National Science Foundation (NSF)

National Science Foundation (NSF)
http://www.nsf.gov/recovery/

This information updated May 15, 2009.

New NSF ARRA Solicitations

FAQs Regarding Academic Research Infrastructure – Recovery and Reinvestment (ARI-R2) Program Solicitation NSF 09-562  – Part 2

Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI-R²) (May 11)
Due August 10

Academic Research Infrastructure Program: Recovery and Reinvestment (ARI-R²) (May 11)
LOI July 1; full August 24

Study the Impact of the Economic Stimulus Package (March 12)

NSF ARRA Program Information

NSF Director: Statement on the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009

NSF Recovery RSS

Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program
CISE invites researchers and educators to learn more about the Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program (BTOP), jointly funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (at the Department of Commerce) and the Department of Agriculture as a result of appropriations in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. More

NSF ARRA Resource Links

NSF American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) Frequently Asked Questions

NSF describes how it intends to implement the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (March 27)

NSF Important Notice To Presidents Of Universities And Colleges (March 19)

NSF Funding Focus

• $3.0 billion under ARRA
• Within Research and Related Activities (R&RA), NSF’s core research account, $2.0 billion would go to research grants distributed through NSF’s regular peer merit review process.
• $300 million to the Major Research Instrumentation program of competitively awarded instrumentation grants for university researchers,
• $200 million to restart the Academic Research Infrastructure program, dormant since FY 1996, for competitively awarded laboratory construction grants, primarily for universities.
• $100 million to the Education and Human Resources appropriation would provide 

• $60 million to the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program
• $25 million to the Math and Science Partnership program, and
• $15 million to a new Professional Masters Science Program authorized in the America COMPETES Act.

• $400 million to the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction program would accelerate the construction of major research facilities with unique capabilities at the cutting edge of science.

NSF Award Process

NSF Funding Prioritization (March 19)

NSF will ensure that Recovery Act funds are awarded in a timely manner while maintaining its commitment to its established merit review processes. In keeping with this, NSF’s overall framework for Recovery Act investments emphasizes the following:

1. All grants issued with Recovery Act funds will be standard grants with durations of up to 5 years. This approach will allow NSF to structure a sustainable portfolio.
2. Funding of new Principal Investigators and high-risk, high-return research will be top priorities.

The Foundation also expects to expeditiously award funds as specified in the Recovery Act for: the Math and Science Partnership program (funded at $25 million); the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program (funded at $60 million); the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction Account (funded at $400 million); the Academic Research Infrastructure (ARI) program (funded at $200 million); and the Science Masters program, (funded at $15 million). Solicitations for these latter two programs will be posted this spring.

NSF will post a solicitation this spring for the Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) in order to make a sufficient number of awards to utilize the $300 million provided in the legislation. The Foundation currently anticipates that no other solicitations will be posted that are solely in response to the Recovery Act.

With the exception of the MRI, ARI and Science Masters programs, the majority of proposals eligible for Recovery Act funding include those that are already in house and will be reviewed and/or awarded prior to September 30, 2009. 

NSF Competitive Process

Basic research; peer/merit review process.