Systems and Synthetic Biology (NSF 24-539) is sponsored by U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO), Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

NSF 24-539: Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Core Programs (MCB) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation 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 this 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 24-539: Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Core Programs Posted: February 13, 2024 To save a PDF of this solicitation, select Print to PDF in your browser's print options.

National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p. m.

submitter's local time): Proposals Accepted Anytime Important Information And Revision Notes MCB continues to accept unlimited no deadline full proposal submissions: proposals may be submitted any day, any time, with no limit on the number of proposals that may be submitted by an individual investigator.

The Directorate for Biological Sciences requires that proposers who include off-campus or off-site research as part of their project submit, as supplementary documentation, a Safe and Harassment-free Fieldwork (SAHF) Plan. For this solicitation, this document replaces the required plan associated with the certification in Chapter II. E.

9 of the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Instructions for inclusion of a SAHF Plan can be found in the additional proposal preparation instructions in this solicitation. The Division has revised the solicitation to update Agency priority areas.

A pilot track focused on expanding the molecular and cellular bioscience research capacity of investigators and organizations in EPSCoR jurisdictions has been added to the solicitation ( EXPAND MCB in EPSCoR ). To be eligible for this track, proposers from an organization in an EPSCoR jurisdiction must partner with a researcher in another organization in any jurisdiction on a collaborative project.

The organization in the EPSCoR jurisdiction must be the lead in any collaborative proposal submitted to this track. The partnership should lead to increased capacity for cutting-edge research and training in areas of priority for MCB. The Integrative Research in Biology (IntBIO) Track has been updated.

Proposers should note that proposals to the IntBIO Track require additional information that reviewers will be asked to evaluate. These are described in the program description and in the additional 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).

Summary Of Program Requirements Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Core Programs (MCB) MCB supports research that promises to uncover the fundamental properties of living systems across atomic, molecular, sub-cellular, and cellular scales.

The program gives high priority to projects that advance mechanistic understanding of the structure, function, and evolution of molecular, sub-cellular, and cellular systems, especially research that aims at quantitative and predictive knowledge of complex behavior and emergent properties.

MCB encourages research exploring new concepts in molecular and cellular biology, while incorporating insights and approaches from other scientific disciplines, such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and physics, to illuminate principles that govern life at the molecular and cellular level.

MCB also encourages research that exploits experimental and theoretical approaches and utilizes a diverse spectrum of model and non-model animals, plants, and microbes across the tree of life. Proposals that pursue potentially transformative ideas are welcome, even if these entail higher risk.

This solicitation calls for proposals in research areas supported by the four MCB core clusters, including: (i) structure, dynamics, and function of biomolecules and supra-molecular assemblies, especially under physiological conditions ( Molecular Biophysics ); (ii) organization, processing, expression, regulation, and evolution of genetic and epigenetic information ( Genetic Mechanisms ); (iii) cellular structure, properties, and function across broad spatiotemporal scales ( Cellular Dynamics and Function ); and (iv) systems and/or synthetic biology to study complex interactions through modeling or manipulation or design of living systems at the molecular-to-cellular scale ( Systems and Synthetic Biology ).

All MCB clusters prioritize projects that integrate across scales, investigate molecular and cellular evolution, synergize experimental research with computational or mathematical modeling, and/or develop innovative, broadly applicable methods and technologies. Projects that bridge the intellectual edges between MCB clusters are welcome.

Projects that integrate molecular and cellular biosciences with other sub-disciplines of biology are also welcome through the new Integrative Research in Biology (IntBIO) track. Regarding health-related challenges, NSF supports basic research in all areas of the biological sciences and recognizes that this foundational research is likely to impact many different areas, including human health.

MCB celebrates all the biological science discoveries funded through MCB awards that have had major impacts on health, environment, energy, food production, and other applications.

Nevertheless, research focused exclusively on understanding human diseases and their treatment is normally outside of the scope of funding and will be returned without review unless that research significantly advances other fields such as engineering, computer science, or the mathematical and physical sciences.

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. Loretta Jackson-Hayes, telephone: (703) 292-4286, email: mcb-cdf@nsf.

gov Manju M. Hingorani, telephone: (703) 292-7323, email: mcb-gm@nsf. gov Anthony G.

Garza, telephone: (703) 292-8440, email: mcb-ssb@nsf. gov Jaroslaw Majewski, telephone: (703) 292-7278, email: mcb-mb@nsf. gov Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s): 47.

074 --- Biological Sciences Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant or Continuing Grant Estimated Number of Awards: 120 Anticipated Funding Amount: $110,000,000 $110M will be committed for the total budget of all new awards in each fiscal year.

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. There are no restrictions or limits. Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: There are no restrictions or limits.

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: There are no restrictions or limits. 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): Proposals Accepted Anytime 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 Standard NSF award conditions apply. Standard NSF reporting requirements apply.

The Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) prioritizes research that yields mechanistic insights into fundamental and emergent properties of living systems and leads to quantitative and predictive understanding of how life works at the molecular and cellular scale.

MCB encourages projects that combine experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches in inventive ways to solve new or long-standing biological questions. MCB also encourages interdisciplinary research that draws on knowledge from and interfaces with other biological sub-disciplines or other disciplines such as chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics, and engineering.

Proposals that pursue potentially transformative ideas are welcome, even if these entail higher risk. Together, the core programs (clusters) in MCB support a wide range of research areas pertaining to the structure, function, and evolution of molecular, sub-cellular, and cellular systems.

Each cluster has a distinct thematic focus, but all of them place a high priority on projects that: Integrate across scales: Connecting knowledge across spatiotemporal scales involving single molecules, macromolecular assemblies, molecular networks, and cellular processes for an integrative understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of life.

Investigate molecular and cellular evolution: Discovering mechanisms, theoretical underpinnings, and consequences of evolutionary changes in molecules, genomes, and cells of all types, including bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes, and their phages/viruses.

Synergize experimental research with computational or mathematical modeling: Combining experiments and modeling for a predictive, systems-level understanding of the workings of molecular, sub-cellular, and/or cellular assemblies.

Develop innovative methods and technologies: Creating innovative tools that are motivated by compelling biological questions at molecular and cellular scales and that have the potential for opening new avenues of inquiry. MCB recognizes that fundamental knowledge of the molecular and cellular principles and processes of life has many potential applications to societal needs.

Investigators are encouraged to consider how their basic research might relate to use-inspired goals and outcomes with broad impacts. Use of convergence research approaches for addressing pressing societal concerns is welcome.

MCB is organized into four broad scientific areas represented by core programs (clusters) that welcome proposals in the following topic areas: (i) structure, dynamics, and function of biomolecules and supra-molecular assemblies, especially under physiological conditions (Molecular Biophysics); (ii) organization, processing, expression, regulation, and evolution of genetic and epigenetic information (Genetic Mechanisms); (iii) cellular structure, properties, and function across broad spatiotemporal scales (Cellular Dynamics and Function); and (iv) systems and/or synthetic biology to study complex interactions through modeling or manipulation or design of living systems at the molecular-to-cellular scale (Systems and Synthetic Biology).

Links to the websites of each cluster (listed alphabetically below) provide information on the current interests and funding priorities of each cluster, as well as contact information for associated Program Directors. Prospective PIs are strongly encouraged to consult with a Program Director most closely related to their research area for help with any questions, for example, about the potential fit of a project to a cluster.

Cellular Dynamics and Function (CDF) Molecular Biophysics (MB) Systems and Synthetic Biology (SSB) MCB welcomes projects that bridge the intellectual edges of more than one cluster within the division.

Also, MCB seeks to foster cross-disciplinary research with the other BIO divisions — Integrative Organismal Systems, Environmental Biology, and Biological Infrastructure — and with programs in other directorates, such as in the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems in the Directorate for Engineering and the Chemistry of Life Processes, Mathematical Biology, and Physics of Living Systems programs in the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, among others.

PIs are encouraged to explore all relevant areas within NSF and to contact the appropriate Program Directors with any questions.

Expanding research capacity of investigators and organizations in EPSCoR jurisdiction in the molecular and cellular biosciences (EXPAND MCB in EPSCoR) The EXPAND MCB in EPSCoR track encourages collaborations between researchers based in EPSCoR jurisdictions with partners who have unique expertise or access to more advanced infrastructure as a means to expand the capacity of investigators and organizations in EPSCoR jurisdictions to perform the highest caliber research in areas of priority to MCB.

The investigator in the EPSCoR jurisdiction must lead the collaboration. They may collaborate with a researcher at another organization in an EPSCoR jurisdiction, or with a researcher outside of EPSCoR jurisdictions.

To be responsive to the EXPAND MCB in EPSCOR track, proposals must: Involve a collaboration between a lead investigator in an EPSCoR organization and an investigator at another organization within or outside of EPSCoR jurisdictions. The budget for the lead organization must exceed the budget for any collaborating non-lead organization.

Have a compelling research focus that is responsive to MCB priorities and synergizes the research interests and strengths of the collaborators. Include a capacity building plan, as part of the Broader Impacts section of the Project Description, that leads to long-term benefits for the lead investigator and/or the lead organization.

Include a plan for broader impacts that leverages the capacity building nature of the EXPAND MCB in EPSCoR track.

Proposals submitted to the EXPAND MCB in EPSCoR track should have titles that begin with the designation "EXPAND:" Integrative Research in Biology (IntBIO) Track The Integrative Research in Biology (IntBIO) Track invites submission of collaborative proposals to tackle bold questions in biology that require an integrated approach to make substantive progress.

Integrative biological research spans sub-disciplines and incorporates cutting-edge methods, tools, and concepts from each to produce groundbreaking biological discovery that is synergistic, such that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

The research should produce a novel, holistic understanding of how biological systems function and interact across different scales of organization, e.g., from molecules to cells, tissues to organisms, species to ecosystems and the entire Earth.

Where appropriate, projects should apply experimental strategies, modeling, integrative analysis, advanced computation, or other research approaches to stimulate new discovery and general theory in biology. Proposals submitted to the IntBIO Track must span sub-disciplinary boundaries within the BIO Directorate. Projects suitable for review in a single existing BIO program should be submitted to that program and not to the IntBIO track.

Proposers are strongly encouraged to contact the cognizant program director(s) representing the relevant sub-disciplines prior to submission to obtain advice on suitability of the project idea for the IntBIO Track.

To be responsive to the IntBIO track, proposals must: Articulate a fundamental overarching biological question or technical challenge that is addressed either through a bold, integrative hypothesis- or question-driven research, and that aims to produce outcomes that are synergistic with various biological sub-disciplines and have potential to reveal new principles underlying function or interaction of biological systems.

Include a graphical illustration that effectively conveys how integration will be accomplished through interconnection among sub-disciplines, elements, or systems and how integrated strategies will lead to a synergistic outcome. Have an optimally configured collaborative investigative team that includes two or more investigators with different perspectives and expertise.

The role of each team member must be clearly described and justified. Team members may be from a single organization or multiple organizations. Describe a training and education plan, as part of broader impacts, that involves training in integrative approaches to biological research.

The IntBIO Track is common to each of the core research program solicitations in the Divisions of Environmental Biology, Integrative Organismal Systems, and Molecular and Cellular Biosciences. Proposals should be submitted to a program in one of these divisions. Proposals submitted to this track will be evaluated by co-review or joint review across two or more of these BIO programs.

Proposal titles should start with the designation " IntBIO: " Other Opportunities for Funding in MCB International Collaborative Proposals . MCB continuously considers how best to expand knowledge and enable investigators to leverage expertise and investments globally to push the frontiers of molecular and cellular biosciences.

As such, MCB engages in several international agreements to provide funding for collaborative international projects. Core programs will accept proposals for international collaborative research via any one of several country-specific agreements that allow for a single review process between NSF and the relevant international partner. These opportunities are announced through Dear Colleague Letters.

Transitions to Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Research ( Transitions ) . This program supports mid-career or later-stage researchers (Associate or Full Professor, or equivalent) to pursue new and potentially transformative avenues of inquiry through a transition in their current research program.

The Transitions program offers investigators support for sabbaticals or other forms of professional development during the first year and for developing the new research direction(s) in their own laboratory during two additional years.

Foundation- and Directorate-Wide Activities In addition to the regular research proposals sought under this solicitation, the clusters/programs support a variety of other Foundation-wide and Directorate-wide activities: Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) proposals may be submitted to any of the clusters/programs described in this solicitation but must be submitted by the deadlines listed in the CAREER solicitation and follow the proposal preparation guidance in that solicitation.

Mid-Career Advancement program (MCA) proposals may be submitted to any of the clusters/programs described in this solicitation but must be submitted by the submission window for the MCA program. This is another opportunity available to mid-career researchers to advance their career trajectory.

Research Coordination Networks (RCN), and Research at Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) proposals may be submitted at any time, to any of the clusters/programs described in this solicitation but must follow the proposal preparation guidance in those solicitations. This solicitation will accept Renewal and Accomplishment Based Renewal (ABR) Proposals.

Information on eligibility, scope, and format for Renewal and ABR submissions can be found in the PAPPG. If you are considering an ABR submission you are strongly advised to contact a Program Officer prior to submission.

Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID), Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER), Research Advanced by Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (RAISE), Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI), Planning proposals, and proposals for Travel or Conferences support, including workshops, can be submitted at any time to any of the clusters/programs described in this solicitation.

These types of proposals should be submitted in accordance with the guidance in the PAPPG. Conference/Workshop/Travel proposals should be submitted at least 6 months before the start date of the conference or workshop in accordance with guidance in the PAPPG and on in the Additional Resources section of the MCB website; you are strongly advised to contact a Program Officer prior to submission.

Note that for RAPID, EAGER, RAISE, or Planning proposals, a concept outline must be submitted prior to submission of a full proposal with approval from an MCB Program Director from the cluster covering the research area of the proposal. Pending availability of funds, approximately $110M will be committed for the total budget of all new awards in each cycle.

Requested budget and duration should be in proportion to the proposed scope of the project. The Division funds research projects of varying durations (typically 3 to 5 years) and size. 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. There are no restrictions or limits. Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: There are no restrictions or limits.

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: There are no restrictions or limits. Additional Eligibility Info: To be eligible for this track, proposers from an organization in an EPSCoR jurisdiction must partner with a researcher in another organization in any jurisdiction on a collaborative project. The organization in the EPSCoR jurisdiction must be the lead in any collaborative proposal submitted to this track.

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. Additional Proposal Preparation Instructions beyond those that must be followed from the PAPPG: For proposals submitted to the EXPAND MCB in EPSCoR Track: The title of the proposal should contain the designator, "EXPAND:", followed by the substantive title.

EXPAND MCB in EPSCoR proposals must be led by an organization in an EPSCoR jurisdiction. For proposals submitted to the IntBIO Track: The title of the proposal should contain the designator, "IntBIO:", followed by the substantive title.

The Project Description should contain the graphical illustration, information about the collaborative team, and (as a part of the Broader Impacts section) the description of the training and education plan.

For proposals requesting support for education or broadening participation activities: Information on eligible activities, such as Research Assistantships for High School Students (RAHSS), Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN), Research Experiences for Teachers (RET), or Research Opportunity Awards (ROA), can be found in the Additional Resources section of the MCB website.

If such activities are anticipated, then requests should be included in full proposals at the time of submission, with details provided as Supplementary Documents (no more than 3 pages total, for RAHSS, REU, INTERN, or RET) or, for ROA, following instructions in the Facilitating Research in Primarily Undergraduate Institutions solicitation.

Typical total budgets are: RAHSS - $6,000 per student; REU - $7,000 - $9,000 per student; INTERN - maximum $55,000 per student per 6-month period; RET - usually less than $15,000 per teacher; and ROA - usually less than $25,000 per faculty member (including indirect costs). Post-award requests for supplemental funding are expected to reflect unanticipated opportunities that arise after an award is made.

Safe and Harassment-free Fieldwork (SAHF) Plan: All proposals submitted to this solicitation that include research that will be conducted off-campus or off-site must submit a plan for safe and harassment-free working environments as a supplemental document that will be considered under the broader impacts review criterion.

This supplemental document is in lieu of the required plan associated with the certification called for in Chapter II. E. 9 of the PAPPG.

More information regarding review of the plan is provided under Solicitation Specific Review Criteria. It is NSF policy to foster safe and harassment-free environments wherever science is conducted. Work conducted off-campus or off-site should be an enriching experience for everyone and help draw researchers to biological sciences research.

By requiring advanced planning and attention to maintaining an harassment-free environment, NSF is working to ensure that off-campus or off-site research is safe for all participants. Off-campus or off-site research is defined as data/information/samples being collected off-campus or off-site, such as fieldwork and research activities on vessels and aircraft. The plan must be no longer than two pages.

The SAHF plan must include: a brief description of the field setting and unique challenges for the team; the steps the proposing organization will take to nurture a harassment-free off-campus or off-site working environment, including processes to establish shared team definitions of roles, responsibilities, and culture, e.g., codes of conduct, trainings, mentor/mentee mechanisms and field support that might include regular check-ins, and/or developmental events; communication processes within the off-site team and to the organization(s) that minimize singular points within the communication pathway (e.g., there should not be a single person overseeing access to a single satellite phone); and the organizational mechanisms that will be used for reporting, responding to, and resolving issues of harassment if they arise.

For proposals that include specimen collection: If collecting or generating specimens (e.g., organisms, parts of organisms, fossils including trace fossils, microbial isolates, etc.) is proposed, the Data Management and Sharing Plan must include a description of how the specimens and associated data will be accessioned into and maintained in an established biological collection.

Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited. Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p. m.

submitter's local time): Proposals Accepted Anytime 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