AGENCY: National Science Foundation (NSF)/ Directorate for Geosciences (GEO)/ Division of Earth Sciences

PROGRAM: Earth Sciences: Instrumentation and Facilities (EAR/IF)

OBJECTIVES: This program supports research focused on improving the understanding of the structure, composition, and evolution of the Earth and the processes that govern the formation and behavior of the Earth's materials. The results of Earth Science research contribute to a better understanding of the Earth's changing environments, the natural distribution of its mineral, water, and energy resources, and provide methods for predicting and mitigating the effects of geologic hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, and landslides. EAR's research programs support studies of the Earth's interior and terrestrial surface, including freshwater systems and interactions with the biosphere and atmosphere.

Human resource development and education are expected to be an integral part of all proposals submitted to EAR/IF. Proposals requesting equipment, infrastructure or personnel that will serve disciplines outside the Earth sciences may be jointly reviewed with other programs within the Foundation. EAR/IF submission is appropriate for proposals that include equipment only. However, equipment needs that are linked to the conduct of a specific research project being proposed to NSF/EAR may be included within the budget of a proposal submitted to an appropriate EAR research program.

This program will consider proposals in the following five categories:

(1) Acquisition or Upgrade of Research Equipment: This area accepts proposals for the acquisition of new research equipment or the modernization of existing equipment. Documentation of any planned interdisciplinary uses of requested equipment is encouraged. The IF Program considers the ability of institutions to operate and provide technical support for complex equipment during its expected lifetime a review criterion.

(2) Development of New Instrumentation, Analytical Techniques or Software: This program area accepts proposals seeking support for the development of new instrumentation, analytical techniques, or software that extend current research capabilities in the Earth sciences. Investigators seeking to develop new instrumentation, analytical techniques, or software should demonstrate that a community of geoscientists is actively interested in the new capability and how development designs or software will be made freely available to the broader scientific community. While IF will consider support of development projects that are collaborative between academic and industrial partners, this program normally does not support purely commercial development of instrumentation or capabilities.

(3) Support of National or Regional Multi-User Facilities: This program area is for investigators seeking to establish or continue support of a national or regional multi-user facility. In general, support for national or regional multi-user facilities is reserved for groups that seek to offer expensive or specialized analytical laboratory or field equipment and services to the broader geosciences community. Typically, EAR/IF looks for specialized leadership capabilities and the availability of adequate and appropriate supporting infrastructure and personnel.

(4) Support of Research Technicians: This program area accommodates the diversity of institutional approaches to the problem of technician support. EAR/IF seeks to establish new full-time technical positions that will provide for optimal and efficient operation of advanced instrumentation, analytical protocol development, and user training for Earth science research instrumentation. Investigators seeking continued support for technical positions previously supported through EAR/IF should note that combined duration of EAR/IF support for such positions should not exceed the five year maximum. Organizations considering submission of a proposal requesting support for a research technician are advised that such support is typically limited to U.S. academic institutions.

(5) Development of Cyberinfrastructure for the Earth Sciences (Geoinformatics): This program area supports proposals that will enable transformative advances in Earth science research and education through novel application, development or adaptation of information technologies. EAR/IF expects Geoinformatics proposals to: (1) demonstrate an awareness of existing geoinformatics infrastructure and developments; (2) where appropriate, present plans for integration and compatibility of proposed geoinformatics platform(s) within the network of existing geoinformatics infrastructure; (3) adopt open source and platform independent development principles (see http://www.opensource.org/ for open source license procedures); (4) address scalability; (5) involve computational scientists as co-investigators, collaborators, or consultants; and (6) include a management plan that addresses potential out-year sustainability costs (operations, maintenance and other support costs) and potential mechanisms to cover these costs. Proposals will only be accepted for the July target date during odd years.

DEADLINES:
Acquisition or Upgrade of Research Equipment; Development of New Instrumentation, Analytical Techniques or Software; Support of National or Regional Multi-User Facilities; Support of Research Technicians: July 9, 2008 and February 11, 2009

Development of Cyberinfrastructure for the Earth Sciences (Geoinformatics): July 8, 2009

FUNDING INFORMATION: NSF anticipates providing $7,000,000 annually for 35-45 new awards, subject to the availability of funds. Awards may be standard or continuing grants or cooperative agreements.

AGENCY CONTACT:
David Lambert, Program Director
Directorate for Geosciences
Division of Earth Sciences
The National Science Foundation
4210 Wilson Blvd Rm. 785 S.
Arlington VA. 22230
Telephone: 703-292-8558
Email: dlambert@nsf.gov
Web: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2007/nsf07553/nsf07553.htm