[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68324-68331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31607]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No. 990907248-9248-01]
RIN 0693-ZA32
Precision Measurement Grants et al.; Availability of Funds
(1) Precision Measurement Grants--Availability of Funds; (2)
Physics Laboratory (Physics), 2000 Summer Undergraduate Research
Fellowships (SURF); (3) Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory
(MSEL), 2000 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF); (4)
Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory (MEL), 2000 Summer Undergraduate
Research Fellowships (SURF); (5) Materials Science and Engineering
Laboratory (MSEL) Grants Program, Availability of Funds; (6) Fire
Research Grants Program--Availability of Funds.
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
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2000 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.
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 graduating
seniors) who would benefit from off-campus summer research in an honors
academy environment. The Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory
(MSEL) Grants Program is continuing its program for grants and
cooperative agreements in the following fields of research: Ceramics,
Metallurgy, Polymer Sciences, Neutron Scattering Research and
Spectroscopy. 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: Applicants for the Precision Measurement Grants Program 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 abbreviated proposals must be
received at the address listed below no later than the close of
business February 1, 2000. The semi-finalists will be notified of their
status by March 24, 2000, and will be requested to submit full
proposals to NIST by close of business on May 12, 2000. Selection of
the awards will be made by Friday, August 15, 2000.
The Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Program proposals must be received
no later than the close of business February 15, 2000.
The MSEL Grants Program proposals must be received no later than
the close of business September 30, 2000. 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).
The Fire Research Grants Program proposals must be received no
later than the close of business September 30, 2000.
ADDRESSES: For the Precision Measurement Grants Program, applicants are
requested to direct technical questions and submit 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, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8401, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8401,
Tel: (301) 975-4220, E-mail: [email protected], Website: http://
physics.nist.gov/ResOpp/grants/grants.html
For the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF 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, 100 Bureau
Drive, Stop 8400, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8400, Tel: (301) 975-4200, E-
mail: [email protected], Website: http://www.surf.nist.gov
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 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, submit one signed original and two
copies of the proposal, clearly marked to identify the field of
research, to: Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, Attn.: Ms.
Patty Salpino, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100
Bureau Drive, Stop 8501, Building 223, Room A305, Gaithersburg,
Maryland 20899-8501, Tel: (301) 975-5731, E-mail:
[email protected]
For the Fire Research Grants Program submit one signed original and
two copies of the proposal to: Building and Fire Research Laboratory
(BFRL), Attn.: Ms. Sheilda Bryner, National Institute of Standards and
Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8630, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-
8630, Tel: (301) 975-5851, E-mail: [email protected]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: All grants administration questions
concerning these programs should be directed to the NIST Grants Office
at (301) 975-6329.
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 15 U.S.C. 272 (b) and (c),
NIST conducts directly, and 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: 15 U.S.C. 278g-1 authorizes NIST 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
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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 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: As part of its research program since
1970, NIST has awarded Precision Measurement Grants to U.S.
universities and colleges so that faculty may conduct significant,
primarily experimental research in the field of fundamental measurement
or the determination of fundamental constants. NIST sponsors these
grants and cooperative agreements 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 the 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 University.
(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-induced 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, University of Washington.
The program 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 seventh 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 third year of a proposed
three year MSEL SURF Program funded by the NSF Division of Materials
Research (DMR) as a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site.
This is the second year of proposed five year MEL SURF Program funded
by the NSF Division of Engineering Education and Centers (EEC) 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 premiere 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 and 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. To achieve these goals, PL staff develop and utilize highly
specialized equipment, such as polarized electron microscopes, scanning
tunneling microscopes, lasers, and x-ray 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 standards
for radiation therapy.
NIST's Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory conducts basic
research in the electronic, magnetic, optical, superconducting,
mechanical, thermal, chemical, and structural properties of metals,
ceramics, polymers, and composites. Much of this applies 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. 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, neutron scattering instruments,
x-ray diffraction sources, lasers, magnetometers, plasma furnaces, melt
spinners, molecular beam epitaxy systems, and powder 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.
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
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life cycle. Much of this applied research is devoted to overcoming
barriers to the next technological revolution, in which manufacturing
facilities for spread across the glove. 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 individuals to pursue a Ph.D. in physics, materials science,
engineering, mathematics, 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.
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 metrolgy, synthesis, processing
and characterization of structure, mechanical, thermal and electrical
properties. The contact person for this division is: Dr. Bruno Fanconi
and he may be reached at (301) 975-6769.
III. Metallurgy Division, 855 (Process Control)--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 (Intelligent Processing Systems)--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 Dynamics: To develop understanding and predictive methods
for dynamic fire phenomena to advance fire science and engineering
practice. To perform research to understand the heat and mass transfer
processes occurring in fires in order to improve predictions of the
growth, spread, suppression, and emissions from fires of all scales.
Experiments and metrology are developed and used to develop, support,
and verify advanced computer simulations of fire phenomena, fire
hazards, fire protection, and fire fighting.
B. Large Fire Research: To develop understanding of the behavior,
prevention, and control of large fires through measurement, prediction
and demonstration. This includes new understanding and technology
related to: fire suppression and control, fire fighting operations,
burning characteristics of assemblies, thermal and chemical emission,
smoke transport processes; fire modeling; fire investigations; fire
suppression agents; use of combustion for environmental cleanup; and
field measurement of both structural and unconfined fires. To perform
research the results of which are used in fire fighting, fire
protection, fire investigation, and construction to reduce the impact
of fire on people, property, and the environment.
C. Fire Safety System: To perform research and development and
demonstrate the advanced fire safety systems that utilize deterministic
fire modeling. These systems are intended to enhance the quality,
reliability, and accuracy of data predictions available to quantify
fire events with applications to buildings, fire protection systems,
transportation systems and vehicles, training, fire fighting, fire
investigations, and codes and standards. To perform research to advance
the capabilities of fire models and their applications, including:
developing methods to assess fire hazard and risk; creating advanced,
usable models for the calculation of building fires and their effect on
the environment and structure; integrating fire models with building
control and fire alarm systems, developing advanced information systems
for fire fighters; developing a protocol for determining the accuracy
of algorithms and comprehensive models; developing data bases to
facilities use of fire models; and advancing the concepts of
performance-based engineering.
D. Advanced 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.
E. 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
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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 polymer and composites; and
delineating the modeling the enthalpy and mass transfer mechanisms of
materials combustion.
F. 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, universities and
colleges in the United States. For the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF
Programs, colleges and universities in the United States with degree
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 and
the Fire Research Grants Program, these programs will be open to
academic institutions, non-federal agencies, independent and industrial
laboratories, and research organizations. Immediate family members of
NIST Building and Fire Research Laboratory (BFRL) staff are ineligible
for support from the Fire Research Grants Program.
Funding Availability
For all Financial Assistance programs listed below, awards are
contingent on the availability of funds. For the Precision Measurement
Grants Program, the annual budget is approximately $300,000. If an
applicant proposes a mult-year project, the scope of work must be
clearly severable into annual increments of meaningful work that
represent solid accomplishments if continuing funding if 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 these cooperative agreements.
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 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 NEL 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 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 usually 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, continuing relevance to the mission of the MSEL
program, and the availability of funds. The multi-year awards must have
scopes of work that can be easily separated into annual increments of
meaningful work that 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). In fiscal year 2000, the MSEL Grants
Program anticipates funding of approximately $750,000, including new
awards and continuing projects.
For the Fire Research Grants Program, the annual budget is $1.34
million. Because of commitments for the support of multi-year projects,
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.
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 bases of the
evaluation criteria below. The NIST Precision 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. In recommending
applications for funding, the program's selecting official will take
into consideration the results of the evaluations, the needs of the
NIST laboratories, and the committees' judgment as to which
applications, when the slate is taken as a whole, are likely to best
further the goals of the NIST Precision Measurements Grants Program.
Two grantees for fiscal year 2000 will be selected. The final approval
of selected applications and award of cooperative agreements will be
made by the NIST Grants Officer based on compliance with program
requirements and whether the recommended applicants appear competently
managed, responsible, and committed to achieving project objectives.
The decision of the Grants Officer is final.
The evaluation criteria to be used in evaluating the preapplication
proposals and full proposals are:
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
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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 for
participation (students must have 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 2000 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 are: 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 $2000); stated intent to support the participating
students at a research conference, and/or awarding of academic credit
for the student research.
In recommending applications for funding, the program's selecting
official will take into consideration the results of the panel's
evaluations, including rank, the needs of the NIST laboratories, and
the selecting official's judgment as to which applications, when the
slate is taken as a whole, are likely to best further the goals of the
SURF Program. The final approval of selected applications and award of
cooperative agreements will be made by the NIST Grants Officer based on
compliance with program requirements and whether the recommended
applicants appear competently managed, responsible, and committed to
achieving project objectives. The decision of the Grants Officer is
final.
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, as they are received on a rolling basis, based on
the evaluation criteria. Second, the Division Chief or Center Director
will make final award selections. In making final award selections, the
Division Chief or Center Director will take into consideration the
results of the panel's evaluations, including rank, the compatibility
of the applicant's proposal with the program objectives of the
particular division or center that the proposal addresses, and the
Division Chief or Center Director's judgment as to which applications,
when the slate is taken as a whole, are likely to best further the
objectives of the MSEL Grants Program. 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 or Center Director shall
justify the selection in writing. The final approval of selected
applications and award of cooperative agreements will be made by the
NIST Grants Officer based on compliance with program requirements and
whether the recommended applicants appear competently managed,
responsible, and committed to achieving project objectives. the
decision of The Grants Officer is final.
For the MSEL Grants Program, the evaluation criteria the technical
reviewers will use in evaluating the proposals are as follows:
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 and
neutron research.
Each of these factors will be given equal weight in the evaluation
process, except where much of the work is to be carried out at NIST,
which would lower the weight of criterion 3.
For the Fire Research Grants Program, all proposals are assigned,
as received on a rolling basis, to the appropriate group leader of the
six 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. In making the final
selections, the Division Chief will take into consideration the results
of the evaluations, the scores of the reviewers, and the Division
Chief's judgment as to which applications, when the slate is taken as a
whole, are likely to best further the goals of the Fire Research Grants
Program. The final approval of selected applications and award of
cooperative agreements will be made by the NIST Grants Officer based on
compliance with program requirements
[[Page 68330]]
and whether the recommended applicants appear competently managed,
responsible, and committed to achieving project objectives. The
decision of the Grants Officer is final. Applicants should allow up to
90 days processing time.
For the Fire Research Grants Program, the technical 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
awarded for the period October 1, 2000, through September 30, 2001
(fiscal year 2001). 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 satisfactory performance, continuing relevance to
program objectives, and the availability of funds.
For the Physics, MSEL and MEL SURF Programs, these programs are
anticipated to run between May 22 through August 11, 2000; 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 generally 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, continued reverence 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 satisfactory progress, continuing relevance to the
mission of 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 may be accessed
through the following website: http://www.surf.nist.gov; for the MSEL
Grants Program, Ms. Patty Salpino, (301) 975-5731; and for the Fire
Research Grants Program, Ms. Sheilda Bryner, (301) 975-5851. The
application kit includes the following:
SF 424 (Rev 7/97)--Application for Federal Assistance
SFA 424A (Rev 7/97)--Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs
SF 424B (Rev 7/97)--Assurances--Non-Construction Programs
CD 511 (Rev 7/91)--Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and
Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and
Lobbying
CD 512 (Rev 7/91)--Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension,
Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions
and Lobbying
SF-LLL--Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
CD-346--Applicant for Funding Assistance
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 Certifications
All primary applicant institutions must submit a completed form CD-
511, ``Certification 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 defines 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
[[Page 68331]]
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 key
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. Form CD-346 must be completed for all
personnel with key programmatic or fiduciary responsibilities.
Pre-award 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.
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 on
repayment is received, or
3. Other arrangements satisfactory to DoC are made.
Indirect Costs
Regardless of any approved indirect cost rate applicable to the
award, the maximum dollar amount of allocable indirect costs for which
the DoC will reimburse the Recipient shall be the lesser of:
(a) The Federal Share of the total allocable indirect costs of the
award based on the negotiated rate with the cognizant Federal agency as
established by audit or negotiation; or
(b) The line item amount for the Federal share of indirect costs
contained in the approved budget of the award.
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.
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 Polices 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
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
Dated: December 1, 1999.
Karen H. Brown,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 99-31607 Filed 12-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M