**SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTERS (STC):**

**INTEGRATIVE PARTNERSHIPS**

**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

***Program Solicitation***

***NSF 00-67***

OFFICE OF INTEGRATIVE ACTIVITIES

**DEADLINE DATES:**

**Notice of Intent Deadline: June 15, 2000**

**Preproposal Deadline: August 11, 2000**

**Full Proposal Deadline: April 2, 2001**

**Next Competition Expected to Start: June 2003**

> ![](media/image1.png){width="0.75in" height="0.7284722222222222in"}
> NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
>
> ![](media/image2.png){width="1.1729166666666666in" height="1.16875in"}

The National Science Foundation promotes and advances scientific
progress in the United States by competitively awarding grants for
research and education in the sciences, mathematics and engineering.

To get the latest information about program deadlines, to download
copies of NSF publications, and to access abstracts of awards, visit the
NSF Web site at:

**http://www.nsf.gov**

-   **Location:** 4201 Wilson Blvd.

    Arlington, VA

    22230

-   **For General Information (NSF Information Center):** (703) 306-1234

-   **TDD (for the hearing-impaired):** (703) 306-0090

-   **To Order Publications or Forms:**

> Send an e-mail to: pubs@nsf.gov

or telephone: (301) 947-2722

-   **To Locate NSF Employees:** (703) 306-1234

summary of Program Requirements

##### General Information

**Program Name:** Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative
Partnerships

**Short Description/Synopsis of Program:**

The Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships
Program supports innovation in the integrative conduct of research,
education and knowledge transfer. Science and Technology Centers build
intellectual and physical infrastructure within and between disciplines,
weaving together knowledge creation, knowledge integration, and
knowledge transfer. STCs conduct world-class research through
partnerships of academic institutions, national laboratories, industrial
organizations, and/or other public/private entities. New knowledge thus
created is meaningfully linked to society.

STCs enable and foster excellent education, integrate research and
education, and create bonds between learning and inquiry so that
discovery and creativity more fully support the learning process. STCs
capitalize on diversity through participation in center activities and
demonstrate leadership in the involvement of groups underrepresented in
science and engineering.

**Contact at NSF:** Contact the Office of Integrative Activities at
(703) 306-1040 or stc@nsf.gov

**Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) No.:**

-   47.041 Engineering Grants

-   47.049 Mathematical and Physical Sciences

-   47.050 Geosciences

-   47.070 Computer and Information Science and Engineering

-   47.074 Biological Sciences

-   47.075 Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences

-   47.076 Education and Human Resources

-   47.078 Polar Programs

**Eligibility INFORMATION**

-   **Limitation on the categories of organizations that are eligible to
    submit preproposals and proposals:**

> Preproposals and proposals may be submitted by U.S. academic
> institutions with significant research and degree-granting education
> programs in any area of science and engineering normally supported by
> NSF. Preproposals and proposals involving integrated partnerships
> (i.e., multi-institutional arrangements including other
> universities/colleges, national laboratories, research museums,
> private sector research laboratories, state and local government
> laboratories, and international collaborations) are encouraged. Note
> that the number of participating institutions is not necessarily a
> measure of quality. Preproposals and proposals must make clear that
> all institutions involved as partners are necessary to the goals and
> function of the Center. Preproposals and proposals must describe
> effective management of all partner institutions. A partner is an
> institution or organization that invests intellectual resources in the
> Center, backed by financial commitment to the Center to ensure vital
> participation in an integrative effort incorporating research,
> education, and knowledge transfer.

-   **PI eligibility limitations:** None

-   **Limitations on existing STCs:**

> Existing STCs or group members from such STCs who propose to focus on
> radically different research topics or themes from those they are
> currently pursuing may participate in this open competition. To be
> radically different, the proposers would need to focus on a different
> topic, not simply extend the methods and intent of the current STC to
> a slightly larger purview or just incorporate a new geographic area.
> If successful, the new awards will not commence until the end of the
> Center's current term of support.
>
> The STC Program will not normally provide simultaneous support for
> more than one STC led by any one institution from this competition.
>
> The STC Program complements the NSF Engineering Research Centers
> (ERC), the Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC),
> and other programs that support group research and education
> activities. Simultaneous consideration of duplicate center proposals
> by other NSF programs is not permitted. However, participation in a
> Center does not preclude individuals from receiving NSF support for
> their individual research in complementary areas.

-   **Limitation on the number of preproposals that may be submitted by
    an organization:**

> A single institution may submit no more than five preproposals as lead
> institution, and may be involved as a partner in additional
> preproposals submitted by other institutions.

-   **Cost sharing requirements:**

> For eligibility purposes, cost sharing at a level of at least, but no
> more than 30% of the requested total amount of NSF funds is required
> for all preproposals and proposals submitted in response to this
> solicitation.

-   **Budgetary limitations:**

Proposed STC annual budgets may range from \$1.5M to \$4.0M per year of
NSF support, but preproposals and proposals outside this range will be
ineligible.

######### award information

-   **Type of award anticipated:** Cooperative Agreement with an initial
    commitment of five years and a potential maximum duration of ten
    years.

-   **Number of awards anticipated in FY 02:** 8-10 awards.

-   **Amount of funds available:** Approximately \$30 million will be
    available for the STC program in FY 2002 pending availability of
    funds.

-   **Anticipated date of award:** August 2002.

######### Proposal Preparation & submission Instructions 

-   **Proposal Preparation Instructions**

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-   **Notice of Intent requirements:**

> Lead institutions intending to submit a preproposal should submit a
> notice of intent through their sponsored research office. The notice
> of intent must be submitted to the STC Program via e-mail to
> stc@nsf.gov. The subject of the e-mail message must be "Notice of
> Intent" followed by the name of the academic institution. The notice
> must not exceed 500 words, and must give a brief summary of the vision
> for the Center and the structure of its research, education, and
> knowledge transfer. The notice must include the name of the Principal
> Investigator and a list of all participating institutions (not
> included in the 500 word limit). The purpose of this notice is to
> enable NSF to determine the composition of its review panels.

-   **Preproposal requirements:**

> Preproposals must be submitted with the proposed Center Director as
> the Principal Investigator and must include only the following: (1)
> Cover Sheet;
>
> \(2\) Information about Principal Investigators/Project Directors; (3)
> Project Summary (one page); (4) Table of Contents; (5) Narrative
> Description of the Focus, Research Plans and Relevance; (6)
> Description of Proposed Activities in Science or Engineering
> Education, Human Resource Development, and Collaborations; (7) Outline
> of Arrangements for Center Administration and Management (items 5, 6,
> and 7 are limited to nine pages including tables and illustrations);
> (8) Lists of Project Personnel and Institutions (two pages);
>
> \(9\) Synopsis of Institutional and Other Resource Commitments and
> Potential Funding to the Proposed Center (one page); (10) Budget (NSF
> Form 1030) and Budget Justification (one page); (11) References Cited
> (two pages); (12) Biographical Sketches (two pages per person); and
> (13) Letters of Commitment.

-   **Proposal preparation instructions:**

> Standard NSF *Grant Proposal Guide* instructions apply. Full proposals
> must include only the following information: (1) Cover Sheet; (2)
> Information about Principal Investigators/Project Directors; (3)
> Project Summary (two pages);
>
> \(4\) Table of Contents; (5) Narrative Description of the Focus,
> Research Plans and Relevance (ten pages); (6) Education and Human
> Resource Development (five pages); (7) Knowledge Transfer (three
> pages); (8) Rationale for the Center Concept (one page); (9)
> Management Plan (three pages); (10) Lists of Project Personnel and
> Institutions (two pages); (11) Intellectual Property Rights (one
> page); (12) Shared Experimental Facilities (one page); (13) Committed
> Funding by Source (one page); (14) Institutional and Other Sector
> Support (one page); (15) Facilities and Equipment (NSF Form 1363);
> (16) Budget (NSF Form 1030) and Budget Justification (two pages); (17)
> References Cited (five pages);
>
> \(18\) Biographical Sketches (two pages per person); (19) Current and
> Pending Support (NSF Form 1239); and (20) Letters of Commitment.

-   **Supplemental preproposal and proposal preparation instructions:**
    Lists of (1) Project Personnel, (2) Institutions, and (3) Potential
    Reviewers with Conflicts of Interest must be submitted via e-mail as
    simple ASCII Text Files to stc-coi@nsf.gov with preproposal or
    proposal number included in the following subject line: STC Conflict
    Information for Preproposal (or Proposal) No. 00-XXXXX.

-   **Deviations from standard (GPG) proposal preparation
    instructions:** FastLane required. See preproposal and proposal
    preparation instructions above for page limitations.

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-   **Budgetary Information**

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-   **Cost sharing/matching requirements:**

> For eligibility purposes, cost sharing at a level of at least, but no
> more than 30% of the requested total amount of NSF funds is required
> for all preproposals and proposals submitted in response to this
> solicitation. The proposed cost sharing must be shown on line M of the
> preproposal and proposal budget (NSF Form 1030).
>
> Preproposals and proposals without the mandated amount of cost sharing
> will be ineligible and will be returned without review.

Letters of commitment to cost sharing from the appropriate institutional
officer(s) must be submitted electronically with the preproposal and
proposal.

-   **Indirect cost (F&A) limitations:** None.

-   **Other budgetary limitations:**

Proposed STC annual budgets may range from \$1.5M to \$4.0M per year of
NSF support. Preproposals and proposals outside this range will be
ineligible and will be returned without review.

######### FastLane Requirements 

#########  

-   **FastLane proposal preparation requirements:** FastLane submission
    required for preproposals and proposals.

-   **FastLane point of contact:** (703) 306-1040 and stcflane@nsf.gov;
    or (703) 306-1142 and fastlane@nsf.gov

######### Deadlines 

######### 

-   **Notice of Intent Deadline:** 5:00 PM, local time, June 15, 2000
    (e-mail)

-   **Preproposal Deadline:** 5:00 PM, local time, August 11, 2000
    (FastLane)

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-   **Full Proposal Deadline:** 5:00 PM, local time, April 2, 2001
    (FastLane)

-   **Next STC Competition Expected to Start:** June 2003

######### Proposal Review Information

-   **Merit Review Criteria:**

> Standard National Science Board approved criteria apply. In addition,
> NSF will consider three other factors in making STC awards. These
> considerations specific to STCs include: (1) Value of the Center-Mode
> to Research, Education, and Knowledge Transfer; (2) Integrative Nature
> of the Proposed Center; and (3) Leadership, Management Plan, Impact of
> Institutional Support, and Budget*.*

######### Award Administration Information

#########  

-   **Grant Award Conditions:** GC-1 and CA-1

-   **Special grant conditions anticipated:**

> Cooperative Agreement will have an extensive section of Special
> Conditions relating to period of performance, statement of work &
> awardee responsibilities, NSF responsibilities, joint NSF-awardee
> responsibilities, funding & funding schedule, reporting requirements,
> lead personnel, and other conditions.

-   **Special reporting requirements anticipated:**

> Centers selected will be required to submit annual reports on progress
> and plans, which will be used as a basis for performance review and
> determining the level of continued funding. To support this review and
> the management of a Center, STCs will be required to develop a set of
> management and performance indicators for submission annually to NSF
> via an NSF evaluation technical assistance contractor. Part of this
> reporting will take the form of a database which will be owned by the
> institution and eventually made available to an evaluation contractor.
> This database will capture specific information to demonstrate
> progress towards achieving the goals of the program. Such reporting
> requirements will be included in the cooperative agreement which is
> binding between the academic institution and the NSF.

**I. INTRODUCTION**

### The STC Integrative Partnerships Concept

The Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships
Program supports innovation in the integrative conduct of research,
education and knowledge transfer.

Science and Technology Centers build intellectual and physical
infrastructure within and between disciplines, weaving together
knowledge creation, knowledge integration, and knowledge transfer. STCs
conduct world-class research through partnerships of academic
institutions, national laboratories, industrial organizations, and/or
other public/private entities. New knowledge thus created is
meaningfully linked to society.

STCs enable and foster excellent education, integrate research and
education, and create bonds between learning and inquiry so that
discovery and creativity more fully support the learning process.

STCs capitalize on diversity through participation in center activities
and demonstrate leadership in the involvement of groups underrepresented
in science and engineering.

### II. DESCRIPTION OF STC PROGRAM

### STC Program Objectives

The objectives of the STC Program are to:

-   Support research and education of the highest quality;

-   Exploit opportunities in science, engineering and technology where
    the complexity of the research agenda requires the advantages of
    scope, scale, change, duration, equipment and facilities, that a
    Center can provide;

-   Support frontier investigations at the interfaces of disciplines,
    and/or fresh approaches within disciplines;

-   Engage the Nation's intellectual talent, robustly drawn from its
    full human diversity, in the conduct of research and education
    activities;

-   Promote organizational connections and linkages within and between
    campuses, schools and/or the world beyond (state, local, federal
    agencies, national labs, industry, international);

-   Focus on integrative learning and discovery and the preparation of
    U.S. students for a broad set of career paths; and

-   Foster science and engineering in service to society especially with
    respect to new research areas, promising new instrumentation and
    potential new technologies.

**STC Center Features**

STCs must have a unifying research focus involving any area(s) of
research supported by the Foundation. STCs can vary in size and exhibit
diverse forms of organization, participation, and operation. No single
type of Center fits the needs of every field. Rather, the size,
structure, and operation of an STC are determined by the proposed
research, education, and knowledge transfer activities. While each
Center is unique in some respects, each must:

-   Be based in an academic institution;

-   Be directed by a science or engineering faculty member and
    integrated into academic programs;

-   Reflect a commitment to achieving strategic goals shared by the host
    and partnering institutions as demonstrated by cost sharing and
    other institutional commitments;

-   Provide a variety of education and research opportunities for
    U.S**.** students and faculty (e.g., undergraduate and graduate
    students, postdoctoral researchers, industrial fellows, students
    from groups underrepresented in science and engineering, K-12
    teachers, and visiting participants) such that education is infused
    with the excitement of discovery and research is enriched through a
    diversity of learner perspectives;

-   Have significant intellectual exchange and resource linkages among
    various types of institutions and organizations to facilitate
    knowledge transfer (e.g., schools; colleges and universities such as
    minority-serving institutions, community colleges, EPSCoR
    institutions, and others; nonprofit organizations; national
    laboratories; industry; federal, state, and local governments);

-   Include industrial, national or international laboratory
    internships, or other career broadening experiences as appropriate
    to the research area; and

-   Have annual budgets ranging from \$1.5M to \$4.0M of NSF support.

**Center Leadership and Management**

The STC Director must have the capacity to develop and lead a team to
fulfill a shared vision. The Director must be supported in this role by
a management team comprised of, for example, a deputy or co-Director
(who will share some of the leadership responsibilities), leaders of
research thrusts, an education coordinator, a knowledge transfer
(industrial liaison) coordinator, and an administrative and financial
manager. In addition, the Center will maintain and convene annually an
external advisory group. The advisors must include representation from
those served by the Center (e.g., academic institutions, industry, state
and local agencies, national laboratories) and display the diversity of
the U.S. citizenry in its membership. Those with a financial,
institutional, or collaborative connection to the Center may not serve
as members of the external advisory group. The function of the external
advisory group is to provide guidance and advice to the Center as well
as to ensure that the Center's activities are consistent with its
vision, goals, and objectives.

The Center Director is responsible for the management, staffing, and
resource allocation of the STC; for administering the award in
accordance with NSF policies and the terms of the cooperative agreement,
and for serving as the liaison between the Center and the National
Network of STC Directors.

**National Network of STC Directors**

STC Directors will serve as members of a national liaison team for the
STC Program. The Directors are responsible for developing, implementing,
and maintaining a liaison structure with active participation of each
Center. This network is charged with addressing common goals, problems
and opportunities, and facilitating personnel and resource exchanges as
well as integrated partnerships and cooperation among Centers.

Annually a chair of this liaison team will be elected by participating
members and will serve a one-year term.

Typical functions of the National Network of STC Directors include:
fostering complementarity and balance among research, education and
knowledge transfer activities, and avoidance of duplication of effort;
facilitating interactions to address research, education, and management
issues and opportunities which transcend individual Center capabilities;
liaison with private sector, state, local and national laboratories to
identify needs/opportunities and to plan joint implementation
strategies, workshops, and other fora; cooperation and liaison with NSF
staff in the development and maintenance of databases and other
effective metrics in response to the requirements of the Government
Performance and Results Act; and preparing documents to enhance public
understanding about the importance of science, engineering, technology
and education advances in service to society.

### III. ELIGIBILITY

Preproposals and proposals may be submitted by U.S. academic
institutions with significant research and degree-granting education
programs in any area of science and engineering normally supported by
NSF. A single institution may submit no more than five preproposals as
lead institution, and may be involved as a partner in additional
preproposals submitted by other institutions. Each must demonstrate the
institutional commitment to the area proposed. However, the STC Program
will not normally provide simultaneous support for more than one STC led
by any one institution from this competition.

Preproposals and proposals involving integrated partnerships (i.e.,
multi-institutional arrangements including other universities/colleges,
national laboratories, research museums, private sector research
laboratories, state and local government laboratories, and international
collaborations) are encouraged. In such proposals, one institution must
accept overall management responsibility for the proposed Center and is
thus designated as lead institution. Note that the number of
participating institutions is not necessarily a measure of quality.
Preproposals and proposals must make clear that all institutions
involved as partners are necessary to the goals and function of the
Center. Preproposals and proposals must describe effective management of
all partner institutions. A partner is an institution or organization
that invests intellectual resources in the Center, backed by financial
commitment to the Center to ensure vital participation in an integrative
effort incorporating research, education, and knowledge transfer.

Existing STCs or group members from such STCs who propose to focus on
radically different research topics or themes from those they are
currently pursuing may participate in this open competition. To be
radically different, the proposers would need to focus on a different
topic, not simply extend the methods and intent of the current STC to a
slightly larger purview or just incorporate a new geographic area. If
successful, the new awards will not commence until the end of the
Center's current term of support.

The STC Program complements the NSF Engineering Research Centers (ERC),
the Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC), and
other programs that support group research and education activities.
Simultaneous consideration of duplicate center proposals by other NSF
programs is not permitted. However, participation in a Center does not
preclude individuals from receiving NSF support for their individual
research in complementary areas.

For eligibility purposes, cost sharing at a level of at least, but no
more than 30% of the requested total amount of NSF funds is required for
all preproposals and proposals submitted in response to this
solicitation. Proposed STC annual budgets may range from \$1.5M to
\$4.0M per year of NSF support, but preproposals and proposals outside
this range will be ineligible.

### IV. AWARD INFORMATION

The amount of funds available for this competition is approximately \$30
million in FY 2002 pending availability of funds and NSF expects to make
about eight to ten awards. The awards will be made as cooperative
agreements with an initial commitment of five years and a potential
duration of ten years. The amount of the NSF's investment in each center
will depend upon the needs, plans, and opportunities offered by the
Center, as well as the availability of NSF funds. Proposed STC annual
budgets may range from \$1.5M to \$4.0M per year of NSF support.
Preproposals and proposals outside this range will be ineligible and
will be returned without review.

The appropriate NSF research directorates will have primary
responsibility in the oversight of individual STCs. The progress and
plans of each funded STC will be reviewed by NSF annually, prior to
receiving continued NSF support. In the fourth year of operation the STC
may submit a renewal proposal for continued support which will undergo
merit review. The STC's achievements and future plans will be evaluated
comprehensively. The review will determine if the STC is meeting the
goals and objectives as originally proposed. The STC performance
assessment will be guided by the goals and objectives of the STC Program
and the individual goals of the particular STC.

Centers successful in passing the fourth-year review will be renewed for
another five years, commencing at the beginning of the sixth year, and
including a two-year phase-out period. Centers that pass the fourth-year
review will continue to be reviewed by NSF at least every 18 months.
Centers that do not pass the fourth year review will be phased-out over
a one-year period at a reduced level of support. The NSF will support an
STC for a maximum of ten years.

### V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

**A. [Notice of Intent]{.underline}**

Lead institutions intending to submit a preproposal should submit a
notice of intent through their sponsored research office. The notice of
intent must be submitted to the STC Program via e-mail to stc@nsf.gov by
5:00 p.m., local time, June 15, 2000. The subject of the e-mail message
must be "Notice of Intent" followed by the name of the academic
institution. The notice must not exceed 500 words, and must give a brief
summary of the vision for the Center and the structure of its research,
education, and knowledge transfer. The notice must include the name of
the Principal Investigator and a list of all participating institutions
(not included in the 500 word limit). The purpose of this notice is to
enable NSF to determine the composition of its review panels.

**B.** **[Proposal Preparation Instructions]{.underline}**

Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation must be
prepared and submitted in accordance with the general guidelines
contained in the *Grant Proposal Guide* (GPG), NSF 00-2. The complete
text of the GPG (including electronic forms) is available electronically
on the NSF Web site at: [http://www.nsf.gov/]{.underline}. Paper copies
of the GPG may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse,
telephone (301) 947-2722 or by e-mail from pubs@nsf.gov.

Proposers are reminded to identify program solicitation number (NSF
00-67) in the program announcement/solicitation block on the NSF Form
1207, *"Cover Sheet for Proposal to the National Science Foundation*."
Compliance with this requirement is critical to determining the relevant
proposal processing guidelines. Failure to submit this information may
delay processing.

### Preproposal Content

The preproposal must be submitted with the proposed Center Director as
the Principal Investigator and must include only the following:

\(1\) Cover Sheet (NSF Form 1207).

\(2\) Information about Principal Investigators/Project Directors (NSF
Form 1225) is automatically generated by FastLane. (Note: NSF limits the
number of Principal Investigators (PI) to one PI and four Co-PIs.
Additional lead personnel can be listed as Senior Personnel on the
Budget \[NSF Form 1030\] and in the Project Description. Senior
Personnel must provide biographical sketches.)

\(3\) Project Summary. Provide a one page description of the vision and
key components of the STC. The names of the principal participating
institutions involved in establishing the proposed STC must be included
in the one page description.

\(4\) Table of Contents (NSF Form 1359 cannot be edited and is
automatically generated by FastLane).

> **The Project Description must contain the following sections,
> incorporating items five through nine:**

\(5\) Narrative description of the Focus, Research Plans, and Relevance.
Develop a research focus that is sufficiently long-term to justify a
Center form of organization and broad enough to permit change as the
research proceeds. Describe the Center's rationale, goals and proposed
research activities in sufficient detail to allow assessment of their
merit and the necessity for the Center mode of operation. Indicate the
potential impact the Center's research will have on the nation's
scientific and/or technological base.

\(6\) Give an overview of the goals and proposed activities in education
and human resource development. Discuss how they integrate strategically
with the research and organizational/partnering opportunities of the
Center and will achieve the participation of highly qualified U.S.
students, including underrepresented groups. Describe knowledge transfer
plans and their intended impact across various types of institutions and
organizations from industry to colleges, the K-12 education system, and
public sector. Describe the role of international collaborations and
shared experimental facilities, as appropriate.

\(7\) An outline of the proposed arrangements for administration and
management of the Center.

> **Note: Items 5, 6, and 7 above are limited to nine pages including
> tables and illustrations regardless of the number of research groups
> or themes.**

# (8) Lists of Project Personnel and Institutions (two-page limit). In addition to providing a comprehensive listing of personnel and institutions involved in the STC, these lists also are used for determining conflicts of interest in the review process. Ensuring that reviewers do not have conflicts of interest can be difficult when, as in this case, many preproposals involve multiple investigators and multiple institutions. To assist NSF in identifying conflicts of interest, the following information must be included in the preproposal and also submitted via e-mail within five days of FastLane submission as simple ASCII Text Files to stc-coi@nsf.gov with your preproposal number included in the following subject line: STC Conflict Information for Preproposal No. 00-XXXXX. You can obtain the number of your preproposal from FastLane as soon as your preproposal has been submitted by your Sponsored Projects Office.

Provide three lists:

a.  Project Personnel. Subdivide the listing of STC project personnel
    into the following categories, as applicable: Academic Institutions
    (colleges, universities), Federal Government (national
    laboratories), Industry, Non-Governmental Organizations, State and
    Local Government, International, and Other. For the Academic
    category, list in alphabetical order all project personnel in the
    following format: last name, first name, institutional affiliation,
    school, department, role (e.g., Smith, Jane, University of X, School
    of Y, Department of Z , team leader). For all other categories, list
    in alphabetical order all project personnel in the format: last
    name, first name, institutional affiliation, role. The names
    included in the non-Academic categories must be personnel who
    contributed to the development of the preproposal and are interested
    in joining and supporting the Center through financial and/or other
    supporting mechanisms.

b.  Institutions. Subdivide the listing of institutions involved in the
    STC into the following categories, as applicable: Academic
    Institutions (colleges, universities), Federal Government (national
    laboratories), Industry, Non-Governmental Organizations, State and
    Local Government, International, and Other. For each category, list
    in alphabetical order all institutions involved in the project.

c.  Potential Reviewers with Conflicts of Interest. List in alphabetical
    order all persons who have a conflict of interest with any of the
    project\'s senior personnel (PI, Co-PI, other senior personnel). In
    particular, list all persons falling into the conflict of interest
    categories specified in Section II.D.6.e.i-iii of the NSF *Grant
    Proposal Guide* (NSF 00-2). Provide this information in the
    following format: last name, first name, institution, nature of
    conflict, project personnel with whom the conflict exists. For
    example, if Thomas Jones of the University of X recently co-authored
    an article with Peter Brown, a Co-PI on the proposed project, the
    corresponding list entry would read as follows: Jones, Thomas,
    University of X, co-author on article, Brown.

\(9\) Provide a synopsis (one-page limit) of institutional and other
resource commitments and potential funding to the proposed Center.

\(10\) Provide a budget (NSF Form 1030) for each of the five years and
submit a budget justification (not to exceed one page). Cost sharing at
a level of at least, but no more than 30% of the requested total amount
of NSF funds is required for all preproposals submitted in response to
this solicitation. The proposed cost sharing must be shown on line M of
the preproposal budget (NSF Form 1030).

\(11\) References Cited. Section not to exceed two pages.

\(12\) Biographical sketches (two-page limit per person). For the
Principal Investigator, Co-Principal Investigator(s), and non-Co-PI
Senior Personnel, provide a brief biographical sketch or curriculum
vitae, including a list of the five most recent or significant
publications. Any information that is deemed pertinent is allowable
provided that the two page limit is not exceeded. Do not send copies of
the publications.

\(13\) Letters of commitment addressed to the Director, OIA, are
required from the proposing institution and partners, signed by
authorized official(s) committing support (including cash and/or in-kind
cost sharing) to the STC during its ten-year life span. **These letters
must be scanned into the Supplementary Documents section of your
FastLane preproposal and submitted electronically as part of the
preproposal. Hard copies must not be mailed to NSF.**

**No other items are to be included.** **Preproposals containing items
other than those required above will not be reviewed.**

### Full Proposal Content

The full proposals must include only the following information:

\(1\) Cover Sheet (NSF Form 1207). In most cases, August 1, 2002, should
be listed as the start date.

\(2\) Information about Principal Investigators/Project Directors (NSF
Form 1225) is automatically generated by FastLane. (Note: NSF limits the
number of Principal Investigators (PI) to one PI and four Co-PIs.
Additional lead personnel can be listed as Senior Personnel on the
Budget \[NSF Form 1030\] and in the Project Description. Senior
Personnel must provide biographical sketches and list current and
pending support.)

\(3\) Project Summary (two-page limit). At the top of the first page
include the title of the STC and the name of the Director. Identify the
institution leading the STC as well as the other participating
institutions. This summary must provide a clear description of the
Center, its rationale, and vision; its distinguishing features,
multidisciplinary or disciplinary focus, proposed research and
educational activities, integrative components, diversity plan, and
knowledge transfer strategy.

\(4\) Table of Contents (NSF Form 1359 cannot be edited and is
automatically generated by Fast Lane).

> **The Project Description must contain the following sections,
> incorporating items five through fourteen:**

\(5\) Narrative description of the Focus, Research Plans, and Relevance
(ten-page limit). Develop a research focus that is sufficiently long
term to justify a Center form of organization and agile enough to permit
change as the research proceeds. Describe the Center's goals and
proposed research activities in sufficient detail to allow assessment of
their scientific merit and the necessity for the Center mode of
operation. Indicate what impact the Center's research will have on the
nation's scientific and/or technological base.

\(6\) Education and Human Resource Development (five-page limit).
Discuss the rationale and goals of the proposed education and human
resource development activities and how they integrate strategically
with the research and organizational/partnering opportunities of the
proposed Center. Describe the proposed activities in sufficient detail
to allow assessment of their intrinsic merit, potential effectiveness,
anticipated contribution toward a diverse, highly competent, and
globally-engaged technical and instructional workforce and educated
citizenry, and other societal benefits. Include plans for attracting and
retaining high quality U. S. students (undergraduates, graduates,
postdoctoral) in Center activities and for increasing participation of
women and members of underrepresented minorities in Center research and
education endeavors. Also address plans for making time from the
baccalaureate to the Ph. D. degree approach four to five years. Finally,
provide a summary chart of M. S. and Ph. D. degrees completed during the
past three years under the directorship of the proposed Center senior
personnel. Also indicate average time to complete degree requirements.
Indicate gender, ethnic origin, and nationality of these degree
recipients.

\(7\) Knowledge Transfer (three-page limit). Describe plans for linking
appropriate communities and institutions beyond the sponsoring
institution---other colleges, universities, disciplinary subfields,
other disciplines, nonprofit research organizations, government
laboratories, industry, state, local, and/or international entities---to
enhance involvement and knowledge transfer. These linkages should
involve significant intellectual exchange, internships, and resource
commitments (e.g., funds, facilities, and/or people) in both directions
between the sponsoring institution and partners. Partnerships and
linkages beyond the boundaries of the academic institution are to be
emphasized here.

If a proposal is selected for a site visit, Center staff will be
expected to be aware of related state and national research capabilities
as well as international programs in their fields of research.

\(8\) Rationale for the Center concept (one-page limit). Justify the
center mode. Clearly indicate current activities in research, education,
and knowledge transfer, why a Center is necessary, and what unique
opportunities will be provided by the proposed Center. If the proposed
Center research is closely related to ongoing research at an existing
Center (e.g., STC, ERC, MRSEC, national laboratory), explain how the
research activities of this Center complement as well as differ from
those of the existing center(s).

\(9\) Management Plan (three-page limit). Provide a clear description of
the organizational structure of the Center. Clearly outline mechanisms
for focusing Center activities, selecting and integrating related
research projects, allocating funds and equipment across all Center
activities, and managing the involvement of other groups, scientific and
educational. A description of a diverse external advisory group that
will provide guidance and advice on all Center activities is required.

If a proposal is selected for a site visit, NSF will require additional
information on the overall management of the Center.

\(10\) Lists of Project Personnel and Institutions (two-page limit). The
Lists of Project Personnel and Institutions required as part of the
preproposal (see Preproposal Preparation Instructions) must be revised
to reflect any changes occurring since the time of preproposal
submission. These lists, whether they have been revised or not, must be
included in the proposal and also submitted via e-mail as simple ASCII
Text Files to stc-coi@nsf.gov by April 4, 2001. The e-mail message must
contain the proposal number obtained from FastLane embedded in the
following subject line: STC Conflict Information for Proposal No.
00-XXXXX.

\(11\) Intellectual Property Rights (one-page limit). Provide a concise
statement on the proposed Center's policies on Intellectual Property
Rights. If a proposal is selected for a site-visit, a more detailed copy
of the home institution's official policy will be required.

\(12\) Shared Experimental Facilities (four-page limit). Where
appropriate, describe the shared facilities to be established, including
specific major research instrumentation, and plans for the development
of instrumentation. Describe plans for maintaining and operating the
facilities, including staffing, provisions for user fees, and plans for
ensuring access to outside users. Distinguish between existing
facilities and those still to be developed.

\(13\) Committed Funding by Source (one-page limit). Reproduce Table 1
indicating the annual level of total committed support for five years
from each source (i.e., NSF, the academic institution, industry, state
and local governments, other federal agencies, and other sources). On
this table, split each column, as needed, to indicate whether the
support is in cash, or in-kind (space, faculty and staff positions, time
of industrial personnel spent in the STC, capital equipment, and other
in-kind pledges). NSF expects STCs to develop and implement plans to
continue the effective and productive collaborations with other
stakeholders in the integrated partnerships when NSF funding ceases.

**[Table 1]{.underline}**

***Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5***

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 15%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 8%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td><em><strong>Committed Funding</strong></em></td>
<td>Cash $</td>
<td><p>In-Kind</p>
<p>$</p></td>
<td>Cash $</td>
<td><p>In-Kind</p>
<p>$</p></td>
<td>Cash $</td>
<td><p>In-Kind</p>
<p>$</p></td>
<td>Cash $</td>
<td><p>In-Kind</p>
<p>$</p></td>
<td>Cash $</td>
<td><p>In-Kind</p>
<p>$</p></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><em><strong>NSF</strong></em></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><em><strong>Industry</strong></em></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><h1 id="academic">Academic</h1>
<h2 id="institution">Institution</h2></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><em><strong>Other Govt.</strong></em></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><em><strong>Other</strong></em></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><em><strong>Total</strong></em></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

\(14\) Institutional and other Sector Support (one-page limit). Outline
the home institution's commitment: dollars, space (new space and/or
renovations to existing facilities), faculty and staff positions,
capital equipment, and access to facilities and instrumentation.
Indicate dollar value where possible; otherwise, describe how the
commitment contributes to realizing the strategic goals of the Center
and associated institutions. Describe other-sector support that has been
committed, including space, funds, facilities, and personnel for the
center. Major commitments of other closely associated institutions may
also be provided here.

\(15\) Facilities and Equipment (NSF Form 1363). This form must support
the description of the infrastructure of the STC in the body of the
proposal by describing the equipment and facilities available to the
proposed STC.

\(16\) Budget and Budget Justification. Provide a budget (NSF Form 1030)
for each of the five years. (FastLane will automatically fill out a
cumulative budget for your proposal.) Cost sharing at a level of at
least, but no more than 30% of the requested total amount of NSF funds
is required for all proposals submitted in response to this
solicitation. The proposed cost sharing must be shown on line M of the
proposal budget (NSF Form 1030).

Submit a separate budget for each participating institution in cases
where a subcontract exceeds \$100,000 per year. Identify items of
equipment costing more than \$10,000. Full justification for the latter
is required. Individual students may not be supported for a period in
excess of five years. A budget justification (two-page limit) must be
provided. Funds allocated for research, education, and knowledge
transfer issues must be discernible.

NSF will not provide salary support for scientists, engineers, or
educators employed by Federal agencies or Federally Funded Research and
Development Centers. For participants at foreign organizations, NSF will
consider support only for the U.S. portion of the collaborative projects
involving U.S. and foreign institutions.

\(17\) References Cited. Section not to exceed five pages.

\(18\) Biographical Sketches (two page limit per person). For the
Principal Investigator, Co-Principal Investigator(s), and non Co-PI
Senior Personnel, provide a brief biographical sketch or curriculum
vitae, including a list of the five most recent or significant
publications. Any information that is deemed pertinent is allowable
provided that the two page limit is not exceeded. Do not send copies of
the publications.

\(19\) Current and Pending Support (NSF Form 1239). Provide a complete
listing of current and pending support for the Principal Investigator,
Co-Principal Investigator(s), and non Co-PI Senior Personnel only. Thus,
if their biographical sketch was included in #18 above, then you must
include a statement about their current and pending support. Please note
on the top of the form if the individual is affiliated with a Government
Laboratory, Industry, or other institutions that are not eligible for
other support.

\(20\) Letters of commitment addressed to the Director, OIA, are
required from the proposing institution and partners, signed by the
authorized official(s) committing support (including cash and/or in-kind
cost sharing) to the STC during its 10-year life span. Letters
committing industrial and/or other partners to involvement and financial
or collaborative support are required. **(Commitment letters are not
included in the page count. These letters must be scanned into the
Supplementary Documents section of your FastLane proposal and submitted
electronically as part of the proposal. Hard copies must not be mailed
to NSF.)**

**Full proposals containing items other than those described above will
not be reviewed.**

**C. [Budgetary Information]{.underline}**

### Cost Sharing Requirements

For eligibility purposes, cost sharing at a level of at least, but no
more than 30% of the requested total amount of NSF funds is required for
all preproposals and proposals submitted in response to this
solicitation. The proposed cost sharing must be shown on line M of the
preproposal and proposal budget (NSF Form 1030). **Preproposals and
proposals without the mandated amount of cost sharing will be ineligible
and will be returned without review.**

The amount of cost sharing must be shown in the proposal in enough
detail to allow NSF to determine its impact on the proposed project.
Documentation of availability of cost sharing must be included in the
proposal.

Only items which would be allowable under the applicable cost
principles, if charged to the project, may be included as the grantee's
contribution to cost sharing. Contributions may be made from any
non-Federal source, including non-Federal grants or contracts, and may
be cash or in-kind (see OMB Circular A-110, Section 23). It should be
noted that contributions counted as cost sharing toward projects of
another Federal agency may not be counted towards meeting the specific
cost sharing requirements of the NSF grant.

All cost sharing amounts are subject to audit. Failure to provide the
level of cost sharing reflected in the approved grant budget may result
in termination of the NSF grant, disallowance of grant costs and/or
refund of grant funds to NSF.

###### Budgetary Limitations

Proposed STC annual budgets may range from \$1.5M to \$4.0M per year of
NSF support. Preproposals and proposals outside this range will be
ineligible and will be returned without review.

**D. [Preproposal and Proposal Due Dates]{.underline}**

### Preproposal Deadline

The preproposal **MUST** be submitted via FastLane by 5:00 PM, local
time, August 11, 2000.

**Full Proposal Deadline**

The full proposal **MUST** be submitted via FastLane by 5:00 PM, local
time, April 2, 2001**.**

A preproposal or proposal is considered complete when the preproposal or
proposal, including the Project Description, has been submitted to NSF.
The receipt date will be the date the sponsored projects office
transmits the preproposal or proposal to NSF.

**The next STC competition is expected to start June 2003.**

**E. [FastLane Requirements]{.underline}**

Proposers are required to prepare and submit all preproposals and
proposals for this Program Solicitation through the FastLane system.
Detailed instructions for proposal preparation and submission via
FastLane are available at:
<https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/al/newstan.htm>.

#### VI. PREPROPOSAL AND PROPOSAL REVIEW INFORMATION

**A. [NSF Preproposal and Proposal Review Process]{.underline}**

Reviews of preproposals and proposals submitted to NSF are solicited
from peers with expertise in the substantive area of the proposed
research and education project. These reviewers are selected by Program
officers charged with the oversight of the review process. NSF invites
the proposer to suggest, at the time of submission, the names of
appropriate or inappropriate reviewers. Care is taken to ensure that
reviewers have no conflicts with the proposing team. Special efforts are
made to recruit reviewers from non-academic institutions, minority
serving institutions or adjacent disciplines to that principally
addressed in the preproposal or proposal.

Preproposals and proposals will be reviewed against the following two
general merit review criteria established by the National Science Board.
Following each criterion are potential considerations that the reviewer
may employ in the evaluation. These are suggestions and not all will
apply to any given preproposal or proposal. Each reviewer will be asked
to address only those that are relevant to the preproposal or proposal
and for which he/she is qualified to make judgments.

**What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity?**

How important is the proposed activity to advancing knowledge and
understanding within its own field or across different fields? How well
qualified is the proposer (individual or team) to conduct the project?
(If appropriate, the reviewer will comment on the quality of prior
work.) To what extent does the proposed activity suggest and explore
creative and original concepts? How well conceived and organized is the
proposed activity? Is there sufficient access to resources?

**What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity?**

How well does the activity advance discovery and understanding while
promoting teaching, training, and learning? How well does the proposed
activity broaden the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g.,
gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc.)? To what extent will it
enhance the infrastructure for research and education, such as
facilities, instrumentation, networks, and partnerships? Will the
results be disseminated broadly to enhance scientific and technological
understanding? What may be the benefits of the proposed activity to
society?

PIs must also address the following elements in their preproposal and
proposal to provide reviewers with the information necessary to respond
fully to both NSF merit review criteria. NSF staff will give these
factors careful consideration in making funding decisions.

### Integration of Research and Education 

One of the principal strategies in support of NSF's goals is to foster
integration of research and education through the programs, projects and
activities it supports at academic and research institutions. These
institutions provide abundant opportunities where individuals may
concurrently assume responsibilities as researchers, educators, and
students and where all can engage in joint efforts that infuse education
with the excitement of discovery and enrich research through the
diversity of learner perspectives.

For STCs, integrating research and education also requires the ability
to develop effective educational programs that will broaden the career
paths of involved students; and includes plans for fostering a climate
of interaction and effective knowledge transfer both among diverse
departments of the academic institution and between the academic
institution and its partners in industry and/or other sectors.

### Integrating Diversity into NSF Programs, Projects, and Activities

Broadening opportunities and enabling the participation of all
citizens---women and men, underrepresented minorities, and persons with
disabilities---is essential to the health and vitality of science and
engineering. NSF is committed to this principle of diversity and deems
it central to the programs, projects, and activities it considers and
supports.

For STCs, developing human resources also requires the ability to
increase participation by U.S. citizens, particularly women and
underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities, in research
and education; and includes plans for forming substantive and long-term
partnerships and collaborations with minority-serving institutions
and/or women's colleges.

In addition to the evaluation criteria stated above, NSF will consider
the following factors in making STC awards. Excellence must be
demonstrated in *all* criteria (general merit review criteria above and
considerations specific to STCs below) for STC support to be
recommended:

**Value of the Center-Mode to Research, Education, and Knowledge
Transfer**

Are the identified science and technology challenges of sufficient
import, scale, and complexity to justify a center-mode investment? Will
the Center's educational programs make a special contribution to the
achievement of a diverse, highly competent, and globally-engaged
technical and instructional workforce and of an educated citizenry?

Will any proposed new instruments, shared experimental facilities,
and/or databases be of significant value to a broad community of users?
Will the Center's partnerships achieve significant intellectual exchange
with the school, public, industry, federal, and/or international sectors
and thereby foster science and technology in service to society?

### Integrative Nature of the Proposed Center

Are the research, educational, and knowledge transfer activities
strategically integrated such that the whole is greater than the sum of
the parts? Are the partners vital participants in an integrated whole?

### Leadership, Management Plan, Impact of Institutional Support, and Budget

Do the center director and the center leadership team convincingly
demonstrate the vision, experience, and capacity to manage a complex,
multi-faceted, and innovative research, education, and knowledge
transfer enterprise? What is the likely effectiveness of the proposed
management plan, including the mechanisms for topic selection, resource
allocation, progress evaluation, and project termination? Is there
documentation of institutional and other commitments to the proposed
Center? Is the requested budget appropriate?

A summary rating and accompanying narrative will be completed and signed
by each reviewer. In all cases, reviews are treated as confidential
documents. Verbatim copies of reviews, excluding the names of the
reviewers, are mailed to the Principal Investigator/Project Director by
the Program Director. In addition, the proposer will receive an
explanation of the decision to award or decline funding.

##### B. [Review Protocol and Associated Customer Service Standard]{.underline}

All preproposals and proposals are carefully reviewed by at least three
other persons outside NSF who are experts in their fields and
knowledgeable of partnerships that integrate science, mathematics,
engineering, and technology research and education.

A panel will be asked to formulate a recommendation to either support or
decline each preproposal or proposal. Preproposals and proposals
submitted in response to this solicitation will be reviewed as follows:

**STC Review and Award Selection Process**

Proposals will be evaluated in a multi-phase merit review process. In
order to reduce the cost of proposal preparation and the workload on the
scientific community, NSF will utilize a preproposal phase which will
include evaluation by panels of individuals intellectually distinguished
in their fields and experienced in integrative science, mathematics,
engineering and technology research and education partnerships. The
panelists will be asked to base their comments on the merit review
criteria listed above. NSF will notify applicants of the results of the
preproposal competition on or before December 15, 2000.

Proposing institutions whose preproposals are judged most promising and
are recommended by the panel will be encouraged to submit full proposals
that will be evaluated by both *ad hoc* mail and panel review using the
selection criteria listed above; only invited full proposals will be
accepted. This panel will identify a small number of full proposals
deemed worthy of site-visit reviews; the other proposals will be
declined. NSF will notify all proposers as to whether they will be
declined or site-visited by August 2001. Although the site visit will
cover all aspects of the proposal, Foundation staff will provide
additional information that may be needed in advance of the site visit.

Finally, a comprehensive review of those activities site-visited will be
conducted by an *ad hoc* STC Advisory Committee that will develop a
prioritized recommended funding list. In developing its recommendations
for awards, this committee will consider: the relative merit of the STC
proposals using the criteria listed above, the balance of awards among
scientific fields, geographical distribution, and the combined ability
of the proposed Centers to meet the objectives of the STC Program. In
developing funding recommendations to the Director and the National
Science Board, the STC Advisory Committee's recommendations will be
considered. NSF expects to announce the final results of the STC
competition around March 2002.

In all cases, after National Science Board approval has been obtained,
the proposals recommended for funding will be forwarded to the Division
of Grants and Agreements for review of business, financial, and policy
implications and the processing and issuance of a cooperative agreement.
Proposers are cautioned that only a Grants Officer may make commitments,
obligations or awards on behalf of NSF or authorize the expenditure of
funds. No commitment on the part of NSF should be inferred from
technical or budgetary discussions with an NSF Program Officer. A
principal investigator or organization that makes financial or personnel
commitments in the absence of a cooperative agreement signed by the NSF
Grants Officer does so at its own risk.

# VII. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A.  **[Notification of the Award]{.underline}**

Notification of the award is made ***to the submitting organization***
by a Grants Officer in the Division of Grants and Agreements (DGA).
Organizations whose proposals are declined will be advised as promptly
as possible by the cognizant NSF Program Division administering the
program. Verbatim copies of reviews, not including the identity of the
reviewer, will be provided to the Principal Investigator.

**B. [Grant Award Conditions]{.underline}**

An NSF grant consists of: (1) the award letter, which includes any
special provisions applicable to the grant and any numbered amendments
thereto; (2) the budget, which indicates the amounts, by categories of
expense, on which NSF has based its support (or otherwise communicates
any specific approvals or disapprovals of proposed expenditures); (3)
the proposal referenced in the award letter; (4) the applicable grant
conditions, such as Grant General Conditions (NSF GC-1)\* or Federal
Demonstration Partnership Phase III (FDP) Terms and Conditions\* and (5)
any NSF brochure, program guide, announcement or other NSF issuance that
may be incorporated by reference in the award letter. Cooperative
agreement awards also are administered in accordance with NSF
Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions (CA-1)\*. Electronic mail
notification is the preferred way to transmit NSF grants to
organizations that have electronic mail capabilities and have requested
such notification from the Division of Grants and Agreements.

**\***These documents may be accessed electronically on NSF's Web site
at: [http://www.nsf.gov/]{.underline}. Paper copies may be obtained from
the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (301) 947-2722 or by
e-mail from pubs@nsf.gov.

More comprehensive information on NSF Award Conditions is contained in
the NSF *Grant Policy Manual* (GPM) Chapter II, (NSF 95-26) available
electronically on the NSF Web site. The GPM also is available in paper
copy by subscription from the Superintendent of Documents, Government
Printing Office (GPO), Washington, DC 20402. The GPM may be ordered
through the GPO Web site at: [http://www.gpo.gov]{.underline}. The
telephone number at GPO for subscription information is (202) 512-1800.

**C. [Reporting Requirements]{.underline}**

For all multi-year grants (including both standard and continuing
grants), the PI must submit an annual project report to the cognizant
Program Officer at least 90 days before the end of the current budget
period.

Within 90 days after expiration of a grant, the PI also is required to
submit a final project report. Approximately 30 days before expiration,
NSF will send a notice to remind the PI of the requirement to file the
final project report. Failure to provide final technical reports delays
NSF review and processing of pending proposals for that PI. PIs should
examine the formats of the required reports in advance to assure
availability of required data.

NSF has implemented an electronic project reporting system, available
through FastLane. This system permits electronic submission and updating
of project reports, including information on: project participants
(individual and organizational); activities and findings; publications;
and other specific products and contributions. PIs will not be required
to re-enter information previously provided, either with a proposal or
in earlier updates using the electronic system.

**Additional Reporting Considerations for STCs**

Centers selected will be required to submit annual reports on progress
and plans, which will be used as a basis for performance review and
determining the level of continued funding. To support this review and
the management of a Center, STCs will be required to develop a set of
management and performance indicators for submission annually to NSF via
an NSF evaluation technical assistance contractor. These indicators are
both quantitative and descriptive and may include, for example, the
characteristics of center personnel and students; sources of financial
support and in-kind support; expenditures by operational component;
characteristics of industrial and/or other sector participation;
research activities; education activities; knowledge transfer
activities; patents, licenses; publications; degrees granted to students
involved in Center activities; descriptions of significant advances and
other outcomes of the STC effort. Part of this reporting will take the
form of a database which will be owned by the institution and eventually
made available to an evaluation contractor. This database will capture
specific information to demonstrate progress towards achieving the goals
of the program. Such reporting requirements will be included in the
cooperative agreement which is binding between the academic institution
and the NSF.

**VIII. CONTACTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION**

General inquiries about the NSF Science and Technology Centers (STC):
Integrative Partnerships Program should be addressed to:

Office of Integrative Activities

Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships Program

National Science Foundation

Room 1270

4201 Wilson Boulevard

Arlington, VA 22230

\(703\) 306-1040

E-Mail: stc@nsf.gov (Internet)

IX\. OTHER PROGRAMS OF INTEREST

##### The NSF *Guide to Programs* is a compilation of funding for research and education in science, mathematics, and engineering. General descriptions of NSF programs, research areas, and eligibility information for proposal submission are provided in each chapter. Many NSF programs offer announcements concerning specific proposal requirements. To obtain additional information about these requirements, contact the appropriate NSF program offices listed in Appendix A of the GPG. Any changes in NSF\'s fiscal year programs occurring after press time for the *Guide to Programs* will be announced in the NSF Bulletin, available monthly (except July and August), and in individual program announcements. The Bulletin is available electronically via the NSF Web Site at [**http://www.nsf.gov**](http://www.nsf.gov/). The direct URL for recent issues of the Bulletin is [**http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/publicat/bulletin/bulletin.htm**](http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/publicat/bulletin/bulletin.htm) Subscribers can also sign up for NSF\'s Custom News Service to find out what funding opportunities are available.

##### ABOUT THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds research and education in
most fields of science and engineering. Grantees are wholly responsible
for conducting their project activities and preparing the results for
publication. Thus, the Foundation does not assume responsibility for
such findings or their interpretation.

NSF welcomes proposals from all qualified scientists, engineers and
educators. The Foundation strongly encourages women, minorities, and
persons with disabilities to compete fully in its programs. In
accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and NSF policies, no
person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or
disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the
benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or
activity receiving financial assistance from NSF (unless otherwise
specified in the eligibility requirements for a particular program).

Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities
(FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable
persons with disabilities (investigators and other staff, including
student research assistants) to work on NSF-supported projects. See the
program announcement or contact the program coordinator at (703)
306-1636.

The National Science Foundation has Telephonic Device for the Deaf (TDD)
and Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) capabilities that enable
individuals with hearing impairments to communicate with the Foundation
regarding NSF programs, employment, or general information. TDD may be
accessed at (703) 306-0090 or through FIRS on 1-800-877-8339.

The National Science Foundation is committed to making all of the
information we publish easy to understand. If you have a suggestion
about how to improve the clarity of this document or other NSF-published
materials, please contact us at
[plainlanguage@nsf.gov.](mailto:lainlanguage@nsf.gov.)

**PRIVACY ACT AND PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENTS**

The information requested on proposal forms and project reports is
solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of
1950, as amended. The information on proposal forms will be used in
connection with the selection of qualified proposals; project reports
submitted by awardees will be used for program evaluation and reporting
within the Executive Branch and to Congress. The information requested
may be disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff assistants as part of
the review process; to applicant institutions/grantees to provide or
obtain data regarding the proposal review process, award decisions, or
the administration of awards; to government contractors, experts,
volunteers and researchers and educators as necessary to complete
assigned work; to other government agencies needing information as part
of the review process or in order to coordinate programs; and to another
Federal agency, court or party in a court or Federal administrative
proceeding if the government is a party. Information about Principal
Investigators may be added to the Reviewer file and used to select
potential candidates to serve as peer reviewers or advisory committee
members. See Systems of Records, NSF-50, \"Principal
Investigator/Proposal File and Associated Records,\" 63 Federal Register
267 (January 5, 1998), and NSF-51, \"Reviewer/Proposal File and
Associated Records,\" 63 Federal Register 268 (January 5, 1998).
Submission of the information is voluntary. Failure to provide full and
complete information, however, may reduce the possibility of receiving
an award.

Pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(b), an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a
person is not required to respond to an information collection unless it
displays a valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this
collection is 3145-0058. Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average 120 hours per response, including
the time for reviewing instructions. Send comments regarding this burden
estimate and any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Suzanne Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, Information Dissemination Branch, Division of
Administrative Services, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA
22230, or to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB,
Attention: Desk Officer for National Science Foundation (3145-0058), 725
-- 17^th^ Street, N.W. Room 10235, Washington, D.C. 20503.

Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers:

-   47.041 Engineering Grants

-   47.049 Mathematical and Physical Sciences

-   47.050 Geosciences

-   47.070 Computer and Information Science and Engineering

-   47.074 Biological Sciences

-   47.075 Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences

-   47.076 Education and Human Resources

-   47.078 Polar Programs

OMB# 3145-0058