[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 223 (Thursday, November 19, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64236-64242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30981]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Docket No. 981103273-8273-01
RIN 0693-ZA24
Precision Measurement Grants et al; Notice of Financial
Assistance
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to inform potential applicants
that the following programs of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) are offering financial assistance as follows: (1) the
Precision Measurement Grants Program; (2) the 1999 Summer Undergraduate
Research Fellowships (SURF) in the areas of Atomic, Molecular and
Optical (AMO) and Radiation Physics, in Materials Science and
Engineering, and in Manufacturing Engineering; (3) the Materials
Science and Engineering Grants Program; and (4) the Fire Research
Grants Program.
The Precision Measurement Grants Program is seeking proposals for
significant, primarily experimental, research in the field of
fundamental measurement or the determination of fundamental constants.
Applicants must submit an abbreviated proposal for preliminary
screening. Based on the merit of the abbreviated proposal, applicants
will be advised whether a full proposal should be submitted. The
programs ``SURFing the Physics Laboratory,'' ``SURFing the Materials
Science and Engineering Laboratory,'' and ``SURFing the Manufacturing
Engineering Laboratory'' will provide an opportunity for the Physics
Laboratory (PL), the Materials Science and engineering Laboratory
(MSEL), the Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory (MEL), and the
National Science Foundation (NSF) to join in a partnership to encourage
outstanding undergraduate students to pursue careers in science and
engineering. The PL program will function by exposing students to world
class atomic, molecular, optical (AMO) and radiation physicists and
facilities in the NIST Physics Laboratory, and by strengthening
undergraduate AMO physics curricula by forming the basis for ongoing
collaborations. The MSEL program will function by providing research
opportunities with internationally known NIST scientists in the fields
of ceramics, solid state chemistry, metallurgy, polymers, neutron
condensed matter science, and materials reliability. The MEL program
will function by providing research opportunities with internationally
known NIST scientists in the fields of intelligent systems, automated
production, precision engineering, and manufacturing systems
integration. The NIST Program Directors will work with physics,
materials science, manufacturing engineering, intelligent systems,
automated production, precision engineering, and other science-related
department chairs and directors of multi-disciplinary centers of
excellence to identify outstanding undergraduates (including graduation
seniors) who would benefit from off-campus summer research in an honors
academy environment. The Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory
(MSEL) Grants Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST), is continuing its program for grants and cooperative agreements
in the following fields of research: Ceramics, Metallurgy, Polymer
Sciences, Neutron Scattering Research and Spectroscopy. Each applicant
must submit one signed original and two copies of each proposal along
with a Grant Application, (Standard Form 424 REV. 7/97 and other
required forms), as referenced under the provisions of OMB Circular A-
110 and 15 CFR 24. The Fire Research Grants Program is limited to
innovative ideas in the fire research area generated by the proposal
writer, who chooses the topic and approach, consistent with the program
description/objectives of this notice.
DATES: The Precision Measurement Grants Program abbreviated proposals
must be received at the address listed below no later than the close of
business February 1, 1999. The semifinalists will be notified of their
status by March 22, 1999, and will be requested to submit their full
proposals to NIST by close of business on May 7, 1999. Selection of the
awards will be made by Friday, August 15, 1999.
The Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs' proposals must be received
no later than the close of business February 15, 1999.
The MSEL Grants Program proposals must be received no later than
the close of business September 30, 1999.
The Fire Research Grants Program proposals must be received no
later than the close of business September 30, 1999.
ADDRESSES AND CONTACT INFORMATION: For the Precision Measurement Grants
Program, applicants are requested to submit any technical questions and
an abbreviated proposal (original and two (2) signed copies), with a
description of their proposed work of no more than five (5) double
spaced pages to: Dr. Barry N. Taylor, Chairman, NIST Precision
Measurement Grants Committee, Bldg. 225, Rm. B161, National Institute
of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001, Tel: (301)
975-4220 E-mail: [email protected], Website: http://
physics.nist.gov/ResOpp/grants/grants.html
For the remainder of the Grants Programs, applicant institutions
must submit one signed original and two (2) copies of the proposal to:
For the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs: Attn.: Ms. Anita Sweigert,
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Building 221, Room B-
160, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001, Tel: (301) 975-4200, E-mail:
[email protected]
Websites for each program are as follows: Physics SURF Program,
http://physics.nist.gov/ResOpp/surf/surf.html;MSEL SURF Program, http:/
/www.msel.nist.gov/surf/surf.html; and MEL SURF Program, http://
www.mel.nist.gov/opps/surf.htm
Technical questions for the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs
should be directed to the following contact persons: for the Physics
Surf Program, Dr. Marc Desrosiers, Tel: (301) 975-5639, E-mail:
[email protected]; for the MSEL SURF Program, Dr. Terrell
[[Page 64237]]
A. Vanderah, Tel: (301) 975-5785, E-mail: [email protected];
and for the MEL SURF Program, Ms. Lisa Jean Fronczek, Tel: (301) 975-
6633, E-mail: [email protected].
For the MSEL Grants Program, each application package should be
clearly marked to identify the field of research and should be
submitted to: Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, Attn.: Ms.
Patty Salpino, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Building
223, Room A305, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-0001, Tel: (301) 975-5731,
E-mail: [email protected]
For the Fire Research Grants Program: Building and Fire Research
Laboratory (BFRL), Attn: Ms. Sonya Parkham, Building 226, Room B206,
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland
20899-0001, Tel: (301) 975-6854, E-mail: [email protected]
With the Exception of the MSEL Grants Program, all administrative
questions concerning these programs may be directed to the NIST Grants
Office at (301) 975-6329. Administrative questions regarding the MSEL
Grants Program should be directed to Ms. Marlene Taylor at (301) 975-
5653.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Name
and Number: Measurement and Engineering Research and Standards--11.609.
Authority: The authority for the Precision Measurement Grants
Program is as follows: As authorized by Section 2 of the Act of
March 3, 1901, as amended (15 U.S.C. 272 (b)(2) and (c)(3)), NIST
conducts directly, supports through grants and cooperative
agreements, a basic and applied research program in the general area
of fundamental measurement and the determination of fundamental
constants of nature. The authority for the Physics, MSEL and MEL
SURF Programs is as follows: The Act of March 3, 1901, as amended
(15 U.S.C. 278g-1) authorizes the National Institute of Standards
and Technology to expend up to 1 per centum of the funds
appropriated for activities of NIST in any fiscal year, as the
Director deems appropriate, for financial assistance awards in the
form of cooperative agreements to students at institutions of higher
learning within the United States. These students must show promise
as present or future contributors to the missions of NIST.
Cooperative agreements are awarded to assure continued growth and
progress of science and engineering in the United States, including
the encouragement of women and minority students to continue their
professional development. The authority for the MSEL Grants Program
is as follows: As authorized under 15 U.S.C. 272 (b)(6) and (c)(16),
the MSEL conducts a basic and applied research program directly and
through grants and cooperative agreements to eligible recipients.
The authority for the Fire Research Grants Program is as follows: As
authorized by Section 16 of the Act of March 3, 1901, as amended (15
U.S.C. 278f), the NIST Building and Fire Research Laboratory
conducts directly and through grants and cooperative agreements, a
basic and applied fire research program.
Program Description/Objectives
The program description/objectives for the Precision Measurement
Grants Program are as follows: NIST sponsors these grants to encourage
basic, measurement-related research in U.S. universities and colleges
and to foster contacts between NIST scientists and those faculty
members of U.S. academic institutions who are actively engaged in such
work. The Precision Measurement Grants are also intended to make it
possible for such faculty members to pursue new, fundamental
measurement ideas for which other sources of support may be difficult
to find. There is some latitude in research topics that will be
considered under the Precision Measurement Grants Program. The key
requirement is that the proposed project support NIST's ongoing work in
the field of basic measurement science, which includes:
1. Experimental and theoretical studies of fundamental physical
phenomena which test the basic laws of physics or which may lead to new
or improved fundamental measurement methods and standards.
2. The determination of important fundamental physical constants.
In general, proposals for experimental research will be given
preference over proposals for theoretical research because of the
greater expense of experimental work. Proposals from workers at the
assistant and associate professor level who have some record of
accomplishment are especially encouraged in view of the comparative
difficulty aspiring researchers have in obtaining funds.
Typical projects which have been funded through NIST Precision
Measurement Grants Program include:
(1) Eotvos experiment-cryogenic version, D.F. Bartlett, University
of Colorado.
(2) A test of local Lorentz invariance using polarized \21\Ne
nuclei, T.E. Chupp, Harvard University.
(3) A new method to search for an electric dipole moment of the
electron, L.R. Hunter, Amherst College.
(4) High-precision timing of millisecond pulsars, D.R. Stinebring,
Princeton, University.
(5) Development of an atom interferometer gyroscope for tests of
general relativity, M. Kasevich, Stanford Univerisity.
(6) Spectroscopy of francium: towards a precise parity
nonconservation measurement in a laser trap, Luis A. Orozco, State
University of New York at Stony Brook.
(7) Measurement of the magnetically-introduced QED birefringence of
the vacuum, Siu Au Lee, Colorado State University.
(8) Measurement of Newton's constant G using a new method, J.H.
Gundlach, Unversity of Washington.
The progranm description/objectives for the Physics, MSEL and MEL
SURF Programs are as follows: To build a mutually beneficial
relationship between the student, the institution of higher learning
and NIST. This is the sixth year of the Physics SURF Program which is
partially funded by the NSF Physics Division as a Research Experience
for Undergraduates (REU) site. This is the second year of a proposed
three year MSEL SURF Program and the first year of proposed five year
MEL SURF Program funded by the NSF Materials Science Division as a
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site. Between ten and
twenty percent of the associated student stipends, travel and housing
has been provided in cost sharing by the participating institutions in
previous years.
NIST is one of the nation's premier research institutions for the
physical sciences and, as the lead Federal agency for technology
transfer, is providing a strong interface between government, industry
and academia. On-site researchers at NIST come from a broad range of
institutions. Owing to its unique mission to support the U.S. economy
by working with industry, NIST embodies a special science culture,
developed from a large and well-equipped research staff that
enthusiastically blends programs that address the immediate needs of
industry with longer-term research that anticipates future needs. This
occurs in few other places that enables the Physics Laboratory, the
Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory and the Manufacturing
Engineering Laboratory to offer unique research and training
opportunities for undergraduates, providing them a research-rich
environment and exposure to state of the art equipment, to scientists
at work, and to professional contacts that represent future employment
possibilities.
Attending to the long term needs of many U.S. high-technology
industries, NIST's Physics Laboratory conducts basic research in the
areas of quantum, electron, optical, atomic, molecular, and radiation
physics. NIST's Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory conducts
basic research in the
[[Page 64238]]
electronic, magnetic, optical, superconducting, mechanical, thermal,
chemical, and structural properties of metals, ceramics, polymers, and
composits. Much of this applied research is devoted to overcoming
barriers to the next technological revolution, in which individual
atoms and molecules will serve as the fundamental building blocks of
devices. NIST's Manufacturing Engineering laboratory conducts
theoretical and experimental research in length, mass, force,
vibration, acoustics, and ultrasonics, as well as intelligent machines,
precision control of machine tools, information technology for the
integration of all elements of a product's life cycle. Much of this
applied research is devoted to overcoming barriers to the next
technological revolution, in which manufacturing facilities are spread
across the globe.
To achieve these goals, PL staff develop and utilize highly
specialized equipment, such as polarized electron microscopes, scanning
tunneling microscopes, lasers, and x-rays and synchrotron radiation
sources. Research projects can be theoretical or experimental and will
range in focus from computer modeling of fundamental processes through
trapping atoms and choreographing molecular collisions, to
standardization for radiation therapy.
Preparation of unique materials by atomic level tailoring of multi-
layers, perfect single crystals, and nanocomposites are just some of
the future technologies being developed and explored in NIST's MSEL. To
achieve these goals, staff develop and utilize highly specialized
equipment, such as high resolution electron microscopes, atomic force
microscopes, a nuclear reactor, x-ray diffraction sources, lasers,
magnetometers, plasma furnaces, melt spinners, molecular beam epitaxy
systems, and power atomization chambers. Research projects can be
theoretical or experimental and will range in focus from the
structural, chemical, and morphological characterization of advanced
materials made in the NIST laboratories to the accurate measurement of
the unique properties possessed by these special materials.
MEL's research and development leads to standards, test methods and
data that are crucial to industry's success in exploiting advanced
manufacturing technology. Critical components of manufacturing at any
level are measurement and measurement-related standards, not just of
products, but increasingly of information about products and processes.
Thus, MEL programs enhance both physical and information-based
measurements and standards. Research projects can be theoretical or
experimental, and will range in focus from intelligent machine control,
characterizing a manufacturing process or improving product data
exchange, to the accurate measurement of an artifact's dimensions.
SURF students will work one-on-one with our nation's top physical
scientists both from NIST and from some of our nation's leading, high
tech industries. It is anticipated that successful SURF students will
move from a position of reliance on guidance from their research
advisors to one of research independence during the twelve-week period.
One goal of this partnership is to provide opportunities for our
nation's next generation of scientists and engineers to engage in
world-class scientific research at NIST, especially in ground-breaking
areas of emerging technologies. This carries with it the hope of
motivating these individuals to pursue a Ph.D. in physics, materials
science, engineering, mathematics, physics, or computer science, and to
consider research careers. SURFing the Physics Laboratory, SURFing the
Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory and SURFing the
Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory will help to forge partnerships
with NSF and with post-secondary institutions that demonstrate strong,
hands-on undergraduate science curricula, especially those with a
demonstrated commitment to the education of women, minorities, and
students with disabilities. These programs will be open to all U.S.
citizens or U.S. permanent residents interested in AMO or radiation
physics, materials science or manufacturing research.
The program description/objectives for the MSEL Grants Program are
as follows: All proposals submitted must be in accordance with the
program objectives listed below. The appropriate Program Manager for
each field of research may be contacted for clarification of the
program objectives.
I. Ceramics Division, 852--The primary objective is to supplement
division activities in the area of ceramic processing, tribology,
composites, machining, interfacial chemistry, and microstructural
analysis. The contact person for this division is: Dr. Ronald Munro and
he may be reached at (301) 975-6127.
II. Polymers Division, 854--The primary objective is to support
division programs in polymer blends, composites, electrical
applications, as well as, dental and medical polymeric materials
through participation in research on metrology, synthesis, processing
and characterization of structure, mechanical, thermal and electrical
properties. The contact person for this division is: Dr. Donald L.
Hunston, and he may be reached at (301) 975-6837.
III. Metallurgy Division, 855--The primary objective is to develop
techniques to predict, measure and control transformations, phases,
microstructure and kinetic processes as well as mechanical, physical
and chemical properties in metals and their alloys. The contact person
for this division is: Dr. Robert J. Schaefer and he may be reached at
(301) 975-5961.
IV. Metallurgy Division, 855--The primary objective is to develop
new and improved sensors, measurement techniques, and analytical models
for metallurgical structures and processes in order to facilitate the
development and adoption of intelligent processing systems for
materials. The contact person for this division is: Dr. Robert J.
Schaefer and he may be reached at (301) 975-5961.
V. NIST Center for Neutron Research, 856--The primary objective is
to develop high resolution cold and thermal neutron scattering research
approaches and related physics, chemistry, macromolecular and materials
applications. The contact person for this division is: Dr. John J. Rush
and he may be reached at (301) 975-6231.
The program description/objectives for the Fire Research Grants
Program are as follows:
A. Fire Modeling and Applications: To perform research, develop and
demonstrate the application of analytical models for the quantitative
prediction of the consequences of fires and the means to assess the
accuracy of those models. This includes: developing methods to assess
fire hazard and risk; creating advanced, usable modelling for the
calculation of the effluent from building fires; modelling the ignition
and burning of furniture, contents, and building elements such as
walls; developing methods of evaluating and predicting the performance
of building safety design features; developing a protocol for
determining the accuracy of algorithms and comprehensive models;
developing data bases to facilitate use of fire models; and developing
methodologies to acquire, model, and display fire information.
B. Large Fire Research: To perform research and develop techniques
to measure, predict the behavior and mitigate large fire events. This
includes: understanding the mechanisms of large
[[Page 64239]]
fires that control gas phase combustion, burning rate, thermal and
chemical emissions, and transport processes; developing field
measurement techniques to assess the near- and far-field impact of
large fires and their plumes; performing research on the use of
combustion for environmental cleanup; predicting the performance and
environmental impact of fire protection measures and fire fighting
systems and techniques; and developing and operating the Fire Research
Program large-scale experimental facility.
C. Advance Fire Measurements: To produce the scientific basis and
robust measurement methods for characterizing fires and their effluents
at full- and reduced-scales. This includes discrete point, volume-
integrated, and time- and space-resolved measurements for such
properties as temperature, smoke density, chemical species, and flow
velocity. Laboratory and computational research are also performed to
understand the underpinning fire phenomena to ensure the soundness of
the developed measurement techniques.
D. Materials Fire Research: To perform research enabling the
confident development by industry of new, less-flammable materials and
products. This capability is based on understanding fundamentally the
mechanisms that control the ignition, flame spread and burning rate of
materials, as well as and the chemical and physical characteristics
that affect these aspects of flammability. This includes: developing
methods of measuring the response of a material to fire conditions that
enable assured prediction of the full-scale performance of the final
product; developing computational molecular dynamics and other
mechanistic approaches to understand flame retardant mechanisms and the
effects of polymer chemical structure on flammability; characterizing
the burning rates of charring and non-charring polymers and composites;
and delineating and modeling the enthalpy and mass transfer mechanisms
of materials combustion.
E. Fire Sensing and Extinguishment: To develop understanding,
metrology and predictive methods to enable high-performance fire
sensing and extinguishment systems; and devising new approaches to
minimize the impact of unwanted fires and the suppression process. This
includes: performing research for the identification and in-situ
measurement of the symptoms of pending and nascent fires and the
consequences of suppression; devising or adapting monitors for these
variables and the intelligence for timely interpretation of the data;
developing methods to characterize the performance of new approaches to
fire detection and suppression; determining mechanisms for deflagration
and detonation suppression by advanced agents and principles for their
optimal use; and modeling the extinguishment process.
Eligibility
For the Precision Measurement Grants Program, colleges and
universities in the United States. As part of this research program
since 1970, NIST has awarded Precision Measurement Grants to faculty
members of U.S. universities and colleges for significant, primarily
experimental research in the field of fundamental measurement or the
determination of fundamental constants. For the Physics, MSEL and MEL
SURF Programs, colleges and universities in the United States with
degree granting programs in materials science, chemistry, engineering,
computer science, mathematics, or physics. Participating students must
be U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents. For the MSEL Grants
Program, this program will be open to all U.S. citizens or U.S.
permanent residents. For the Fire Research Grants Program, academic
institutions, non-Federal agencies, independent and industrial
laboratories, and research organizations.
Funding Availability
For all Grants programs listed below, awards are contingent on the
availability of funds. For the Precision Measurement Grants Program,
the annual budget is approximately $300,000. The annual awards must
have scopes of work that are clearly severable into annual increments
of meaningful work which represent solid accomplishments if continuing
(i.e., multi-year) funding is not made available to the applicant.
Because of commitments for supporting multi-year programs, only a
portion of the budget is available to initiate new programs or renew
existing ones in any one year.
For the Physics SURF Program, the NIST Physics Laboratory will
commit approximately $50,000 to support cooperative agreements under
this program. The NIST Physics Laboratory's REU Program is anticipating
renewal of funding by the NSF at the level of $70,000 per year. The
anticipated direct costs for stipends, travel, housing, and conference
attendance for twenty-five students is about $150,000. The actual
number of awards made under this announcement will depend on the level
of cost sharing by our academic partners.
For the MSEL SURF Program, the NIST Materials Science and
Engineering Laboratory anticipates receiving funding as a NSF REU
Program at the level of $50,000 per year. For the MEL SURF Program, the
NIST Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory anticipates receiving funding
as a NSF REU Program at the level of $52,000 per year. It is
anticipated that the funding for both of these programs would provide
for the costs of stipends, travel and housing, and the conference
attendance of eight students for each program. The actual number of
awards made under this announcement will depend on the level of cost
sharing by our academic partners.
For the MSEL Grants Program, proposals will be considered for
research projects from one to three years. When a proposal for a multi-
year award is approved, funding will initially be provided for only the
first year of the program. If an application is selected for funding,
NIST has no obligation to provide any additional funding in connection
with that award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the
period of performance is at the total discretion of NIST. Funding for
each subsequent year of a multi-year proposal will be contingent upon
satisfactory progress, in relation to the mission of the MSEL program,
and the availability of funds. The annual awards must have scopes of
work that are clearly severable and can be easily separated into annual
increments of meaningful work, which represent solid accomplishments if
prospective funding is not made available to the applicant, (i.e., the
scopes of work for each funding period must produce identifiable and
meaningful results in and of themselves).
For the Fire Research Grants Program, the annual budget is $1.36
million. Because of commitments for the support of multi-year programs,
only a portion of the budget is available to initiate new programs in
any one year. Most grants and cooperative agreements are in the $10,000
to $100,000 per year range.
For all of the above programs, the issuance of awards is contingent
upon the availability of funding.
Proposal Review Process and Evaluation Criteria
For the Precision Measurement Grants Program, to simplify the
proposal writing and evaluation process, the following selection
procedure will be used:
The abbreviated proposals will be reviewed on the basis of the
evaluation criteria below. The NIST Precision
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Measurement Grants Committee and the Outside Review Committee will then
select approximately four to eight semifinalists and request that these
candidates submit full proposals. The same committees will evaluate the
detailed proposals based on the evaluation criteria, and the two
grantees with the highest scores for fiscal year 2000 will be selected.
The evaluation criteria to be used in evaluating the preapplication
proposals and full proposals include:
1. The importance of the proposed research--does it have the
potential of answering some currently pressing question or of opening
up a whole new area of activity?
2. The relationship of the proposed research to NIST's ongoing
work--will it support one of NIST's current efforts to develop a new or
improved fundamental measurement method or physical standard, or to
better understand an important, but already existing, measurement
method or physical standard?
3. The feasibility of the research--is it likely that significant
progress can be made in a three year time period with the funds and
personnel available?
4. The past accomplishments of the applicant--is the quality of the
research previously carried out by the prospective grantee such that
there is a high probability that the proposed research will be
successfully carried out?
Each of these factors is given equal weight in the selection
process.
For the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs, all proposals will be
reviewed and ranked by a panel of three NIST scientists appointed by
the Program Directors on the basis of the evaluation criteria.
Proposals should include the following:
(A) Student Information:
(1) Official transcript for each student nominated with a
recommended G.P.A. of 3.0 or better, out of a possible 4.0;
(2) A personal statement from each student and statement of
commitment to participate in the 1998 SURF program, including a
description of the student's prioritized research interests;
(3) A resume for each student; and
(4) Two letters of recommendation for each student.
(B) Information About the Applicant Institution:
(1) Description of the institution's education and research
philosophy, faculty interests, on-campus research program(s) and
opportunities, and overlapping research interests of NIST and the
institution; and
(2) A statement addressing issues of academic credit and cost
sharing.
For the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs, the evaluation
criteria includes the following:
Evaluation of Student's Academic Ability and Commitment to Program
Goals (70%): Includes, but is not limited to, evaluation of the
following: completed course work; expressed research interest; prior
research experience; grade point average in courses relevant to
program; career plans; honors and activities.
Evaluation of Applicant Institution's Commitment to Program Goals
(30%): Includes, but is not limited to, evaluation of the following:
institution's focus on AMO physics, materials science, manufacturing
research and all of its components, including but not limited to
engineering, computer science, physics, and mathematics; overlap
between research interests of the institution and NIST; emphasis on
undergraduate hands-on research; undergraduate participation in
research conferences/programs; on-campus research facilities; past
participation by students/institution in such programs; and commitment
to educate women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. In the
spirit of a true partnership, successful applicant institutions will be
encouraged to contribute some partial support to the program. A
suggested level of participation would be to directly cover student
travel (one round trip by common carrier) or housing costs
(approximately $1500); stated intent to support the participating
students at a research conference, and/or awarding of academic credit
for the student research.
Award decisions shall be based upon total evaluation score.
For the MSEL Grants Program, proposals will be reviewed in a two-
step process. First, a panel of at least three individuals
knowledgeable about the particular scientific area described in the
section above that the proposal addresses will conduct a technical
review of proposals based on the evaluation criteria. Second, the chief
of each division will make final award selections. In making final
award selections, the chief of each division will take into account the
score received by the applicant and the compatibility of the
applicant's proposal with the program objectives of the particular
division that the proposal addresses. These objectives are described
above in the ``Program Objectives'' section. If an award is made to an
applicant that does not receive the highest score in its category by
technical reviewers, the Division Chief shall justify the selection in
writing. Award decisions shall be based upon the total evaluation
score.
For the MSEL Grants Program, the evaluation criteria the technical
reviewers will use in evaluating the proposals includes the following:
1. Rationality. Reviewers will consider the coherence of the
applicant's approach and the extent to which the proposal effectively
addresses scientific and technical issues.
2. Qualifications of Technical Personnel. Reviewers will consider
the professional accomplishments, skills, and training of the proposed
personnel to perform the work in the project.
3. Resources Availability. Reviewers will consider the extent to
which the proposer has access to necessary facilities and other support
to accomplish project objectives.
4. Technical Merit of Contribution. Reviewers will consider the
potential technical effectiveness of the proposal and the value it
would contribute to the field of materials science and engineering.
Each of these factors will be given equal weight in the evaluation
process.
For the Fire Research Grants Program, all proposals are assigned to
the appropriate group leader of the five programs listed above in the
program description/objectives. Proposals are evaluated for technical
merit based on the evaluation criteria by at least three reviewers
chosen from NIST professionals, technical experts from other interested
government agencies and experts from the fire research community at
large. Both the technical value of the proposal and the relationship of
the work proposed to the needs of the specific program are taken into
consideration in the group leader's recommendation to the Division
Chief. The Division Chief will make the final selections. If an award
is made to an applicant that does not receive the highest score in its
category by technical reviewers, the Division Chief shall justify the
selection in writing. Applicants should allow up to 90 days processing
time.
For the Fire Research Grants Program, the evaluation criteria
includes the following:
a. Technical quality of the research: 0-35 points.
b. Potential impact of the results: 0-25 points.
c. Staff and institution capability to do the work: 0-20 points.
d. Match of budget to proposed work: 0-20 points.
Award Period
For the Precision Measurement Grants Program, NIST is now accepting
applications for two new grants in the amount of $50,000 per year to be
[[Page 64241]]
awarded for the period October 1, 1999, through September 30, 2000
(fiscal year 2000). Each grant may be renewed for up to two additional
years; however, future or continued funding will be at the discretion
of NIST based on such factors as satisfactory performance and the
availability of funds.
For the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs, these programs are
anticipated to run between May 25 through August 13, 1999; adjustments
may be made to accommodate specific academic schedules (e.g., a limited
number of 10-week cooperative agreements).
For the MSEL Grants Program, proposals will be considered for
research projects from one to three years. When a proposal for a multi-
year award is approved, funding will initially be provided for only the
first year of the program. If an application is selected for funding,
NIST has no obligation to provide any additional funding in connection
with that award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the
period of performance is at the total discretion of NIST. Funding for
each subsequent year of a multi-year proposal will be contingent upon
satisfactory progress, in relation to the mission of the MSEL program,
and the availability of funds.
For the Fire Research Grants Program, proposals will be considered
for research projects from one to three years. When a proposal for a
multi-year is approved, funding will initially be provided for only the
first year of the program. If an application is selected for funding,
DoC has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in
connection with that award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or
extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of DoC.
Funding for each subsequent year of a multi-year proposal will be
contingent on satisfatory progress, fit to the NIST Fire Research
Program and the availability of funds.
Matching Requirements
Each of the above grants programs does not involve the payment of
any matching funds, with the exception of the Physics, MSEL and MEL
SURF Programs which use cost-sharing as an evaluation criterion.
Application Kit
An application kit, containing all required application forms and
certifications is available by contacting: for the Precision
Measurement Grants Program, Ms. Michelle Hane, (301) 975-4397; for the
Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs, Ms. Anita Sweigert, (301) 975-
4200, websites for each program's application kit are as follows: for
the Physics SURF Program, http://physics.nist.gov/ResOpp/surf/
surf.html; for the MSEL SURF Program, http://www.msel.nist.gov/surf/
surf.html; and for the MEL SURF Program, http://www.mel.nist.gov/opps/
surf.htm; for the MSEL Grants Program, Ms. Patty Salphino, (301) 975-
5731; and for the Fire Research Grants Program, Ms. Sonya Parham, (301)
975-6854. The application kit includes the following:
SF 424 (Rev 7/97)--Application for Federal Assistance
SF 424A (Rev 7/97)--Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs
SF 424B (Rev 7/97)--Assurances--Non-Construction Programs
CD 511 (7/91)--Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other
Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying
CD 512 (7/91)--Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions
and Lobbying
SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
Paperwork Reduction Act
The Standard Form 424 and other Standard Forms in the application
kit are subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act and
have been approved by OMB under Control No. 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-
0040, and 0348-0046.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with a collection, subject to the requirements of
the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information
displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.
Additional Requirements
Primary Application Certification
All primary applicant institutions must submit a completed form CD-
511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other
Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and
Lobbying,'' and the following explanations must be provided:
1. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective
participants (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, Section 105) are subject to
15 CFR Part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
2. Drug-Free Workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26,
Section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Government
wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related
section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
3. Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR Part 28, Section
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352,
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal
contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids
for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than
$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the
single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever
is greater.
4. Anti-Lobbying Disclosure. Any applicant institution that has
paid or will pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL,
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR Part
28, Appendix B.
5. Lower-Tier Certifications. Recipients shall require applicant/
bidder institutions for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or other
lower tier covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit,
if applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower
Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and disclosure form, SF-LLL,
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form CD-512 is intended for the
use of recipients and should not be transmitted to NIST. SF-LLL
submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient should be submitted to
NIST in accordance with the instructions contained in the award
document.
Name Check Reviews
All for-profit and non-profit applicants will be subject to a name
check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any
individuals associated with the applicant have been convicted of or are
presently facing, criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or
other matters which significantly reflect on the applicant's management
honesty or financial integrity.
Preaward Activities
Applicants (or their institutions) who incur any costs prior to an
award being made do so solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed
by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal assurance that may have
been provided, there is no obligation on the part of NIST to cover pre-
award costs.
[[Page 64242]]
No Obligation for Future Funding
If an application is accepted for funding, DOC has no obligation to
provide any additional future funding in connection with that award.
Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of
performance is at the total discretion of NIST.
Past Performance
Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may result in
an application not being considered for funding.
False Statements
A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or
termination of funds, and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or
imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
Delinquent Federal Debts
No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has an
outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either:
1. The delinquent account is paid in full,
2. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one
payment is received, or
3. Other arrangements satisfactory to DoC are made.
Indirect Costs
For the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs, no Federal funds will
be authorized for Indirect Costs (IDC); however, an applicant may
provide for IDC under his/her portion of Cost Sharing.
For each of the above grant programs, the total dollar amount of
the indirect costs proposed in an application under this program must
not exceed the indirect cost rate negotiated and approved by a
cognizant Federal agent prior to the proposed effective date of the
award or 100 percent of the total proposed direct costs dollar amount
in the application, whichever is less.
Purchase of American-Made Equipment and Products
Applicants are hereby notified that they are encouraged, to the
greatest practicable extent, to purchase American-made equipment and
products with funding provided under this program.
Federal Policies and Procedures
Recipients and subrecipients under each of the above grant programs
shall be subject to all Federal laws and Federal and Departmental
regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to financial
assistance awards. Each of the above grant programs does not directly
affect any state or local government.
Applications under these programs are not subject to Executive
Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
Executive Order Statement
This funding notice was determined to be ``not significant'' for
the purposes of Executive Order 12866.
Dated: November 16, 1998.
Robert E. Hebner,
Acting Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 98-30981 Filed 11-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M