[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 62 (Friday, March 31, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16285-16288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4723]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket No.: 060321082-6082-01]


NIST Electron and Optical Physics Division, Center for Nanoscale 
Science and Technology (CNST) Financial Assistance Program; 
Availability of Funds

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 
announces that the NIST Electron and Optical Physics Division, Center 
for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST) Financial Assistance 
Program is soliciting applications for financial assistance for FY 
2006. The primary program objectives of the financial assistance 
program in Nanoscale Science and Technology is to develop new 
measurement methods, instrumentation and standards for nanotechnology 
and explore new areas of nanoscale science and technology in a variety 
of areas; to assist and train CNST collaborators and nanofabrication 
facility users in their research; and to conduct other outreach and 
educational activities that advance the development

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of nanotechnology by U.S. university and industrial scientists.

DATES: Complete applications, paper and electronic, must be received by 
5 p.m., eastern standard time on April 24, 2006.

ADDRESSES: One signed original and two paper copies of complete paper 
applications must be submitted to Barbara Coalmon, National Institute 
of Standards and Technology, Center for Nanoscale Science and 
Technology, Electron and Optical Physics Division, Mail Stop 8412, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8412. Electronic applications must be submitted 
through Grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For complete information about this 
program and instructions for applying by paper or electronically, read 
the Federal Funding Opportunity Notice (FFO) at http://www.grants.gov. 
A paper copy of the FFO may be obtained by calling (301) 975-6328. 
Technical questions should be addressed to Dr. Robert Celotta at 
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Center for Nanoscale 
Science and Technology, Electron and Optical Physics Division, 100 
Bureau Drive, Stop 8412, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8412, Tel: (301) 975-
3710, E-mail: [email protected]. The CNST Web site is: http://www.physics.nist.gov/cnst. All grants related administration questions 
concerning this program should be directed to Joyce Brigham, NIST 
Grants and Agreements Management Division at (301) 975-6328 or 
[email protected]. For assistance with using Grants.gov contact 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Name And Number: Measurement 
and Engineering Research and Standards--11.609

    Program Description: The primary program objectives of the 
financial assistance program in Nanoscale Science and Technology are to 
develop new measurement methods, instrumentation and standards for 
nanotechnology and explore new areas of nanoscale science and 
technology in a variety of areas including nanofabrication, 
nanomagnetics, theory and modeling, post-complementary metal oxide 
semiconductor electronics, nano-electro mechanical systems, nanomotion 
and nanomanipulation, merging length scales, 2-D and 3-D structural and 
chemical imaging, electrical and magnetic dynamical response of 
nanostructures, electrical characterization of nanostructures, 
nanoscale properties of soft matter, neutron scattering determination 
of nanoscale properties, nanobiology, and nanomedicine; to assist and 
train CNST collaborators and nanofabrication facility users in their 
research; and to conduct other outreach and educational activities that 
advance the development of nanotechnology by U.S. university and 
industrial scientists. This will entail collaborative research among 
the selected financial assistance recipients and CNST staff scientists 
and visiting scientists to advance these objectives, primarily at 
CNST's Nanofab, a national user facility for nanoscale science and 
technology that is described on the Web site cnst.nist.gov.
    Applicants and team members must possess the education, experience, 
and training, to pursue and advance the field of Nanoscale Science and 
Technology efficiently. In addition, the applicant and team members 
must possess a demonstrated record of excellence in the development of 
measurement methods, instrumentation or standards for nanotechnology 
and in nanotechnology research.
    Additional information on the CNST can be found at: http://www.physics.nist.gov/cnst.
    Funding Availability: Proposals will be considered for cooperative 
agreements with durations of up to five years, subject to the 
availability of funds, satisfactory progress, and the continuing 
relevance to the objectives of the NIST Center for Nanoscale Science 
and Technology of the Electron and Optical Physics Division. The 
anticipated level of funding is up to $1,500,000 per year and one or 
more awards may be approved. Between one and five awards are likely.
    NIST will give preference to full-scope proposals. However 
applicants may choose to submit proposals that are limited to specific 
program objectives and request an appropriate portion of the total 
amount available. NIST will determine whether to fund one award for the 
full amount; to divide available funds into multiple awards of any 
size, and negotiate scopes of work and budgets as appropriate; or not 
to select any proposal for funding, upon completing the selection 
process described in this notice.

    Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 272(b) and (c).
    Eligibility: The CNST Financial Assistance Program is open to U.S. 
institutions of higher education.
    Cost Sharing: There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for 
the program.
    Review and Selection Process: All applications received in response 
to this announcement will be reviewed to determine whether or not they 
are complete and responsive to the scope of the stated program 
objectives. Incomplete or non-responsive applications will not be 
reviewed for technical merit. The Program will retain one copy of each 
non-responsive application for three years for record keeping purposes. 
The remaining copies will be destroyed.
    Responsive proposals will be reviewed by at least four independent, 
objective individuals who are knowledgeable about nanoscale science and 
technology research, nanofabrication, and nanotechnology measurement 
and instrumentation. These individuals will conduct a technical review 
of proposals based on the evaluation criteria listed below. If non-
Federal reviewers are used, any advice provided will be on an 
individual basis, not as a consensus.
    The Physics Laboratory Deputy Director, serving as the Selection 
Official, will make the award selection. In making the award selection, 
the Physics Laboratory Deputy Director will take into consideration the 
reviewers' technical evaluations. The Physics Laboratory Deputy 
Director, as the selecting official, may choose a proposal out of rank 
order based upon one or more of the following factors: (1) Availability 
of funds, (2) Redundancy, (3) Balance/distribution of funds by research 
areas described above in the Program description of this Notice, (4) 
Program objectives described above in the Program Description section 
of this Notice, (5) Logistical concerns, and (6) Preference for full-
scope proposals. If an award is made to an applicant that deviates from 
the scores of the reviewers, the Physics Laboratory Deputy Director 
shall justify the selection in writing based on selection factors 
described above. The Physics Laboratory Deputy Director may select all, 
none, or some of the applications for funding.
    The final approval of selected applications and award of financial 
assistance will be made by the NIST Grants Officer based on compliance 
with application requirements as published in this notice, compliance 
with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, compliance with 
Federal policies that best further the objectives of the Department of 
Commerce, and whether the recommended applicants appear to be 
responsible. Applicants may be asked to modify objectives, work plans, 
or budgets and provide supplemental information required by the agency 
prior to award. The award decision of the Grants Officer is final.

[[Page 16287]]

Applicants should allow up to 90 days processing time.
    Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing. The Program 
will retain one copy of each unsuccessful application for three years 
for record keeping purposes. The remaining copies will be destroyed.
    Evaluation Criteria: For the Electron and Optical Physics 
Division--CNST Financial Assistance Program, the technical reviewers 
will use the following criteria to evaluate the proposals:
    1. Qualifications and experience of the Principal Investigator in 
nanotechnology research, as demonstrated by extensive publications and 
invited lectures in condensed matter physics, chemistry, material 
science, macromolecular science or related fields. (25%).
    2. Qualifications and experience of the proposed university staff 
in nanotechnology research or in related scientific or engineering 
areas that are key to the activities contained in the proposal, as 
demonstrated by resumes of staff proposed for this program. (10%).
    3. Quality of the proposed research and development plan and its 
potential impact on nanoscale science and technology. (20%).
    4. Quality of the plan in terms of providing research assistance to 
U.S. nanotechnology researchers using the CNST facilities, including 
related training, education, and outreach. (30%).
    5. Quality of the plan to integrate university staff effectively 
into the activities of the CNST facility, including establishing robust 
communications between the university and the CNST. (10%).
    6. Cost effectiveness of the plan. (5%).
    Additional Information:
    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements: The Department of Commerce Pre-Award 
Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements 
contained in the Federal Register notice of December 30, 2004 (69 FR 
78389). On the form SF-424, the applicant's 9-digit Dun and Bradstreet 
Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number must be entered in the 
Applicant Identifier block (68 FR 38402).
    Collaborations with NIST Employees: All applications should include 
a description of any work proposed to be performed by an entity other 
than the applicant, and the cost of such work should ordinarily be 
included in the budget.
    If an applicant proposes collaboration with NIST, the statement of 
work should include a statement of this intention, a description of the 
collaboration, and prominently identify the NIST employee(s) involved, 
if known. Any collaboration by a NIST employee must be approved by 
appropriate NIST management and is at the sole discretion of NIST. 
Prior to beginning the merit review process, NIST will verify the 
approval of the proposed collaboration. Any unapproved collaboration 
will be stricken from the proposal prior to the merit review.
    Use of NIST Intellectual Property: If the applicant anticipates 
using any NIST-owned intellectual property to carry out the work 
proposed, the applicant should identify such intellectual property. 
This information will be used to ensure that no NIST employee involved 
in the development of the intellectual property will participate in the 
review process for that competition. In addition, if the applicant 
intends to use NIST-owned intellectual property, the applicant must 
comply with all statutes and regulations governing the licensing of 
Federal government patents and inventions, described at 35 U.S.C. sec. 
200-212, 37 CFR part 401, 15 CFR 14.36, and in section 20 of the 
Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements, published 
on December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389). Questions about these requirements 
may be directed to the Counsel for NIST, 301-975-2803.
    Any use of NIST-owned intellectual property by a proposer is at the 
sole discretion of NIST and will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis 
if a project is deemed meritorious. The applicant should indicate 
within the statement of work whether it already has a license to use 
such intellectual property or whether it intends to seek one.
    If any inventions made in whole or in part by a NIST employee arise 
in the course of an award made pursuant to this notice, the United 
States government may retain its ownership rights in any such 
invention. Licensing or other disposition of NIST's rights in such 
inventions will be determined solely by NIST, and include the 
possibility of NIST putting the intellectual property into the public 
domain.
    Initial Screening of all Applications: All applications received in 
response to this announcement will be reviewed to determine whether or 
not they are complete and responsive to the scope of the stated 
objectives for each program. Incomplete or non-responsive applications 
will not be reviewed for technical merit. The Program will retain one 
copy of each non-responsive application for three years for record 
keeping purposes. The remaining copies will be destroyed.
    Paperwork Reduction Act: The standard forms in the application kit 
involve a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction 
Act. The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B, SF-LLL, and CD-346 have 
been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the 
respective Control Numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046, 
and 0605-0001.
    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.
    Research Projects Involving Human Subjects, Human Tissue, Data or 
Recordings Involving Human Subjects: Any proposal that includes 
research involving human subjects, human tissue, data or recordings 
involving human subjects must meet the requirements of the Common Rule 
for the Protection of Human Subjects, codified for the Department of 
Commerce at 15 CFR part 27. In addition, any proposal that includes 
research on these topics must be in compliance with any statutory 
requirements imposed upon the Department of Health and Human Services 
(DHHS) and other Federal agencies regarding these topics, all 
regulatory policies and guidance adopted by DHHS, FDA, and other 
Federal agencies on these topics, and all Presidential statements of 
policy on these topics.
    NIST will accept the submission of human subjects protocols that 
have been approved by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) registered 
with DHHS and performed by entities possessing a current, valid 
Federal-wide Assurance (FWA) from DHHS. NIST will not issue a single 
project assurance (SPA) for any IRB reviewing any human subjects 
protocol proposed to NIST.
    On August 9, 2001, the President announced his decision to allow 
Federal funds to be used for research on existing human embryonic stem 
cell lines as long as prior to his announcement (1) the derivation 
process (which commences with the removal of the inner cell mass from 
the blastocyst) had already been initiated and (2) the embryo from 
which the stem cell line was derived no longer had the possibility of 
development as a human

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being. NIST will follow guidance issued by the National Institutes of 
Health at http://ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov/humansubjects/guidance/stemcell.pdf for funding such research.
    Research Projects Involving Vertebrate Animals: Any proposal that 
includes research involving vertebrate animals must be in compliance 
with the National Research Council's ``Guide for the Care and Use of 
Laboratory Animals'' which can be obtained from National Academy Press, 
2101 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20055. In addition, such 
proposals must meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (7 
U.S.C. 2131 et seq.), 9 CFR parts 1, 2, and 3, and if appropriate, 21 
CFR part 58. These regulations do not apply to proposed research using 
pre-existing images of animals or to research plans that do not include 
live animals that are being cared for, euthanized, or used by the 
project participants to accomplish research goals, teaching, or 
testing. These regulations also do not apply to obtaining animal 
materials from commercial processors of animal products or to animal 
cell lines or tissues from tissue banks.
    Limitation of Liability: In no event will the Department of 
Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation costs if these 
programs fail to receive funding or are cancelled because of other 
agency priorities. Publication of this announcement does not oblige the 
agency to award any specific project or to obligate any available 
funds.
    Executive Order 12866: This funding notice was determined to be not 
significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    Executive Order 13132 (Federalism): It has been determined that 
this notice does not contain policies with federalism implications as 
that term is defined in Executive Order 13132.
    Executive Order 12372: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
    Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act: Notice and 
comment are not required under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 
U.S.C. 553) or any other law, for rules relating to public property, 
loans, grants, benefits or contracts (5 U.S.C. 553 (a)). Because notice 
and comment are not required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, for 
rules relating to public property, loans, grants, benefits or contracts 
(5 U.S.C. 553(a)), a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required 
and has not been prepared for this notice, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.

    Dated: March 23, 2006.
Hratch G. Semerjian,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. E6-4723 Filed 3-30-06; 8:45 am]
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