long-term Ecological Research (LTER) in Land/ocean margin ecosystems

# Program Announcement

> ***NSF 99-89***

## 

## directorate for geosciences; Division of Ocean Sciences 

## Directorate for Biological Sciences; Division of Environmental Biology

> ***deadline date: July 1, 1999***
>
> ![](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:** Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) in Land/Ocean
Margin Ecosystems

**Short Description/Synopsis of Program:**

To enhance the scope and disciplinary breadth of the Long-Term
Ecological Research (LTER) Network, the National Science Foundation
(NSF) announces a competition for up to three (3) new LTER sites that
focus on ecological systems at the interfaces of land masses and coastal
oceans (including the Laurentian Great Lakes), hereafter referred to as
land/ocean-margin ecosystems. Estuaries, coastal wetlands, and coastal
reefs and their associated terrestrial and freshwater environments are
examples of land/ocean-margin ecosystems.

**Cognizant Program Officer(s):** Phillip Taylor, Division of Ocean
Sciences; (703) 306-1587; <prtaylor@nsf.gov> and Scott Collins, Division
of Environmental Biology; (703) 306-1479; scollins@nsf.gov

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

> 47.050 -- Geosciences
>
> 47.074 -- Biological Sciences

**Eligibility**

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

# Proposals may be submitted by universities in support of individual investigators or small groups. Collaborative proposals [will not]{.underline} be accepted. Each project must be managed by a single institution with other institutions involved via subcontracts. Proposals that subcontract with other researchers and facilities of other countries or international groups are welcome, provided support is requested only for the U.S. portion of the cooperative effort.

-   PI eligibility limitations: **None**

Limitation on the number of proposals that may be submitted by an
organization: **None**

######### award information

-   Type of award anticipated: **Continuing Grant**

-   Number of awards anticipated in FY 99: **up to three** **awards**

-   Amount of funds available: **\$700,000 per year, per award (up to
    six years)**

-   Anticipated date of award: **January 1, 2000**

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

-   **Proposal Preparation Instructions**

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Letter of Intent requirements: **None**

-   Preproposal requirements: **None**

-   Proposal preparation instructions: **Standard NSF Grant Proposal
    Guide instructions plus supplementary guidance (see Proposal
    Preparation Instructions)**

-   Supplemental proposal preparation instructions: **None**

-   Deviations from standard (GPG) proposal preparation instructions:
    **See Proposal Preparation Instructions**

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   **Budgetary Information**

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Cost sharing/matching requirements:

**Any proposed cost sharing must be shown on line M on the proposal
budget (NSF Form 1030.)**

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

-   Other budgetary limitations: **None**

######### FastLane Requirements 

-   FastLane proposal preparation requirements: **FastLane submission is
    strongly encouraged**

-   FastLane point of contact: **Dr. Phillip Taylor, Division of Ocean
    Sciences; (703) 306-1587 (prtaylor@nsf.gov); or Dr. Scott Collins,
    Division of Environmental Biology; (703) 306-1479
    (**<scollins@nsf.gov)>.

######### Deadline/Target Dates 

-   Full Proposal Deadline **5:00 PM, ET, July 1, 1999 (paper)**

> **5:00 PM local time, July 1, 1999 (FastLane)**

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

-   Merit Review Criteria: **Standard National Science Board approved
    criteria plus supplementary criteria**

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

-   Grant Award Conditions: **GC-1 or FDP III**

-   Special grant conditions anticipated: **None anticipated**

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Special reporting requirements anticipated: **None**

**INTRODUCTION**

To enhance the scope and disciplinary breadth of the Long-Term
Ecological Research (LTER) Network, the National Science Foundation
(NSF) announces a competition for up to three (3) new LTER sites that
focus on **ecological systems at the interfaces of land masses and
coastal oceans** (including the Laurentian Great Lakes), hereafter
referred to as **land/ocean-margin ecosystems**. Estuaries, coastal
wetlands, and coastal reefs and their associated terrestrial and
freshwater environments are examples of land/ocean-margin ecosystems.

With an initial set of six sites selected in 1980, the National Science
Foundation established the Long-Term Ecological Research Program to
conduct research on long-term ecological phenomena. The present total of
21 sites represents a broad array of ecosystems and research emphases.

Very few of the existing sites explicitly focus on land/ocean-margin
ecosystems. Coastal areas are sites of intense human activity and rapid
population growth. Many research questions in land/ocean-margin
ecosystems require highly integrative analyses conducted over long time
frames and broad spatial scales.

This competition for land/ocean-margin LTER sites is a collaborative
effort between the Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE) in the Directorate
for Geosciences (GEO) and the Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) in
the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO).

The research proposed in response to this announcement should emphasize
major ecological questions on the linkages between terrestrial and
coastal ecosystems. The work should seek to understand the causes of
major ecological and environmental changes that influence
land/ocean-margin environments, and how the populations, communities,
and ecosystems of the land/ocean-margin environment respond to these
changes. In order to achieve major advances in understanding these
land/ocean-margin systems, the following elements are encouraged:

\-\-- interdisciplinary research coordinated among investigators,

\-\-- experimental studies across a range of appropriate spatial and
temporal scales,

\-\-- development of conceptual, analytical and numerical models to
guide the research and data management activities to facilitate
comparisons with research in other systems, and

\-\-- comparative approaches comprising parallel studies in different
ecosystems.

Proposals submitted to this competition must explicitly investigate the
linkages between terrestrial and coastal ecosystems, and must support
the general mission of the LTER Network as outlined below. Because this
is a collaboration between two NSF Divisions, it is expected that the
research proposed will significantly serve the purviews of both
Divisions.

### Program Description

The LTER Network is a collaborative effort among over 900 scientists and
students which extends the opportunities and capabilities of the
individual sites to promote synthesis and comparative research across
sites. The Network is managed by an Executive Committee and a larger
Coordinating Committee comprised of representatives of the LTER sites.
The LTER Network Office supports, facilitates, and enhances the research
and creative activities developed by the LTER Network. In addition, the
LTER Network Office plays a leadership role in developing and
implementing data and information management standards and protocols for
the LTER Network, as well as for the broader community of environmental
scientists. Additional information about the LTER Network and the LTER
Network Office can be obtained from the LTER homepage on the world wide
web at http://lternet.edu.

Prospective investigators are strongly urged to contact current LTER
Principal Investigators to learn more about the structure, management
and expectations of an LTER site. Additional information and advice
regarding LTER proposals and the integration of new sites into the LTER
Network can be found at http://lternet.edu/propinfo.

An International LTER (ILTER) Network has been developed recently, with
the help of the LTER Network Office. The purpose of the ILTER is to
encourage the development of a world-wide network of long-term research
sites. Proposals for land/ocean-margin LTER sites may also consider the
potential for developing international collaboration in conjunction with
ILTER. Information on ILTER can be found at http://www.ilternet.edu/ .

In developing proposals and planning the research for LTERs in
land/ocean-margin ecosystems, potential LTER project groups are expected
to demonstrate that they can provide the scientific and organizational
coordination of their projects with ongoing research at the 21 existing
sites, and, where appropriate, with international sites, as well.
Research questions, analytical methods, information management, and data
accessibility protocols are all important areas for planned
coordination. An LTER proposal may be submitted for a site with ongoing
research or for a site which would require an entirely new effort. It
should be noted, however, that in previous competitions the existence of
major, relevant long-term data bases for a site was viewed positively by
peer reviewers. In addition, the Principal Investigator(s) will be
expected to make a long-term time commitment to the proposed project,
and to participate in relevant LTER Coordinating and Executive Committee
activities. In general, LTER investigators are expected to contribute to
network-level, cross-site and synthesis activities, and to adhere to
LTER Network data management policies (see the LTER homepage on the
world wide web at http://lternet.edu).

Use of existing federal and state facilities, and collaboration with
other long-term research sites or programs, both national and
international, is encouraged. Applicants are encouraged, but not
required, to consider research sites within existing national research
reserve systems. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) supports 21 field laboratory sites throughout the coastal U.S.
(including the Great Lakes) as part of the National Estuarine Research
Reserve System (NERRS), and 13 National Marine Sanctuary (NMS) sites
that are located in a number of diverse marine habitats. Many of these
sites have extensive long-term data sets and support facilities. For
specific information concerning NOAA\'s NERRS and NMS sites, please
contact Dr. Donald Scavia at (301) 713-3060.

#### eligibility

Proposals may be submitted by universities in support of individual
investigators or small groups. Synergistic collaboration among
researchers and collaboration or partnerships with industry or
government laboratories is encouraged when appropriate. Only one
proposal may be submitted by a Principal Investigator and he/she may
collaborate in one other proposal as a co-Investigator. Group and
collaborative proposals involving more than one institution must be
submitted as a single administrative package from one of the
institutions involved. Due to the limited availability of funds,
prospective applicants are strongly urged to contact one of the program
officers listed at the end of this document for guidance.

#### award information

NSF expects to fund up to 3 continuing grant awards depending on the
quality of submissions and the availability of funds. Approximately
\$2,100,000 will be available for this initiative in FY 2000.
Anticipated date of awards: January 2000.

#### 

#### PROPOSAL CONTENT

To date, the general mission of the LTER Network has been to (1)
understand ecological phenomena which occur over long temporal and broad
spatial scales, (2) create a legacy of well-designed and documented
ecological experiments, (3) conduct major syntheses and theoretical
efforts, and (4) provide information necessary for the identification
and solution of environmental problems. LTER research should be
developed around a site-specific conceptual framework that generates
questions requiring experiments and observations over long time frames
and broad spatial scales. The conceptual frameworks of the existing LTER
sites are broadly focused around five core areas:

\- pattern and control of primary production,

\- spatial and temporal distribution of populations selected to
represent trophic structure,

\- pattern and control of organic matter accumulation in surface soils
and sediments,

\- patterns of inorganic inputs and movements of nutrients through
soils, and waters, and

\- patterns, frequency, and effects of disturbance to the research site.

The five core areas help to focus and integrate LTER research within and
across sites. These core areas are broadly defined and must be
incorporated into the research to be conducted in land/ocean-margin
ecosystems. In addition to the traditional LTER core areas, research at
land/ocean-margin LTER sites will:

\- increase the understanding of the organization and function of
land/ocean-margin ecosystems,

\- investigate the linkages between these systems and adjacent
terrestrial and marine systems, and

\- increase the understanding of major natural and anthropogenic
environmental perturbations in these regions.

#### 

#### proposal preparation & submission Instructions

##### A. [Proposal Preparation Instructions.]{.underline}

Proposals submitted in response to this program announcement should be
prepared and submitted in accordance with the general guidelines
contained in the *Grant Proposal Guide* (GPG), NSF 99-2. The complete
text of the GPG (including electronic forms) is available electronically
on the NSF Web site at: \<http://www.nsf.gov/\>. 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. Please note that the page
limits contained in this announcement take precedence over those given
in the GPG.

Proposers are reminded to identify the program announcement number (NSF
99-89) 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.

Proposals should be clearly identified by a title starting with the
acronym, "LTER:," and the following should be placed on the cover sheet
(NSF Form 1207) in the box for the NSF Organizational Unit, "**LTER, NSF
99-89**." Proposals must be limited strictly to [25 single spaced
pages]{.underline} for the body of the research narrative, including
results from prior NSF support, figures and tables (i.e., introduction,
literature review, hypotheses, methods, data analysis, and logistics).
The proposal text should be single-spaced with a 12-point font (or
larger) and one inch (2.4cm) margins on all sides. Proposal originals
should be printed on one side of the page only, bound only in the upper
left corner, and numbered at the bottom of each page. Number each page
of each section in the following format: 1-1, 1-2, \..., 1-5; 2-1, 2-2,
\..., 2-25; 3-1, etc. Copies may be double-sided.

Proposals should include explicit plans for the documentation,
archiving, and dissemination of research data. All funded participants
must adhere to the data management policies applying to recipients of
federal funding from OCE and DEB, as well as the LTER Network policies
(see the LTER homepage on the world wide web at
[http://lternet.edu](http://lternet.edu/)). Proposals should be prepared
in the following format:

**Section 1.** Results from prior NSF support (as per *Grant Proposal
Guide* (GPG, NSF 99-2) A maximum of 5 pages of text may be used for this
section.

**Section 2.** Develop and explain the conceptual framework that
provides the unifying theme for the proposed land/ocean-margin LTER
research. Describe in some detail the long-term experiments, sampling
protocols, and monitoring to be done, and explain how they fit into your
conceptual framework. Describe the methods and data analyses so that the
quality of these long-term efforts can be critically evaluated by
reviewers. In addition, describe any short-term, mechanistic
experiments, empirical studies, sampling programs, modeling efforts,
etc., that will be conducted. Again, describe the methods and planned
analyses in detail and explain how these short-term studies fit into the
conceptual framework. Also, relate these efforts to the proposed
long-term studies. Close this section with a synthesis that ties
together the proposed research activities.

Overall, an LTER site should be conducting hypothesis-driven, long-term
research coupled with short-term mechanistic studies to derive
understanding of long-term dynamics. Modeling efforts are important, and
should be discussed in detail where appropriate. A maximum of 20 pages
may be used for this section, including text, figures and tables.

**Section 3.** Literature Cited in Sections 1 & 2.

**Section 4.** Describe the research management plan for the proposed
site. Specifically, describe how funding, research, and participation
decisions will be made and implemented. This section may have up to two
pages of text.

**Section 5.** One of the real strengths of the LTER network is the
quality of and emphasis on, information management and metadata
standards. It is expected that data derived from LTER funding will be
made freely and widely available as soon as possible (not to exceed 2
years after collection), although exceptions are made for some types of
data. Describe the proposed information management system and metadata
standards to be used at your site. How will the data management activity
be implemented in the design of research projects? What mechanisms will
you employ to assure that researchers contribute their data to the LTER
databases? What criteria, if any, will be used to limit or provide other
researchers access to data sets? How often will data sets be updated on
the World Wide Web? Use up to two pages of text for this section.

**Section 6.** Budget pages (NSF Form 1030) and detailed budget
description.

**Section 7.** Provide a one page curriculum vitae (CV) for each core
scientist, and for key international participants, if relevant. List
only FIVE publications per investigator on their CV. Also, provide an
alphabetical list of all scientific collaborators and a list of
conflicts of interest for the PIs and other LTER participants whose CVs'
appear in the proposal rather than listing these separately on each CV.

**Section 8.** Current and Pending support of each investigator (NSF
Form 1239).

Other than instructions stipulated above, proposals should be prepared
and submitted in accordance with the NSF *Grant Proposal Guide
(GPG**)*** NSF 99-2 and the *Proposal Forms Kit* NSF 99-3 These
documents can be accessed through the NSF Home Page
(http://www.nsf.gov/) or you may request hard copies at no cost from:

NSF Clearinghouse

P.O. Box 218

Jessup, MD 20794-0218

TEL: 301-947-2722

e-mail: pubs@nsf.gov

Proposers requiring the use of a UNOLS ship or submersible must submit a
ship request form to NSF's Division of Ocean Sciences as well as the
UNOLS office and the operator of any requested ship or ships. Electronic
ship request forms are available on the UNOLS Home Page
(<http://www.gso.uri.edu/unols/experiments.html)>. Printed copies of the
form may be obtained from NSF Division of Ocean Sciences or the UNOLS
Office (tel: 401-874-6825; email: unols@gsosun1.gso.uri.edu).

##### Budgetary Information

##### 

##### [Cost Sharing Requirements.]{.underline}

It is expected from the outset that all projects will seek and document
significant extramural funding from sources other than NSF and the home
institutions of the investigators. Any proposed cost sharing must be
shown on line M on the proposal budget (NSF Form 1030.)

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.

##### 

##### C. [Proposal Due Dates.]{.underline}

Proposals will be subjected to initial screening for the requirements in
the *GPG* and will be returned without review or advance notification if
deficiencies are found. Proposals will NOT be forwarded to other
programs if found to be inappropriate for this competition. Proposals
submitted in response to this announcement must be received at NSF no
later than close of business on 1 July 1999. Proposal submission by
FastLane is **strongly** encouraged.

LTER should be referenced in the upper left corner of the proposal cover
sheet as the NSF organizational unit. The solicitation number is NSF
**99-89**. An original and 20 copies of the proposals should be sent to:

Dr. Phillip R. Taylor

Division of Ocean Sciences

National Science Foundation

4201 Wilson Boulevard

Arlington, VA 22230

Mark the package "Do not open in Mail Room."

For paper submission of proposals, the paper copies of the proposal
**MUST** be received by 5:00 PM, ET, July 1, 1999. Copies of the
proposal must be made and submitted to NSF according to the normal
procedures for paper proposals identified in the GPG.

For electronic submission of proposals, the proposal **MUST** be
submitted by 5:00 PM, local time, July 1, 1999. Copies of the signed
proposal cover sheet must be submitted in accordance with the
instructions identified below.

*Submission of Signed Cover Sheets.* For proposals submitted
electronically via FastLane, the signed proposal Cover Sheet (NSF Form
1207) should be forwarded to the following address and received by NSF
within five (5) working days of submission. Cover sheets should be sent
directly to:

Dr. Phillip R. Taylor

Division of Ocean Sciences

National Science Foundation

4201 Wilson Blvd.

Arlington, VA 22230

A proposal may not be processed until the complete proposal (including
signed Cover Sheet) has been received by NSF.

###### D. [FastLane Requirements.]{.underline}

The NSF FastLane system is available for electronic preparation and
submission of a proposal through the Web at the FastLane Web site at
\<http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov\>. The Sponsored Research Office (SRO or
equivalent) must provide a FastLane Personal Identification Number (PIN)
to each Principal Investigator (PI) to gain access to the FastLane
\"Proposal Preparation\" application. PIs that have not submitted a
proposal to NSF in the past must contact their SRO to be added to the
NSF PI database. This should be done as soon as the decision to prepare
a proposal is made.

In order to use NSF FastLane to prepare and submit a proposal, the
following are required:

Browser (must support multiple buttons and file upload)

-   Netscape 3.0 or greater

-   Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or greater

PDF Reader (needed to view/print forms)

-   Adobe Reader 3.0 or greater

PDF Generator (needed to create project description)

-   Adobe Acrobat 3.01 or greater

-   Aladdin Ghostscript 5.10 or greater

A list of registered institutions and the FastLane registration form are
located on the FastLane Web page.

For paper submission of proposals, the delivery address **must clearly
identify the NSF announcement or solicitation number** under which the
proposal is being submitted.

#### PROPOSAL REVIEW INFORMATION

A.  **[Merit Review Criteria.]{.underline}**

Reviews of proposals submitted to NSF are solicited from peers with
expertise in the substantive area of the proposed research or 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 proposer. Special efforts are made to recruit
reviewers from non-academic institutions, minority serving institutions,
adjacent disciplines to that principally addressed in the proposal, etc.

Proposals will be reviewed against the following 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 proposal. Each reviewer will be asked to address only those that
are relevant to the 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?

**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. PIs should address this issue in
their proposal to provide reviewers with the information necessary to
respond fully to both NSF merit review criteria. NSF staff will give it
careful consideration in making funding decisions.

**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 \-- are 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. PIs should address this issue in their proposal to provide
reviewers with the information necessary to respond fully to both NSF
merit review criteria. NSF staff will give it careful consideration in
making funding decisions.

In addition to these generic review criteria, an additional criterion in
the evaluation process for this competition will be the potential
interdisciplinary synergism among the various research components. For
this reason, the ways in which the various projects proposed will be
divided and coordinated among the different researchers needs to be
carefully thought out and described.

**B. [Merit Review Process.]{.underline}**

Most of the proposals submitted to NSF are reviewed by mail review,
panel review, or some combination of mail and panel review.

All proposals are carefully reviewed by at least three other persons
outside NSF who are experts in the particular field represented by the
proposal. Reviewers will be asked to formulate a recommendation to
either support or decline each proposal. A program officer assigned to
manage the proposal's review will consider the advice of reviewers and
will formulate a recommendation. In most cases, proposers will be
contacted by the program officer after his or her recommendation to
award or decline funding has been approved by his or her supervisor, the
division director. This informal notification is not a guarantee of an
eventual award. NSF will be able to tell applicants whether their
proposals have been declined or recommended for funding within six
months for 95 percent of proposals in this category. The time interval
begins on the proposal deadline or target date or from the date of
receipt, if deadlines or target dates are not used by the program. The
interval ends when the division director accepts the program officer's
recommendation.

In all cases, after final programmatic approval has been obtained, award
recommendations are then forwarded to the Division of Grants and
Agreements for review of business, financial and policy implications and
the processing and issuance of a grant or other 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 grant or cooperative agreement signed by
the NSF Grants Officer does so at its own risk.

# 

# 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 automatically 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. 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/\>. 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, Washington, DC 20402. The GPM may be ordered through
the GPO Web site at: \<http://www.gpo.gov\>.

**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 a new electronic project reporting system, available
through FastLane, which 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. Reports will continue to
be required annually and after the expiration of the grant, but PIs will
not need to re-enter information previously provided, either with the
proposal or in earlier updates using the electronic system.

Effective October 1, 1998, PIs are required to use the new reporting
format for annual and final project reports. PIs are strongly encouraged
to submit reports electronically via FastLane. For those PIs who cannot
access FastLane, paper copies of the new report formats may be obtained
from the NSF Clearinghouse as specified above. NSF expects to require
electronic submission of all annual and final project reports via
FastLane beginning in October, 1999.

**D. [New Awardee Information.]{.underline}**

If the submitting organization has never received an NSF award, it is
recommended that the organization's appropriate administrative officials
become familiar with the policies and procedures in the NSF *Grant
Policy Manual* which are applicable to most NSF awards. The "Prospective
New Awardee Guide" (NSF 97-100) includes information on: Administration
and Management Information; Accounting System Requirements and Auditing
Information; and Payments to Organizations with Awards. This information
will assist an organization in preparing documents that NSF requires to
conduct administrative and financial reviews of an organization. The
guide also serves as a means of highlighting the accountability
requirements associated with Federal awards. This document is available
electronically on NSF's Web site at:
\<<http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf97100>\>.

#### 

#### Contacts for Additional Information

#### general inquiries regarding the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) in Land/Ocean Margin Ecosystems Competition should be made to: Dr. Phillip Taylor, Program Director, Division of Ocean Sciences, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA 22230, (703) 306-1580, <prtaylor@nsf.gov;> or Dr. Scott Collins, Program Director, Division of Environmental Biology, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA 22230, (703) 306-1479, <scollins@nsf.gov>.

**OTHER PROGRAMS OF INTEREST**

The NSF Guide to Programs is a compilation of funding opportunities 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.
Beginning in fiscal year 1999, the NSF Guide to Programs will only be
available electronically, at \<http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?gp\>.
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 E-Bulletin,
available electronically on the NSF Web site at:
\<http://www.nsf.gov/home/ebulletin/\>. The direct URL for recent issues
of the Bulletin is 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.

**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.

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: Reports Clearance Officer; Information
Dissemination Branch, DAS; National Science Foundation; Arlington, VA
22230.

**YEAR 2000 REMINDER**

In accordance with Important Notice No. 120 dated June 27, 1997,
Subject: Year 2000 Computer Problem, NSF awardees are reminded of their
responsibility to take appropriate actions to ensure that the NSF
activity being supported is not adversely affected by the Year 2000
problem. Potentially affected items include: computer systems,
databases, and equipment. The National Science Foundation should be
notified if an awardee concludes that the Year 2000 will have a
significant impact on its ability to carry out an NSF funded activity.
Information concerning Year 2000 activities can be found on the NSF web
site at http://www.nsf.gov/oirm/y2k/start.htm.

Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) No.: 47.050 --
Geosciences; 47.074 -- Biological Sciences.

OMB No.: 3145-0058

NSF 99-89