NSF 24-600: NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award is sponsored by NSF Directorate for Engineering. Supports individual investigators proposing novel research projects with potential to address national needs and advance U.

NSF 24-600: NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation Archived funding opportunity This solicitation is archived. 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 .

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Program Solicitation NSF 24-600 U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Engineering Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities Letter of Intent Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p. m. submitting organization's local time): Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.

m. submitting organization's local time): Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p. m.

submitting organization's local time): Important Information And Revision Notes Prospective PIs interested in submitting a TRAILBLAZER proposal must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by November 15, 2024. Refer to Section V. Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions for further details.

This is a change as compared to the FY24 TRAILBLAZER solicitation. Also new for the FY25 Trailblazer solicitation, preliminary proposals are required. Full proposals will only be accepted for review from those PIs who are invited to submit a full proposal following review of their preliminary proposal.

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 NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (Trailblazer) The NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER) program supports individual investigators who propose novel research projects with the potential to innovatively and creatively address national needs and/or grand challenges, advance US leadership, and catalyze the convergence of engineering and science domains.

TRAILBLAZER will support engineers and scientists who leverage their distinctive track record of innovation and creativity to pursue new research directions that are distinct from their previous or current research areas. All funded TRAILBLAZER projects will form an NSF TRAILBLAZER cohort, and principal investigators will be expected to participate in an annual meeting.

TRAILBLAZER investigators may also be invited to additional activities. INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR: The Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities (EFMA) Office will host an informational webinar on October 15, 2024 to discuss the TRAILBLAZER program and answer questions about the FY 2025 TRAILBLAZER solicitation. Details on how to join this webinar will be posted on the Directorate for Engineering and EFMA Websites.

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. TRAILBLAZER Program, telephone: N/A, email: TRAILBLAZER@nsf.

gov Gregory L. Rorrer, telephone: (703) 292-7470, email: grorrer@nsf. gov Alias Smith, telephone: (703) 292-8367, email: alismith@nsf.

gov Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s): Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant Estimated Number of Awards: 5 The anticipated budget for this program solicitation is $15,000,000 in FY 2025, pending the availability of funds. Each award will be funded as a Standard Grant or Continuing Grant. The Program anticipates making a minimum of 5 awards.

Each project may receive support of up to a total of $3,000,000 over three years.

Anticipated Funding Amount: $15,000,000 Pending the availability of funds Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities.

Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) - Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. The PI must hold a tenured or tenure-eligible faculty appointment at the Associate or Full Professor rank or equivalent at an organization that is eligible to submit as described under "Who May Submit Proposals."

Additionally, the PI must have an appointment in an Engineering School or College and/or have earned an Engineering Doctorate degree. If the proposal is submitted by a non-profit, non-academic organization, the PI must meet the following requirements: (1) the PI has a continuing appointment that is expected to last the 3 years of a TRAILBLAZER award; and (2) the appointment has substantial research responsibilities.

Prior or concurrent funding support for other projects that overlap with the proposed TRAILBLAZER project will preclude eligibility for a TRAILBLAZER award. Only single PI TRAILBLAZER proposals will be accepted in response to this solicitation. Collaborative proposals, as described in PAPPG Chapter II.

E. 3. a.

and II. E. 3.

b,are not allowed. Any proposal submitted with sub-awards, or as separate submissions from multiple organizations, will be returned without review. Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: There are no restrictions or limits.

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: 1 An eligible Principal Investigator may submit only one TRAILBLAZER proposal in response to this solicitation. If an individual is listed as PI on more than one proposal submitted in response to this solicitation, all proposals submitted after the first one will be returned without review. No co-PIs are permitted for either the preliminary proposal or full proposal submission.

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 Proposals: Submission of Preliminary Proposals is required. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. 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: Letter of Intent Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.

m. submitting organization's local time): Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p. m.

submitting organization's local time): Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p. m. submitting organization's local time): Proposal Review Information Criteria National Science Board approved criteria.

Additional merit review criteria apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. Award Administration Information Additional award conditions apply.

Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. Standard NSF reporting requirements apply. The NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award (TRAILBLAZER) program complements the EFRI program by supporting individual innovative and creative scientists and engineers to conduct research in emerging engineering frontiers, not limited to the topics currently and previously supported by the EFRI program.

For the program to support the best possible researchers and research projects, individuals that meet the PI eligibility criteria from diverse backgrounds and from the full spectrum of eligible institutions in all geographic locations are strongly encouraged to submit to this solicitation.

The TRAILBLAZER program supports individual investigators who demonstrate a deep capacity for research excellence, creativity, and innovation to undertake novel research projects that have the potential to address national needs and/or grand challenges, advance US leadership, and/or catalyze the convergence of engineering and science domains.

A distinctive feature of the TRAILBLAZER program is that the PI must demonstrate how their track record of innovation and creativity will be uniquely leveraged to pursue new research directions that are distinct from their previous or current research areas. TRAILBLAZER PIs are expected to convene and lead an effective team to conduct the proposed research activities.

These teams are finalized after the award and not at the time of proposal submission. The proposed projects are anticipated to generate novel solutions to grand challenge(s), fundamental new insights, and/or pioneering technological advances. Proposed projects are expected to involve exceptionally innovative approaches and/or unconventional hypotheses.

TRAILBLAZER is not intended to expand a current research program into the proposed area of research. Projects that are extensions of ongoing or previous research are not eligible.

The TRAILBLAZER program supports individual investigators to undertake projects that have the potential to address new areas of fundamental research related to national needs and/or grand challenges, advance US global leadership, and/or catalyze the convergence of engineering and science domains.

The TRAILBLAZER program emphasizes the qualities of the investigator which illustrate they can design and lead potentially transformative research projects and make major contributions toward solving significant research problems. The principal investigator must also have a demonstrated record of success and impact in an area of engineering research.

Building on this track record of research excellence, creativity and innovation, TRAILBLAZER PIs are expected to propose unconventional hypotheses in new areas distinct from their current or previous research. In this context, the proposed projects should focus on bold, innovative, and potentially risky approaches to address problems that may seem intractable.

The proposed research must hold potential for transformative outcomes, address a national need and/or grand challenge, and offer a clear leadership role for Engineering. Research topics should be relevant to the broad mission of NSF.

TRAILBLAZER will consider proposals from investigators who propose projects that have the potential for unusually broad impact in engineering research and education, that stimulate development of emerging technologies, and/or that imagine novel investigative tools. TRAILBLAZER projects should realize the convergence of engineering and science domains.

The TRAILBLAZER proposal does not require a detailed experimental plan or preliminary data. Review of the proposal will focus on the investigator's history of being a creative and innovative researcher, and the suitability of the proposed project for the TRAILBLAZER program. The anticipated budget for this program solicitation is $15,000,000 in FY 2025, pending the availability of funds.

Each award will be funded as a Standard Grant or Continuing Grant. The Program anticipates making a minimum of 5 awards. Each project may receive support of up to a total of $3,000,000 over three years.

IV. Eligibility Information Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities.

Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) - Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. The PI must hold a tenured or tenure-eligible faculty appointment at the Associate or Full Professor rank or equivalent at an organization that is eligible to submit as described under "Who May Submit Proposals."

Additionally, the PI must have an appointment in an Engineering School or College and/or have earned an Engineering Doctorate degree. If the proposal is submitted by a non-profit, non-academic organization, the PI must meet the following requirements: (1) the PI has a continuing appointment that is expected to last the 3 years of a TRAILBLAZER award; and (2) the appointment has substantial research responsibilities.

Prior or concurrent funding support for other projects that overlap with the proposed TRAILBLAZER project will preclude eligibility for a TRAILBLAZER award. Only single PI TRAILBLAZER proposals will be accepted in response to this solicitation. Collaborative proposals, as described in PAPPG Chapter II.

E. 3. a.

and II. E. 3.

b,are not allowed. Any proposal submitted with sub-awards, or as separate submissions from multiple organizations, will be returned without review. Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: There are no restrictions or limits.

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: 1 An eligible Principal Investigator may submit only one TRAILBLAZER proposal in response to this solicitation. If an individual is listed as PI on more than one proposal submitted in response to this solicitation, all proposals submitted after the first one will be returned without review. No co-PIs are permitted for either the preliminary proposal or full proposal submission.

V. Proposal Preparation And Submission Instructions A. Proposal Preparation Instructions Letters of Intent (required) : A one-page Letter of Intent is required.

The letter should be submitted via Research. gov no later than the date specified in this solicitation. The subject heading of the letter should include a brief title of the proposal and the name of the lead organization.

Each letter must include the following: Title - Title of the TRAILBLAZER proposal, preceded by the word "TRAILBLAZER:". Principal Investigator - Name, departmental and organizational affiliation, and expertise of the Principal Investigator. Synopsis - Brief description of the specific goals of the proposed research, and how the proposed project is appropriate for the TRAILBLAZER program.

Provide the name of the Program(s) and their associated Division(s) within the Engineering Directorate of NSF with which the proposal topic best aligns. These letters of intent are not used as pre-approval mechanisms for the submission of preliminary proposals and no feedback is provided to the submitters, however letters of intent are required for all submitted preliminary proposals to this solicitation.

The letters of intent are not reviewed but are used to assess the overall response to the solicitation. They help NSF anticipate review requirements for preliminary proposals. For more information on letters of intent, please review the PAPPG.

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 not required when submitting Letters of Intent.

Submission of multiple Letters of Intent is not permitted Preliminary Proposals (required) : Preliminary proposals are required and must be submitted via Research. gov, even if full proposals will be submitted via Grants.

gov. Preliminary proposals should provide a brief overview of the project, focusing on its transformative aspects, and should include sufficient information to allow assessment of the main ideas and approaches as well as how proposed projects are appropriate for the TRAILBLAZER program as opposed to other NSF programs.

Review of the preliminary proposals will include particular emphasis on the potentially transformative nature and impact of the proposed idea. The preliminary proposal must explain how the PI's research expertise and track record of creativity, innovation, and collaboration will be used to propose a new research direction. TRAILBLAZER is not intended to expand the PI's previous or current research areas.

Projects that are a continuation or extension of the PI's ongoing or previous research are not eligible under this program. Prior or concurrent funding support for other projects that overlap with the proposed TRAILBLAZER project will preclude eligibility for a TRAILBLAZER award. Preliminary Proposal Preparation Instructions: Preliminary proposals must be submitted via Research.

gov in accordance with the instructions below. Preliminary proposals that are not compliant with this solicitation will be returned without review. It is the submitting organization's responsibility to ensure that the proposal is compliant with all applicable requirements.

Preliminary proposals must contain the items listed below and must strictly adhere to the specified page limitations. No additional information may be provided as an appendix or by links to web pages. Figures and tables must be included within the applicable page limit.

Preliminary Proposal Set-Up: Select "Prepare New Preliminary Proposal" in Research. gov. Search for and select this solicitation title in Step One of the Preliminary Proposal wizard. Select "Single proposal (with or without sub-awards).

Separately submitted collaborative proposals will be returned without review. Title of Proposed Project: The title for the proposed project must begin with " TRAILBLAZER Preliminary Proposal:" .

Project Summary: The project summary may not exceed one page in length and must consist of three parts: In the Overview section, include the title of the project, the research expertise of the principal investigator (PI), and a statement of how the PI's capacity for research excellence, creativity and impactful innovation will be leveraged to pivot to a distinctly new area of research with transformative potential.

Provide a succinct summary of the Intellectual Merit of the proposed project. This should include the transformative nature of the proposed research and the significant leap or paradigm shift in fundamental engineering knowledge that it will provide. Describe the Broader Impacts of the proposed work, including the potential long-term impact on national needs and/or grand challenges, and plans for broadening participation.

Proposals that do not separately address in the project summary both intellectual merit and broader impacts will be returned without review.

Project Description: The project description of the preliminary proposal is limited to five pages and should include the following three sections: Investigator Expertise: In approximately one page, highlight the principal investigator's (PI's) track record of research excellence, creativity, and impactful innovations, the PI's demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and convergently across diverse disciplines, and the PI's present capacity to pivot to new research areas.

TRAILBLAZER Vision and Goals: In 2-3 pages, describe how the proposed research represents a distinct departure from the PI's current research areas into new areas with significant potential for innovation and disruptive advances in engineering and science.

This section must explain how the PI's capacity for research excellence, creativity, and impactful innovation will be leveraged to pivot to this new research area through the development of innovative approaches designed to evaluate unconventional hypotheses.

This section should describe the vision and goals of the proposed project, the overall plan of research, an overview of the approaches and methodologies to attain the goals, and the expected outcomes of the proposed research. The ethical, legal, social, economic, and environmental implications of the proposed research should also be articulated as appropriate.

The TRAILBLAZER program does not request preliminary data or detailed experimental plans. Nevertheless, reviewers must be able to understand how the proposed research will be pursued in a robust and rigorous manner.

Broader Impacts: In one page or less, describe the transformative nature of the proposed project, how the outcomes of the proposed research will address national needs and/or grand challenges, advance US leadership, demonstrate convergence of engineering and science domains, and broaden participation. References Cited: Indicate with an asterisk any cited publications that resulted from prior research funded by NSF for the PI.

Senior Personnel Documents Biographical sketch for the PI, prepared per PAPPG requirements. Current and Pending (Other) Support for the PI, prepared per PAPPG requirements. In the Supplementary Documentation section, include the following: A PowerPoint Slide summarizing the vision of the TRAILBLAZER proposal, including PI Expertise, Trailblazer Vision & Goals, and Broader Impacts.

This slide will be used during review panel discussions. Preliminary proposals will be reviewed by panels of outside experts under the Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts criterion, as well as the Additional Solicitation Specific Review Criteria, as detailed under section VI. 2 of this solicitation.

Based on the reviews, a limited number of PIs will be invited to submit full proposals. For fiscal year 2025, invited proposers should expect to receive an invitation from the TRAILBLAZER program to submit a full proposal by mid-February 2025.

The following sections are not required for preliminary proposals and must not be included: "Results from Prior NSF Support"; "Budget and Budget Justification"; "Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources"; "Collaborators and Other Affiliations Information", "Synergistic Activities", "Data Management and Sharing Plan", and "Mentoring Plan".

Preliminary proposals containing items other than those required above will be returned without review. 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 .

See PAPPG Chapter II. D. 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. The following instructions supplement or deviate from the guidance in the PAPPG. Only single PI TRAILBLAZER proposals will be accepted in response to this solicitation.

Collaborative proposals, as described in PAPPG Chapter II. E. 3.

a. and II. E.

3. b, are not allowed. Any proposal submitted with sub-awards, or as separate submissions from multiple organizations, will be returned without review.

Full proposals will only be accepted from PIs who have submitted preliminary proposals in the current review cycle and who were invited to submit a full proposal. Title of Proposed Project: The title for the proposed TRAILBLAZER project must begin with "TRAILBLAZER:" . The title must state clearly and succinctly the research and innovation that is the focus for the project.

Project Summary: The project summary may not exceed one page in length and must consist of three parts: In the Overview section, include the title of the project, the research expertise of the principal investigator (PI), and a statement of how the PI's capacity for research excellence, creativity and impactful innovation will be leveraged to pivot to a distinctly new area of research with transformative potential.

Provide a succinct summary of the Intellectual Merit of the proposed project. This should include the transformative nature of the proposed research and the significant leap or paradigm shift in fundamental engineering knowledge it will provide. Describe the Broader Impacts of the proposed work, including the potential long-term impact on national needs and/or grand challenges, and plans for broadening participation.

Project Description (maximum 15 pages) must include the subsections listed below. Please see instructions below for providing Results from Prior NSF Support as a Supplementary Document.

Evidence of Research Excellence, Innovation, and Collaboration: Provide evidence of the PI's capacity for research excellence, creativity, and impactful innovations, the PI's ability to work collaboratively and convergently across diverse disciplines, and the PI's experience in forming and leading inter- and/or multidisciplinary teams.

TRAILBLAZER Suitability: Describe how the proposed research represents a distinct departure from the PI's current research areas into new areas with significant potential for innovation and disruptive advances in engineering and science.

This section must explain how the PI's capacity for research excellence, creativity, and impactful innovation will be leveraged to pivot to this new research area through the development of innovative approaches designed to evaluate unconventional hypotheses. Describe why the proposed research is suited to the TRAILBLAZER program rather than to an NSF core program.

TRAILBLAZER is not intended to expand the PI's previous or current research into the proposed area of research. Projects that are extensions of the PI's ongoing or previous research are not eligible under this program. Furthermore, prior or concurrent funding support for other projects that overlap with the proposed TRAILBLAZER project will preclude eligibility for a TRAILBLAZER award.

TRAILBLAZER Transformative Impact: Explain how the outcomes of the proposed research will address a national need or grand challenge, advance US leadership, and demonstrate convergence of engineering and science domains to provide innovative and transformative impacts.

Research Approach and Research Plan: Describe the vision and goals of the proposed research, approaches, and methodologies to attain the goals, the expected outcomes, and the ethical, legal, economic, social and environmental implications of the proposed research, as appropriate.

The TRAILBLAZER program does not request preliminary data or detailed experimental plans; however, sufficient details should be provided to justify that the proposed research will be pursued in a robust and rigorous manner.

Management Plan: Describe how a strong and effective team will be convened and led by the PI to conduct the proposed research, including team member expertise, team development, means of communication, management of personnel within the project group, management of intellectual property resulting from the project, and timeline of activities.

While potential team members may be named, letters of support and team member Biographical Sketches are not permitted. However, letters of collaboration are encouraged. Broader Impacts: Please follow the guidance provided in the PAPPG to prepare the Broader Impacts section.

As a reminder, this must be a separate section labeled "Broader Impacts." The following solicitation-specific information should also be included: The Broader Impacts section should discuss how the proposed project will lead to a significant shift in fundamental engineering knowledge and will have strong long-term potential for significant impact on national needs and/or grand challenges.

The Broader Impacts section should also describe ways in which education, outreach, and community engagement are integrated within the research program to effectively achieve societal impact. The Directorate for Engineering (ENG) promotes diversity in all aspects of its programs.

In keeping with ENG's priority to broaden the participation and inclusion of the full spectrum of diverse talents in engineering, the Office of Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities (EFMA) is addressing the need to support diversity in all fields of engineering by requiring all TRAILBLAZER projects to include a Broadening Participation Plan as part of the TRAILBLAZER 2025 Solicitation.

This requirement will not only promote diversity and inclusion in the human resources engaged in TRAILBLAZER projects but will also expand diversity of thought, ideas, impact, and approaches to define and solve important questions in TRAILBLAZER research. The Broadening Participation Plan must be described as part of Broader Impacts of the proposal both in the Project Summary and in the Project Description.

The PI is encouraged to focus on community building, innovative and inclusive engineering practices, advancing engineering talent, diversifying pathways to and through engineering, and addressing the equity, access, and inclusion considerations.

The EFMA Office encourages proposers to be creative in the planning of activities to attract and retain persons from the full spectrum of diverse talents to the fields of engineering and engineering research when developing their Broadening Participation Plans. References Cited: Indicate with an asterisk any cited publications that resulted from prior research funded by NSF for the PI.

Budget: A budget and a budget justification are required. Funds may be requested for personnel, supplies, equipment, and other allowable costs. If a proposal is to be recommended for an award, the NSF TRAILBLAZER Program Directors will negotiate a more detailed budget with the PI prior to award recommendation.

Because a significant commitment of PI time is expected, PIs may request more than two months of salary support . TRAILBLAZER PIs may commit more than 2 person months per year, up to six months of salary support in a given year. Consistent with PAPPG Chapter II.

D. 2 regarding NSF's Senior Personnel Salaries & Wages Policy, compensation for the PI in excess of two months must be disclosed in the proposal budget, justified in the budget justification, and specifically approved by NSF in the award notice budget. Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources: Provide a description of available facilities and priorities for their use, if applicable.

For TRAILBLAZER projects requiring additional equipment, justify the need for these resources in the proposed research. In the Supplementary Documentation section, include the following: Unattributed Project Summary: PI's must provide an unattributed version of the proposal Project Summary, which does NOT contain references to the PI's name, identity, or the PI's institution.

A PowerPoint Slide summarizing the vision of the TRAILBLAZER proposal, including PI Expertise, Trailblazer Vision & Goals, Transformative Impact, and Broadening Participation. This slide will be used during review panel discussions. Results from Prior NSF Support (maximum five pages): Please follow the guidance provided in the PAPPG for reporting results from prior NSF support.

Note that this information does not need to be included in the Project Description of the proposal. Mechanisms for sharing the outcomes of the research with the scientific community, e.g., publications, web sites, etc . (maximum two pages).

The description should be specific and should describe what, how, and when the community will have access to the outcomes of the project. This is particularly important for projects that will produce tangible research tools and resources.

Department Head Letter: A signed letter from the PI's department head (or equivalent), or immediate supervisor if PI is Department Head, certifying the PI's eligibility must be uploaded as a supplementary document and contain only the text provided below: "This letter certifies that the PI is a full-time tenured or tenure-eligible Associate or Full Professor, or equivalent at an organization that is eligible to submit as described under "Who May Submit Proposals."

Additionally, the PI has an appointment in an Engineering School or College and/or has earned an Engineering Doctorate degree and is eligible to participate in the TRAILBLAZER solicitation as described under