HBCU Research and Development Program

HBCU Research and Development Program is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). Supports research and development projects at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to enhance research capacity and foster innovation.

Active funding opportunity This document is the current version. Important information for proposers and award recipients All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in the funding opportunity and in the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and its supplements . All NSF grants and cooperative agreements are subject to the applicable set of NSF award terms and conditions .

NSF has updated its research security policies for NSF funded projects. NSF 23-598: Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Excellence in Research (HBCU-EiR) To save a PDF of this solicitation, select Print to PDF in your browser's print options.

National Science Foundation Office of Integrative Activities Directorate for Biological Sciences Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorate for STEM Education Directorate for Engineering Directorate for Geosciences Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Letter of Intent Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.

m. submitting organization’s local time): Second Thursday in July, Annually Thereafter Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p. m.

submitting organization’s local time): Third Tuesday in October, Annually Thereafter Important Information And Revision Notes An individual may serve as PI or co-PI on only one proposal per deadline. An individual may serve as PI or co-PI on a maximum of 2 HBCU-EiR awards during the course of their career.

Any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation should be submitted in accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) that is in effect for the relevant due date to which the proposal is being submitted.

The NSF PAPPG is regularly revised and it is the responsibility of the proposer to ensure that the proposal meets the requirements specified in this solicitation and the applicable version of the PAPPG. Submitting a proposal prior to a specified deadline does not negate this requirement.

Summary Of Program Requirements Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Excellence in Research (HBCU-EiR) The Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Excellence in Research HBCU-EiR program was established in response to direction provided in the Senate Commerce and Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Report (Senate Report 115-139), and is built on prior and continuing efforts by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to strengthen research capacity at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

This report provided guidance to NSF to establish the HBCU Excellence in Research program "to provide opportunities for both public and private HBCUs, particularly for those who have not been successful in larger NSF Research & Related Activities competitions, in order to stimulate sustainable improvement in their research and development capacity" ( https://congress. gov/congressional-report/115th-congress/senate-report/139/1 ).

EiR supports such capacity building by funding research projects aligned with NSF's research programs. The program aims to establish stronger connections between researchers at HBCUs and NSF's research programs. Broadening Participation in STEM: NSF has a mandate to broaden participation in science and engineering, as articulated and reaffirmed in law since 1950.

Congress has charged NSF to "develop intellectual capital, both people and ideas, with particular emphasis on groups and regions that traditionally have not participated fully in science, mathematics, and engineering." Cognizant Program Officer(s): Please note that the following information is current at the time of publishing. See program website for any updates to the points of contact.

HBCU Excellence in Research, telephone: (703) 292-2757, email: EIR@nsf.

gov Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s): --- Mathematical and Physical Sciences --- Computer and Information Science and Engineering --- Social Behavioral and Economic Sciences --- Office of International Science and Engineering --- Office of Integrative Activities (OIA) --- NSF Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant or Continuing Grant Estimated Number of Awards: 30 to 35 Estimated number of awards is pending the availability of funds and the number and quality of proposal submissions.

Anticipated Funding Amount: $28,000,000 Estimated funding amount is pending the availability of funds and the number and quality of proposal submissions. Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: Proposals may only be submitted by accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that have faculty members who conduct research in science and/or engineering and/or STEM education.

The Principal Investigator for an Excellence in Research Project must be a full-time faculty member or researcher at the HBCU from which the proposal is submitted. Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: There are no restrictions or limits. Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: An individual may serve as PI or co-PI on only one proposal per deadline.

An individual may serve as PI or co-PI on a maximum of 2 HBCU-EiR awards during the course of their career. Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions A. Proposal Preparation Instructions Letters of Intent: Submission of Letters of Intent is required.

Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not required Full Proposals submitted via Research. gov: NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) guidelines apply.

The complete text of the PAPPG is available electronically on the NSF website at: https://www. nsf. gov/publications/pub_summ.

jsp? ods_key=pappg . Full Proposals submitted via Grants.

gov: NSF Grants. gov Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Applications via Grants. gov guidelines apply (Note: The NSF Grants.

gov Application Guide is available on the Grants. gov website and on the NSF website at: https://www. nsf.

gov/publications/pub_summ. jsp? ods_key=grantsgovguide ).

Cost Sharing Requirements: Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited. Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations: Other Budgetary Limitations: Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

Letter of Intent Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p. m. submitting organization’s local time): Second Thursday in July, Annually Thereafter Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.

m. submitting organization’s local time): Third Tuesday in October, Annually Thereafter Proposal Review Information Criteria National Science Board approved criteria apply. Award Administration Information Standard NSF award conditions apply.

Standard NSF reporting requirements apply.

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Excellence in Research HBCU-EiR funding opportunity was established in response to direction provided in the Senate Commerce and Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Report (Senate Report 115-139) and is built on prior and continuing efforts by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to strengthen research capacity at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Senate Report 115-139 provided guidance to NSF to establish the HBCU Excellence in Research program, to provide opportunities for both public and private HBCUs, particularly for those who have not been successful in larger NSF Research & Related Activities competitions, in order to stimulate sustainable improvement in their research and development capacity.

HBCU-EiR supports such capacity building by funding research projects across all NSF Directorates. The primary goal of the HBCU-EiR funding opportunity is to increase support for researchers at HBCUs interested in pursuing research in domains that align with NSF's research program areas. HBCU-EiR is designed to establish stronger connections between researchers at HBCUs and NSF's core research programs.

Outcomes from HBCU-EiR support are intended to be leveraged to empower researchers to subsequently apply for disciplinary specific program funding, for example through core divisional solicitations, in the future. HBCU-EiR is managed by the Office of Integrative Activities in collaboration with a liaison group consisting of program directors who are representatives from each NSF directorate.

Members of the liaison group are listed in this solicitation as cognizant program officers. Liaisons or core program directors can assist in determining the appropriate secondary unit of consideration.

Proposals submitted to EiR are routed with assistance from the liaison group for review to the most appropriate research program(s) in one (or more) of the Directorates using the secondary unit of consideration (as designated by the principal investigator). Final placement of the proposal for review, and assignment of the cognizant program officer, is made by NSF. Proposals will undergo merit review by the appropriate research program.

Letters of intent are required so that the HBCU-EiR liaison group can facilitate the establishment of appropriate connections between prospective PIs and the most relevant NSF research program(s) prior to proposal submission. Interdisciplinary proposals are welcome. Project budgets and duration should be on a scope and scale commensurate with the needs of the project.

While HBCU-EiR research proposals do not have budgetary restrictions, with the exception of the cap on allowable costs for equipment purchases and required travel funds, proposing PIs are strongly encouraged to consider the typical funding levels in the secondary unit of consideration by reviewing the appropriate program portfolio of recently funded awards (see individual program web-pages, search for awards at https://www. nsf.

gov/awardsearch/advancedSearch. jsp ), or by consulting with the appropriate member of the liaison group. Funding requests outside the typical range should have corresponding detailed budget justifications that demonstrate the relevance of the request to the project.

The most competitive HBCU-EiR proposals will fully address both the intellectual merit and the broader impacts criteria as described in Section VI below. Additionally, the project description should describe how the proposed project will further the PI's research, improve research opportunities for students and serve to improve research capacity at the institution.

EiR will consider requests for support for the purchase of research instrumentation or other research tools not already available to conduct the proposed research. Such support should not exceed 30% of the proposed budget. PIs with active or recently funded HBCU-UP Research Initiation Awards https://www.

nsf. gov/funding/pgm_summ. jsp?

pims_id=5481 are strongly encouraged to consider submission of an HBCU-EiR proposal. PIs with no prior research funding or who have held no external research funding in the last three years should consider applying to the Research Initiation Awards track in the HBCU-UP solicitation prior to submitting an HBCU-EiR proposal. Particularly if the proposed activities would be strengthened by additional preliminary data or proof of concept.

PIs with an established history of successful research funding should apply directly to research programs in NSF directorates and not to the HBCU-EiR mechanism. EiR proposals must be in fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics or education research that are typically supported by NSF programs to be found at https://www. nsf.

gov/funding/browse_all_funding. jsp. Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant or Continuing Grant Estimated Number of Awards: 30-35 Anticipated Funding Amount: $28,000,000 Estimated program budget, number of awards, and average size/duration are subject to the availability of funds and the number and quality of proposal submissions.

IV. Eligibility Information Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: Proposals may only be submitted by accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that have faculty members who conduct research in science and/or engineering and/or STEM education.

The Principal Investigator for an Excellence in Research Project must be a full-time faculty member or researcher at the HBCU from which the proposal is submitted. Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: There are no restrictions or limits. Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: An individual may serve as PI or co-PI on only one proposal per deadline.

An individual may serve as PI or co-PI on a maximum of 2 HBCU-EiR awards during the course of their career. V. Proposal Preparation And Submission Instructions A.

Proposal Preparation Instructions Letters of Intent (required) : Letters of Intent (required) : Letters of Intent must contain the following information: The project title, beginning with "Excellence in Research:" followed by the title. The PI and Co-PI names, department(s), institution(s), phone number(s), and email address(es). The PI must be listed as the point of contact, not the institution's sponsored research representative.

The submitting institution's name. A line that clearly identifies the secondary unit of consideration, which is the NSF research program(s), division(s) and the directorate(s) believed to be most appropriate for the review of the EiR project. A project synopsis (no more than 2500 characters) that describes the proposed research activities.

Letter of Intent Preparation Instructions : When submitting a Letter of Intent through Research. gov in response to this Program Solicitation please note the conditions outlined below: Submission by an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) is required when submitting Letters of Intent.

A Minimum of 0 and Maximum of 4 Other Senior Project Personnel are permitted A Minimum of 0 and Maximum of 5 Other Participating Organizations are permitted Submission of multiple Letters of Intent is permitted Full Proposal Preparation Instructions : Proposers may opt to submit proposals in response to this Program Solicitation via Research. gov or Grants. gov. Full Proposals submitted via Research.

gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the general guidelines contained in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). The complete text of the PAPPG is available electronically on the NSF website at: https://www. nsf.

gov/publications/pub_summ. jsp? ods_key=pappg .

Paper copies of the PAPPG may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf. gov . The Prepare New Proposal setup will prompt you for the program solicitation number.

Full proposals submitted via Grants. gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation via Grants. gov should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the NSF Grants.

gov Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Applications via Grants. gov . The complete text of the NSF Grants.

gov Application Guide is available on the Grants. gov website and on the NSF website at: ( https://www. nsf.

gov/publications/pub_summ. jsp? ods_key=grantsgovguide ).

To obtain copies of the Application Guide and Application Forms Package, click on the Apply tab on the Grants. gov site, then click on the Apply Step 1: Download a Grant Application Package and Application Instructions link and enter the funding opportunity number, (the program solicitation number without the NSF prefix) and press the Download Package button. Paper copies of the Grants.

gov Application Guide also may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf. gov . In determining which method to utilize in the electronic preparation and submission of the proposal, please note the following: Collaborative Proposals.

All collaborative proposals submitted as separate submissions from multiple organizations must be submitted via Research. gov. PAPPG Chapter II. D.

3 provides additional information on collaborative proposals. See PAPPG Chapter II. C.

2 for guidance on the required sections of a full research proposal submitted to NSF. Please note that the proposal preparation instructions provided in this program solicitation may deviate from the PAPPG instructions. Designation of a secondary unit of consideration is required.

After the proposal is created in Research. gov, click on the “Manage Where to Apply” link to select the NSF research program(s), division(s) and the directorate(s) believed to be most appropriate for the review of the EiR project. PROJECT SUMMARY: The Project Summary must include the LOI number in addition to all the requirements outlined in the PAPPG.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Project Description must include requirements outlined in the PAPPG, including a separate section labeled Broader Impacts.

Additionally, the Project Description must contain the following: A brief description of the PI's overall research goals; Information on the institutional context in which the work is being done (e.g. number of faculty engaged in research, faculty teaching loads, number of undergrads or/and graduate students); An outline of the general plan of work, including the research questions or hypotheses, the broad design of activities to be undertaken, and, where appropriate, a description of experimental methods and procedures; Background information that is firmly grounded in the literature with enough information to understand how the proposed work will advance the field; Fully articulated research questions and rationale or clearly stated hypothesis the project will test; Preliminary data or proof of concept work if available and appropriate; Experimental strategy, if applicable, that includes enough detail to determine feasibility and scientific merit as well as a timeline of activities; A sustainability plan that describes how the proposed work could lead to future submission to a current NSF core discipline specific research funding opportunity; Details on how success of the project will be determined, including specific achievements or metrics; and A plan for scholarly dissemination of this research.

BUDGET AND BUDGET JUSTIFICATION: For preparation of these documents, follow the directions in the NSF PAPPG. Simultaneously submitted collaborative proposals are allowed if all collaborating institutions are HBCUs. If the project involves a collaboration with a non-HBCU institution, it must be in the form of a subaward.

If the project involves a collaboration with a non-HBCU institution(s), the budget for all non-HBCU partners must be well justified, may not total a substantial portion of the overall budget, and must be in the form of a subaward(s). No more than 30% of the budget can be allocated for equipment. Letter of Institutional Support: The proposal must include a letter by the chair, dean, or chief academic officer of the primary PI.

The letter, which will be included as part of the consideration of the overall merits of the proposal, should convey how the PI's research and activities are supported by and advance research goals of the department and the institution, and that the institution is committed to the support, research progression, and professional development of the PI. This letter should be no more than 2 pages in length.

Letters of collaboration: If the project involves collaborative arrangements of significance, these arrangements should be described in the Project Description section of the proposal and documented through letters of collaboration.

Letters of collaboration should follow the single-sentence format: "If the proposal submitted by Dr. [insert the full name of the Principal Investigator] entitled [insert the proposal title] is selected for funding by the NSF, it is my intent to collaborate and/or commit resources as detailed in the Project Description or the Facilities, Equipment or Other Resources section of the proposal."

Letters of support from collaborators, as defined in the NSF PAPPG, are not allowed. Proposal Compliance with Program Solicitation Requirements: All HBCU-EiR proposals will be checked for compliance with this program solicitation and the applicable version of the PAPPG. Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.

Other Budgetary Limitations: Required Meeting Travel: All proposals should budget for the PI to attend a two-day grantee meeting in the Washington, DC area every year of the project. Letter of Intent Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p. m.

submitting organization’s local time): Second Thursday in July, Annually Thereafter Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p. m. submitting organization’s local time): Third Tuesday in October, Annually Thereafter D.

Research. gov/Grants. gov Requirements For Proposals Submitted Via Research.

gov: To prepare and submit a proposal via Research. gov, see detailed technical instructions available at: https://www. research.

gov/research-portal/appmanager/base/desktop? _nfpb=true&_pageLabel=research_node_display&_nodePath=/researchGov/Service/Desktop/ProposalPreparationandSubmission. html .

For Research. gov user support, call the Research. gov Help Desk at 1-800-673-6188 or e-mail rgov@nsf.

gov . The Research. gov Help Desk answers general technical questions related to the use of the Research.

gov system. Specific questions related to this program solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this funding opportunity. For Proposals Submitted Via Grants.

gov: Before using Grants. gov for the first time, each organization must register to create an institutional profile. Once registered, the applicant's organization can then apply for any federal grant on the Grants.

gov website. Comprehensive information about using Grants. gov is available on the Grants.

gov Applicant Resources webpage: https://www. grants. gov/web/grants/applicants.

html . In addition, the NSF Grants. gov Application Guide (see link in Section V.

A) provides instructions regarding the technical preparation of proposals via Grants. gov. For Grants. gov user support, contact the Grants.

gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or by email: support@grants. gov . The Grants.

gov Contact Center answers general technical questions related to the use of Grants. gov. Specific questions related to this program solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this solicitation. Submitting the Proposal: Once all documents have been completed, the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) must submit the application to Grants.

gov and verify the desired funding opportunity and agency to which the application is submitted. The AOR must then sign and submit the application to Grants. gov. The completed application will be transferred to Research.

gov for further processing. Proposers that submitted via Research. gov may use Research.

gov to verify the status of their submission to NSF. For proposers that submitted via Grants. gov, until an application has been received and validated by NSF, the Authorized Organizational Representative may check the status of an application on Grants.

gov. After proposers have received an e-mail notification from NSF, Research. gov should be used to check the status of an application. VI.

NSF Proposal Processing And Review Procedures Proposals received by NSF are assigned to the appropriate NSF program for acknowledgement and, if they meet NSF requirements, for review.

All proposals are carefully reviewed by a scientist, engineer, or educator serving as an NSF Program Officer, and usually by three to ten other persons outside NSF either as ad hoc reviewers, panelists, or both, who are experts in the particular fields represented by the proposal. These reviewers are selected by Program Officers charged with oversight of the review process.

Proposers are invited to suggest names of persons they believe are especially well qualified to review the proposal and/or persons they would prefer not review the proposal. These suggestions may serve as one source in the reviewer selection process at the Program Officer's discretion. Submission of such names, however, is optional.

Care is taken to ensure that reviewers have no conflicts of interest with the proposal. In addition, Program Officers may obtain comments from site visits before recommending final action on proposals. Senior NSF staff further review recommendations for awards.

A flowchart that depicts the entire NSF proposal and award process (and associated timeline) is included in PAPPG Exhibit III-1. A comprehensive description of the Foundation's merit review process is available on the NSF website at: https://www. nsf.

gov/funding/overview . One of the strategic objectives in support of NSF's mission is to foster integration of research and education through the programs, projects, and activities it supports at academic and research institutions. These institutions must recruit, train, and prepare a diverse STEM workforce to advance the frontiers of science and participate in the U.S. technology-based economy.

NSF's contribution to the national innovation ecosystem is to provide cutting-edge research under the guidance of the Nation's most creative scientists and engineers. NSF also supports development of a strong science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce by investing in building the knowledge that informs improvements in STEM teaching and learning.

NSF's mission calls for the broadening of opportunities and expanding participation of groups, institutions, and geographic regions that are underrepresented in STEM disciplines, which is essential to the health and vitality of science and engineering. NSF is committed to this principle of diversity and deems it central to the programs, projects, and activities it considers and supports. A.

Merit Review Principles and Criteria The National Science Foundation strives to invest in a robust and diverse portfolio of projects that creates new knowledge and enables breakthroughs in understanding across all areas of science and engineering research and education.

To identify which projects to support, NSF relies on a merit review process that incorporates consideration of both the technical aspects of a proposed project and its potential to contribute more broadly to advancing NSF's mission "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense; and for other purposes."

NSF makes every effort to conduct a fair, competitive, transparent merit review process for the selection of projects. 1. Merit Review Principles These principles are to be given due diligence by PIs and organizations when preparing proposals and managing projects, by reviewers when reading and evaluating proposals, and by NSF program staff when determining whether or not to recommend proposals for funding and while overseeing awards.

Given that NSF is the primary federal agency charged with nurturing and supporting excellence in basic research and education, the following three principles apply: All NSF projects should be of the highest quality and have the potential to advance, if not transform, the frontiers of knowledge. NSF projects, in the aggregate, should contribute more broadly to achieving societal goals.

These "Broader Impacts" may be accomplished through the research itself, through activities that are directly related to specific research projects, or through activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the project. The project activities may be based on previously established and/or innovative methods and approaches, but in either case must be well justified.

Meaningful assessment and evaluation of NSF funded projects should be based on appropriate metrics, keeping in mind the likely correlation between the effect of broader impacts and the resources provided to implement projects. If the size of the activity is limited, evaluation of that activity in isolation is not likely to be meaningful.

Thus, assessing the effectiveness of these activities may best be done at a higher, more aggregated, level than the individual project. With respect to the third principle, even if assessment of Broader Impacts outcomes for particular projects is done at an aggregated level, PIs are expected to be accountable for carrying out the activities described in the funded project.

Thus, individual projects should include clearly stated goals, specific descriptions of the activities that the PI intends to do, and a plan in place to document the outputs of those activities. These three merit review principles provide the basis for the merit review criteria, as well as a context within which the users of the criteria can better understand their intent.

All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two National Science Board approved merit review criteria. In some instances, however, NSF will employ additional criteria as required to highlight the specific objectives of certain programs and activities. The two merit review criteria are listed below.

Both criteria are to be given full consideration during the review and decision-making processes; each criterion is necessary but neither, by itself, is sufficient. Therefore, proposers must fully address both criteria. (PAPPG Chapter II.

D. 2. d(i).

contains additional information for use by proposers in development of the Project Description section of the proposal). Reviewers are strongly encouraged to review the criteria, including PAPPG Chapter II. D.

2. d(i), prior to the review of a proposal. When evaluating NSF proposals, reviewers will be asked to consider what the proposers want to do, why they want to do it, how they plan to do it, how they will know if they succeed, and what benefits could accrue if the project is successful.

These issues apply both to the technical aspects of the proposal and the way in which the project may make broader contributions.

To that end, reviewers will be asked to evaluate all proposals against two criteria: Intellectual Merit: The Intellectual Merit criterion encompasses the potential to advance knowledge; and Broader Impacts: The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.

The following elements should be considered in the review for both criteria: What is the potential for the proposed activity to Advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields (Intellectual Merit); and Benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)? To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?

Is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned, well-organized, and based on a sound rationale? Does the plan incorporate a mechanism to assess success? How well qualified is the individual, team, or organization to conduct the proposed activities?

Are there adequate resources available to the PI (either at the home organization or through collaborations) to carry out the proposed activities? Broader impacts may be accomplished through the research itself, through the activities that are directly related to specific research projects, or through activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the project.

NSF values the advancement of scientific knowledge and activities that contribute to achievement of societally relevant outcomes.

Such outcomes include, but are not limited to: improved STEM education and educator development at any level; increased public scientific literacy and public engagement with science and technology; improved well-being of individuals in society; development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce; increased partnerships between academia, industry, and others; improved national security; increased economic competitiveness of the United States; and enhanced infrastructure for research and education.

Proposers are reminded that reviewers will also be asked to review the Data Management Plan and the Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan, as appropriate. B. Review and Selection Process Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation will be reviewed by Ad hoc Review and/or Panel Review.

Reviewers will be asked to evaluate proposals using two National Science Board approved merit review criteria and, if applicable, additional program specific criteria. A summary rating and accompanying narrative will generally be completed and submitted by each reviewer and/or panel. The Program Officer assigned to manage the proposal's review will consider the advice of reviewers and will formulate a recommendation.

After scientific, technical and programmatic review and consideration of appropriate factors, the NSF Program Officer recommends to the cognizant Division Director whether the proposal should be declined or recommended for award. NSF strives to be able to tell applicants whether their proposals have been declined or recommended for funding within six months.

Large or particularly complex proposals or proposals from new awardees may require additional review and processing time. The time interval begins on the deadline or target date, or receipt date, whichever is later. The interval ends when the Division Director acts upon the Program Officer's recommendation.

After programmatic approval has been obtained, the proposals recommended for funding will be forwarded to the Division of Grants and Agreements or the Division of Acquisition and Cooperative Support for review of business, financial, and policy implications. After an administrative review has occurred, Grants and Agreements Officers perform the processing and issuance of a grant or other agreement.

Proposers are cautioned that only a Grants and Agreements Officer may make commitments, obligations or awards on behalf of NSF or authorize the expenditure of funds. No commitment on the part of NSF should be inferred from technical or budgetary discussions with a NSF Program Officer.

A Principal Investigator or organization that makes financial or personnel commitments in the absence of a grant or cooperative agreement signed by the NSF Grants and Agreements Officer does so at