[Program Guideline] NSF 95-114 - BIO Research Training Groups Program
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Title : NSF 95-114 - BIO Research Training Groups Program
Type : Program Guideline
NSF Org: BIO
Date : July 25, 1995
File : nsf95114
BIO RESEARCH TRAINING GROUPS PROGRAM
The Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) of the National
Science Foundation (NSF), in recognition of the need to encourage
multidisciplinary training and enhance diversity in the next
generation of scientists, will offer Research Training Group (RTG)
awards. The program will provide groups of investigators with funds
in order to foster multidisciplinary, research-based training and
education. It will:
- Encourage thematic, multidisciplinary training opportunities
in excellent research environments;
- Provide support for training activities and for the
acquisition or development of state-of-the-art shared
instruments and special purpose materials to be used in
research.
Features of BIO Research Training Groups
An RTG should focus on a major research theme for which
multidisciplinary efforts hold promise. An important component of
the effort must include education and training in areas of research
funded by BIO. However, faculty from disciplines funded by other
NSF directorates may direct or participate in the multidisciplinary
effort. In such cases, other NSF directorates may join BIO in the
review and, if appropriate, the funding of proposals.
The RTGs are expected to vary in size and in their schemes for
organization, participation and operation. All will share the
following characteristics:
- Be based in a U.S. academic institution that grants the
Ph.D.;
- Create new or enhanced multidisciplinary educational and
research opportunities at the institution;
- Be directed by a principal investigator, with an appropriate
number of other faculty members who will assist in management
and in the educational and research programs of the RTG;
- Have secured resource commitments and financial
contributions from the home institution and any institutional
collaborators.
- Have well-formulated plans for recruitment of students and
fellows, with provisions that will increase participation of
members of groups underrepresented in science.
Who May Submit
U.S. academic institutions that grant the Ph.D and have basic
research and training programs in the biological sciences are
invited to submit proposals. Proposals involving more than one
institution are eligible, but a single institution must accept
overall management responsibility. Collaborating institutions need
not be academic. Details of complex, multi-institutional
arrangements should be discussed with the RTG program officer
before formal proposal submission.
Normally, NSF does not support bioscience research with disease-
related goals, including work on the etiology, diagnosis or
treatment of physical or mental disease, abnormality, or
malfunction in human beings or animals. Studies of animal models
for such conditions, the design and testing of drugs or other
procedures for their treatment are also not eligible for support.
However, proposals for multidisciplinary training efforts that
include bioengineering will be considered for support through this
program. A faculty group planning an RTG proposal that includes
training in bioengineering should discuss their proposal with the
RTG program officer prior to submission.
Principal Investigator
The principal investigator should be the director of the RTG. The
director will have overall responsibility for administration of the
award and for discussions with the NSF. The director and the home
institution are expected to develop an administrative process that
enables faculty, students and others involved in the group effort
to interact productively during the award period. The plan should
permit the director to continue to teach and do research.
Awards
Awards will be made for five years. Annual budgets for RTGs are
expected to average $300,000 (including direct and indirect costs).
In addition, up to $200,000 (total) may be requested for specific
items of special purpose research materials and equipment. The
total number and exact size of awards will depend on the advice of
reviewers and on the availability of funds. BIO expects that
sufficient funds will be available for five new RTG awards in
fiscal year 1996.
Preproposal Content
A two stage submission process will be used. Applicants for an RTG
award are required to first submit an abbreviated proposal
(preproposal). The preproposal must contain the following
information in the order indicated:
1. Cover Page (NSF Form 1207)
2. Summary (200 words maximum)
3. List of faculty participants
4. Estimated summary budget (NSF Form 1030)
5. Brief description of the multidisciplinary theme, and of
the research and training programs. Novel aspects of the
training program should be emphasized.
6. Expected resource commitments by the institution and other
sources.
7. A brief biographical sketch or CV (one page) for each faculty
participant.
All items except items 5 and 7 are limited to one page in length;
each must be on a separate page. Item 5 may not exceed 3 pages in
length. Specific items of equipment or special research materials
need not be listed on the budget page. The description of the
content and format of formal proposals (below) should be consulted
in preparing preproposals. No letters of endorsement or other
appendices are allowed. The preproposal must be printed on a single
side of the page following the margin and the print format and
quality requirements given below for formal proposals. Required NSF
forms are found in the NSF document Grant Proposal Guide (GPG, NSF
94-2, January, 1994) and also in the NSF Proposal Form Kit (PFK,
NSF 94-3, January, 1994). GPG and PFK, either of which contains all
forms needed for formal submission, are available from:
NSF Forms and Publications Unit
4201 Wilson Blvd., Room P-15
Arlington, VA 22230
Tel: (703) 306-1130
FAX: (703) 664-4278
Internet: pu...@nsf.gov
Preproposal Submission
Five copies of the preproposal should be sent directly to the RTG
Program, Room 615, NSF, Arlington, VA 22230. Preproposals must be
postmarked no later than October 27, 1995. Submission of a
preproposal is required before a formal proposal will be accepted.
Preproposals will be reviewed by an advisory panel using the
criteria for review of formal proposals described below. Following
this review, approximately 25 applicants with promising programs
will be encouraged to submit a formal proposal. Although favorable
review of the preproposal is not a prerequisite for formal
submission, applicants should be aware that the comments of the
preproposal reviewers may be considered during review of the formal
proposal.
Formal Proposal Content and Format
The formal proposal should be prepared following guidelines
contained in GPG and the instructions below. The proposal must be
typed or printed single-spaced on a single side of the page using
margins, font and spacing consistent with recommendations on page
4 of the GPG. Proposals that do not strictly adhere to the
specified page limitations (given below), including those in
required or permitted appendices, will be ineligible for
consideration and will be returned. Each proposal must contain the
following elements in the order indicated:
1. NSF Cover page (NSF Form 1207). Clearly indicate that the
proposal is for consideration by the BIO Research Training Group
Program in the appropriate box.
2. Table of Contents. Provide a Table of Contents with page
numbers for each section and for major subdivisions of the project
description (see below).
3. Summary. On a separate page, provide a brief (200 words or
less) description of the theme of the RTG, the particular areas of
research to be addressed and the proposed educational and training
activities for which funds are sought.
4. List of Faculty Participants. Include departmental affiliation.
5. Research Program Description. Particular attention must be paid
to the following in preparing the description:
A. Thematic basis for the group effort. The general
nature and unifying aspects of the research training to
be followed must be described. Benefits to be realized
from opportunities for cross-disciplinary cooperation in
research training should be emphasized. This section must
not exceed 2 pages.
B. Major Research Projects. No more than six major
research programs that will provide opportunities for
graduate and undergraduate students, fellows, and
visiting scholars may be described. These programs may
be collaborative. The faculty member(s) responsible for
each program must be identified, and the programs must
be described in sufficient detail for reviewers to assess
their scientific merit. Needs for special materials,
shared instruments, travel to research sites, or special
courses must be justified in the context of the
program(s) for which they are required. The description
of each program must not exceed 5 pages inclusive of
tables, figures or other graphical data.
C. Other Research. Other faculty members who will
participate in the RTG may be identified; the titles of
their research programs, sources of funding and brief
descriptions of the programs (no more than one or two
sentences) should be included. This section must not
exceed 2 pages (total).
6. Education and Training. This section should describe relevant
existing programs and should emphasize any new programs (courses,
seminars, workshops, degree programs, etc.) that will result from
the award. Wherever possible, identify faculty members or others
with primary responsibility for the programs. If planned training
includes industrial internships, the potential industrial mentors
should be identified. Plans to attract qualified students and
fellows at all levels (undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral)
should be indicated, as should any provisions that will increase
the participation of members of groups underrepresented in science.
This section must not exceed 10 pages.
In an appendix (Appendix 1), provide information about the training
activities of each of the faculty members who will participate in
the RTG. This should include the numbers of undergraduates,
graduate students and postdoctoral fellows (list numbers for each
category separately) who carried out research under the
investigator's direction in each of the last three years and the
titles of courses taught by the investigator during that time
period. Other relevant activities such as organization of workshops
or special courses may be included; do not include lectures or
publications here. This appendix is limited to 1 page per faculty
member.
If appropriate, a second appendix (Appendix 2) may list relevant
joint activities previously undertaken by the institutions to be
involved in the RTG. This appendix is limited to 1 page.
7. Organization and Management. Plans and procedures for the
development, supervision, and assessment of the RTG should be
described. The plan should include use of a formal mechanism that
assures the fair and equitable allocation of group resources.
Procedures for selection of students, fellows and others who will
receive stipends or other awards from group funds must be
described, as should methods for allocation of use of shared
equipment. Relationships to other faculty and equipment at the home
institution, and elsewhere if relevant, should be described, as
should the relationship to existing grants that provide funds for
related training and educational activities. This section must not
exceed 3 pages.
8. Allowable Costs. The major portion of awarded funds must be
used for training and educational activities, and for related
expenditures (including, for example, travel, publication costs and
student recruitment). No funds for faculty research or salaries may
be requested. Stipends for students and fellows, and support for
short-term visitors and for a limited amount of secretarial
assistance may be requested. Stipend recipients must be citizens,
nationals or permanent residents of the U.S. Personnel and shop
costs may be requested for the development and construction of
special instruments, computer software or other materials. Funds
for the purchase, but not the maintenance, of shared, special
purpose research instruments which cost more than $10,000 may be
requested. Funds for purchase of shared, special purpose research
materials such as data sets or commercial computer software may
also be requested. The total funds requested for equipment and
special purpose materials may not exceed $200,000 over the life of
the grant. Substantial cost sharing on the purchase of equipment is
expected. Requests for instrumentation or special materials whose
primary use is in instruction, or that exceed the limit on
equipment costs should be addressed to an appropriate NSF program
(see the NSF Guide to Programs [NSF 94-91] for names of some
relevant programs). A limited amount of funds intended to partially
defray the costs of research by students and fellows may also be
requested.
9. Budget. Provide a budget for each year of support requested as
well as a separate, cumulative budget for all five years. NSF Form
1030 must be used. Funds for shared equipment and materials (as
described in section 8, above) should be included in section D
("Permanent Equipment"). Funds for facility renovation or for
instrument installation or maintenance may not be requested.
Indirect costs on awards are limited to 8%, except that no indirect
costs will be allowed on funds for equipment or tuition.
10. Budget Justification. A brief justification for funds in each
budget category should be provided. For shared equipment and
special materials, a particular model or source and the current or
expected price should be specified whenever possible. A brief
explanation of the need for each requested item and of the choice
of specified models should be provided. This section, which is
limited to 3 pages, should also include details of institutional
cost sharing and other sources of support for the RTG, such as
government, industry, or private foundations. Appropriate
documentation of commitments by the institution and other sources
should be provided in an appendix (appendix 3). If industrial
internships are planned, the willingness of the industrial
organization and of individual industrial mentors, if known, to
participate should also be documented in this appendix.
11. Existing Facilities and Equipment. Include a brief description
of available facilities, including major instruments required for
the research. Where requested equipment or materials duplicate
existing items, explain the need for duplication. Arrangements for
maintenance and operating expenses of requested equipment should be
described. This section is limited to 2 pages.
12. Biographical Sketches and Individual Support. For each of the
key personnel, provide a curriculum vitae or short biographical
sketch (1-2 paragraphs), a list of up to 10 publications (to
include the individual's 5 most important and up to 5 other,
relevant publications) and a complete list of current support. The
information may not exceed 3 pages for each individual. NSF Form
1362 may be used; however, do not include a list of collaborators
(item C of the form) as part of the biographical sketch.
13. Appendices. Only the appendices described in sections 6 and 10
(above) are allowed.
14. Additional Information. The following items must be provided:
A. One completed copy of NSF Form 1225;
B. A list of current and past collaborators for each faculty
member who will participate in the RTG. This should
include the names of the faculty member's graduate and
postdoctoral advisors, the names of all graduate students
and postdoctoral fellows who have trained with the faculty
member, and the names of anyone with whom the faculty
member has co-authored a paper within the last 4 years.
Attach these items of additional information to the copy of the
proposal that bears the original signatures, with the Form 1225 and
the lists of collaborators on top. These items are for NSF internal
use only and will not be shown to reviewers. Do not provide
additional copies of these items with the other proposals.
Formal Proposal Submission
Twenty copies of the formal proposal, including the copy bearing
the signed cover page, must be placed in a single package clearly
marked "BIO Research Training Groups Program" and mailed to:
Data Support Services Section
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Room P60
Arlington, VA 22230
The formal proposals must be postmarked by no later than March 1,
1996. Processing of proposals that do not conform to the above
instructions will be delayed until all required information is
received. The PI is responsible for the completeness and accuracy
of the proposal as submitted. Unless requested by the NSF,
additional information may not be sent following proposal
submission.
Evaluation of Proposals
Review and Selection Process: The review will consist of a multi-
stage process involving initial advisory panels and site visits to
groups selected for further review.
Criteria: General criteria used in the evaluation of proposals are
described in GPG and in this announcement. These criteria will be
interpreted in light of the objective of the program: the support
of thematic, multidisciplinary education and training opportunities
in excellent research environments.
1. Intrinsic Merit of the Research and Training: The overall
quality and originality of the research theme, of the individual
research programs, and of the proposed education and training
program. Emphasis will be placed on the need for an RTG in the
area(s) of the research theme, and on the proposed plans for
recruitment, for new programs, and for effective integration of
training in different disciplines.
2. Competence of the personnel: The capability of the participants
to undertake the research and training efforts described; the
adequacy of institutional resources.
3. Effect on infrastructure: The potential of the effort to
contribute to improving the quality and effectiveness of U.S.
scientific research, education and human resources capabilities.
The quality and appropriateness of plans to attract and involve
persons from groups underrepresented in science.
4. Institutional support and management plan: The level and
nature of institutional and individual commitments to the RTG; the
quality, appropriateness, and the likely effectiveness of the
management plan; reasonableness and appropriateness of the budget.
Award Administration
The award(s) made as a result of this document will be administered
in accordance with the terms and conditions of NSF GC-1 "Grant
General Conditions". Copies of this document are available at no
cost from the NSF Forms and Publications Unit (address above), or
via electronic mail (pu...@nsf.gov). More comprehensive information
is contained in the NSF Grant Policy Manual (NSF 88-47) (including
the 9 changes issued through April, 1994) for sale through the
Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402. The telephone number at GPO is (202) 521-3238
for subscription information.
Other Information
Inquiries regarding the RTG program should be directed to:
Division of Biological Instrumentation and Resources
Room 615, NSF
4201 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22230
Tel: (703) 306-1469
FAX: (703) 306-0356
EMAIL: gse...@nsf.gov
The Foundation provides awards for research in the sciences and
engineering. The awardee is wholly responsible for the conduct of
such research and preparation of the results for publication. The
Foundation, therefore, does not assume responsibility for the
research findings or their interpretation.
The Foundation welcomes proposals from all qualified scientists and
engineers and strongly encourages women, minorities, and persons
with disabilities to compete fully in any of the research and
related programs described here.
In accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and NSF policies,
no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or
disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the
benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or
activity receiving financial assistance from the National Science
Foundation.
Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities
(FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to
enable persons with disabilities (investigators and other staff,
including student research assistants) to work on NSF projects. See
the program announcement or contact the program coordinator at
306-1636.
Privacy Act and Public Burden. The information requested on
proposal forms is solicited under the authority of the National
Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. It will be used in
connection with the selection of qualified proposals and may be
disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff assistants as part of
the review process; to applicant institutions/grantees; to provide
or obtain data regarding the application review process, award
decisions, or the administration of awards; to government
contractors, experts, volunteers, and researchers as necessary to
complete assigned work; and to other government agencies in order
to coordinate programs. See Systems of Records, NSF-50, Principal
Investigators / Proposal File and Associated Records, and NSF-51,
60 Federal Register 4449 (January 23, 1995), Reviewer / Proposal
File and Associated Records, 59 Federal Register 8031 (February 17,
1994). Submission of the information is voluntary.
Failure to provide full and complete information, however, may
reduce the possibility of your receiving an award.
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is
estimated to average 120 hours per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions. Send comments regarding this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Herman G.
Fleming, Reports Clearance Officer, Contracts, Policy, and
Oversight, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard,
Arlington, VA 22230.
The National Science Foundation has TDD (Telephonic Device for the
Deaf) and FIRS (Federal Information Relay Service) capabilities,
which enable individuals with hearing-impairment to communicate
with the Foundation about NSF programs, employment, or general
information. To access TDD dial 306-0090; for FIRS, 1-800-877-8339.
The program described in this announcement is in category 47.074
(Biological Sciences) in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance.
OMB 3145-0058
PT 44
KW 0901072
NSF 95-114
(REPLACES NSF 93-137)
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End of nsf95114.txt
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