FEDERAL AGENCY:

NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

AUTHORIZATION:

National Security Act of 1959, Sections (13(a) and 10(a), 50 U.S.C. 402, Public Law 86-36.

The National Security Agency (NSA) is concerned over the declining percentage of American citizens taking degrees from U.S. graduate schools in areas of mathematics most strongly identified among individuals with cryptology. The NSA grant program seeks to stimulate developments in the field of cryptography and make careers in these fields of mathematics more attractive to Americans and to make NSA known as a possible employer of such mathematicians.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Investigators must be an employee of a U.S. college or university, the principal investigator must be at least a permanent resident of the U.S. Graduate students must be U.S. citizens or intending to become U.S. citizens.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   This will benefit researchers in the mathematical science that are at least permanent residents as well as their students that are permanent residents of the U.S. and intending to apply for U.S. citizenship.

Credentials/Documentation:   None.

Pre-application Coordination:   None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   A brochure is available from NSA giving the form of the proposal. A proposal may be sent directly to NSA by a college or university before the yearly deadline. NSA has the authority for the final approval and passes the funds to a college or university. The college or university distributes the funds to the principal investigator, students, postdoctoral students, etc.

Award Procedure:   The agency grant/contracting officer coordinates with the performing organization for the effective administration of the grant.

Deadlines:   October 15 is the deadline for submission of proposals with certain exceptions, such as conference applications for which there is no deadline.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Generally 12 months.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   Only no-cost extensions allowed when work is not completed. Funds will remain.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Two years in most cases except for conferences, which are for a shorter period.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Interim and final reports are required.

Audits:   Not applicable.

Records:   Not applicable.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   97-0400-0-1-051.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $2,900,000; FY 02 est $2,600,000; and FY 03 est $3,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   $5,000 to $60,000. Average: $15,000.

None.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

NSA provides a free brochure describing how to apply for a grant.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:   Dr. Charles F. Osgood, Department of Defense, National Security Agency, ATTN: R51A, Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755- 6000. Telephone: (301) 688-0400. Use the same number for FTS.

Web Site Address:   http://www.darpa.mil/cmo

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

(1) Mathematics conference; (2) research in algebra; (3) research in number theory; (4) research in discrete mathematics; (5) research in statistics; and (6) research in probability.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Primarily qualifications of the principal investigator. Cost is considered when deciding what to fund, e.g., one month of summer salary and/or student support.