To
promote the progress of the biological sciences and thereby strengthen
the Nation's scientific enterprise; to increase scientific knowledge
and enhance understanding of major problems confronting the Nation.
Most of the research supported is basic in character. The program
includes support of research project grants in the following disciplines:
molecular and cellular biosciences, integrative biology and neuroscience;
environmental biology; biological infrastructure; and plant genome
research. Support is also provided for the purchase of multi-user
scientific equipment and instrument development, and for research
workshops, symposia, and conferences. In addition, awards are made
to improve the quality of doctoral dissertations in environmental
biology, animal behavior or ecological and evolutionary physiology;
for postdoctoral fellowships in biological informatics and microbial
biology; and for postdoctoral fellowships to minority scientists
in all areas of research supported by the biological sciences.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Grant funds may be used
for paying costs necessary to conduct research or studies such as
salaries and wages, permanent equipment, expendable materials and
supplies, travel, publication costs, and other direct and indirect
costs. Primary responsibility for general supervision of all grant
activities rests with the grantee institution; the principal investigator
is responsible for the scientific work. Funds may not be used for
purposes other than those specified in the proposal.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility:
Public and private colleges and universities; nonprofit, nonacademic
research institutions; private, profit organizations; and unaffiliated
scientists under special circumstances. Grants are made on a competitive
basis.
Beneficiary Eligibility:
Public and private colleges, universities, and research institutions
may apply.
Credentials/Documentation:
Proposals must be signed electronically by an official authorized
to commit the institution or organization in business and financial
affairs and who can commit the organization to certain proposal
certifications. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB
Circular Nos. A-21 for colleges and universities and A-122 for
nonprofit organizations. This program is excluded from coverage
OMB Circular No. A-87.
Pre-application
Coordination: None. This program is excluded
from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure:
By electronic submission via FastLane of a formal proposal describing
the research or study to be undertaken. Guidelines are contained
in publications, "Grant Proposal Guide," NSF 02-2, "Guide to Programs
Fiscal Year 2002," NSF 02-03. This program is subject to the provisions
of coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102.
Award Procedure:
NSF staff members review and evaluate all proposals generally
with the assistance and advice of other qualified scientists and
other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered
by the proposal. Proposals are accepted in order of merit to the
extent permitted by available funds. States will be notified of
Federal assistance awards through the Federal Assistance Awards
Data System (FAADS).
Deadlines:
Deadlines and target dates are published at the following web
address: http://www.nsf.gov/bio/programs.htm.
Range of Approval/Disapproval
Time: 6 months.
Appeals:
The principal investigator may request, in writing, that the foundation
reconsider its action in declining any application.
Renewals:
Proposals for renewal, containing the same type of information
as the original proposal, should be submitted 6 to 9 months before
funding from the current award is expected to be exhausted, renewals
are treated in competition with all other pending proposals.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching
Requirements: Cost-sharing is not required for
awards made solely for symposia, conferences and workshops, publication,
education and training, or travel. The Grant Proposal Guide (GPG)
(Chapter II) and the Grant Policy Manual (Sec. 330) provide additional
information on the general NSF policy on cost sharing.
Length and Time Phasing
of Assistance: Up to 5 years.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
For all multi-year grants (including both standard and continuing
grants), the PI must submit an annual project report to the cognizant
program office at least 90 days before the end of the current budget
period. Within 90 days after the expiration of a grant, the PI is
required to submit a final project report. Quarterly Federal Cash
Transaction Reports are required. Other reporting requirements may
be imposed via the grant instrument.
Audits:
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised,
June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit
Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance
of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a
program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities
that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt
from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted
in Circular No. A-133.
Records:
Grantees are expected to maintain separate records for each grant
to insure that funds are used for the general purpose for which
the grant was made. Records are subject to inspection during the
life of the grant and for 3 years thereafter.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification:
49-0100-0-1-251.
Obligations:
(Grants) FY 01 $485,950,000; FY 02 est $508,410,000; and FY 03
est $525,620,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
$4,000 to $2,500,000; Average: $143,201.
In fiscal year 2001, 3,456
awards were made and 7,179 proposals were received. In fiscal year
2002, approximately 3,460 awards will be made and 7,179 proposals
received. In fiscal year 2003, approximately 3,460 awards will be
made and 7,179 proposals received.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND
LITERATURE:
48 CFR Chapter 25; 45
CFR Chapter VI; "NSF Guide to Programs, Fiscal Year 2002," NSF 02-03
(http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf0203); and "Grant Proposal
Guide," NSF 02-2, (http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf022).
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local
Office: Not applicable.
Headquarters Office:
Assistant Director, Biological Sciences, National Science Foundation,
4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230. Telephone: (703)292-8400.
NSF World Wide Web site URL: http://www.nsf.gov/.
Web Site Address: http://www.nsf.gov/bio
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
(1) Calcium signaling
in the brain of behaving zebrafish. (2) Molecular interactions regulating
cell signaling. (3) The role of habitat heterogeneity in stream
ecosystems. (4) Development of a micro-scale protein sequencing
system. (5) Genomics of plant stress tolerance.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
The National Science Board
approved revised criteria for evaluating proposals at its meeting
on March 28, 1997 (NSB 97-72). All NSF proposals are evaluated through
use of the two merit review criteria. In some instances, however,
NSF will employ additional criteria as required to highlight the
specific objectives of certain programs and activities. On September
20, 1999, the NSF Director issued Important Notice 125, Merit Review
Criteria. This Important Notice reminds proposers that both criteria
must be addressed in the preparation and review of all proposals
submitted to NSF. NSF continues to strengthen its internal processes
to ensure that both of the merit review criteria are addressed when
making funding decisions. The two merit review criteria are listed
below. The criteria include considerations that help define them.
These considerations are suggestions, and not all will apply to
any given proposal. While proposers must address both merit review
criteria, reviewers will be asked to address only those considerations
that are relevant to the proposal being considered and for which
he/she is qualified to make judgments. What is the intellectual
merit of the proposed activity? How important is the proposed activity
to advancing knowledge and understanding within its own field or
across different fields? How well qualified is the proposer individual
or team) to conduct the project? (If appropriate, the reviewer will
comment on the quality of prior work.) To what extent does the proposed
activity suggest and explore creative and original concepts? How
well conceived and organized is the proposed activity? Is there
sufficient access to resources? What are the broader impacts of
the proposed activity? How well does the activity advance discovery
and understanding while promoting teaching, training, and learning?
How well does the proposed activity broaden the participation of
underrepresented groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic,
etc.)? To what extent will it enhance the infrastructure for research
and education, such as facilities, instrumentation, networks, and
partnerships? Will the results be disseminated broadly to enhance
scientific and technological understanding? What may be the benefits
of the proposed activity to society? NSF staff will give careful
consideration to the following in making funding decisions: Integration
of Research and Education. One of the principal strategies in support
of NSF's goals is to foster integration of research and education
through the programs, projects and activities it supports at academic
and research institutions. These institutions provide abundant opportunities
where individuals may concurrently assume responsibilities as researchers,
educators, and students, and where all can engage in joint efforts
that infuse education with the excitement of discovery and enrich
research through the diversity of learning perspectives. Integrating
Diversity into NSF Programs, Projects, and Activities. Broadening
opportunities and enabling the participation of all citizens - women
and men, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities
- are essential to the health and vitality of science and engineering.
NSF is committed to this principle of diversity and deems it central
to the programs, projects, and activities it considers and supports.
