NSF Growing Convergence Research (NSF 24-527)

NSF Growing Convergence Research (NSF 24-527) is sponsored by National Science Foundation. This opportunity targets transdisciplinary team research that crosses directorate or division boundaries and that is currently not supported by existing NSF programs, initiatives, and research-focused Big Ideas.

NSF 24-527: GROWING CONVERGENCE RESEARCH (GCR) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation Active funding opportunity This document is the current version. NSF 24-527: Growing Convergence Research (GCR) To save a PDF of this solicitation, select Print to PDF in your browser's print options.

National Science Foundation Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorate for Geosciences Directorate for Engineering Directorate for Biological Sciences Directorate for STEM Education Office of Integrative Activities Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p. m.

submitter's local time): Second Monday in February, Annually Thereafter Important Information And Revision Notes Growing Convergence Research (GCR) is an NSF-wide program. Revisions clarify restrictions on the number of proposals per PI or co-PI, provide additional guidelines for proposal preparation, and clarify solicitation specific review criteria.

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 Growing Convergence Research (GCR) Convergence research is a means for solving vexing research problems, in particular, complex problems focusing on societal needs or deep scientific challenges. It entails integrating knowledge, methods, and expertise from different disciplines and developing novel paradigms that catalyze scientific discovery and innovation.

GCR identifies Convergence Research as having two primary characteristics: Research driven by a specific and compelling problem. Convergence research is generally inspired by the need to address a specific challenge or opportunity, whether it arises from deep scientific questions or pressing societal needs. Deep integration across disciplines.

As experts from different disciplines pursue common research challenges, their knowledge, theories, methods, data, research communities and languages become increasingly intermingled or integrated. New frameworks, paradigms or even disciplines can form sustained interactions across multiple communities.

A distinct characteristic of convergence research, in contrast to other forms of multidisciplinary research, is that from the inception, the convergence paradigm intentionally brings together intellectually diverse researchers and stakeholders to frame the research questions, adopt common frameworks for addressing them, and create and implement innovative scientific approaches for their solution.

This includes, when appropriate, developing new integrated theories, methods, research tools, and ways of communicating across disciplines and sectors. Research teams practicing convergence aim to develop sustainable collaborations that may not only create solutions to the specific problem studied, but also develop novel ways of investigating related research questions and open new research vistas.

This GCR solicitation targets multidisciplinary teams who are embracing convergence research as a means of developing highly innovative solutions to complex research problems. GCR proposals are expected to be bold and address scientific or technical challenges and bottlenecks which if resolved have the potential to transform scientific understanding and solve vexing problems.

Successful GCR projects are anticipated to lead to paradigm shifting approaches within disciplines, establishment of new scientific communities, or development of transformative technologies that have the potential for broad scientific or societal impact. The aim of GCR is to cultivate and grow the earliest foundations of convergent approaches for addressing a specific and compelling problem.

As such, proposals submitted to this solicitation are expected to explore novel avenues not previously investigated that are at the forefront of advancing science through deep integration. Proposers must make a convincing case that the research to be conducted is within NSF's purview, integrates across NSF directorate or division boundaries, and is currently not supported by other NSF programs or solicitations.

The proposers must outline a five-year research plan delineated in two phases, Phase I: years 1-2, and Phase II: years 3-5. The total budget for Phase I may not exceed $1,200,000, and the total for Phase II may not exceed $2,400,000. Successful proposals will be funded initially for two years.

Each team's progress will be evaluated at a reverse site visit near the end of year 2; this will involve preparing a progress report and making a team presentation to a panel of reviewers/site visitors.

Only teams that show exceptional progress according to the merit review and solicitation specific criteria during the first two years and that articulate plans for furthering advancements at the forefront of convergence research will be eligible for additional funding for up to three years pending availability of funds. 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.

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 Integrative Activities (OIA) Anticipated Type of Award: Continuing Grant Estimated Number of Awards: 6 to 10 Anticipated Funding Amount: $16,000,000 $16,000,000 pending availability of funds, to support Phase I of new awards and to support Phase II of projects started two years earlier which have shown exceptional progress.

Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: 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.

Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.

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. The PIs must hold full-time appointments in research or teaching positions at US-based campuses/offices of eligible organizations.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: There are no restrictions or limits. Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: 1 A PI or a co-PI may participate in only one GCR project at a time. This includes currently funded projects and those currently under review.

No PI or co-PI may participate in any role, such as researcher, consultant, co-PI or PI in any other GCR proposal currently under review. This eligibility constraint will be strictly enforced. If an individual is involved in more than one pending GCR project, the most recently submitted proposal will be returned without review.

If an individual is already involved in an active GCR award, the newly submitted proposal will be returned without review. No exceptions will be made. Past PIs and co-PIs who are no longer supported by the program may participate in this open competition only if the proposed research topics or themes are substantially different from those they pursued with prior NSF GCR support.

New proposals that simply extend the methods and intent of a past GCR award to a slightly larger scope or a new geographic area will be returned without review. In determining the relationship between submitted proposals and past awards, NSF will employ text analysis software and technical expertise of program directors across the foundation. Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions A.

Proposal Preparation Instructions Letters of Intent: Not required 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: Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p. m. submitter's local time): Second Monday in February, Annually Thereafter 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. Convergence research is a critical mechanism for solving many vexing research problems, in particular, those stemming from complex scientific challenges.

The two primary characteristics of Convergence Research as defined by the GCR program are: Research driven by a specific and compelling problem. Convergence research is generally inspired by the need to address a specific challenge or opportunity, whether it arises from deep scientific questions or pressing societal needs. Deep integration across disciplines.

As experts from different disciplines pursue common research challenges, their knowledge, theories, methods, data, research communities and languages become increasingly intermingled or integrated. New frameworks, paradigms or even disciplines can emerge from sustained interactions across multiple communities.

From its inception, the convergence paradigm intentionally brings together intellectually diverse researchers and stakeholders to frame the research questions, develop effective ways of communicating across disciplines and sectors, and create and implement innovative convergence approaches for their solution. Convergence research is supported in many ways by the Programs of NSF.

Cross-cutting initiatives in particular often place priority on convergence. Examples include NSF Science and Technology Centers , NSF Engineering Research Centers , Smart Health and Biomedical Research in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Data Science , Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier , Strengthening American Infrastructure , and many others.

These programs depend on a research community with existing capacity for engaging in a convergent approach. Yet, for many specific and compelling problems in science and engineering, the capacity for doing convergence research is still developing. The focus of GCR is to facilitate the growth and development of the earliest foundations of new convergence research approaches to addressing specific and compelling problems.

It is expected that this work will, over time beyond the duration of GCR award, feed into additional research at the forefront of science and engineering. This may occur, for example, through NSF's Convergence Accelerators , projects funded by other programs or solicitations, or establishment of centers or institutes supported by NSF or other funding agencies.

This GCR solicitation is a call for proposals addressing complex problems that require convergence paradigms to catalyze scientific discovery and innovation at the nexus of disciplines, but in areas for which research communities and integrated approaches have not yet developed.

Consistent with the two primary characteristics of convergence research, the problem motivating the research should be rooted in a specific societal and/or scientific challenge and the research strategy should embrace deep integration across multiple disciplines.

Of particular interest are those problems and research strategies that have potential to grow new scientific areas and catalyze sustained interactions across research communities beyond the period of the award. This GCR solicitation targets integrated team research that crosses NSF Directorate or Division boundaries and disciplines and is currently not supported by other NSF programs or solicitations.

Proposers must clearly identify which elements of different disciplines will be contributing to the convergence project and how the team plans to deeply integrate those elements.

They must also make a convincing case that the research to be conducted cannot be supported by other NSF programs and solicitations, innovates at interdisciplinary intersections beyond existing approaches, and has potential to transform foundational scientific understanding. Proposals involving convergence in areas already covered by existing programs and solicitations will be returned without review.

In determining the relationship between submitted proposals and existing programs, NSF will employ text analysis software and technical expertise of program directors across the foundation. The proposing team should be comprised of researchers from different disciplines that do not typically work together in the proposed research areas and are crucial to catalyze the proposed scientific discovery and innovation.

Involvement as leads or partners is especially encouraged from investigators and institutions that would benefit from greater participation in the national research enterprise, such as primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs), non-R1 IHEs, two-year colleges, minority-serving institutions (MSIs), and institutions within EPSCoR jurisdictions.

Engagement of other stakeholders important for addressing the problem being studied is also encouraged. Depending on the specific problem, stakeholders may be from industry, non-profit, community, and governmental organizations; schools; and/or other non-academic entities. Each of the team members should demonstrate a readiness to engage in convergent science by committing time, effort, and intellectual expertise throughout the project.

In shaping projects responsive to this call, proposers should articulate how they will intentionally bring together their research team and develop a convergent culture of discovery and communication. Proposals should specifically address the strategies that will be implemented to organize collaboration among project participants, promote team effectiveness, and advance convergent science processes and outcomes.

In addition to discussing the input activities that will enable integration, proposals should also articulate the intended convergent outputs related to both intellectual merit and broader impacts. All project participants should recognize that readiness to engage in extensive interactions and conceptual and methodological integration is essential for the success of the project.

New training and learning experiences for participants at all levels, most importantly for post-docs and graduate students, is also an essential component of a convergent culture. Important Program Characteristics Project funds should be used to grow new forms of deep integration across disciplines and conduct transformative research with high-impact potential. The proposed activities should be designed to fit the five-year timeframe.

The proposal should explain how the project team will advance progress in developing the fundamental scientific or engineering understanding needed to address the specific societal and/or scientific problem that inspired the proposal. It should articulate what scientific and convergent outcomes are anticipated on two- and five-year time scales.

It should also explain how the project may catalyze novel interactions beyond the project duration and new forms of scientific discovery within and across disciplines.

Proposals must include the following: A description of a long-term scientific vision motivated by a specific societal and/or scientific problem; A rationale explaining proposal suitability for this solicitation and why the stated problem requires growing a new convergence research approach; Clear description of scientific or technical challenges and bottlenecks which if resolved have the potential to transform our foundational scientific understanding; A five-year research plan, divided into two phases (years 1-2 and years 3-5), that employs a novel convergence paradigm comprising deep integration across disciplines; A convergence management plan that outlines strategies and procedures for growing convergent science during the project and beyond and that articulates how progress will be assessed.

Please refer to the proposal preparation instructions below for more detail on each of these items. Anticipated Funding Amount: $16,000,000 pending availability of funds, to support Phase I of new awards and to support Phase II of projects started two years earlier which have shown exceptional progress. Successful proposals will be funded initially for Phase I.

Each team's progress will be evaluated at a reverse site visit near the end of year 2 and will then be considered for Phase II funding for up to three years pending availability of funds. Estimated program budget, number of awards and average award size/duration are subject to the availability of funds. IV.

Eligibility Information Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: 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.

Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.

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. The PIs must hold full-time appointments in research or teaching positions at US-based campuses/offices of eligible organizations.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: There are no restrictions or limits. Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: 1 A PI or a co-PI may participate in only one GCR project at a time. This includes currently funded projects and those currently under review.

No PI or co-PI may participate in any role, such as researcher, consultant, co-PI or PI in any other GCR proposal currently under review. This eligibility constraint will be strictly enforced. If an individual is involved in more than one pending GCR project, the most recently submitted proposal will be returned without review.

If an individual is already involved in an active GCR award, the newly submitted proposal will be returned without review. No exceptions will be made. Past PIs and co-PIs who are no longer supported by the program may participate in this open competition only if the proposed research topics or themes are substantially different from those they pursued with prior NSF GCR support.

New proposals that simply extend the methods and intent of a past GCR award to a slightly larger scope or a new geographic area will be returned without review. In determining the relationship between submitted proposals and past awards, NSF will employ text analysis software and technical expertise of program directors across the foundation. V.

Proposal Preparation And Submission Instructions A. Proposal Preparation Instructions 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.

E. 3 provides additional information on collaborative proposals. 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 guidance in the PAPPG: Proposal Title: The title of the proposal must begin with GCR followed by colon. The rest of the title of the proposal should describe the project in concise, informative language so that a technically literate reader can understand what the project is about.

The title should emphasize the science and engineering work to be undertaken and be suitable for use in the public press. Project Description: Project Descriptions are limited to 15 pages in length.

In addition to the requirements of the PAPPG, including a separate section labeled "Broader Impacts", the Project Description must include the following three clearly labeled sections: Long-term vision: Describe the specific societal and/or scientific problem being addressed, including its significance and a brief description of what is already known.

Discuss why a new convergent approach is needed to address the problem and the potential for the proposed work to grow convergence research that continues beyond the project duration. Specify the new knowledge and changes in research paradigms that are anticipated and types of outcomes that these will enable.

Appropriateness for this solicitation: Provide a rationale explaining proposal suitability for this solicitation and articulating why the stated problem requires growing new convergence research.

This includes identifying how the proposed science does not fit other available NSF funding mechanisms, which NSF areas the project integrates across, and how the proposed integration expands beyond the investigators' and relevant research communities' current work. Research Plan: The research plan must be written for a full five year scope of work.

Frame the plan in the context of the existing scientific body of knowledge and approaches within and across the involved disciplines. Include the following elements: Approach: Describe the research questions or hypotheses and gaps in science, engineering and/or education knowledge that the proposed research will address.

Challenges and bottlenecks: Describe scientific and/or technical challenges and bottlenecks that the proposed work addresses and how resolving them has potential to change the frontiers of science. Discuss the risks and rewards involved in the proposed research, including issues that may arise and approaches for addressing them.

Project activities: Describe the proposed activities, including how the work will integrate conceptual models, tools, methodologies, and/or infrastructures from multiple disciplines in new ways. Articulate how these activities are anticipated to transform our foundational scientific understanding and realize broader impacts.

Description of two phases: Delineate the activities into two phases (Phase I covering years 1-2 and Phase II covering years 3-5). Specify both convergence and research goals, in the form of identifiable milestones, at the end of each of the two phases.

Support for Phase II of GCR projects is not guaranteed, and will depend on the progress assessment at the reverse site visit near the end of year 2 of the project and availability of funds. Resources Describe needed resources to accomplish stated objectives. Resources may include, among others, facilities, data, professional development/training, and partnerships.

The proposal should include applicable Supplementary Documents as instructed in the PAPPG. The following items are to be provided as Other Supplementary Documents. List of Project Personnel: Each proposal must include a table that lists the PI, co-PIs, and all senior/key personnel.

This table should list the following information for each individual in separate columns: Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial, Organizational Affiliation. Convergence Management Plan ( two pages ): Each proposal must contain a Convergence Management Plan that describes how the project will be managed across disciplines, organizations, and partners over time.

This aspect of the proposal should articulate what convergence is planned and how it will be operationalized and assessed. This first page of this plan should be titled "Project Management" and address the specific roles and responsibilities of all participants and organizations involved (including PIs, Co-PIs, other Senior/Key Personnel, paid consultants, stakeholder participants and their organizations).

It should articulate how tasks and forms of expertise will be integrated over the course of the project. This page should also provide a project timeline during Phase I and Phase II, including anticipated activities and milestones. The second page of this plan should be titled "Convergence Management" and describe the new forms of conceptual and/or methodological integration that the project intends to grow.

It should discuss how the research plan is designed to enable that integration, and how progress in research and convergence will be assessed throughout the duration of the project. Letters of Collaboration: If the project involves collaborative arrangements of significance, these arrangements should be described in the project description and confirmed by letters of collaboration included as supplementary documents.

Such letters must adhere to the recommended format contained in the PAPPG and are limited to stating the intent to collaborate and describing the nature of collaboration. The letters may not contain endorsements or evaluation of the proposed project, nor recommendations of the PI(s) or other statements of support. Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.

Budget Preparation Instructions: Proposals should include a five-year budget. The total budget for years 1 and 2 should not exceed $1, 200,000, and the total for the remaining three years should not exceed $2,400,000. Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.

m. submitter's local time): Second Monday in February, 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 1-800-381-1532 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.

The NSF Grants. gov Proposal Processing in Research. gov informational page provides submission guidance to applicants and links to helpful resources including the NSF Grants.

gov Application Guide , Grants. gov Proposal Processing in Research. gov how-to guide , and Grants.

gov Submitted Proposals Frequently Asked Questions . Grants. gov proposals must pass all NSF pre-check and post-check validations in order to be accepted by Research.

gov at NSF. When submitting via Grants. gov, NSF strongly recommends applicants initiate proposal submission at least five business days in advance of a deadline to allow adequate time to address NSF compliance errors and resubmissions by 5:00 p.

m. submitting organization's local time on the deadline. Please note that some errors cannot be corrected in Grants.

gov. Once a proposal passes pre-checks but fails any post-check, an applicant can only correct and submit the in-progress proposal in Research. gov. 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/bfa/dias/policy/merit_review/ . 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