proposal. The committee could have entry to the evaluations and the abstract of the panel’s dialogue. The DMS Institutes Administration Workforce will take into account the committee’s recommendation and can formulate a suggestion to the administration of the Division of Mathematical Sciences to both decline the proposal or advocate the proposal for an award.
§ In all instances, after programmatic approval has been obtained, the proposals really useful for funding will probably be forwarded to the Division of Grants and Agreements for assessment of enterprise, monetary, and coverage implications and the processing and issuance of a grant or different settlement.
Reviewers will probably be requested to judge proposals utilizing two Nationwide Science Board permitted advantage assessment standards and, if relevant, further program particular standards. A abstract ranking and accompanying narrative will typically be accomplished and submitted by every reviewer and/or panel. The Program Officer assigned to handle the proposal’s assessment will take into account the recommendation of reviewers and can formulate a suggestion.
After scientific, technical and programmatic assessment and consideration of applicable components, the NSF Program Officer recommends to the cognizant Division Director whether or not the proposal ought to be declined or really useful for award. NSF strives to have the ability to inform candidates whether or not their proposals have been declined or really useful for funding inside six months. Giant or notably advanced proposals or proposals from new awardees could require further assessment and processing time. The time interval begins on the deadline or goal date, or receipt date, whichever is later. The interval ends when the Division Director acts upon the Program Officer’s suggestion.
After programmatic approval has been obtained, the proposals really useful for funding will probably be forwarded to the Division of Grants and Agreements or the Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Help for assessment of enterprise, monetary, and coverage implications. After an administrative assessment has occurred, Grants and Agreements Officers carry out the processing and issuance of a grant or different settlement. Proposers are cautioned that solely a Grants and Agreements Officer could make commitments, obligations or awards on behalf of NSF or authorize the expenditure of funds. No dedication on the a part of NSF ought to be inferred from technical or budgetary discussions with a NSF Program Officer. A Principal Investigator or group that makes monetary or personnel commitments within the absence of a grant or cooperative settlement signed by the NSF Grants and Agreements Officer does so at their very own danger.
As soon as an award or declination resolution has been made, Principal Investigators are offered suggestions about their proposals. In all instances, evaluations are handled as confidential paperwork. Verbatim copies of evaluations, excluding the names of the reviewers or any reviewer-identifying info, are despatched to the Principal Investigator/Venture 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 probably be suggested as promptly as doable by the cognizant NSF Program administering this system. Verbatim copies of evaluations, not together with the identification of the reviewer, will probably be offered robotically to the Principal Investigator. (See Part VI.B. for added info on the assessment course of.)
B. Award Situations
An NSF award consists of: (1) the award discover, which incorporates any particular provisions relevant to the award and any numbered amendments thereto; (2) the funds, which signifies the quantities, by classes of expense, on which NSF has primarily based its assist (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 circumstances, comparable to Grant Common 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 through e-mail.
*These paperwork could also be accessed electronically on NSF’s Web site at https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/award_conditions.jsp?org=NSF. Paper copies could also be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, phone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mail from [email protected].
Extra complete info on NSF Award Situations and different 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 Government Order 14005, Making certain the Future is Made in All of America by All of America’s Staff (86 FR 7475), it’s the coverage of the manager department to make use of phrases and circumstances of Federal monetary help awards to maximise, according to regulation, using items, merchandise, and supplies produced in, and providers provided in, the USA.
In line with the necessities of the Construct America, Purchase America Act (Pub. L. 117-58, Division G, Title IX, Subtitle A, November 15, 2021), no funding made obtainable by way of this funding alternative could also be obligated for an award until all iron, metal, manufactured merchandise, and building supplies used within the challenge are produced in the USA. For added info, go to NSF’s Construct America, Purchase America webpage.
Particular Award Situations:
The challenge will probably be funded for as much as 5 years. Any award will probably be a unbroken grant; funds are launched yearly topic to approval of annual reviews by DMS and the supply of funds.
Solely these Individuals who furnish an Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) identifier to the institute could also be supported with award funds. The Participant Listing required within the progress report comprises a column with participant’s ORCID ID, to be able to assist with monitoring participation throughout the institutes portfolio.
In reference to DMS oversight of investments within the Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes program, grantees are required to maintain DMS apprised of conferences of institute governing boards and advisory councils and to permit DMS personnel to watch these conferences.
The grantee will collaborate with different DMS-supported institutes in sustaining a typical website (presently https://mathinstitutes.org/) that publicizes upcoming actions and disseminates outcomes of the institutes’ actions.
The grantee will collaborate with different DMS-supported institutes in coordinating programming to keep away from redundancy and improve complementarity amongst Mathematical Sciences Analysis Institutes actions.
The PI or his/her consultant(s) will attend an annual assembly of DMS Institute PIs/Administrators, at a time and place to be mutually agreed upon.
The Institute will acknowledge NSF assist the place applicable and show the NSF emblem on its web site and its publications.
C. Reporting Necessities
For all multi-year grants (together with each commonplace and persevering with grants), the Principal Investigator should submit an annual challenge 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 challenge reviews). No later than 120 days following expiration of a grant, the PI is also required to submit a remaining challenge report, and a challenge outcomes report for most people.
Failure to supply the required annual or remaining challenge reviews, or the challenge outcomes report, will delay NSF assessment 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 information.
PIs are required to make use of NSF’s digital project-reporting system, obtainable by way of Analysis.gov, for preparation and submission of annual and remaining challenge reviews. Such reviews present info on accomplishments, challenge members (particular person and organizational), publications, and different particular merchandise and impacts of the challenge. Submission of the report through Analysis.gov constitutes certification by the PI that the contents of the report are correct and full. The challenge 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 challenge. This report will probably 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.
The grantee duties embrace:
Progress reviews should embrace:
A Participant Listing in a standardized and mutually agreed upon format;
A Monetary Help Listing in a standardized and mutually agreed upon format;
An Revenue and Expenditure Report: A abstract in spreadsheet type of the funds expenditures by exercise and funding supply for the reporting interval;
A duplicate of the minutes of the newest Institute Administrators Assembly;
A Participant Abstract Desk offering the overall variety of members and subtotals for the numbers of members from teams underrepresented within the mathematical sciences.
The grantee shall submit NSF progress reviews yearly on the Institute’s web site, with proprietary info deleted however together with Participant Abstract tables.
The grantee shall present to DMS digital supply materials for the Individuals Listing and Monetary Help checklist. The grantee and DMS will collaborate on the format and design for these information.
VIII. AGENCY CONTACTS
Please observe that this system contact info is present on the time of publishing. See program web site for any updates to the factors of contact.
Common inquiries relating to this program ought to be made to:
Joanna Kania-Bartoszynska, phone: (703) 292-4881, e mail: [email protected]
Stefaan G. De Winter, phone: (703) 292-2599, e mail: [email protected]
Marian Bocea, phone: (703) 292-2595, e mail: [email protected]
Pedro F. Embid-Droz, phone: (703) 292-4859, e mail: [email protected]
Zhilan J. Feng, phone: (703) 292-7523, e mail: [email protected]
Yuliya Gorb, phone: (703) 292-2113, e mail: [email protected]
Andrew D. Pollington, phone: (703) 292-4878, e mail: [email protected]
Yong Zeng, phone: (703) 292-7299, e mail: [email protected]
For questions associated to using NSF methods contact:
NSF Assist Desk: 1-800-673-6188
Analysis.gov Assist Desk e-mail: [email protected]
For questions referring to Grants.gov contact:
Grants.gov Contact 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 through phone: 1-800-518-4726; e-mail: [email protected].
IX. OTHER INFORMATION
The NSF web site gives probably the most complete supply of knowledge 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 modifications in proposal and award insurance policies and procedures, and upcoming NSF Grants Conferences. Subscribers are knowledgeable by way of e-mail or the person’s Internet browser every time new publications are issued that match their recognized pursuits. “NSF Replace” additionally is offered on NSF’s web site.
Grants.gov gives a further digital functionality to seek for Federal government-wide grant alternatives. NSF funding alternatives could also be accessed through this mechanism. Additional info on Grants.gov could also be obtained at https://www.grants.gov.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
The Nationwide Science Basis (NSF) is an impartial Federal company created by the Nationwide Science Basis Act of 1950, as amended (42 USC 1861-75). The Act states the aim of the NSF is “to advertise the progress of science; [and] to advance the nationwide well being, prosperity, and welfare by supporting analysis and schooling in all fields of science and engineering.”
NSF funds analysis and schooling in most fields of science and engineering. It does this by way of grants and cooperative agreements to greater than 2,000 schools, 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 assist to educational establishments for primary analysis.
NSF receives roughly 55,000 proposals annually for analysis, schooling and coaching tasks, of which roughly 11,000 are funded. As well as, the Basis receives a number of thousand purposes for graduate and postdoctoral fellowships. The company operates no laboratories itself however does assist Nationwide Analysis Facilities, person 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 educational degree.
Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) present funding for particular help or gear to allow individuals with disabilities to work on NSF-supported tasks. 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 Heart could also be reached at (703) 292-5111.
The Nationwide Science Basis promotes and advances scientific progress in the USA by competitively awarding grants and cooperative agreements for analysis and schooling within the sciences, arithmetic, and engineering.
To get the newest details about program deadlines, to obtain copies of NSF publications, and to entry abstracts of awards, go to the NSF Web site at https://www.nsf.gov
2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314
For Common Data(NSF Data Heart):
(703) 292-5111
TDD (for the hearing-impaired):
(703) 292-5090
To Order Publications or Varieties:
Ship an e-mail to:
or phone:
(703) 292-8134
(703) 292-5111
PRIVACY ACT AND PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENTS
The knowledge requested on proposal types and challenge reviews is solicited below the authority of the Nationwide Science Basis Act of 1950, as amended. The knowledge on proposal types will probably be utilized in reference to the choice of certified proposals; and challenge reviews submitted by awardees will probably be used for program analysis and reporting throughout the Government Department and to Congress. The knowledge requested could also be disclosed to certified reviewers and employees assistants as a part of the proposal assessment course of; to proposer establishments/grantees to supply or get hold of information relating to the proposal assessment course of, award choices, or the administration of awards; to authorities contractors, consultants, volunteers and researchers and educators as crucial to finish assigned work; to different authorities businesses or different entities needing info relating to candidates or nominees as a part of a joint software assessment course of, or to be able to coordinate packages or coverage; and to a different Federal company, court docket, or social gathering in a court docket or Federal administrative continuing if the federal government is a celebration. Details about Principal Investigators could also be added to the Reviewer file and used to pick out potential candidates to function peer reviewers or advisory committee members. See System of Document Notices, NSF-50, “Principal Investigator/Proposal File and Related Data,” and NSF-51, “Reviewer/Proposal File and Related Data.” Submission of the knowledge is voluntary. Failure to supply full and full info, nevertheless, could cut back the potential of receiving an award.
An company could not conduct or sponsor, and an individual will not be required to reply to, an info assortment until it shows a sound Workplace of Administration and Funds (OMB) management quantity. The OMB management quantity for this assortment is 3145-0058. Public reporting burden for this assortment of knowledge is estimated to common 120 hours per response, together with the time for reviewing directions. Ship feedback relating to the burden estimate and some other side of this assortment of knowledge, together with recommendations for decreasing this burden, to:
Suzanne H. Plimpton
Stories Clearance Officer
Coverage Workplace, Division of Establishment and Award Help
Workplace of Funds, Finance, and Award Administration
Nationwide Science Basis
Alexandria, VA 22314
