NSF seeks proposals to establish an adaptive and responsive research network that supports investigations of the Earth’s Critical Zone. This network will consist of two components that will work together to advance knowledge, education, and outreach in this convergent science: 1) Thematic Clusters of fixed or temporary locations will conduct basic research on significant, overarching scientific questions concerning the structure, function, and processes of the Critical Zone. These U.S.-based Clusters could include existing observatories engaged in collecting environmental data, other monitoring locations that have been in operation for extended periods of time, and new sites that will support the scientific goals of the Cluster; 2) A Coordinating Hub that will oversee the compatibility and archiving of the data resulting from the Thematic Clusters, coordinate outreach and community-building activities, support the use of network facilities by outside researchers, and plan for infrastructure needs of the network.
This solicitation invites proposals for either of the two components: 1) Thematic Cluster or 2) Coordinating Hub. The Thematic Clusters will carry out interdisciplinary research on scientific questions and manage part of the network infrastructure; the Coordinating Hub will serve as the national center for the network. The infrastructure of the network will be accessible to other research teams pursuing research in the Critical Zone.
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: Penn State may submit up to 3 Thematic Cluster proposals and 1 Coordinating Hub proposal
NOTE: Participation includes serving as a lead organization, part of a collaborative proposal or as a subawardee
Link to NSF's recorded webinar: https://nsf2.webex.com/nsf2/lsr.php?RCID=5c895abd20cf17fa087576892bcbd20f
Award Information
Anticipated Type of Award: Continuing Grant or Cooperative Agreement
Estimated Number of Awards: 8 to 11
Thematic Clusters: The number of awards will depend upon the scope and budgetary requirements of the projects; approximately 8 -10 awards as continuing grants or cooperative agreements are anticipated.
Coordinating Hub: 1 award to be made as a Cooperative Agreement.
Anticipated Funding Amount: $8,500,000 Anticipated funding is yearly.
Thematic Clusters: Award amounts will depend upon the scope and budgetary requirements of the successful proposals. Each project may comprise multiple collaborative proposals. Awards will be 5 years in duration.
Coordinating Hub: There will be 1 award of up to $1 million annually for 5 years.
Estimated program budget, number of awards average award size and duration are subject to the availability of funds. Award budgets will be reviewed annually.
Eligibility Information
Who May Submit Proposals:
Proposals may only be submitted by the following:
- Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) - Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members.
- Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies and similar organizations in the U.S. associated with educational or research activities.
Who May Serve as PI:
- There are no restrictions or limits.
Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: 4
- Thematic Clusters: 3 proposals per organization
- Coordinating Hub: 1 proposal per organization
An organization may submit a total of 4 proposals to this competition, 1 for the Coordinating Hub and 3 for the Thematic Clusters.
From the webinar: Institutional and individual limits on proposals apply to all proposals submitted to the competition, not just the lead proposal in a collaborative project. Limits do not apply to subawards to other organizations. If more than the maximum number of allowed proposals are submitted by an institution or PI, then those that are received at NSF after the limit has been reached will be returned without review.
Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI: 4
- Thematic Clusters: An individual may serve as PI or co-PI on as many as 3 proposals.
- Coordinating Hub: An individual may serve as PI or co-PI on only 1 proposal.
An individual may serve as PI or co-PI on a total of 4 proposals; 3 Thematic Clusters and 1 Coordinating Hub.
Interested applicants should send the following documents in sequence in one PDF file (File name: Last name_NSF 19-586_2019 no later than 4:00 p.m. on the internal submission deadline:
Cover Page:
- Thematic Cluster or Coordinating Hub
- PI and Co-PI's names, departmental affiliation(s) and institution
- List of potential partnering institutions
- Participation as lead institution, part of a collaborative proposal, or as a subaward on a proposal (if as a subawardee, please include the name of the lead institution, and all other institutions included in the proposal)
- Thematic Area, if applicable
- Proposal Title
Additional requirement:
If you are submitting an application as part of a collaborative proposal, please upload documents that confirm that your partnering institutions have entered and, if known, have successfully won competitions at their own institution.
Project Description (no more than two pages):
- Identify the project scope that addresses the key aspects and elements outlined in the NSF solicitation, principal investigators, collaborators, and partner organizations.
2-page current NSF Bio-sketches for all PIs and Co-PIs.
Formatting Guidelines and Page Limit:
-
- Font/size: Times New Roman (12 pt.)
- Document margins: 1.0” (top, bottom, left and right)
- Standard paper size (8 ½” x 11)
Questions concerning the limited submissions process may be submitted to limitedsubs@psu.edu.