February 19, 2016

ANNOUNCEMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (FFO)

Measurement Science and Engineering (MSE) Research Grant Programs

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Federal Agency Name: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 

United States Department of Commerce (DoC)

• Funding Opportunity Title: Measurement Science and Engineering (MSE) 

Research Grant Programs for: 

(1) the Material Measurement Laboratory (MML); 

(2) the Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML); 

(3) the Engineering Laboratory (EL);

(4) Fire Research (FR);

(5) the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL);

(6) the Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL);

(7) the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR); 

(8) the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST);

(9) the Special Programs Office (SPO);

(10) the Standards Coordination Office (SCO);

(11) the International and Academic Affairs Office (IAAO); and

(12) the Associate Director for Laboratory Programs (ADLP). 

• Announcement Type: Initial

• Funding Opportunity Number: 2016-NIST-MSE-01

• Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Numbers: 11.609, 

Measurement and Engineering Research and Standards, 11.619: Arrangements for 

Interdisciplinary Research Infrastructure, and 11.620: Science, Technology, 

Business and/or Education Outreach 

• Dates: Applications will be accepted and considered on a rolling basis as they are 

received. See Section IV.4. in the Full Announcement Text of this FFO. 

When developing your submission timeline, please keep in mind that (1) all 

applicants are required to have a current registration in the System for Award 

Management (SAM.gov); (2) the free annual registration process in the electronic 

System for Award Management (SAM.gov) (see Section IV.3. and Section 

IV.7.a.(2).b. of this FFO) may take between three and five business days, or as long 

as more than two weeks; (3) electronic applicants are required to have a current 

registration in Grants.gov; and (4) applicants will receive a series of e-mail

messages from Grants.gov over a period of up to two business days before learning 
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whether a Federal agency’s electronic system has received its application. Please 

note that a federal assistance award cannot be issued if the designated 

recipient’s registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is not 

current at the time of the award.

• Application Submission Address: See Section IV. in the Full Announcement Text

of this FFO.

• Funding Opportunity Description: NIST is soliciting applications for financial 

assistance for Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16) within the following NIST Laboratory grant 

programs:

(1) the Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) Grant Program; 

(2) the Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) Grant Program; 

(3) the Engineering Laboratory (EL) Grant Program;

(4) the Fire Research (FR) Grant Program;

(5) the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) Grant Program;

(6) the Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) Grant Program; 

(7) the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) Grant Program; 

(8) the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST) Grant 

Program;

(9) the Special Programs Office (SPO) Grant Program;

(10) the Standards Coordination Office (SCO) Grant Program;

(11) the International and Academic Affairs Office (IAAO) Grant Program; and

(12) the Associate Director for Laboratory Programs (ADLP) Grant Program. 

This funding opportunity will result in the award of grants or cooperative agreements. 

A grant or cooperative agreement is not the correct funding vehicle if the principal 

purpose is to provide products or services for the direct benefit or use of the federal 

government. 

• Anticipated Funding Amounts: See Section II. in the Full Announcement Text of 

this FFO.

• Funding Instrument: Grant or cooperative agreement, as appropriate.

• Who is Eligible: Eligibility for all programs listed in this FFO is open to all nonFederal entities. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, Indian 

tribes, hospitals, foreign public entities, and foreign governments. Applicants 

selected for awards under 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1 are encouraged, but not required, to 

select underrepresented minorities for participation. In addition, NIST is not able to 

accept an application from an individual unaffiliated with a sponsoring applicant 

organization.

• Cost Sharing Requirements: The MSE Research Grant Programs do not require 
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cost sharing.

Table of Contents

I. Program Description........................................................................................... 3

II. Federal Award Information............................................................................... 22

III. Eligibility Information........................................................................................ 25

IV. Application and Submission Information........................................................ 25

V. Application Review Information....................................................................... 34

VI. Federal Award Administration Information..................................................... 45

VII. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s).............................................................. 56

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT TEXT

I. Program Description

This funding opportunity will result in the award of grants or cooperative 

agreements. 

 

1. Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) Grant Program

The statutory authority for the MML Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c) and 15 

U.S.C. § 278g-1.

Program Description: The MML Grant Program provides financial assistance to 

support the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research in the 

following fields: materials science and engineering, materials measurement science, 

biosystems and biomaterials, biomolecular measurements, chemical sciences, and 

applied chemicals and materials.

MML supports the NIST mission by serving as the national reference laboratory for 

measurements in the chemical, biological, and material sciences. MML is entrusted 

with developing, maintaining, advancing, and enabling measurement systems in these 

areas for the nation. MML activities range from fundamental and applied research on 

the composition, structure, and properties of industrial, biological, and environmental 

materials and processes to the development and dissemination of certified reference 

materials, critically evaluated data and other programs that help assure measurement 

quality. MML research and measurement services support areas of national 

importance, such as:

• Advanced materials, from nanomaterials to structural steels to complex fluids;

• Electronics, from semiconductors to organic electronics;
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• Energy, from characterization and performance of fossil and alternative fuels 

to next-generation renewables;

• Environment, from the measurement of automotive exhaust emissions to 

contaminant monitoring to assessment of climate change and the health and 

safety aspects of engineered nanomaterials;

• Food safety and nutrition, from contaminant monitoring to ensuring the 

accuracy of nutritional labels;

• Health care, from clinical diagnostics to tissue engineering and more efficient 

manufacturing of biologic drugs;

• Infrastructure, from the aging of the country’s bridges and pipelines to the 

quality of our drinking water;

• Manufacturing, from lightweight alloys for fuel-efficient automobiles to 

biomanufacturing and data for chemical manufacturing; and

• Safety, security and forensics, from gunshot and explosive residue detection 

to ensuring the performance of body armor materials and DNA-based human 

identity testing.

MML also coordinates the NIST-wide Standard Reference Materials® and Standard 

Reference Data programs, which include production, documentation, inventory, 

marketing, distribution, and customer service.

The research and measurement services provided by MML underpin measurements in 

the chemical, biological, and material sciences and support innovation in both mature 

and emerging industrial sectors. As examples, work to enable reliable and trustworthy 

measurements and data help:

• Physicians make more accurate diagnoses and better monitor the effectiveness 

of new drug therapies;

• Policy makers and regulatory bodies make science-based decisions about 

environmental quality;

• Investigators build cases based on sound DNA and other forensic evidence.

• Trading partners confidently exchange commodities such as foods, fuels, 

materials and structural steel;

• Manufacturers reliably develop and use advanced materials and processes.

• Industry to link the performance of materials with their structure, processing; and 

concepts necessary for the design of products ranging from coatings and 

composites to magnetic devices and sensors.

MML shapes its programs based on national needs. MML’s research base provides 

MML with the flexibility to respond to the country’s priorities and rapid advances in 

science and technology. MML’s success depends upon timely dissemination of its:

• Critically evaluated measurement methods;

• Standard Reference Materials®;

• Standard Reference Data;
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• Publications describing MML’s measurement science and technologies; and

• Training, education, and best practices, of which Recommended Practice Guides 

are one example.

Additional information about the MML and MML Programs may be obtained at 

www.nist.gov/mml. All applications submitted to the MML Grant Program must 

complement or align or accord with the program objectives set forth below. The 

appropriate MML Program Manager for each MML field of research described in this 

Section may be contacted for clarification of the program objectives. The contact 

person for the MML Grant Program is Bill Clark and he may be reached at (303) 497-

3268 or by e-mail at william.clark@nist.gov. 

a. MML Office. Financial support may be provided for conferences, workshops, or 

other technical research meetings that are relevant to the mission of the Material 

Measurement Laboratory. Support is generally provided in increments of $5000. 

The contact person for this office is Bill Clark and he may be reached at (303) 497-

3268 or by e-mail at william.clark@nist.gov.

b. Materials Science and Engineering Division. The primary objective is to 

collaborate or conduct research consistent with division programs that provide the 

measurement science, standards, technology, instrumentation, and data required to 

support the Nation’s need to design, develop, manufacture, and use materials. 

Division programs include measurement methods, data, standards, and science that 

support the development of polymeric materials which minimize environmental 

impacts and reduce stress on natural resources; polymeric materials in energy and 

electronics applications; the development of complex fluids and nanoparticle 

dispersions; thin films and nanostructures processing of metals and electronic 

materials; advanced magnetic materials and devices; the mechanical and corrosion 

properties of advanced materials, such as high strength steel and aluminum alloys, 

under extreme environmental and operating conditions; and the development of 

thermodynamic and kinetic models, measurements and data to predict phase 

transformations, microstructure evolution, and properties of advanced materials. 

The contact person for this division is Eric Lin and he may be reached at (301) 975-

6743 or by email at eric.lin@nist.gov.

c. Materials Measurement Science Division. The primary objective is to collaborate 

or conduct research consistent with division programs in support of measurement 

science, measurement standards, and measurement technology required to enable 

world-leading characterization of materials in support of the nation’s needs for the 

determination of the composition, structure, and properties of materials. The division 

develops state-of-the-art instrumentation, methods, models and software to 

accurately and precisely measure materials over a range of length and time scales. 

The division provides benchmarking and validation of emerging materials analysis 

methods, and disseminates reference materials, standards and scientific data to 

foster innovation and advance a wide range of technologies, such as those for public 

safety, forensics, homeland security and nanomanufacturing. The contact person 
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for this division is John Small and he may be reached at (301) 975-3900 or by email 

at john.small@nist.gov.

d. Biosystems and Biomaterials Division. The primary objective is to collaborate 

with or conduct research consistent with division projects in standards, 

measurement methods, and theoretical models that improve understanding and 

prediction of complex biological processes associated with environmental health, 

human health, and cell-based manufacturing. This includes analytical and 

bioanalytical measurements pertinent to method validation for bioassays, genome 

sequencing, cell identification, and quantitation of biological activity; facilitating 

research to support development of biomaterials with improved performance and 

appropriate interaction with cells and tissue; instrumentation, software, models and 

standards that support the understanding of complex biological phenomena at the 

cellular and subcellular level; and measurement science in bioimaging, proteomics, 

genomics, microfluidics, flow cytometry and informatics that facilitates 

characterization of biological state through the contemporaneous measurement of 

many biomolecules. The contact person for this division is Anne Plant and she may 

be reached at (301) 975-3124 or by e-mail at anne.plant@nist.gov. 

e. Biomolecular Measurement Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with 

or conduct research consistent with the division activities in measurement science, 

standards, technology, and data required to support the nation’s needs in 

determining the composition, structure, quantity, and function of biomolecules. In 

partnership with U.S. industry, government agencies, and scientific institutions, the 

division performs fundamental and applied research on the measurement of 

macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids, as well as peptides, glycans, 

metabolites, lipids, and natural products. Specific areas of interest include 

development of measurement methods, standards, reference data, and technologies 

for applications involving clinical diagnostics for healthcare; characterization, 

development, and manufacturing of biotherapeutics; proteomics, metabolomics, and 

drug discovery; and genetic testing in agriculture, law enforcement, and clinical 

diagnostics. The contact person for this division is Michael Tarlov and he may be 

reached at (301) 975-2058 or by email at michael.tarlov@nist.gov.

f. Chemical Sciences Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or 

conduct research consistent with the division activities in support of the 

measurement science, standards, technology, data and chemical informatics 

required to support the nation’s needs in the determination of chemical composition 

and chemical structure of gases, organic, and inorganic species and in the 

measurement of a wide variety of chemical properties and processes, including 

chemical reactivity and mechanisms, and thermochemical properties. In partnership 

with U.S. industry, government agencies, and academic scientific institutions, the 

division performs fundamental and applied research to advance and create state-ofthe-art chemical measurement capabilities, theory and computational methods for 

quantitative measurements, and sensing of solids, liquids, gases, plasmas, transient 

species, and multicomponent matrices. The division also formulates and 
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disseminates reference materials and measurement standards, and critically 

evaluates reference data. These activities support the chemical science, 

technology, and engineering enterprise with the intent of fostering innovation and 

confidence in measurements and technologies used in a wide range of applications, 

including chemical analysis, environmental and climate assessment, clinical health 

assessment, food and nutritional assessment, sensing, manufacturing, and energy 

transformation. The contact person for this division is Carlos Gonzalez and he may 

be reached at (301) 975-2483 or by e-mail at carlos.gonzalez@nist.gov.

g. Applied Chemicals and Materials Division. The primary objective is to collaborate 

with or conduct research consistent with division programs in the measurement 

science, standards, technology, instrumentation, models and data required to 

support the nation’s needs for design, production, and assessment of chemical and 

material products. In partnership with U.S. industry, other government agencies and 

other scientific institutions, the division provides thermophysical and mechanical 

properties; analysis of reliability and performance of materials and structures; and 

information systems for chemical and materials engineering, with the intent of 

fostering innovation and confidence in the nation’s physical and energy 

infrastructures, enabling advances in chemical manufacturing and in electronics, and 

promoting sustainability. The contact person for this division is Jim Fekete and he 

may be reached at (303) 497-5204 or by e-mail at james.fekete@nist.gov. 

2. Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) Grant Program

The statutory authority for the PML Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c) and 15 

U.S.C. § 278g-1.

Program Description: The PML Grant Program provides financial assistance to 

support the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research

consistent with the PML mission to support research in the broad areas of mechanical 

metrology, semiconductors, ionizing radiation physics, medical physics, biophysics, 

neutron physics, atomic physics, optical technology, optoelectronics, electromagnetics, 

time and frequency, quantum physics, weights and measures, quantum electrical 

metrology, temperature, pressure, flow, far UV physics, and metrology with synchrotron 

radiation. Additional information about the PML and PML Programs may be obtained at 

www.nist.gov/pml.

All applications submitted to the PML Grant Program must be in accordance with the 

program objectives listed below. The appropriate PML Program Manager for each PML 

field of research that follows may be contacted for clarification of the program 

objectives. The contact person for the PML Grant Program is Patrick Hovis and he may 

be reached at (301)-975-4290 or by e-mail at patrick.hovis@nist.gov. 

a. PML Office. Financial support may be provided for conferences, workshops, or 

other technical research meetings that are relevant to the mission of PML. Support 

is generally provided in increments of $5,000 per award. The contact person for this 
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office is Patrick Hovis and he may be reached at (301) 975-4290 or by e-mail at 

patrick.hovis@nist.gov.

b. Office of Weights and Measures. The primary objective is to provide funding for 

the broad areas of documentary standards and legal metrology. Specific objectives 

of interest in this area include: evaluation of the impact of legal metrology on 

commerce, support for specific standards related activities, and the development of 

a national weights and measures training program. Support for legal metrology may

include awards to the states for: purchase of specialized equipment required to 

conduct inspections and tests; purchase of specialized metrology laboratory 

equipment; purchase of software/hardware needed to collect data of inspection 

records/results; and conducting training schools for weights and measures field 

inspectors. Financial support may be provided for conferences, workshops, or other 

technical research meetings that are relevant to the mission and programs of the 

office. The contact person for this office is Carol Hockert and she may be reached 

at (301) 975-5507 or by e-mail at carol.hockert@nist.gov.

c. Radiation Physics Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or conduct 

research consistent with the division’s programs in the areas of terahertz 

measurements, ionizing radiation (x- and gamma-ray) dosimetry, neutron physics, 

and radioactivity measurements supporting the protection of workers and the 

general public, therapy and diagnosis, nuclear medicine and medical imaging, 

radiography, industrial processing, nuclear and alternative energies, national 

defense and security, space science, and environmental protection. The contact 

person for this division is Lisa Karam and she may be reached at 301-975-5561 or 

by e-mail at lisa.karam@nist.gov.

d. Engineering Physics Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or 

conduct research consistent with the division’s programs in the areas of 

dimensional, nanometer-scale, surface, and acoustic pressure metrology; 

accelerometry; silicon Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) 

technology; beyond CMOS future electronics; more than Moore technologies; 

MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS); power electronics; nanoelectronics; and 

flexible/printed electronics. The contact person for this division is David Seiler and 

he may be reached at (301) 975–2054 or by e-mail at david.seiler@nist.gov.

e. Quantum Measurement Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or 

conduct research consistent with division basic and applied research programs,

including precision measurements; mass, force, and electrical metrology; electronic 

instrumentation; measurements of basic atomic properties including new metrology 

techniques in atomic spectroscopy; measuring fundamental quantum processes in 

ultra cold atomic systems including Bose-Einstein condensates and Fermi 

degenerate gases, nanophotonic systems, quantum dots, single electron devices, 

single photon devices, and quantum materials relevant to these system; and 

advancing quantum information science and laser cooling and their broad 

applications to measurement science and measurement beyond the standard 
9

quantum limit. The contact person for this division is Carl Williams and he may be 

reached at (301) 975-3200 or by e-mail at carl.williams@nist.gov.

f. Sensor Science Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or conduct 

research consistent with the division’s programs in temperature, humidity, pressure, 

vacuum, flow, optical properties, and optical radiation measurement and standards 

and their application to addressing national needs. The contact person for this 

division is Gerald Fraser and he may be reached at (301) 975-3797 or by e-mail at 

gerald.fraser@nist.gov.

g. Applied Physics Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or conduct 

research consistent with the division’s programs in areas including laser metrology, 

superconducting sensor array fabrication and application, quantum information and 

computing, single photonics, medical imaging, fiber and free-space communication, 

radio-frequency and microwave technology, greenhouse gas monitoring, terahertz 

imaging and metrology, laser applications, and compound semiconductor 

nanophotonics. The contact person for this division is Marla Dowell and she may be 

reached at (303) 497–7455 or by e-mail at marla.dowell@nist.gov.

h. Quantum Electromagnetics Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with 

or conduct research consistent with the division’s programs in areas including 

quantum sensors, superconductive electronics, molecular and bio-photonics, 

quantum information processing, spin electronics, nanoscale magnetodynamics, and 

related microfabrication. The contact person for this division is Robert Hickernell 

and he may be reached at (303) 497-3455 or by e-mail at robert.hickernell@nist.gov.

i. Time and Frequency Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or 

conduct research consistent with the division’s basic and applied research programs 

in the areas of time and frequency standards, phase noise measurements, network 

synchronization, ion storage, quantum information, atomic standards and optical 

frequency measurements in support of future standards, chip-scale atomic clocks, 

magnetometers, and related devices, time and frequency dissemination services, 

and time and frequency applications such as navigational systems and 

telecommunications. The contact person for this division is Thomas R. O’Brian and 

he may be reached at (303) 497-4570 or by e-mail at thomas.obrian@nist.gov.

j. Quantum Physics Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or conduct 

research consistent with the division’s basic and applied research programs in the 

areas of quantum degenerate gases, ultrafast phenomena, femtosecond laser 

frequency comb development and applications, precision quantum measurements, 

chemical physics, nanotechnology, and biophysics. The contact person for this 

division is Thomas R. O’Brian and he may be reached at (303) 497-4570 or by email at thomas.obrian@nist.gov.

3. Engineering Laboratory (EL) Grant Program
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The statutory authorities for the EL Grant Program are 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c), 15 

U.S.C. § 278g-1, 15 U.S.C. § 278n-1, 15 U.S.C. § 278n-2, 42 U.S.C. § 7701 et seq., 42 

U.S.C. § 15701 et seq., and section 1305 of the Energy Independence and Security Act

of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-140).

Program Description: The EL Grant Program provides financial assistance to support 

the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research consistent with 

the EL’s mission to support research in the following fields: advanced manufacturing;

additive manufacturing; robotics; intelligent systems and information systems integration 

for applications in manufacturing; structures; inorganic materials; polymeric materials; 

heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC & R) equipment 

performance; mechanical systems and controls; heat transfer and alternative energy 

systems; computer integrated building processes; indoor air quality and ventilation;

cyber-physical systems; smart grid; windstorm impact reduction; applied economics; 

and fire research. Financial support may be provided for conferences, workshops, or 

other technical research meetings that are relevant to the mission of EL. Additional 

information about the EL and EL Programs may be obtained at www.nist.gov/el.

The EL Grant Program promotes the development and dissemination of advanced 

manufacturing and construction technologies, guidelines, and services to the U.S. 

manufacturing and construction industries through activities including measurement 

science research, performance metrics, tools and methodologies for engineering 

applications, and critical technical contributions to standards and codes development.

All applications submitted must be in accordance with the program objectives listed 

below. The appropriate EL Program Manager for each EL field of research described in 

this Section may be contacted for clarification of the program objectives. The contact

person for the EL Grant Program is Millie Glick and she may be reached at 301-975-

5962 or by e-mail at millie.glick@nist.gov.

 

a. Applied Economics Office. The primary objective is to provide standardized 

methods, economic models, training programs and materials and expert technical 

consulting in support of resource allocation decisions and uses techniques such as 

benefit-cost analysis, life-cycle costing, multi-criteria decision analysis and 

econometrics to evaluate new technologies. The contact person for this division is 

Robert Chapman and he may be reached at (301) 975-2723 or by email at 

robert.chapman@nist.gov.

b. Smart Grid and Cyber-Physical Systems Program Office. The primary objective 

is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness in areas of critical 

national priority by anticipating and meeting the measurement science and 

standards needs for cyber-physical systems, such as smart grid, in ways that 

enhance economic prosperity and improve the quality of life. The contact person is 

David Wollman and he may be reached at (301) 975-2433 or by email at 

david.wollman@nist.gov.
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c. Materials and Structural Systems Division. The primary objective is to collaborate 

with or conduct research consistent with the division’s programs in the area of

construction materials and infrastructural systems (including safety, security, and 

sustainability of building and physical infrastructure, service-life performance of 

engineered materials and nanomaterials, and construction cycle time reductions). In 

particular, applications for financial assistance are sought that would address the 

following specific subject area:

• Polymeric Materials: Provide the measurement science needed to support 

standards used to classify and specify materials used in infrastructure, 

construction, and manufacturing to ensure sustainable performance. This 

materials program approaches the solution of this problem from the perspective 

of service life prediction, a crucial sustainability metric, and applies this concept 

to multifunctional polymers and nano-composites. These two material thrusts will 

support the development of measurement science composed of a combination of 

characterization, performance measurement, accelerated durability tests, and 

modeling to develop standards that will be used by industry and specified by endusers in these broad application areas to enable service life prediction and thus 

help to ensure sustainable materials performance.

The contact person for this division is Jason Averill and he may be reached at (301) 

975-2585 or by email at jason.averill@nist.gov. 

d. Energy and Environment Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or 

conduct research consistent with the laboratory programs in areas related to 

measurement science needed to enable Net Zero Energy High Performance Green 

Buildings. The breadth of this area includes measurement science associated with 

the building envelope, HVAC equipment, renewable energy systems, building 

controls/building automation systems, and strategies to achieve acceptable indoor 

air quality. In particular, applications for financial assistance are sought that would:

(1) Provide measurement science for net-zero energy, high-performance 

buildings. Measurement systems, approaches, and predictive models are 

required that can help to enable net-zero energy, high-performance buildings. A 

primary objective is to develop measurement methods and approaches, data, 

and predictive models to assess the effectiveness of building enclosures from a 

thermal and airtightness perspective, the performance of indoor space 

conditioning systems, the performance of photovoltaics and other renewable 

energy systems, and indoor air quality. Additionally, an objective is to develop 

techniques to assess buildings on a whole-building scale. These techniques 

could involve standards, system interactions, and factors beyond energy use. 

The contact person is William Healy and he may be reached at (301) 975-4922 

or by email at william.healy@nist.gov.

(2) Enable energy-use reduction through embedded intelligence in building 

controls. Next-generation metrics and tools are needed that enable the 
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development and deployment of building automation and control systems with 

embedded intelligence that reduce energy consumption through improvements to 

building system operation. A primary objective is to develop measurement 

methods, models, and algorithms/tools suitable for embedding in building control 

system products that enable better or more automated system commissioning, 

automated fault detection and diagnostics, improved system-level optimization, 

and integration of building systems with a smart electrical grid. Additionally, an 

objective is to conduct research that provides a basis for new industry standards 

for embedded intelligence systems. The contact person is Steven Bushby and he 

may be reached at (301) 975-5873 or by email at steven.bushby@nist.gov.

(3) Develop metrics/tools for building sustainability evaluation. Nextgeneration metrics and tools enabling rigorous sustainability assessment over 

the building service life are needed to link sustainable building technology 

innovation to environmental/economic benefits. A primary objective is the 

development of databases and/or models for estimating component and system 

costs for existing and emerging energy-related technologies in new buildings. 

Additionally, an objective is to develop techniques for performing life-cycle impact 

assessments of emerging technologies for achieving low energy and/or net zero 

energy performance in new buildings. The contact person is Robert Chapman 

and he may be reached at (301) 975-2723 or by email at 

robert.chapman@nist.gov.

e. Systems Integration Division. Measurement science and standards are important 

to facilitate smart manufacturing solutions to systems integration problems. A 

primary objective is the development of mathematically sound, model-based, 

integration standards and new science-based methods and tools for validating 

compliance to those standards. Topical areas supporting this objective include 

system architectures; systems engineering; production network integration; servicebased manufacturing; distributed manufacturing simulation; methods and tools for 

assessing material and energy efficiency; data analytics; uncertainty quantification; 

systems assurance methods and tools; model-based engineering, including multiphysics modeling, process modeling, requirements modeling, information modeling, 

material modeling, assembly modeling, sustainability modeling, and model 

composability and compositionality. The contact person is Vijay Srinivasan and he 

may be reached at (301) 975-3508 or by e-mail at vijay.srinivasan@nist.gov.

f. Intelligent Systems Division. The primary objective is to collaborate with or 

conduct research consistent with Division programs and research in measurement 

science for intelligent systems. Areas of particular interest include:

(1) Robotic systems for smart manufacturing (including measurement science for 

perception, dexterous manipulation, mobility, human-robot and robot-robot 

collaboration, agility, and robot system integration);

(2) Additive manufacturing (including characterization of additive manufacturing;

materials, modeling and real-time control of additive manufacturing processes, 
13

and measurement science supporting the qualification of additive manufacturing 

materials, processes, and parts);

(3) Sensing, prognostics, health management, and control for smart manufacturing;

(4) Industrial wireless networking;

(5) Industrial control system cybersecurity; and

(6) Emergency response robot performance metrics and standards.

 Additional information regarding Intelligent Systems Division research programs and 

projects can be found at www.nist.gov/el/isd. The contact person for this division is 

Albert Wavering and he may be reached at (301) 975-3418 or by e-mail at 

albert.wavering@nist.gov. 

g. National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. The primary objective is to 

collaborate with or conduct research consistent with the laboratory programs in the 

areas of windstorm and coastal inundation impact reduction (including engineering 

for extreme winds, storm surge, and tsunami). The contact person is Marc Levitan 

who can be reached at 301-975-5340 or marc.levitan@nist.gov.

h. Disaster and Failure Studies Program. The primary objective is to collaborate 

with or conduct research consistent with the laboratory programs in the areas of 

disaster and failure studies. The contact person is Long Phan who can be reached 

at 301-975-6077 or long.phan@nist.gov. More information about the Disaster and 

Failure Studies Program can be found at 

http://www.nist.gov/el/disasterstudies/index.cfm. 

4. Fire Research (FR) Grant Program

The statutory authority for the FR Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b)(4), 15 U.S.C. § 

278f, 15 U.S.C. §278g-1 and 15 U.S.C. § 278n-1.

Program Description: The FR Grant Program provides financial assistance to support 

the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research in areas of 

current interest to the Fire Research Division. The Fire Research Division develops, 

verifies, and utilizes measurements and predictive methods to quantify the behavior of 

fire and means to reduce the impact of fire on people, property, and the environment. 

This work involves integration of laboratory measurements, verified methods of 

prediction, and large-scale fire experiments to demonstrate the use and value of the 

research products. Details on current Division research activities are available at 

http://www.nist.gov/el/fire_research/index.cfm. Also, NIST SP 1130 “Reducing the Risk 

of Fire in Buildings and Communities: A Strategic Roadmap to Guide and Prioritize 

Research” provides an overview of current research interests 

http://www.nist.gov/manuscript-publication-search.cfm?pub_id=909653. The contact 

person for the FR Grant Program is Millie Glick and she may be reached at 301-975-

5962 or by e-mail at millie.glick@nist.gov. 

All applications submitted must be in accordance with the program objectives listed 
14

below. The appropriate FR Program Manager for each FR field of research described 

in this Section may be contacted for clarification of the program objectives.

a. Fire Fighting Technology Group. Develops, advances, and deploys measurement 

science to improve fire fighting safety and effectiveness, and provide a sciencebased understanding of fire phenomena. Carries out mission-related measurement 

science research and services to advance fire fighting tactics, technology integration 

into fire-fighting equipment, physics-based training tools that predict fire phenomena 

and their effects on structures and occupants, fire forensics, and conducts disaster 

and failure studies to reduce the risk of fire hazard to buildings and fire fighters. The 

contact person for this group is Jiann Yang and he may be reached at (301) 975-

6662 or by e-mail at jiann.yang@nist.gov..

b. Engineered Fire Safety Group. Develops, advances, and deploys measurement 

science for cost-effective fire protection of structures. Carries out mission-related 

measurement science research and services to predict the fire performance of 

structures with respect to ignition fire growth and spread, detection, suppression, 

toxicity, and egress; develop cost-effective performance-based codes, standards, 

and practices used for fire prevention and control; and conduct disaster and failure 

studies to reduce the risk of fire hazard to buildings and occupants. The contact 

person for this group is Tom Cleary and he may be reached at (301) 975-6858 or by 

e-mail at thomas.cleary@nist.gov. 

c. Flammability Reduction Group. Develops, advances, and deploys measurement 

science to reduce the fire hazard of building contents and construction materials. 

Carries out mission-related measurement science research and services to reduce 

material ignition probability, fire growth and spread, and environmental impacts; and 

support development of codes and standards for cost-effective, fire-safe building 

contents and construction materials. The contact person for this group is Rick Davis 

and he may be reached at (301) 975-5901 or by email at rick.davis@nist.gov.

d. Wildland Urban Interface Fire Group. Develops, advances, and deploys 

measurement science to reduce the risk of fire spread in wildland-urban interface 

(WUI) communities. Carries out mission-related measurement science research and 

services to develop risk exposure metrics, predict the spread of fires in WUI 

communities, assess fire performance of structures and communities, mitigate the 

impact of WUI fires on structures and communities, and conduct disaster and failure 

studies to reduce the risk of fire hazard in WUI communities. The contact person for 

this group is Erica Kuligowski and she may be reached at (301) 975-2309 or by 

email at erica.kuligowski@nist.gov.

e. The National Fire Research Laboratory. Develops, advances, and deploys 

measurement science to characterize the real-scale fire behavior of combustibles, 

and the fire performance of structures under realistic fire and structural loading. 

Carries out mission-related measurement science research and services to improve 

the fire performance of communities, structures and building contents; develop 
15

physics-based models that predict fire behavior and structural performance; and 

conduct disaster and failure studies to reduce the risk of fire hazards to structures 

and fire fighters. The contact person for this group is Matthew Bundy and he may be 

reached at (301) 975-6880 or by email at matthew.bundy@nist.gov.

5. Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) Grant Program 

The statutory authority for the ITL Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c), 15 

U.S.C. § 278g-1, and 15 U.S.C. § 278n-1. 

Program Description: The ITL Grant Program provides financial assistance to support 

the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research in the broad 

areas of Advanced Network Technologies, Big Data, Biometrics, Cloud Computing, 

Cyber-Physical Systems, Forensic Science, Information Access, Information 

Processing and Understanding, Cybersecurity, Health Information Technology, Human 

Factors and Usability, Applied and Computational Mathematics, Mathematical 

Foundations of Measurement Science for Information Systems, Metrology Infrastructure 

for Modeling and Simulation, Privacy Engineering, Software Testing, Statistics for 

Metrology and Statistical Methods in Forensic Science. 

Specific objectives of interest in these areas of research include: Internet Inter-Domain 

Routing Robustness; Secure Domain Name System Technologies; Network Anomaly 

Detection / Evaluation; Network Function Virtualization / Software Defined Networking; 

Measurement Science for Complex Networked Information Systems; Advanced 

Distributed Denial of Service Detection and Mitigation Techniques; Next Generation 

Internet Architectures; Systems Interoperability; Uncertainty Quantification for Scientific 

Computing; Quantum Information Theory; Quantum Communications; Scientific 

Visualization; Computational Materials Science; Computational Biology; Systems 

Biology; Image Analysis; Semantics; Medical Device Interoperability; Software 

Assurance for Small Applications and Devices; Data Analytics; Search and Retrieval 

Algorithms; Biometrics for Search, Verification and Clustering of Identity; Human 

Language Technology; Voting Systems Standards; Grid Computing; Service Oriented 

Architecture; Post Quantum Cryptography; Light Weight Cryptography; Mobility and 

Mobile App Security; Secure Distributed Computation; Cryptography and Cryptographic 

Test Methods; Mobile Platform and Application Security; Trusted Ad Hoc Networks; 

Device Identity and Authentication; Cybersecurity Awareness, Training, and Education; 

Security Testing Tools and Metrics; Data Storage, Preservation, Query, Indexing, and 

Access Technology; Secure Communications for Cloud; Identity Management Support 

for Clouds; and Device Mobility among Heterogeneous Networks. Additional 

information about the ITL and ITL Programs may be obtained at www.nist.gov/itl. 

Financial support may be provided for conferences, workshops, or other technical 

research meetings that are relevant to the mission of ITL. All applications submitted to 

the ITL Grant Program must be in accordance with the program objectives listed above. 

The contact person for the ITL Grant Program, who may be contacted for clarification of 

program objectives, is Yolanda Bursie and she may be reached at (301) 975-6738 or by 

e-mail at yolanda.bursie@nist.gov.
16

6. Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) Grant Program

The statutory authority for the CTL Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c), 15 

U.S.C. § 278g-1 and 15 U.S.C. § 278n-1.

Program Description: The CTL Grant Program provides financial assistance to 

support the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research

consistent with the CTL mission in broad areas that support the accelerated 

development, testing, and deployment of advanced communications technologies in 

support of both commercial and government applications including: high-speed 

electronics, wireless systems metrology, antenna and RF capabilities, high-speed and 

high frequency measurement capabilities, advanced optics, quantum communications, 

network design and optimization, network modeling, and public safety network 

communications. 

Additional information about the CTL and CTL Programs may be obtained at 

www.nist.gov/ctl. All applications submitted must be in accordance with the program 

objectives listed below for the CTL Office and the three CTL divisions. The contact 

person for the CTL Grant Program, who may be contacted for clarification of program 

objectives, is Jim Harriman and he may be reached at (303) 497-5312 or by e-mail at 

james.harriman@nist.gov.

a. CTL Office. Financial support may be provided for conferences, workshops, or 

other technical research meetings that are relevant to the mission of CTL, as well 

as the development and deployment of spectrum-efficient and spectrum-sharing 

technologies including support of the National Advanced Spectrum and 

Communications Test Network (NASCTN).

b. Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Division. The PSCR 

concentrates on promoting advanced communications capabilities for a 

nationwide public safety communications broadband network through research, 

development, testing, and evaluation of public safety communications 

technologies. The primary focus areas of the PSCR Division currently include 

but are not limited to the following:

• Researching the capability for mission critical voice functions, currently 

found on Land Mobile Radio (LMR) networks, on LTE broadband networks 

and devices;

• Researching the capability to connect existing LMR networks to LTE 

broadband networks;

• Advanced Location Based Services (LBS) for public safety use;

• Public safety use of data analytics on a broadband LTE network; and

• Enhanced public safety user interfaces for an LTE broadband network.

c. RF Technologies Division. Specific objectives of interest include but are not 
17

limited to researching, developing, promoting, measuring, and deploying 

emerging technologies and standards in fundamental microwave quantities, highspeed microelectronics, electromagnetic compatibility, electromagnetic field 

characterization, antenna metrology, electromagnetic properties of materials, and 

radio-frequency communications systems.

d. Wireless Networks Division. Specific objectives of interest include but are not 

limited to researching, developing, promoting, measuring, and deploying 

emerging technologies and standards that revolutionize how wireless networks 

are operated and used; conducting theoretical and experimental research in 

communication networks, protocols, digital communication systems, and 

components; utilizing analytical and empirical approaches, developing simulation 

models, experimental test beds, and building proof of concept prototypes to 

evaluate new technologies and refine standard specifications for wireless 

networks and systems; and developing metrics and measurement methods to 

assess the performance of wireless systems. 

7. NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) Grant Program 

The statutory authority for the NCNR Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c) and 

15 U.S.C. § 278g-1.

Program Description: The NCNR Grant Program provides financial assistance to 

support the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research

involving neutron scattering and the development of innovative technologies that 

advance the state-of-the-art in neutron research. Financial assistance may be provided 

for conferences, workshops, or other technical research meetings that are relevant to 

the mission of NCNR. Additional information about the NCNR and NCNR Programs 

may be obtained at www.nist.gov/ncnr.

All applications submitted to the NCNR Grant Program must be in accordance with the 

program objectives: to create novel approaches to advance high resolution cold and 

thermal neutron scattering research; to develop new applications of neutron scattering 

to physics, chemistry, and macromolecular and materials research; and to support the 

development of innovative technologies relevant to neutron research, including, for 

example, high resolution two-dimensional neutron detectors, neutron monochromators, 

and neutron focusing and polarizing devices. The contact person for the NCNR Grant 

Program, who may be contacted for clarification of the program objectives, is Dan 

Neumann and he may be reached at (301) 975-5252 or by e-mail at 

dan.neumann@nist.gov.

8. Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST) Grant Program

The statutory authorities for the CNST Grant Program are 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c), 

15 U.S.C. § 278g-1 and 15 U.S.C. § 7501 et seq.
18

The NIST Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology is a national user facility, 

located in Gaithersburg Maryland that provides easy access to advanced 

nanotechnology fabrication and measurement methods to industry, academia, and 

government agencies. 

Program Description: The CNST Grant Program provides financial assistance to 

support the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research in the 

field of nanotechnology specifically aimed at developing essential measurement and 

fabrication methods and technology in support of all phases of nanotechnology 

development, from discovery to production; conducting collaborative research with 

CNST staff scientists and engineers; and supporting researchers visiting CNST to 

conduct such collaborative research. Financial assistance may be provided for 

conferences, workshops, or other technical research meetings, or fellowships that are 

relevant to the mission of the CNST. Applications involving fellowships are intended to 

support scientists and engineers with the education, experience, training, and 

demonstrated record of excellence to effectively pursue and advance the proposed field 

of nanotechnology research. In some cases one or more scientific staff members, 

including undergraduate and/or graduate students, and/or postdoctoral fellows, may be 

stationed at NIST in order to work in collaboration with CNST and other visiting 

scientists.

The primary program objectives of the CNST Grant Program are to develop new 

measurement and fabrication methods and instrumentation that support the 

development of nanotechnology and that will be made available to facility users. Broad 

areas of interest include new methods and instrumentation needed to advance

nanoscience and technology, including nanophotonics; nanofabrication and 

nanomanufacturing; energy transport, storage, and conversion; bionanotechnology 

(including nanoparticle tracking and characterization); and post-CMOS electronics. 

Specific areas of interest include measurement and fabrication methods and 

instrumentation needed by current and future users for atomic-scale characterization 

and manipulation; scanning and transmission electron microscopy; focused ion beams; 

laser-atom manipulation; nanophotonics; nanoplasmonics; optical micro- and 

nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS); nanomagnetic imaging and 

dynamics; nanolithography; nanofabrication process development; directed selfassembly; nanoscale properties of soft matter; nanoscale electronic and ionic transport; 

light-matter interactions, charge and energy transfer processes, catalytic activity, and 

interfacial structure in energy-related devices (including photovoltaics, thermoelectric, 

photoanodes, fuel cells, batteries, supercapacitors, and field emitters); nanobiosensors; 

nanofluidics; nanomedicine; and theory, modeling, and simulation of nanostructures. 

Additional objectives of this program are to assist and train CNST collaborators and 

users in their research; and to conduct other outreach and educational activities that 

advance the development of nanotechnology by U.S. academic and industrial scientists. 

These objectives will entail collaborative research between the selected financial 

assistance recipients and the CNST technical staff. Additional information about CNST 

may be obtained at www.nist.gov/cnst. All applications submitted to the CNST Grant 

Program must be in accordance with the program objectives listed above. The contact 
19

person for the CNST Grant Program, who may be contacted for clarification of the 

program objectives, is Donna Lauren and she may be reached at (301) 975-3729 or by 

e-mail at donna.lauren@nist.gov. 

9. Special Programs Office (SPO) Grant Program

The statutory authority for the SP) Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c), 15 

U.S.C. § 278g-1 and 15 U.S.C. 278n-1.

Program Description: The SPO Grant Program provides financial assistance to 

support the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research

consistent with the SPO mission in the broad areas of greenhouse gas and climate 

science measurements, forensic science, national security standards, and 

measurement science for energy research in accordance with the four program 

descriptions below. Additional information about SPO and SPO Programs may be 

obtained at http://www.nist.gov/director/spo/index.cfm.

All applications submitted to the SPO Grant Program must be in accordance with the 

program objectives listed below. The appropriate SPO Program Manager for each SPO

field of research that follows may be contacted for clarification of the program 

objectives. The contact person for the SPO Grant Program is Darlene Hamilton and 

she may be reached at (301)-975-2227 or by e-mail at darlene.hamilton@nist.gov.

a. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) and Climate Science Measurements Program. The 

GHG and Climate Science Measurements Grant Program provides financial 

assistance consistent with program objectives of supporting measurement science 

research to develop or extend internationally-recognized measurement standards, 

methodologies, and technologies. Such capabilities enhance science-based GHG 

emissions data to improve inventory reporting and measurement and standards 

capabilities advancing both emissions quantification and Earth system observing 

capability. Specific areas of interest include advances that increase accuracy and 

confidence in both GHG source and sink flux determination and in climate science 

measurements and standards in these areas: 1) stationary GHG emission sources, 

2) measurement tools better characterizing GHG emissions and uptake in 

megacities, cities, and metropolitan areas, 3) remote sensing measurements of 

Earth systems, 4) reconcile GHG inventory data derived from both atmospheric 

observing and emission process-oriented methodologies as a technical means to 

address GHG emissions report verification at local and regional scales, and 5) 

measurement capabilities that further understanding of greenhouse gas transport in 

the lower atmosphere. Additional information about the SPO GHG and Climate 

Science Measurements Program may be obtained at 

http://www.nist.gov/greenhouse-gas/index.cfm. The contact person for the GHG and 

Climate Science Measurements Grant Program is James Whetstone and he may be 

reached at (301) 975-2738 or by e-mail at james.whetstone@nist.gov.

b. National Security Standards (NSS) Program. The NSS Program’s mission is to 
20

address the equipment needs of first responders, law enforcement, fire fighters, and 

emergency medical services (EMS) through standards-focused research and 

development projects based on chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and 

explosive (CBRNE) and security requirements. Specific objectives of interest 

include test methods, guidance, training packages and performance standards in the 

following areas: electronic media (social media, video, and audio data); human 

augmentation robots; CBRNE technology including nontraditional threats and food 

safety; cargo security technology; personal and vehicle safety; and unmanned 

robotic platforms. Additional information about the SPO NSS Program may be 

obtained at http://www.nist.gov/national-security-standards/index.cfm. The contact 

person for the NSS Program is Timothy Brennan and he may be reached at (301) 

975-8573 or by e-mail at timothy.brennan@nist.gov.

c. Forensic Sciences Program (FSP). FSP conducts and coordinates research and 

provides technical services to address the needs of the forensic science community. 

FSP focuses on creating new material standards; initiating research to verify 

methodology; and evaluating new technologies primarily for the following forensic 

science disciplines; computer and digital forensics; DNA; impression and pattern 

evidence, such as fingerprints and toolmarks; controlled and dangerous substances; 

and trace analysis. FSP also seeks to facilitate knowledge exchange and identify 

best practices for the forensic science community. Additional information about the 

SPO Forensic Science Program is available at http://www.nist.gov/forensics. The 

contact person for FSP is Susan Ballou and she may be reached at (301) 975-8750 

or by e-mail at susan.ballou@nist.gov. 

d. Measurement Science for Energy Research Program. The Measurement 

Science for Energy Research Program provides financial assistance consistent with 

the program objective of supporting the metrology and standards infrastructure for 

interdisciplinary energy research which advances the Nation’s energy objectives for 

energy security, sustainability, flexibility, efficiency, reliability, and resiliency. The 

program focuses on the development of measurement methods, protocols, tools, 

data, and measurements to enable domestic and international acceptance of a 

quantitative understanding of a broad range of technologies. The primary focus 

areas include metrological aspects of the determination of sustainability, including 

quantitation, validation, and uncertainty analysis of the appropriate metrics; 

metrology for energy storage, including fundamental and applied measurements 

needed for batteries, advanced fuels, and alternative storage technologies; and 

metrology and standards for efficient manufacturing within the energy technology 

sector. The contact person for the Measurement Science for Energy Research 

Program is Dan Friend who may be reached at (303) 497-5424 or by e-mail at

daniel.friend@nist.gov.

10. Standards Coordination Office (SCO) Grant Program

The statutory authority for the SCO Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c) and 15 

U.S.C. § 278g-1.
21

Program Description: The SCO conducts standards-related programs, and provides 

knowledge and services that strengthen the U.S. economy and improve the quality of 

life. The SCO goals include enhancing coordination of the U.S. standards system with 

government and private sector organizations and supporting U.S. industry with the 

standards-related tools and information necessary to effectively compete in the global 

marketplace. 

The SCO manages NIST's responsibilities assigned under the National Technology 

Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) to coordinate federal, state, and local technical 

standards and conformity assessment activities, as well as coordinating with those in 

the private sector. 

The SCO Grant Program provides financial assistance to support the conduct of 

research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research consistent with the NIST 

mission in the broad areas of standards-related activities, coordination activities with the 

private sector and with other federal agencies on standards activities and programs, 

and standards development and conformity assessment activities tailored to equip U.S. 

industry with the standards-related tools and information necessary to effectively 

compete in the global marketplace. Financial support may be provided for the 

development of standards-related training materials, publications, policy analysis, and 

research and information services. Financial support may also be provided for 

conferences, workshops, or other standards related activities meetings that are relevant 

to the mission of the SCO. Additional information about the SCO and SCO Programs 

may be obtained at http://nist.gov/director/sco/index.cfm. 

All applications submitted to the SCO Grant Program must be in accordance with the 

program objectives listed above. The contact person for the SCO Grant Program, who 

may be contacted for clarification of the program objectives, is Kerry Miles and she may 

be reached at (301) 975-5571 or by e-mail at kerry.miles@nist.gov. 

11.International and Academic Affairs Office (IAAO) Grant Program

The statutory authority for the IAAO Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c).

Program Description: The IAAO Grant Program has been designed to support 

activities that strengthen and enhance the international metrology community, and 

promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness in support of the NIST Mission. 

NIST seeks to promote the efforts of the Regional Metrology Organizations, National 

Metrology Institutes and Designated Institutes to bolster the global metrology system 

and quality infrastructure. The IAAO Grant Program will support metrology and related 

endeavors in the following fields: bioscience, chemistry, materials, physics, engineering, 

infrastructure, information technology, neutron research and nanotechnology, with an 

emphasis on the Western Hemisphere and Africa. Financial support may be provided 

for conferences, workshops, or other technical meetings that are relevant to the mission 

of the IAAO. Additional information about the IAAO and IAAO Programs may be 
22

obtained at http://nist.gov/iaao/.

All applications submitted to the IAAO Grant Program must be in accordance with the 

program objectives listed above. The contact person for the IAAO Grant Program, who 

may be contacted for clarification of the program objectives, is Claire Saundry and she 

may be reached at (301) 975-2386 or by e-mail at csaundry@nist.gov.

 

12.Associate Director for Laboratory Programs (ADLP) Grant Program

The statutory authority for the ADLP Grant Program is 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c) and 

15 U.S.C. § 278g-1.

Program Description: The ADLP Grant Program provides financial assistance to 

support the conduct of research or a recipient’s portion of collaborative research

consistent with the NIST mission in the following fields: bioscience, chemistry, 

materials, physics, engineering, infrastructure, information technology, neutron research

and nanotechnology. Financial support may be provided for education and outreach 

programs, conferences, workshops, or other technical research meetings that are 

relevant to the mission of the ADLP. Additional information about the ADLP and ADLP 

Programs may be obtained at http://www.nist.gov/director/adlp.cfm. 

All applications submitted to the ADLP Grant Program must be in accordance with the 

program objectives listed above. The contact person for the ADLP Grant Program, who 

may be contacted for clarification of the program objectives, is Donna Kimball and she 

may be reached at (301) 975-8362 or by e-mail at donna.kimball@nist.gov.

II. Federal Award Information

1. Funding Instrument. The funding instruments used in these programs will be 

grants or cooperative agreements, as appropriate. Where cooperative agreements 

are used, the nature of NIST’s “substantial involvement” will generally be 

collaboration with the recipients in the scope of work. Additional forms of substantial 

involvement that may arise are described in Chapter 5.C of the DoC Grants and 

Cooperative Agreements Manual, as may be periodically amended, which is 

available at http://go.usa.gov/SNJd.

2. Multi-Year Funding Policy. When an application for a multi-year award is 

approved, funding will usually be provided for only the first year of the project. If a

project is selected for funding, NIST has no obligation to provide any additional 

funding in connection with that award. Continuation of an award to increase funding 

or extend the period of performance is at the sole discretion of NIST. Continued 

funding will be contingent upon satisfactory performance, continued relevance to the 

mission and priorities of the individual MSE research grant programs, and the 

availability of funds.
23

3. Funding Availability. The availability of funds depends upon actual authorization of 

funds, programmatic needs, and other costs expected to be incurred by individual 

divisions within each laboratory, center, or office. If funds are identified as available 

for financial assistance, those funds may be awarded to highly ranked applications 

as determined by the applicable program’s review and selection process (see

Section V.2. of this FFO). 

a. Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) Grant Program. In 2016, MML 

anticipates funding individual projects in the $10,000 - $1,000,000 range and with 

project performance periods of up to five (5) years, consistent with the multi-year 

funding policy (see Section II.2. of this FFO). In FY2015, the MML Grant Program 

funded fifty-two (52) new awards totaling $21,000,000.

b. Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) Grant Program. In FY 2016, PML

anticipates funding individual projects in the $5,000 - $250,000 range and with 

project performance periods of up to five (5) years, consistent with the multi-year 

funding policy (see Section II.2. of this FFO). In FY 2015, the PML Grant Program 

funded thirty (30) new awards totaling $2,622,551.

c. Engineering Laboratory (EL) Grant Program. In FY 2016, EL anticipates funding 

individual projects in the $5,000 - $500,000 range and with project performance 

periods of up to five (5) years, consistent with the multi-year funding policy (see

Section II.2. of this FFO). In FY 2015, the EL Grant Program funded forty-two (42) 

new awards totaling $7,418,982. 

d. Fire Research (FR) Grant Program. In FY 2016, the FR Grant Program anticipates 

funding individual projects in the $25,000 - $100,000 per year range and with project 

performance periods of up to five (5) years, consistent with the multi-year funding 

policies (see Section II.2. of this FFO). In FY 2015, the FR Grant Program funded 

six (6) new awards, totaling $546,787.

e. Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) Grant Program. In FY 2016, ITL 

anticipates funding individual projects in the $10,000 - $500,000 range and with 

project performance periods of up to five (5) years, consistent with the multi-year 

funding policy (see Section II.2. of this FFO). In FY 2015, the ITL Grant Program

funded thirty-eight (38) new awards totaling $6,980,364.

f. Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) Grant Program. In FY 2016, 

CTL anticipates funding individual projects in the $10,000 to $2,000,000 range and 

with project performance periods for up to five (5) years, consistent with the multiyear funding policy (see Section II.2. of this FFO). In FY 2015, the CTL Grant 

Program funded one (1) award totaling $50,000.

g. NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) Grant Program. In FY 2016, NCNR 

anticipates funding new, individual projects in the $25,000 - $100,000 per year range 

and with project performance periods of up to five (5) years, consistent with the 
24

multi-year funding policy (see Section II.2. of this FFO). In FY 2015, the NCNR 

Grant Program funded two (2) new awards totaling $76,000.

h. Center for Nanoscale and Science and Technology (CNST) Grant Program. 

Although funding may be available to support continuation projects under the CNST 

Grant Program, at this time CNST does not anticipate funding becoming available 

for new awards in FY 2016. If funds become available in FY 2016, a typical project 

may be in the $15,000 - $100,000 per year range and with project performance 

periods of up to five (5) years, consistent with the multi-year funding policy (see

Section II.2. of this FFO). In FY 2015, the CNST Grant Program funded two (2) new 

awards totaling $99,000. 

i. Special Programs Office (SPO) Grant Program. In FY 2016, SPO anticipates 

funding individual projects under the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) and Climate Science 

Measurements Grant Program in the $25,000 - $1,800,000 range, under the 

National Security Standards (NSS) Grant Program in the $25,000 - $1,000,000, 

under the Forensic Science Grant Program in the $25,000 - $2,000,000 range, and 

under the Measurement Science for Energy Research Grant Program in the $25,000 

to $1,000,000 range, with project performance periods of up to five (5) years, 

consistent with the multi-year funding policy (see Section II.2. of this FFO). In FY 

2015, NIST funded eleven (11) awards totaling $ 4,063,385 under the GHG and 

Climate Science Measurements Grant Program, four (4) awards totaling $1,190,573

under the National Security Standards Grant Program, and three (3) awards totaling 

$212,715 under the Forensic Science Grant Program. In FY 2015, NIST did not 

fund any awards under the Measurement Science for Energy Research Grant 

Program.

j. Standards Coordination Office (SCO) Grant Program. In FY 2016, SCO 

anticipates funding individual projects in the $5,000 - $100,000 range and with 

project performance periods of up to three (3) years, consistent with the multi-year 

funding policy (see Section II.2. of this FFO). In FY 2015, the SCO Grant Program

funded one (1) award totaling $50,000.

k. International and Academic Affairs Office (IAAO) Grant Program. In FY 2016, 

IAAO anticipates funding individual projects in the $5,000 - $200,000 range and with 

project performance periods of up to five (5) years, consistent with the multi-year 

funding policy (see Section II.2. of this FFO). In FY 2015, the IAAO Grant Program

funded one (1) award totaling $213,000. 

l. Associate Director for Laboratory Programs (ADLP) Grant Program. In FY

2016, ADLP anticipates funding individual projects in the $5,000 - $1,500,000 range 

and with project performance periods of up to five (5) years, consistent with the 

multi-year funding policy (see Section II.2. of this FFO). In FY 2015, the ADLP Grant 

Program did not fund any new awards under the ADLP Grant Program. 
25

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants. Eligibility for all programs listed in this FFO is open to all nonFederal entities. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, state and local governments, Indian 

tribes, hospitals, foreign public entities, and foreign governments. Applicants 

selected for awards under 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1 are encouraged, but not required, to 

select underrepresented minorities for participation. In addition, NIST is not able to 

accept an application from an individual unaffiliated with a sponsoring applicant 

organization.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching. The MSE research grant programs do not require cost 

sharing.

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package. The standard application package,

consisting of the standard forms, i.e., SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, SF-LLL, and the 

CD-511, is available at www.grants.gov. The standard application package may 

also be requested by contacting the appropriate MSE research grant program office 

personnel listed below.

a. Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) Grant Program. Bill Clark, Material 

Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 325 

Broadway, Mail Stop 647.00, Boulder, CO 80305 (Phone: (303) 497-3268; e-mail: 

william.clark@nist.gov).

b. Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) Grant Program. Patrick Hovis, 

Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 

100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8400, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8400 (Phone: (301) 975-

4290; e-mail: patrick.hovis@nist.gov).

c. Engineering Laboratory (EL) Grant Program. Millie Glick, Engineering 

Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 

8600, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8602 (Phone: (301) 975-5962; e-mail: 

millie.glick@nist.gov).

d. Fire Research Grant Program. Millie Glick, Engineering Laboratory, National 

Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8600, Gaithersburg, 

MD 20899-8602 (Phone: (301) 975-5962; e-mail: millie.glick@nist.gov).

e. Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) Grant Program. Yolanda Bursie, 

Information Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 

100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8900, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8900 (Phone: (301) 

975-6738; e-mail: yolanda.bursie@nist.gov).
26

f. Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) Grant Program. Jim Harriman, 

Communications Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and 

Technology, 325 Broadway, MS 670.00, Boulder, Colorado 80305 (Phone: (303) 

497-5312; e-mail: james.harriman@nist.gov).

g. NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) Grant Program. Tanya Burke, NIST 

Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 

Bureau Drive, Stop 6100, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-6100 (Phone: (301) 975-

4711; e-mail: tanya.burke@nist.gov).

h. Center for Nanoscale and Science and Technology (CNST) Grant Program. 

Donna Lauren, Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, National Institute of 

Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 6200, Gaithersburg, Maryland 

20899-6200 (Phone: (301) 975-3729; e-mail: donna.lauren@nist.gov).

i. Special Programs Office (SPO) Grant Program. Darlene Hamilton, Office of 

Special Programs, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau 

Drive, Stop 8102, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8102 (Phone: (301) 975-2227; e-mail: 

darlene.hamilton@nist.gov).

j. Standards Coordination Office (SCO) Grant Program. Kerry Miles, National 

Institute of Standards and Technology, Associate Director for Laboratory Programs, 

100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2100, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2100. Phone: 975-557. 

Email: kerry.miles@nist.gov.

k. International and Academic Affairs Office (IAAO) Grant Program. Claire 

Saundry, International and Academic Affairs Office, National Institute of Standards 

and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 1090, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-1090 

(Phone: (301) 975-2386; e-mail: claire.saundry@nist.gov .

l. Associate Director for Laboratory Programs (ADLP) Grant Program. Donna 

Kimball, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Associate Director for 

Laboratory Programs, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 6000, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-6000 

(Phone: (301) 975-8362; e-mail: donna.kimball@nist.gov). 

2. Content and Format of Application Submission for all programs listed in this 

FFO

a. Required Forms and Documents

(1) SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. The SF-424 must be signed by 

an authorized representative of the applicant organization. 

SF-424, Item 12, should list the FFO number 2016-NIST-MSE-01.
27

SF-424, Item 18, should list the total budget information for the duration of the 

project. 

The list of certifications and assurances referenced in Item 21 of the SF-424 is 

contained in the SF-424B.

(2) SF-424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs. The budget 

should reflect anticipated expenses for each year of the project, considering all 

potential cost increases, including cost of living adjustments. The applicant 

should reflect all expenses for the full term of the project on the SF-424A form. 

The SF-424A form accommodates up to five (5) years of budget information. 

Please carefully follow the directions found at 

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/form-instructions/sf-424a-instructions.html 

when filling out this form. 

Do not enter the Grant Program Function or Activity on Line 1 under Column (a), 

and do not enter the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number on Line 1 

under Column (b).

(3) SF-424B, Assurances – Non-Construction Programs

(4) CD-511, Certification Regarding Lobbying. Enter “2016-NIST-MSE-01” in the 

Award Number field. Enter the title of the application used in field 15 of the SF424, or an abbreviation of that title, in the Project Name field.

(5) SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable)

(6) Technical Proposal. The Technical Proposal is a word-processed document

responsive to the applicable program description(s) (see Section I. of this FFO) 

and the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1. of this FFO). The Technical 

Proposal should describe in depth the scope of the proposal, its goals, the 

methods and equipment to be used, its schedule, the personnel working on the 

project and their qualifications, and the institutional capabilities of the applicant. 

(7) Budget Narrative. There is no set format for the Budget Narrative; however, it 

should provide a detailed breakdown of each of the object class categories as 

reflected on the SF-424A.

(8) Indirect Cost Rate Agreement. If indirect costs are included in the proposed 

budget, provide a copy of the approved negotiated agreement if this rate was 

negotiated with a cognizant Federal audit agency. If the rate was not established 

by a cognizant Federal audit agency, provide a statement to this effect. If the 

successful applicant includes indirect costs in the budget and has not established 

an indirect cost rate with a cognizant Federal audit agency, the applicant will be 

required to obtain such a rate in accordance with the Department of Commerce 

Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions available at 
28

http://go.usa.gov/hKbj.

Alternatively, in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f), applicants that have 

never received a negotiated indirect cost rate may elect to charge indirect costs 

to an award pursuant to a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct 

costs (MTDC), in which case a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement is not 

required. Applicants proposing a 10 percent de minimis rate pursuant to 2 C.F.R. 

§ 200.414(f) should note this election as part of the budget portion of the 

application.

(9) Data Management Plan. In accordance with the Office of Science and 

Technology Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies 

of February 22, 20131, Increasing Access to the Results of Federally Funded 

Scientific Research, and as implemented through NIST Policy 5700.002, 

Managing Public Access to Results of Federally Funded Research, and NIST 

Order 5701.003, Managing Public Access to Results of Federally Funded 

Research”, applicants should include a Data Management Plan (DMP).

The DMP is a supplementary document of not more than two pages that must 

include, at a minimum, a summary of proposed activities that are expected to 

generate data, a summary of the types of data expected to be generated by 

the identified activities, a plan for storage and maintenance of the data 

expected to be generated by the identified activities, and a plan describing 

whether and how data generated by the identified activities will be reviewed 

and made available to the public. As long as the DMP meets these NIST 

requirements, it may take the form specified by the applicant’s institution or 

some other entity (e.g., the National Science Foundation4 or the National 

Institutes of Health5). Some organizations’ templates are available on the 

Internet6. 

All applications for activities that will generate scientific data using NIST 

funding are required to adhere to a DMP or explain why data sharing and/or 

preservation are not within the scope of the project.

For the purposes of the DMP, NIST adopted the definition of “research data” 

at 2 C.F.R. § 200.315(e)(3) (available at http://go.usa.gov/3sZvQ).

Reasonable costs for data preservation and access may be included in the 

application.

 1 https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/ostp_public_access_memo_2013.pdf

2 http://www.nist.gov/open/upload/Final-P-5700.pdf 3 http://www.nist.gov/open/upload/Final-O-5701_0.pdf 4 http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/dmp.jsp

5 http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/data_sharing/data_sharing_guidance.htm

6 https://www.cic.net/projects/technology/shared-storage-services/data-management-plans
29

The sufficiency of the DMP will be considered as part of the administrative review (see

Section V.2.a. of this FFO); however, the DMP will not be evaluated against any 

evaluation criteria.

If submitting the application electronically via Grants.gov, items IV.2.a.(1) through 

IV.2.a.(5) above are part of the standard application package in Grants.gov and can 

be completed through the download application process. Items IV.2.a.(6) through

IV.2.a.(9) must be completed and attached by clicking on “Add Attachments” 

found in item 15 of the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. This will 

create a zip file that allows for transmittal of the documents electronically via 

Grants.gov. Applicants should carefully follow specific Grants.gov instructions at 

www.grants.gov to ensure the attachments will be accepted by the Grants.gov 

system. A receipt from Grants.gov indicating that an application is received 

does not provide information about whether attachments have been received.

If submitting an application by paper, all of the required application documents 

should be submitted in the order listed above.

b. Application Format

(1) Cover Page. In an effort to route an application to the appropriate 

program official, applicants should reference on the Technical Proposal 

cover page the applicable MSE research grant program that the 

application is being submitted under using the following choices:

1) the Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) Grant Program; 

2) the Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) Grant Program; 

3) the Engineering Laboratory (EL) Grant Program;

4) the Fire Research (FR) Grant Program;

5) the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) Grant Program;

6) the Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) Grant Program; 

7) the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) Grant Program; 

8) the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST) Grant 

Program;

9) the Special Programs Office (SPO) Grant Program;

10) the Standards Coordination Office (SCO) Grant Program;

11) the International and Academic Affairs Office (IAAO) Grant Program; and

12) the Associate Director for Laboratory Programs (ADLP) Grant Program.

(2) Double-sided. For paper submissions, print on both sides of the paper for 

original and copies.

(3) E-mail and facsimile (fax) submissions. Will not be accepted.

(4) Number of paper copies. For paper submissions, one (1) signed stapled 

original and two (2) stapled copies. If the original proposal is in color, the two 
30

(2) copies must also be in color. If submitting electronically via Grants.gov, 

paper copies are not required.

(5) Page layout. The Technical Proposal must be in portrait orientation.

(6) Page numbering. Number pages sequentially.

(7) Application language. English.

(8) Staple paper submission. For paper submissions, staple the original signed 

application and each of the two (2) copies securely with one (1) staple in the 

upper left-hand corner.

(9) Typed document. All applications, including forms, must be typed; 

handwritten applications and forms will not be accepted.

c. Application Replacement Pages. Applicants may not submit replacement pages 

and/or missing documents once an application has been submitted. Any revisions 

must be made by submission of a new application that must be received by NIST by 

the submission deadline.

d. Pre-Applications. NIST is not accepting pre-applications or white papers under this

FFO.

e. Certifications Regarding Federal Felony and Federal Criminal Tax Convictions, 

Unpaid Federal Tax Assessments and Delinquent Federal Tax Returns. In 

accordance with Federal appropriations law, an authorized representative of the 

selected applicant(s) may be required to provide certain pre-award certifications 

regarding federal felony and federal criminal tax convictions, unpaid federal tax 

assessments, and delinquent federal tax returns.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM). Pursuant 

to 2 C.F.R. part 25, applicants and recipients (as the case may be) are required to: 

(i) be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique 

entity identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM 

registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal 

award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency, 

unless otherwise excepted from these requirements pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 25.110. 

NIST will not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied 

with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an applicant 

has not fully complied with the requirements by the time that NIST is ready to make 

a Federal award pursuant to this FFO, NIST may determine that the applicant is not 

qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for 

making a Federal award to another applicant. 

4. Submission Dates and Times
31

When developing your submission timeline, please keep in mind that (1) all 

applicants are required to have a current registration in the System for Award 

Management (SAM.gov); (2) the free annual registration process in the electronic 

System for Award Management (SAM.gov) (see Section IV.3. and Section 

IV.7.a.(2).b. of this FFO) may take between three and five business days, or as long 

as more than two weeks; (3) electronic applicants are required to have a current 

registration in Grants.gov; and (4) applicants will receive a series of e-mail 

messages from Grants.gov over a period of up to two business days before learning 

whether a Federal agency’s electronic system has received its application. Please 

note that a federal assistance award cannot be issued if the designated 

recipient’s registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is not 

current at the time of the award.

Electronic applicants will find instructions on registering with SAM.gov as part 

of the Grants.gov process at: 

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html.

Paper applicants will find instructions on registering with SAM.gov by going to 

www.sam.gov and choosing “Create User Account”. Carefully read Section 

IV.3 of this FFO to understand the steps involved. 

All NIST MSE Research Grant Programs. Applications will be considered on a 

continuing/rolling basis as they are received. To ensure consideration in the current 

fiscal year, applications should be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 13, 

2016. Applications received after this deadline may be processed and considered for 

funding in the current fiscal year or in the next fiscal year, subject to the availability 

of funds. 

All applications submitted to the MSE Research Grants programs, paper and 

electronic, must be received prior to the posting of the FY 2017 NIST MSE Research 

Grants Programs FFO on Grants.gov in order to be processed under this FFO. 

5. Intergovernmental Review. Applications under all Programs in this FFO are not 

subject to Executive Order 12372.

6. Funding Restrictions. Applications for product development and/or

commercialization are not considered responsive to this FFO.

7. Other Submission Requirements for all programs listed in this FFO

a. Applications may be submitted by paper or electronically.

(1) Paper applications must be submitted in triplicate (an original and two copies) 

and submitted to the appropriate MSE research grant program office personnel 

listed in Section IV.1. of this FFO.
32

(2) Electronic applications must be submitted via Grants.gov at www.grants.gov, 

under announcement 2016-NIST-MSE-01. 

Cover Page. In an effort to route an application to the appropriate program 

official, applicants should reference on the Technical Proposal cover page 

the applicable MSE research grant program that the application is being 

submitted under using the choices provided in Section IV.2.b.(1). of this 

FFO.

a) Submitters of electronic applications should carefully follow specific 

Grants.gov instructions to ensure the attachments will be accepted by the 

Grants.gov system. A receipt from Grants.gov indicating an application is 

received does not provide information about whether attachments have 

been received. For further information or questions regarding applying 

electronically for the 2016-NIST-MSE-01 announcement, contact 

Christopher Hunton by phone at 301-975-5718 or by e-mail at

grants@nist.gov.

b) Applicants are strongly encouraged to start early and not wait until the 

approaching due date before logging on and reviewing the instructions for 

submitting an application through Grants.gov. The Grants.gov registration 

process must be completed before a new registrant can apply 

electronically. If all goes well, the registration process takes three (3) to 

five (5) business days. If problems are encountered, the registration 

process can take up to two (2) weeks or more. Applicants must have a 

unique entity identifier number and must maintain a current registration in 

the Federal government’s primary registrant database, the System for 

Award Management (https://www.sam.gov/), as explained on the 

Grants.gov Web site. See also Section IV.3. of this FFO. After registering, 

it may take several days or longer from the initial log-on before a new 

Grants.gov system user can submit an application. Only authorized 

individual(s) will be able to submit the application, and the system may 

need time to process a submitted application. Applicants should save and 

print the proof of submission they receive from Grants.gov. If problems 

occur while using Grants.gov, the applicant is advised to (a) print any error 

message received and (b) call Grants.gov directly for immediate 

assistance. If calling from within the United States or from a U. S. 

territory, please call 800-518-4726. If calling from a place other than the 

United States or a U. S. territory, please call 606-545-5035. Assistance 

from the Grants.gov Help Desk will be available around the clock every 

day, with the exception of Federal holidays. Help Desk service will 

resume at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time the day after Federal holidays. For 

assistance using Grants.gov, you may also contact support@grants.gov.
33

c) To find instructions on submitting an application on Grants.gov, Applicants 

should refer to the “Applicants” tab in the banner just below the top of the 

www.grants.gov home page. Clicking on the “Applicants” tab produces 

two exceptionally useful sources of information, Applicant Actions and 

Applicant Resources, which applicants are advised to review. 

Applicants will receive a series of e-mail messages over a period of up to two 

business days before learning whether a Federal agency’s electronic system has 

received its application. Closely following the detailed information in these 

subcategories will increase the likelihood of acceptance of the application by the 

Federal agency’s electronic system. 

Applicants should pay close attention to the guidance under “Applicant FAQs,” as it 

contains information important to successful submission on Grants.gov, including 

essential details on the naming conventions for attachments to Grants.gov 

applications.

The application must be both received and validated by Grants.gov. The application 

is “received” when Grants.gov provides the applicant a confirmation of receipt and 

an application tracking number. If an applicant does not see this confirmation and 

tracking number, the application has not been received. After the application has 

been received, it must still be validated. During this process, it may be “validated” or 

“rejected with errors.” To know whether the application was rejected with errors and 

the reasons why, the applicant must log in to Grants.gov, select “Applicants” from 

the top navigation, and select “Track my application” from the drop-down list. If the 

status is “rejected with errors,” the applicant may still seek to correct the errors and 

resubmit your application before the deadline. If the applicant does not correct the 

errors, the application will not be forwarded to NIST by Grants.gov.

All applicants, both electronic and paper submitters, should be aware that adequate 

time must be factored into applicants’ schedules for delivery of their application. 

Submitters of electronic applications are advised that volume on Grants.gov may be 

extremely heavy on the deadline date, and if Grants.gov is unable to accept 

applications electronically in a timely fashion, applicants are encouraged to exercise 

their option to submit applications in paper format. Submitters of paper applications 

should allow adequate time to ensure a paper application will be received on time, 

taking into account that Federal Government security screening for U.S. Postal 

Service mail may delay receipt of mail for up to two (2) weeks and that guaranteed 

express mailings and/or couriers are not always able to fulfill their guarantees.

Refer to important information in Section IV.4. Submission Dates and Times, to help 

ensure your application is received on time. 

b. Amendments. Any amendments to this FFO will be announced through 

Grants.gov. Applicants may sign up for Grants.gov FFO amendments or may 
34

request copies from the programmatic and technical questions contact for the 

appropriate program (see Section VII. of this FFO).

V. Application Review Information

1. Evaluation Criteria

a. Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) Grant Program. The evaluation criteria 

that will be used in evaluating applications considered by the MML Grant Program 

are as follows:

(1) Rationality. The coherence of the applicant’s approach and the extent to which 

the application effectively addresses scientific and technical issues that are 

relevant to MML programs (see Section I.1. of this FFO). (0 – 25 points)

(2) Qualifications of Technical Personnel. The professional accomplishments, 

skills, and training of the proposed personnel to perform the work proposed in the 

application. (0 – 25 points)

(3) Resources Availability. The extent to which the applicant has access to the 

necessary facilities and overall support to accomplish project objectives. (0 – 25 

points)

(4) Technical Merit of Contribution. The potential technical effectiveness of the 

proposed work and the value it would contribute to the field of measurement 

science and engineering, especially as it pertains to reference methods, 

reference materials and reference data in Material Measurements. (0 – 25 

points)

Each of these factors will be given equal weight in the evaluation process. 

b. Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) Grant Program. 

(1) The evaluation criteria that will be used in evaluating applications considered by

the PML Grant Program, except for applications to the Office of Weights and 

Measures (see Section V.1.b.(2) of this FFO) are as follows:

i. Rationality. The coherence of the applicant’s approach and the extent to 

which the application effectively addresses scientific and technical issues 

that are relevant to PML programs (see Sections I.2.a. and I.2.c. through 

I.2.j. of this FFO).

ii. Qualifications of Technical Personnel. The professional 

accomplishments, skills, and training of the proposed personnel to perform 

the work proposed in the application.
35

iii. Resources Availability. The extent to which the applicant has access to 

the necessary facilities and overall support to accomplish project 

objectives.

iv. Technical Merit of Contribution. The potential technical effectiveness of 

the proposed work and the value it would contribute to the field of 

measurement science. Applications must be relevant to current PML 

research programs and have a relation to the objectives of ongoing PML 

programs and activities.

Each of these factors will be given equal weight in the evaluation process. 

(2) The evaluation criteria that will be used in evaluating applications considered by 

the Office of Weights and Measures and assigned weights are as follows:

i. Technical Quality of the Research. The rationality, innovation and 

imagination of the application and the fit to NIST’s documentary standards 

and legal metrology programs (see Section I.2.b. of this FFO). (0 – 35 

points)

ii. Potential Impact of the Results. The potential impact and the technical 

application of the results to NIST’s in-house programs and the 

documentary standards and legal metrology communities. (0 – 25 points)

iii. Staff and Institution Capability to Perform the Work. The quality of the 

facilities and experience of the staff to assess the likelihood of achieving 

the objective of the application. (0 – 20 points)

iv. Match of Budget to Proposed Work. Assessment of the budget against 

the proposed work to ascertain the reasonableness of the request. (0 –

20 points)

c. Engineering Laboratory (EL) Grant Program. The evaluation criteria that will be 

used in evaluating applications considered by the EL Grant Program and assigned 

weights are as follows:

(1) Technical Quality of the Research. The clarity, rationality, organization, 

innovation and imagination of the application. (0 – 35 points) 

(2) Potential Impact of the Results. The potential impact and the likelihood of

achieving technical application of the results, and the degree of alignment with 

NIST’s EL programs (see Section I.3. of this FFO). (0 – 35 points)

(3) Staff and Institution Capability to Perform the Work. The quality of the 

facilities and experience of the staff to assess and overcome barriers to 
36

successfully achieve the objective of the application. (0 – 15 points)

(4) Match of Budget to Proposed Work. Assessment of the budget compared to

the proposed work to ascertain the reasonableness of the request. (0 – 15 

points)

d. Fire Research (FR) Grant Program. The evaluation criteria that will be used in 

evaluating applications considered by the FR Grant Program and assigned weights 

are as follows: 

(1) Technical Quality of the Research. The clarity, rationality, organization,

innovation, and imagination of the proposed work. (0 - 35 points) 

(2) Potential Impact of the Results. The potential impact and the likelihood of the 

technical application of the results and the degree of alignment with NIST EL’s 

Fire Research Program (see Section I.4 of this FFO). (0 - 35 points) 

(3) Staff and Institution Capability to Perform the Work. The quality of the 

facilities and experience of the staff to assess and overcome barriers to 

successfully achieve the objective of the application. (0 - 15 points) 

(4) Match of Budget to Proposed Work. Assessment of the budget compared to 

the proposed work to ascertain the reasonableness of the request. (0 - 15

points) 

e. Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) Grant Program. The evaluation criteria 

that will be used in evaluating applications considered by the ITL Grant Program are 

as follows: 

(1) Rationality. The coherence of the applicant’s approach and the extent to which 

the application effectively addresses scientific and technical issues relevant to 

ITL programs (see Section I.5. of this FFO).

(2) Technical Merit of Contribution. The potential technical effectiveness of the 

proposed work and the value it would contribute to the field of information 

technology research.

(3) Qualifications of Technical Personnel. The professional accomplishments, 

skills, and training of the proposed personnel to perform the proposed work.

(4) Resources Availability. The extent to which the applicant has access to the 

necessary facilities and overall support to accomplish project objectives.

Each of these factors will be given equal weight in the evaluation process.

f. Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) Grant Program. The evaluation 
37

criteria that will be used in evaluating applications considered by the CTL Grant 

Program and assigned weights are as follows:

(1) Rationality. The coherence of the applicant’s approach and the extent to which 

the application effectively addresses scientific and technical issues that are 

relevant to CTL programs (see Section I.6. of this FFO). (0 – 25 points)

(2) Technical Merit of Contribution. The potential technical effectiveness of the 

proposed work and the value it would contribute to the field of measurement 

science and engineering, especially as it pertains to reference methods, 

reference materials and reference data in communications technology. (0 – 25 

points)

(3) Qualifications of Technical Personnel. The professional accomplishments, 

skills, and training of the proposed personnel to perform the work proposed in the 

application. (0 – 25 points)

(4) Resources Availability. The extent to which the applicant has access to the 

necessary facilities and overall support to accomplish project objectives. (0 – 25 

points)

g. NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) Grant Program. The evaluation 

criteria that will be used in evaluating applications considered by the NCNR Grant 

Program and assigned weights are as follows:

(1) Rationality. The innovation, rationality, and coherence of the applicant’s 

approach and the extent to which the application effectively addresses important 

scientific and technical issues using neutron methods and/or the development of 

innovative devices for neutron research (see Section I.7. of this FFO). (0 to 35 

points)

(2) Qualifications of Technical Personnel. The professional accomplishments, 

skills, and training of the proposed personnel to perform the work proposed in the 

application. (0 to 20 points)

(3) Resources. The extent to which the applicant has access to the necessary 

resources, facilities, and overall support to accomplish project objectives, and 

assessment of the budget against the proposed work to ascertain the 

reasonableness of the request. (0 to 20 points)

(4) Technical Merit of Contribution. The potential technical effectiveness of the 

proposed work and the value it would contribute to neutron research. (0 to 25 

points)

h. Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST) Grant Program. The 

evaluation criteria that will be used in evaluating applications considered by the 
38

CNST Grant Program are as follows:

(1) Rationality. The coherence of the applicant’s approach and the extent to which 

the application effectively addresses scientific and technical issues relevant to 

CNST (see Section I.8. of this FFO).

(2) Qualifications of Technical Personnel. The professional accomplishments, 

skills, and training of the proposed personnel to perform the work proposed in the 

application.

(3) Resources Availability. The extent to which the applicant has access to the 

necessary facilities and overall support to accomplish project objectives.

(4) Technical Merit of Contribution. The potential technical effectiveness of the 

proposed work and the value it would contribute to the field of nanotechnology.

Each of these factors will be given equal weight in the evaluation process.

i. Special Programs Office (SPO) Grant Program. The evaluation criteria that will 

be used in evaluating applications considered by the SPO Grant Program are as 

follows: 

(1) Rationality. The logic and soundness of the applicant’s approach and the extent 

to which the successful completion of the proposed work addresses scientific and 

technical issues relevant to SPO programs (see Section I.9. of this FFO).

(2) Technical Merit of Contribution. The potential technical effectiveness of the 

proposed work and the value it would contribute to the fields of science relevant 

to SPO (see Section I.9. of this FFO).

(3) Qualifications of Technical Personnel. The professional accomplishments, 

skills, and training of the proposed personnel to perform the work proposed in the 

application.

(4) Resources Availability. The extent to which the applicant has access to the 

necessary equipment and facilities and overall support to accomplish project 

objectives. 

Each of these factors will be given equal weight in the evaluation process.

j. Standards Coordination Office (SCO) Grant Program. The evaluation criteria 

that will be used in evaluating applications considered by the SCO Grant Program 

and assigned weights are as follows: 

(1) Rationality. The coherence of the applicant’s approach and the extent to which 

the application effectively addresses scientific and technical issues relevant to 
39

the SCO mission (see Section I.10. of this FFO). (0 – 30 points)

(2) Technical Merit of Contribution. The potential technical effectiveness of the 

proposed work and the value it would contribute to the field of standardization. (0 

– 30 points)

(3) Qualifications of Technical Personnel. The professional accomplishments, 

skills, and training of the proposed personnel to perform the proposed work. (0 –

20 points)

(4) Use of Funds and Cost-effectiveness. An assessment of the budget against 

the proposed activities will be conducted to determine the reasonableness of the 

request. (0 – 20 points)

k. International and Academic Affairs Office (IAAO) Grant Program. The 

evaluation criteria that will be used in evaluating applications considered by the 

IAAO Grant Program are as follows:

(1) Rationality. The rationality, innovation and creativity of the application and the 

fit of the proposed work to the objectives of the IAAO Grant Program (see

Section I.11. of this FFO).

(2) Technical Merit of Contribution. The potential effectiveness of the proposed 

activity, its value to global metrology and quality infrastructure, and the likelihood 

and potential impact of the applicant's technical application of the proposed 

activity.

(3) Staff and Institutional Capability to perform the Work. The quality of facilities 

and experience of the staff to assess the likelihood of achieving the objective of 

the proposed work. 

(4) Match of Budget to Proposed Work. Assessment of the budget compared to 

the proposed work to ascertain the reasonableness of the request.

Each of these factors will be given equal weight in the evaluation process.

l. Associate Director for Laboratory Programs (ADLP) Grant Program. The 

evaluation criteria that will be used in evaluating applications considered by the 

ADLP Grant Program and assigned weights are as follows:

(1) Technical Quality of the Research. The rationality, innovation and imagination 

of the application, and the fit to ADLP programs (see Section 1.12. of this FFO). 

(0 – 35 points) 

(2) Potential Impact of the Results. The potential impact and the likelihood of the 

technical application of the results. (0 – 25 points)
40

(3) Staff and Institution Capability to Perform the Work. The quality of the 

facilities and experience of the staff to assess the likelihood of achieving the 

objective of the application. (0 – 20 points)

(4) Match of Budget to Proposed Work. Assessment of the budget against the 

proposed work to ascertain the reasonableness of the request. (0 – 20 points)

2. Review and Selection Process

Proposals, reports, documents and other information related to applications 

submitted to NIST and/or relating to financial assistance awards issued by NIST will 

be reviewed and considered by Federal employees, Federal agents and contractors, 

and/or by non-Federal personnel who have entered into nondisclosure agreements 

covering such information, when applicable

a. Initial Screening of all NIST MSE Research Grant Program Applications. All 

applications received in response to this FFO will be assigned to the program 

designated on the cover page of the Technical Proposal and reviewed as received 

on a rolling basis to determine whether they are eligible, complete, and responsive 

to this FFO and aligned with the respective program objectives and research grant 

areas as described in the Program Description (see Section I. of this FFO). 

Applications determined to be ineligible, incomplete, and/or non-responsive based 

on the initial screening will be eliminated from further review. However, NIST, in its 

sole discretion, may continue the review process for an application that is missing 

non-substantive information that can easily be rectified or cured. 

b. Full Review of Eligible, Complete, and Responsive Applications for all NIST 

MSE Research Grant Applications. All applications that are determined to be 

eligible, complete, and responsive will proceed for full reviews in accordance with 

the review and selection processes set forth below for each of the respective 

programs.

NIST reserves the right to negotiate the budget costs with the applicants that have 

been selected to receive awards, which may include requesting that the applicant 

remove certain costs. Additionally, NIST may request that the applicant modify 

objectives or work plans and provide supplemental information. For international 

applications, NIST will follow applicable U.S. laws and policies. NIST also reserves 

the right to reject an application where information is uncovered that raises a 

reasonable doubt as to the responsibility of the applicant. NIST may select some, 

all, or none of the applications, or part(s) of any particular application. In some 

cases, NIST may ask applicants to consider combining projects. The final approval 

of selected applications and issuance of awards will be by the NIST Grants Officer. 

The award decisions of the NIST Grants Officer are final.
41

(1) Material Measurement Laboratory (MML) Grant Program

At least three (3) objective individuals knowledgeable about the particular 

scientific area described in the application will c review the merits of each 

application, based on the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1.a. of this FFO). 

The reviewers may discuss the applications with each other, but scores will be 

determined on an individual basis, not as a consensus.

The Selecting Official, who is the MML Executive Officer, or designee, will make 

final application selections taking into consideration the results of the reviewers’ 

evaluations, consultations with the appropriate MML Division Chief, relevance to 

the objectives described in the MML Grant Program Description (see Section I.1.

of this FFO), and the availability of funds. 

(2) Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) Grant Program

At least three (3) objective individuals knowledgeable about the particular 

scientific area described in the application will review the merits of each 

application, based on the appropriate evaluation criteria (see Sections V.1.b.(1)

and Section V.1.b.(2) of this FFO). The reviewers may discuss the applications 

with each other, but scores will be determined on an individual basis, not as a 

consensus.

The Selecting Official, who is the PML Director, or designee, will make final 

application selections, taking into consideration the results of the reviewers’ 

evaluations, relevance to the objectives described in the PML Grant Program 

Description (see Section I.2. of this FFO), and the availability of funds. 

(3) Engineering Laboratory (EL) Grant Program

At least three (3) objective individuals knowledgeable about the particular 

scientific area described in the application will review the merits of each 

application, based on the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1.c. of this FFO). 

The reviewers may discuss the applications with each other, but scores will be 

determined on an individual basis, not as a consensus.

 

The Selecting Official, who is the EL Director, or designee, will make final 

application selections, taking into consideration the results of the reviewers’ 

evaluations, relevance to the objectives described in the EL Grant Program 

Description (see Section I.3. of this FFO), program balance, and the availability 

of funds. 

(4) Fire Research (FR) Grant Program

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the group leaders listed 

in the FR Grant Program Description (see Section I.4. of this FFO) to 
42

determine the responsiveness of the application and compliance with 

program objectives prior to preparation of an application to the FR Grant 

Program.

 At least three (3) objective individuals knowledgeable about the particular 

scientific area described in the application will review the merits of each 

application, based on the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1.d. of this FFO). 

The reviewers may discuss the applications with each other, but scores will be 

determined on an individual basis, not as a consensus. 

The Selecting Official, who is the EL Director, or designee, will make final 

application selections, taking into consideration the results of the reviewers’ 

evaluations, relevance to the objectives described in the EL Fire Research 

Program Description (see Section I.4. of this FFO), program balance, and the 

availability of funds. 

(5) Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) Grant Program

At least three (3) objective individuals knowledgeable about the particular 

scientific area described in the application will review the merits of each 

application, based on the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1.e. of this FFO). 

The reviewers may discuss the applications with each other, but scores will be 

determined on an individual basis, not as a consensus. 

The Selecting Official, who is the appropriate ITL Division Chief, or designee will 

make final application selections, taking into consideration the results of the 

reviewers’ evaluations, consultations with the ITL Director, relevance to the 

objectives described in the ITL Grant Program Description (see Section I.5. of

this FFO), and the availability of funds. 

(6) Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL) Grant Program

At least three (3) objective individuals knowledgeable about the particular 

scientific area described in the application will review the merits of each 

application, based on the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1.f. of this FFO). The 

reviewers may discuss the applications with each other, but scores will be 

determined on an individual basis, not as a consensus. 

The Selecting Official, who is the CTL Executive Officer, or designee, will make 

final application selections taking into consideration the results of the reviewers’ 

evaluations, consultations with the appropriate CTL Division Chief, relevance to 

the objectives described in the CTL Grant Program Description (see Section I.6. 

of this FFO), and the availability of funds. 

(7) NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) Grant Program
43

At least three (3) objective individuals knowledgeable about the particular 

scientific area described in the application will review the merits of each 

application, based on the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1.g. of this FFO). 

The reviewers may discuss the applications with each other, but scores will be 

determined on an individual basis, not as a consensus.

The Selecting Official, who is the NCNR Director, or designee, will make final 

application selections, taking into consideration the results of the reviewers’ 

evaluations, relevance to the objectives described in the NCNR Grant Program

Description (see Section I.7. of this FFO), and the availability of funds. 

(8) Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST) Grant Program

At least three (3) objective individuals knowledgeable about the particular 

scientific area described in the application will review the merits of each 

application, based on the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1.h. of this FFO). 

The reviewers may discuss the application with each other, but scores will be 

determined on an individual basis, not as a consensus.

The Selecting Official, who is the CNST Director, or designee, will make final 

application selections, taking into consideration the results of the reviewers’ 

evaluations, relevance to the objectives described in the CNST Grant Program

Description (see Section I.8. of this FFO), and the availability of funds. 

(9) Special Programs Office (SPO) Grant Program

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the appropriate point of 

contact listed in the SPO Grant Program Description (see Section I.9. of 

this FFO) to determine the responsiveness of the application and 

compliance with program objectives prior to preparation of an application

to the SPO Grant Program.

At least three (3) objective individuals knowledgeable about the particular 

scientific area described in the application will review the merits of each 

application, based on the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1.i. of this FFO). The 

reviewers may discuss the applications with each other, but scores will be 

determined on an individual basis, not as a consensus.

The Selecting Official, who is the SPO Director, or designee, will make final 

application selections, taking into consideration the results of the reviewers’ 

evaluations, relevance to the objectives described in the SPO Grant Program

Description (see Section I.9. of this FFO), and the availability of funds. 

(10) Standards Coordination Office (SCO) Grant Program 

At least three (3) objective individuals knowledgeable about the particular 
44

scientific area described in the application will review the merits of each 

application, based on the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1.j. of this FFO). The 

reviewers may discuss the applications with each other, but scores will be 

determined on an individual basis, not as a consensus.

The Selecting Official, who is the SCO Director, or designee, will make final 

application selections, taking into consideration the results of the reviewers’ 

evaluations, relevance to the objectives described in the SCO Grant Program

Description (see Section I.10. of this FFO), and the availability of funds. 

(11) International and Academic Affairs Office (IAAO) Grant Program

At least three (3) objective individuals knowledgeable about the particular area 

described in the application will review the merits of each application, based on 

the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1.k. of this FFO). The reviewers may 

discuss the applications with each other, but scores will be determined on an 

individual basis, not as a consensus.

The Selecting Official, the IAAO Director, or designee, will make final application 

selections, taking into consideration the results of the reviewers’ evaluations, 

relevance to the objectives described in the IAAO Grant Program Description 

(see Section I.11. of this FFO), and the availability of funds. 

(12) Associate Director for Laboratory Programs (ADLP) Grant Program

At least three (3) objective individuals knowledgeable about the particular 

scientific area described in the application will review the merits of each 

application, based on the evaluation criteria (see Section V.1.l. of this FFO). The 

reviewers may discuss the applications with each other, but scores will be 

determined on an individual basis, not as a consensus.

The Selecting Official, the Associate Director for Laboratory Programs, or 

designee, will make final application selections, taking into consideration the 

results of the reviewers’ evaluations, relevance to the objectives described in the 

ADLP Grant Program Description (see Section I.12. of this FFO), and the 

availability of funds. 

c. Federal Awarding Agency Review of Risk Posed by Applicants. After 

applications are proposed for funding by the Selecting Official and prior to the 

issuance of an award, the NIST Grants Management Division will conduct an 

assessment of the risk posed by the applicant in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 

200.205. In addition to reviewing repositories of government-wide eligibility, 

qualification or financial integrity information, the risk assessment conducted by 

NIST may consider items such as the financial stability of an applicant, quality of the 

applicant’s management systems, an applicant’s history of performance, previous 

audit reports and audit findings concerning the applicant and the applicant’s ability to 
45

effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements imposed on nonFederal entities. Upon review of these factors, if appropriate, specific award 

conditions that correspond to the degree of risk may be applied by the NIST Grants 

Officer pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 200.207. In addition, NIST reserves the right to reject 

an application in its entirety where information is uncovered that raises a significant 

risk with respect to the responsibility or suitability of the applicant. 

3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates. For all NIST MSE Research 

Grant Programs, awards will be made approximately 90 days after the end of the 

review process (see Section V.2. of this FFO). See information in Section IV.4. of 

this FFO regarding awards made in a subsequent fiscal year.

4. Additional Information 

a. Safety. Safety is a top priority at NIST. Employees and affiliates of award 

recipients who conduct project work at NIST will be expected to be safety-conscious, 

to attend NIST safety training, and to comply with all NIST safety policies and 

procedures, and with all applicable terms of their guest research agreement.

b. Notification to Unsuccessful Applicants. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified 

in writing.

c. Retention of Unsuccessful Applications. For paper applications, one (1) of each 

non-selected application will be retained for three (3) years for record keeping 

purposes and the other two (2) copies will be destroyed. After three (3) years, the 

remaining copy will be destroyed. For electronic applications, an electronic copy of 

each non-selected application will be retained for at least three (3) years for record 

keeping purposes. 

VI. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices. Successful applicants will receive an award package from 

the NIST Grants Officer. The award cover page, i.e., CD-450, Financial Assistance 

Award is the authorizing document available at http://go.usa.gov/SNMR.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit 

Requirements. Through 2. C.F.R. § 1327.101, the Department of Commerce 

adopted the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit 

Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 C.F.R. Part 200, which apply to awards 

made pursuant to this FFO. Refer to http://go.usa.gov/SBYh and 

http://go.usa.gov/SBg4.

b. Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and 
46

Conditions. The Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard 

Terms and Conditions (December 26, 2014) will apply to this award and are 

accessible at: http://go.usa.gov/hKbj. Refer to Section VII. of this FFO, Federal 

Awarding Agency Contacts, Grant Rules and Regulations, if you seek the 

information at this link and it is no longer working or you need more information

c. Pre-Award Notification Requirements. The Department of Commerce will 

apply the Pre-Award Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative 

Agreements dated December 30, 2014 (79 FR 78390), accessible at 

http://go.usa.gov/hKkR. Refer to Section VII. of this FFO, Federal Awarding 

Agency Contacts, Grant Rules and Regulations, if you seek the information at 

this link and it is no longer working or you need more information.

d. Funding Availability and Limitation of Liability. Funding for the program 

listed in this FFO is contingent upon the availability of appropriations. In no event 

will NIST or the Department of Commerce be responsible for application 

preparation costs if this program fails to receive funding or is cancelled because 

of agency priorities. Publication of this FFO does not oblige NIST or the 

Department of Commerce to award any specific project or to obligate any 

available funds.

e. Collaborations with NIST Employees. All applications should include a 

description of any work proposed to be performed by an entity other than the 

applicant, and the cost of such work should ordinarily be included in the budget. 

If an applicant proposes collaboration with NIST, the statement of work should

include a statement of this intention, a description of the collaboration, and 

prominently identify the NIST employee(s) involved, if known. Any collaboration 

by a NIST employee must be approved by appropriate NIST management and is 

at the sole discretion of NIST. Prior to beginning the merit review process, NIST 

will verify the approval of the proposed collaboration. Any unapproved 

collaboration will be stricken from the application prior to the merit review. Any 

collaboration with an identified NIST employee that is approved by appropriate 

NIST management will not make an application more or less favorable in the 

competitive process.

f. Use of NIST Intellectual Property. If the applicant anticipates using any NISTowned intellectual property to carry out the work proposed, the applicant should 

identify such intellectual property. This information will be used to ensure that no 

NIST employee involved in the development of the intellectual property will 

participate in the review process for that competition. In addition, if the applicant 

intends to use NIST-owned intellectual property, the applicant must comply with 

all statutes and regulations governing the licensing of Federal government 

patents and inventions, described in 35 U.S.C. §§ 200-212, 37 C.F.R. Part 401, 2 

C.F.R. § 200.315, and in Section D.03 of the Department of Commerce Financial 

Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions dated December 26, 2014, found at 

http://go.usa.gov/hKbj. Questions about these requirements may be directed to 
47

the Chief Counsel for NIST, (301) 975-2803, nistcounsel@nist.gov. 

Any use of NIST-owned intellectual property by an applicant is at the sole 

discretion of NIST and will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis if a project is 

deemed meritorious. The applicant should indicate within the statement of work 

whether it already has a license to use such intellectual property or whether it 

intends to seek one.

If any inventions made in whole or in part by a NIST employee arise in the course 

of an award made pursuant to this FFO, the United States government may 

retain its ownership rights in any such invention. Licensing or other disposition of 

NIST's rights in such inventions will be determined solely by NIST, and include 

the possibility of NIST putting the intellectual property into the public domain.

g. Additional Consideration of Applications. NIST programs are often crosscutting and multi-disciplinary. If a NIST program official believes an application

that is not selected for funding under a specific MSE research grant program may 

be of interest to another NIST MSE research grant program(s), the official may 

forward the application to any other NIST MSE research grant program(s) that 

the program official believes may have an interest in the project, for potential 

consideration under the other NIST MSE research grant program(s) 

procedures. If, upon initial screening, the other NIST MSE research grant 

program(s) finds the application may be of programmatic interest, the application

will proceed through the review and selection process (see Section V.2 of this 

FFO) for the specific MSE research grant program(s). If not, the application will 

be returned to the original program for final processing. Any applicant that 

does not wish for its application to be considered by other NIST programs 

should indicate on its application that it would like consideration of the 

project to be limited to the program to which it originally submitted the 

application. Applicants will be notified if their applications have been forwarded 

to another NIST program(s) for potential consideration.

h. Research Activities Involving Human Subjects, Human Tissue, Data or 

Recordings Involving Human Subjects Including Software Testing. Any 

application that includes research activities involving human subjects, human 

tissue/cells, or data or recordings from or about human subjects, must satisfy the 

requirements of the Common Rule for the Protection of Human Subjects 

(“Common Rule”), codified for the Department of Commerce at 15 C.F.R. Part 

27. Research activities involving human subjects who fall within one or more of 

the classes of vulnerable subjects found in 45 C.F.R. Part 46, Subparts B, C and 

D must satisfy the requirements of the applicable subpart(s). In addition, any 

such application that includes research activities on these subjects must be in 

compliance with all applicable statutory requirements imposed upon the 

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and other Federal agencies, 

all regulations, policies and guidance adopted by DHHS, the Food and Drug 

Administration, and other Federal agencies on these topics, and all Executive 
48

Orders and Presidential statements of policy on applicable topics. (Regulatory 

Resources: http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/index.html which includes 

links to FDA regulations, but may not include all applicable regulations and 

policies).

NIST uses the following Common Rule definitions for research and human 

subjects research:

Research: A systematic investigation, including research development, testing 

and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. 

Activities which meet this definition constitute research for purposes of this 

policy, whether or not they are conducted or supported under a program which is 

considered research for other purposes. For example, some demonstration and 

service programs may include research activity.

Human Subject: A living individual about whom an investigator (whether 

professional or student) conducting research obtains data through intervention or 

interaction with the individual or identifiable private information. 

(1) Intervention includes both physical procedures by which data are gathered 

and manipulations of the subject or the subject's environment that are 

performed for research purposes.

(2) Interaction includes communication or interpersonal contact between 

investigator and subject. 

(3) Private information includes information about behavior that occurs in a 

context in which an individual can reasonably expect that no observation 

or recording is taking place, and information which has been provided for 

specific purposes by an individual and which the individual can reasonably 

expect will not be made public (for example, a medical record). Private 

information must be individually identifiable (i.e., the identity of the subject 

is or may readily be ascertained by the investigator associated with the 

information) in order for obtaining the information to constitute research 

involving human subjects. 

See 15 C.F.R. § 27.102 Definitions. 

1) Requirement for Federalwide Assurance. If the application is accepted for 

[or awarded] funding, organizations that have an IRB are required to follow 

the procedures of their organization for approval of exempt and non-exempt 

research activities that involve human subjects. Both domestic and foreign 

organizations performing non-exempt research activities involving human 

subjects will be required to have protocols approved by a cognizant, active 

IRB currently registered with the Office for Human Research Protections 

(OHRP) within the DHHS that is linked to the engaged organizations. All 
49

engaged organizations must possess a currently valid Federalwide 

Assurance (FWA) on file from OHRP. Information regarding how to apply for 

an FWA and register an IRB with OHRP can be found at 

http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/assurances/index.html. NIST relies only on OHRPissued FWAs and IRB Registrations for both domestic and foreign 

organizations for NIST supported research involving human subjects. NIST 

will not issue its own FWAs or IRB Registrations for domestic or foreign 

organizations. 

2) Administrative Review. NIST reserves the right to make an independent 

determination of whether an applicant’s activities include research involving 

human subjects. NIST will conduct an independent administrative review of 

all applications accepted for funding that include research involving human 

subjects that were approved by a non-NIST Institutional Review Board (IRB). 

Research may not start until the NIST Human Subjects Protection Office 

(HSPO) issues institutional review approval for final action by the NIST 

Grants Officer. (15 C.F.R. § 27.112 Review by Institution.) If NIST 

determines that an application includes research activities which involve 

human subjects, the applicant will be required to provide additional 

information for review and approval. The documents required for funded 

proposals are listed in each section below. Most such documents will need to 

be produced during the proposal review process; however, the Grants Officer 

may allow final versions of certain required documents to be produced at an 

appropriate designated time post-award. If an award is issued, no research 

activities involving human subjects shall be initiated or costs incurred for 

those activities under the award until the NIST Grants Officer issues written 

approval. Retroactive approvals are not permitted.

3) Required documents for proposal review. All applications involving 

human subject research must clearly indicate, by separable task, all 

research activities believed to be exempt or non-exempt research 

involving human subjects, the expected institution(s) where the 

research activities involving human subjects may be conducted, and the 

institution(s) expected to be engaged in the research activities.

a. Not research determination. If an activity/task involves human subjects 

as defined in the Common Rule, but the applicant participant(s) indicates 

to NIST that the activity/task is not research as defined in the Common 

Rule, the following information may be requested for that activity/task:

(1) Justification, including the rationale for the determination and such 

additional documentation as may be deemed necessary by NIST to 

review and/or support a determination that the activity/task in the 

application is not research as defined in the Common Rule. 

(2) If the applicant participant(s) used a cognizant IRB that provided a 

determination that the activity/task is not research, a copy of that 
50

determination documentation must be provided to NIST. The applicant 

participant(s) is not required to establish a relationship with a cognizant 

IRB if they do not have one.

NIST will review the information submitted and may coordinate further with 

the applicant before determining whether the activity/task will be defined 

as research under the Common Rule in the applicable NIST financial 

assistance program or project.

b. Exempt research determination with no IRB. If the application appears 

to NIST to include exempt research activities, and the performer of the 

activity or the supplier and/or the receiver of the biological materials or 

data from human subjects does not have a cognizant IRB to provide an 

exemption determination, the following information may be requested 

during the review process so that NIST can evaluate whether an 

exemption under the Common Rule applies (see 15 C.F.R. § 27.101(b), 

(c) and (d)).

(1) The name(s) of the institution(s) where the exempt research will be 

conducted.

(2) The name(s) of the institution(s) providing the biological materials or 

data from human subjects will be provided.

(3) A copy of the protocol for the research to be conducted; and/or the 

biological materials or data from human subjects to be 

collected/provided, not pre-existing samples (i.e., will proposed 

research collect only information without personal identifiable 

information, will biological materials or data be de-identified and when 

and by whom was the de-identification performed, how were the 

materials or data originally collected).

(4) For pre-existing biological materials or data from human subjects, 

provide copies of the consent forms used for collection and a 

description of how the materials or data were originally collected and 

stripped of personal identifiers. If copies of consent forms are not 

available, explain.

(5) Any additional clarifying documentation that NIST may deem 

necessary in order to make a determination whether the activity/task or 

use of biological materials or data from human subjects is exempt 

under the Common Rule.

c. Research review with an IRB. If the application appears to NIST to 

include research activities (exempt or non-exempt) involving human 

subjects, and the proposed performer of the activity has a cognizant IRB 

registered with OHRP, and linked to their Federalwide Assurance, the 

following information may be requested during the review process:

(1) The name(s) of the institution(s) where the research will be conducted;
51

(2) The name(s) and institution(s) of the cognizant IRB(s), and the IRB 

registration number(s);

(3) The FWA number of the applicant linked to the cognizant IRB(s);

(4) The FWAs associated with all organizations engaged in the planned 

research activity/task, linked to the cognizant IRB;

(5) If the IRB review(s) is pending, the estimated start date for research 

involving human subjects;

(6) The IRB approval date (if currently approved for exempt or non-exempt 

research);

(7) If any of the engaged organizations has applied for or will apply for an 

FWA or IRB registration, those details should be clearly provided for 

each engaged organization.

If the application includes research activities involving human subjects to 

be performed in the first year of an award, additional documentation may 

be requested by NIST during pre-award review for those performers, and 

may include the following for those research activities: 

(1) A signed (by the study principal investigator) copy of each applicable 

final IRB-approved protocol;

(2) A signed and dated approval letter from the cognizant IRB(s) that 

includes the name of the institution housing each applicable IRB, 

provides the start and end dates for the approval of the research 

activities, and any IRB-required interim reporting or continuing review 

requirements;

(3) A copy of any IRB-required application information, such as 

documentation of approval of special clearances (i.e., biohazard, 

HIPAA, etc.) conflict-of-interest letters, or special training requirements;

(4) A brief description of what portions of the IRB submitted protocol are 

specifically included in the application submitted to NIST, if the protocol 

includes tasks not included in the application, or if the protocol is 

supported by multiple funding sources. For protocols with multiple 

funding sources, NIST will not approve the study without a nonduplication-of-funding letter indicating that no other federal funds will 

be used to support the tasks proposed under the proposed research or 

ongoing project;

(5) If a new protocol will only be submitted to an IRB if an award from 

NIST is issued, a draft of the proposed protocol;

(6) Any additional clarifying documentation that NIST may request during 

the review process to perform the NIST administrative review of 

research involving human subjects. (See 15 C.F.R. § 27.112 Review 

by Institution.)

This clause reflects the existing NIST policy and requirements for Research 

Involving Human Subjects. Should the policy be revised prior to award, a clause 

reflecting the policy current at time of award may be incorporated into the award.
52

If the policy is revised after award, a clause reflecting the updated policy may be 

incorporated into the award.

For more information regarding research projects involving human subjects, 

contact Anne Andrews, Director, NIST Human Subjects Protection Office (e-mail: 

anne.andrews@nist.gov; phone: (301) 975-5445).

i. Research Applications Involving Live Vertebrate Animals. Research 

Activities Involving Live Vertebrate Animals. Any application that includes 

research activities involving live vertebrate animals, that are being cared for, 

euthanized, or used by participants in the application to accomplish research 

goals, teaching, or testing, must meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 

(AWA) (7 U.S.C. § 2131 et seq.), and the AWA final rules (9 C.F.R. Parts 1, 2, 

and 3), and if appropriate, the Good Laboratory Practice for Non-clinical 

Laboratory Studies (21 C.F.R. Part 58). In addition, such applications should be 

in compliance with the “U.S. Government Principles for Utilization and Care of 

Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training.” The Principles 

and guidance on these Principles are available in the National Research 

Council's “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals,'' which can be 

obtained from National Academy Press, 500 5th Street, N.W., Department 

285, Washington, DC 20055, or as a free PDF online at 

http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12910/guide-for-the-care-and-use-of-laboratoryanimals-eighth. 

The following requirements do not apply to proposed research using preexisting

images of animals or to research plans that do not include live animals. These 

regulations also do not apply to obtaining stock items from animal material 

suppliers (e.g., tissue banks), such as cell lines and tissue samples, or from 

commercial food processors, where the vertebrate animal was euthanized for 

food purposes and not for the purpose of sample collection.

Custom Collections Harvested from Live Vertebrate Animals: NIST requires 

documentation for obtaining custom samples from live vertebrate animals from 

animal material suppliers and other organizations (i.e., universities, companies, 

and government laboratories, etc.). Custom samples includes samples from 

animal material suppliers, such as when a catalog item indicates that the 

researcher is to specify the characteristics of the live vertebrate animal to be 

used, or how a sample is to be collected from the live vertebrate animal. 

Field Studies of Animals: Some field studies of animals may be exempt under 

the Animal Welfare Act from full review and approval by an animal care and use 

committee, as determined by each institution. Field study is defined as “...a 

study conducted on free-living wild animals in their natural habitat.” However, 

this term excludes any study that involves an invasive procedure or that harms or 

materially alters the behavior of an animal under study. Field studies, with or 
53

without invasive procedures, may also require obtaining appropriate federal or 

local government permits (e.g., marine mammals, endangered species etc.). If 

the applicant’s institution requires review and approval by an animal care and 

use committee, NIST will require that documentation to be provided as described 

below.

1) Requirement for Assurance. An applicable assurance for the care and use 

of the live vertebrate animal(s) to be used in the proposed research is 

required. NIST accepts three types of assurances, as may be applicable. 

NIST may request documentation to confirm an assurance, if adequate 

confirmation is not available through an assuring organization’s website. 

The cognizant Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) where 

the research activity is located may hold one or more applicable assurance, 

including:

• Animal Welfare Assurance from the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare 

(OLAW) indicated by the OLAW assurance number, i.e., A-1234; 

• USDA Animal Welfare Act certification indicated by the certification 

number, i.e., 12-R-3456; 

• Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal 

Care (AAALAC) indicated by providing the organization name accredited 

by AAALAC as listed in the AAALAC Directory of Accredited 

Organizations. 

2) Administrative Review. NIST reserves the right to make an independent 

determination of whether an applicant’s research activities involve live 

vertebrate animals or custom samples from, or field studies with live 

vertebrate animals. If NIST determines that the application includes research 

activities, field studies, or custom samples involving live vertebrate animals, 

the applicant will be required to provide additional information for review and 

approval. The documents required for funded proposals are listed in each 

section below. Some may be requested for a pre-review during the proposal 

review process; however, the Grants Officer may allow final versions of 

certain required documents to be produced at an appropriate designated time 

post-award. If an award is issued, no research activities involving live 

vertebrate animals subjects shall be initiated or costs incurred for those 

activities under the award until the NIST Grants Officer issues written 

approval.

3) Required documents for proposal review. The applicant should clearly 

indicate in the application, by separable task, all research activities 

believed to include research involving live vertebrate animals and the 

institution(s) where the research activities involving live vertebrate 

animals may be conducted.
54

Documentation of Research Review by an IACUC: If the applicant’s 

application appears to include research activities, field studies, or custom 

sample collections involving live vertebrate animals the following information 

regarding review by an applicable IACUC may be requested during the 

application review process:

1. The name(s) of the institution(s) where the research involving live 

vertebrate animals will be conducted and/or custom samples collected;

2. The assurance type and number, as applicable, for the cognizant 

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) where the research 

activity is located. [For example: Animal Welfare Assurance from the 

Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) should be indicated by the 

OLAW assurance number, i.e. A-1234; an USDA Animal Welfare Act 

certification should be indicated by the certification number i.e. 12-R-3456; 

and an Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory 

Animal Care (AAALAC) should be indicated by AAALAC.]

3. The IACUC approval date for the Animal Study Protocol (ASP) (if currently 

approved);

4. If the review by the cognizant IACUC is pending, the estimated- start date 

for research involving vertebrate animals;

5. If any assurances or IACUCs need to be obtained or established, that 

should be clearly stated.

6. If any special permits are required for field studies, those details should be 

clearly provided for each instance, or indicated as pending.

If the application includes research activities involving vertebrate animals to 

be performed in the first year of an award, additional documentation may be 

requested by NIST during pre-award review for those performers, and may 

include the following for those research activities, which may also include field 

studies, custom sample collections involving live vertebrate animals:

1. A signed (by the Principal Investigator) copy of the IACUC approved ASP;

2. Documentation of the IACUC approval indicating the approval and 

expiration dates of the ASP; and

3. If applicable, a non-duplication-of-funding letter if the ASP is funded from 

several sources.

4. If a new ASP will only be submitted to an IACUC if an award from NIST is 

issued, a draft of the proposed ASP may be requested.

5. Any additional clarifying documentation that NIST may request during 

review of applications to perform the NIST administrative review of 

research involving live vertebrate animals.

This clause reflects the existing NIST policy for Research Involving Live 

Vertebrate Animals. Should the policy be revised prior to award, a clause 

reflecting the policy current at time of award may be incorporated into the award.
55

If the policy is revised after award, a clause reflecting the updated policy may be 

incorporated into the award.

For more information regarding research projects involving live vertebrate 

animals, contact Linda Beth Schilling, Senior Analyst (e-mail: 

linda.schilling@nist.gov; phone: 301-975-2887).

j. Collaborations Making Use of Federal Facilities. All applications should 

include a description of any work proposed to be performed using Federal 

facilities. 

If an applicant proposes use of NIST facilities, the statement of work should 

include a statement of this intention and a description of the facilities. Any use of 

NIST facilities must be approved by appropriate NIST management and is at the 

sole discretion of NIST. Prior to beginning the merit review process, NIST will

verify the availability of the facilities and approval of the proposed usage. Any 

unapproved facility use will be stricken from the application prior to the merit 

review. Examples of some facilities that may be available for collaborations are 

listed on the following NIST Web site: http://www.nist.gov/user-facilities.cfm.

3. Reporting 

a. Reporting Requirements. The following reporting requirements described in 

Sections A.01 Performance (Technical) Reports and B.02 Financial Reports of the 

Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions 

dated December 26, 2014, http://go.usa.gov/hKbj, apply to awards in this program:

(1) Financial Reports. Each award recipient will be required to submit an SF-425, 

Federal Financial Report on a semi-annual basis for the periods ending March 31 

and September 30 of each year to the NIST Grants Officer and Grants Specialist 

named in the award documents. Reports will be due within 30 days after the end 

of the reporting period to the NIST Grants Officer and Grants Specialist named in 

the award documents. A final financial report is due within 90 days after the end 

of the project period.

(2) Performance (Technical) Reports. Each award recipient will be required to 

submit a technical progress report to the NIST Grants Officer and Federal 

Program Officer on a semi-annual basis for the periods ending March 31 and 

September 30 of each year. Reports will be due within 30 days after the end of 

the reporting period. A final technical report shall be submitted within 90 days 

after the expiration date of the award. Technical progress reports shall contain 

information as prescribed in 15 C.F.R. § 200.328.

(3) Patent and Property Reports. From time to time, and in accordance with the 

Uniform Administrative Requirements and other terms and conditions governing 

the award, the recipient may be required to submit property and patent reports.
56

(4) Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters. In accordance with section 872 

of Public Law 110-417 (as amended; see 41 U.S.C. 2313), if the total value of a 

recipient’s currently active grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement 

contracts from all Federal awarding agencies exceeds $10,000,000 for any 

period of time during the period of performance of an award made under this 

FFO, then the recipient shall be subject to the requirements specified in 

Appendix XII to 2 C.F.R. Part 200, http://go.usa.gov/cTBwC, for maintaining the 

currency of information reported to SAM that is made available in FAPIIS about 

certain civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings involving the recipient.

b. Audit Requirements. 2 C.F.R. 200 Subpart F, adopted by the Department of 

Commerce through 2 C.F.R. § 1327.101, requires any non-Federal entity (i.e., 

including non-profit institutions of higher education and other non-profit 

organizations) that expends Federal awards of $750,000 or more in the recipient’s 

fiscal year to conduct a single or program-specific audit in accordance with the 

requirements set out in the Subpart. Applicants are reminded that NIST, the 

Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General or another authorized Federal 

agency may conduct an audit of an award at any time. 

c. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006. In accordance 

with 2 C.F.R. Part 170, all recipients of a Federal award made on or after October 1, 

2010, are required to comply with reporting requirements under the Federal Funding 

Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Pub. L. No. 109-282). In general, all 

recipients are responsible for reporting sub-awards of $25,000 or more. In addition, 

recipients that meet certain criteria are responsible for reporting executive 

compensation. Applicants must ensure they have the necessary processes and 

systems in place to comply with the reporting requirements should they receive 

funding. Also see the Federal Register notice published September 14, 2010, at 75 

FR 55663 available here http://go.usa.gov/hKnQ.

VII. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

Questions should be directed to the following contact persons:

 Subject Area Point of Contact

Programmatic and 

Technical Questions

MML: Bill Clark

Phone: 303-497-3268

E-mail: william.clark@nist.gov

PML: Patrick Hovis

Phone: 301-975-4290

E-mail: patrick.hovis@nist.gov 
57

 Subject Area Point of Contact

EL: Millie Glick

Phone: 301-975-5962

E-mail: millie.glick@nist.gov

FR: Millie Glick

Phone: 301-975-5962

E-mail: millie.glick@nist.gov

ITL: Yolanda Bursie

Phone: 301-975-6738

E-mail: yolanda.bursie@nist.gov

CTL: Jim Harriman

Phone: 303-497-5312

E-mail: james.harriman@nist.gov 

NCNR: Dan Neumann 

Phone: 301-975-5252

E-mail: dan.neumann@nist.gov

CNST: Donna Lauren 

Phone: 301-975-3729

E-mail: donna.lauren@nist.gov

OSP: Darlene Hamilton

Phone: 301-975-2227

E-mail: darlene.hamilton@nist.gov

SCO: Kerry Miles

Phone: 301-975-5571

E-mail: kerry.miles@nist.gov

IAAO: Claire Saundry

Phone: 301-975-2386

E-mail: claire.saundry@nist.gov

ADLP: Donna Kimball

Phone: 301-975-8362

E-mail: donna.kimball@nist.gov

Technical Assistance 

with Grants.gov 

Submissions

Christopher Hunton

Phone: 301-975-5718

Fax: 301-975-8884
58

 Subject Area Point of Contact

E-mail: grants@nist.gov

or

Grants.gov

Phone: 800-518-4726

E-mail: support@grants.gov

Grant Rules and 

Regulations

Husai Rahman

Phone: (301) 975-4355

Fax: (301) 975-8884

E-mail: husai.rahman@nist.gov