Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) NIST Gaithersburg and Boulder Programs; Availability of Funds, 66291-66296 [E9-29823]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 15, 2009 / Notices
Orders and Presidential statements
regarding the use of human embryonic
stem cells in research. On July 30, 2009,
President Obama issued a memorandum
directing that agencies that support and
conduct stem cell research adopt the
‘‘National Institutes of Health
Guidelines for Human Stem Cell
Research’’ (NIH Guidelines), which
became effective on July 7, 2009, ‘‘to the
fullest extent practicable in light of legal
authorities and obligations.’’ On
September 21, 2009, the Department of
Commerce submitted to the Office of
Management and Budget a statement of
compliance with the NIH Guidelines. In
accordance with the President’s
memorandum, the NIH Guidelines, and
the Department of Commerce statement
of compliance, NIST will support and
conduct research using only human
embryonic stem cell lines that have
been approved by NIH in accordance
with the NIH Guidelines and will
review such research in accordance
with the Common Rule and NIST
implementing procedures, as
appropriate. NIST will not support or
conduct any type of research that the
NIH Guidelines prohibit NIH from
funding. NIST will follow any
additional polices or guidance issued by
the current Administration on this
topic.
Research Projects Involving Vertebrate
Animals: Any proposal that includes
research involving vertebrate animals
must be in compliance with the
National Research Council’s ‘‘Guide for
the Care and Use of Laboratory
Animals’’ which can be obtained from
National Academy Press, 2101
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC 20055. In addition, such proposals
must meet the requirements of the
Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et
seq.), 9 CFR parts 1, 2, and 3, and if
appropriate, 21 CFR part 58. These
regulations do not apply to proposed
research using pre-existing images of
animals or to research plans that do not
include live animals that are being cared
for, euthanized, or used by the project
participants to accomplish research
goals, teaching, or testing. These
regulations also do not apply to
obtaining animal materials from
commercial processors of animal
products or to animal cell lines or
tissues from tissue banks.
Limitation of Liability: Funding for
the programs listed in this notice is
contingent upon the availability of
Fiscal Year 2010 appropriations. NIST
issues this notice subject to the
appropriations made available under the
current continuing resolution, H.R.
2918, ‘‘Continuing Appropriations
Resolution, 2010,’’ Public Law 111–68,
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as amended by H.R. 2996, ‘‘Further
Continuing Appropriations, 2010,’’
Public Law 111–88. NIST anticipates
making awards for the programs listed
in this notice provided that funding for
the programs is continued beyond
December 18, 2009, the expiration of the
current continuing resolution. In no
event will NIST or the Department of
Commerce be responsible for proposal
preparation costs if these programs fail
to receive funding or are cancelled
because of agency priorities. Publication
of this announcement does not oblige
NIST or the Department of Commerce to
award any specific project or to obligate
any available funds.
Additional Consideration of
Applications: NIST programs are often
cross-cutting and multi-disciplinary. If a
NIST program official believes an
application that is not selected for
funding may be of interest to another
NIST program(s), the official may
forward the application to any other
NIST program(s) that the program
official believes may have an interest in
the project, for potential consideration
under the other NIST program(s)
procedures. If, upon initial screening,
the other NIST program(s) finds the
application may be of programmatic
interest, the application will proceed
through the review and selection
procedures described in this Notice for
the program(s). If not, the application
will be returned to the original program
for final processing. Any applicant that
does not wish for its application to be
considered by other NIST programs
should indicate on its application that it
would like consideration of the project
to be limited to the program to which
it originally submitted the application.
Applicants will be notified if their
applications have been forwarded to
another NIST program(s) for potential
consideration.
Executive Order 12866: This funding
notice was determined to be not
significant for purposes of Executive
Order 12866.
Executive Order 13132 (Federalism):
It has been determined that this notice
does not contain policies with
federalism implications as that term is
defined in Executive Order 13132.
Executive Order 12372: Applications
under this program are not subject to
Executive Order 12372,
‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.’’
Administrative Procedure Act/
Regulatory Flexibility Act: Notice and
comment are not required under the
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.
553) or any other law, for rules relating
to public property, loans, grants,
benefits or contracts (5 U.S.C. 553 (a)).
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66291
Because notice and comment are not
required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or any
other law, for rules relating to public
property, loans, grants, benefits or
contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)), a Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis is not required and
has not been prepared for this notice, 5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.
Dated: December 10, 2009.
Jason Boehm,
Acting Director, NIST Program Office.
[FR Doc. E9–29825 Filed 12–14–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and
Technology
[Docket Number 0911121400–91403–01]
Summer Undergraduate Research
Fellowships (SURF) NIST Gaithersburg
and Boulder Programs; Availability of
Funds
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards
and Technology, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: The National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST)
announces that the following programs
are soliciting applications for financial
assistance for FY 2010: (1) The NIST
Gaithersburg Summer Undergraduate
Research Fellowship Programs, and (2)
the NIST Boulder Summer
Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Programs. Each program will only
consider applications that are within the
scientific scope of the program as
described in this notice and in the
detailed program descriptions found in
the Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO)
announcement for these programs.
DATES: See below.
ADDRESSES: See below.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Name and Number: Measurement and
Engineering Research and Standards—
11.609.
Summer Undergraduate Research
Fellowships (SURF) NIST Gaithersburg
and Boulder Programs
Program Description: The SURF NIST
Gaithersburg Programs are soliciting
applications in the areas of Electronics
and Electrical Engineering,
Manufacturing Engineering, Nanoscale
Science and Technology, Chemical
Science and Technology, Physics,
Materials Science and Engineering/
Neutron Research, Building and Fire
Research, and Information Technology
as described in the Federal Funding
Opportunity.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 15, 2009 / Notices
The SURF NIST Boulder Programs are
soliciting applications in the areas of
Electronics and Electrical Engineering,
Chemical Science and Technology,
Physics, Materials Science and
Engineering, and Information
Technology as described in the Federal
Funding Opportunity.
Applications for the Gaithersburg and
Boulder programs are separate.
Application to one program does not
constitute application to the other, and
applications will not be exchanged
between the Gaithersburg and Boulder
programs. If applicants wish to be
considered at both sites, two separate
applications must be submitted.
Both SURF programs provide an
opportunity for the NIST laboratories
and the National Science Foundation
(NSF) to join in a partnership to
encourage outstanding undergraduate
students to pursue careers in science
and engineering. The programs provide
research opportunities for students to
work with internationally known NIST
scientists, to expose them to cuttingedge research and promote the pursuit
of graduate degrees in science and
engineering.
The SURF NIST Gaithersburg and
Boulder Program Directors will work
with appropriate department chairs,
outreach coordinators, and directors of
multi-disciplinary academic
organizations to identify outstanding
undergraduates (including graduating
seniors) who would benefit from offcampus summer research in a worldclass scientific environment.
The objective of the SURF programs is
to build a mutually beneficial
relationship among the student, the
institution, and NIST. NIST is one of the
nation’s premiere research institutions
for the physical and engineering
sciences and, as the lead Federal agency
for technology transfer, it provides a
strong interface between government,
industry and academia. NIST’s mission
is to promote U.S. innovation and
industrial competitiveness by advancing
measurement science, standards, and
technology in ways that enhance
economic security and improve our
quality of life. NIST embodies a science
culture, developed from a large and
well-equipped research staff that
enthusiastically blends programs that
address the immediate needs of industry
with longer-term research that
anticipates future needs. This occurs in
few other places and enables the
Electronics and Electrical Engineering
Lab (EEEL), Manufacturing Engineering
Lab (MEL), Center for Nanoscale
Science and Technology (CNST),
Chemical Science and Technology Lab
(CSTL), Physics Lab (PL), Materials
Science and Engineering Lab (MSEL)/
NIST Center for Neutron Research
(NCNR), Building and Fire Research Lab
(BFRL), and Information Technology
Lab (ITL) to offer unique research and
training opportunities for
undergraduates, providing them a
research-rich environment and exposure
to state of the art equipment.
EEEL, MEL, CNST, CSTL, PL, MSEL/
NCNR, BFRL, and ITL SURF NIST
Gaithersburg Programs
DATES: All SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Program applications, paper and
electronic, must be received no later
than 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on
February 16, 2010.
ADDRESSES: For all SURF NIST
Gaithersburg Programs, paper
applications must be submitted to: Ms.
Anita Sweigert, Administrative
Coordinator, SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Programs, National Institute of
Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau
Drive, Stop 8400, Gaithersburg, MD
20899–8400.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Program questions should be addressed
to Ms. Anita Sweigert, Administrative
Coordinator, SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Programs, National Institute of
Anticipated
NSF funding
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES
Program
EEEL ................................................................................................................
MEL ..................................................................................................................
CNST ...............................................................................................................
CSTL ................................................................................................................
PL .....................................................................................................................
MSEL/NCNR ....................................................................................................
BFRL ................................................................................................................
ITL ....................................................................................................................
The actual number of awards made
under this announcement will depend
on the proposed budgets and the
availability of funding. For all SURF
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$72,960
87,000
47,400
0
116,000
130,000
81,000
0
NIST Gaithersburg Programs described
in this notice, it is expected that awards
to institutions will range from
approximately $3,000 to $70,000.
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Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau
Drive, Stop 8400, Gaithersburg, MD
20899–8400, Tel: (301) 975–4200, Email: anita.sweigert@nist.gov. The SURF
NIST Gaithersburg Program Web site is:
https://www.surf.nist.gov/surf2.htm. All
grants related administration questions
concerning this program should be
directed to Hope Snowden, NIST Grants
and Agreements Management Division
at (301) 975–6002 or
hope.snowden@nist.gov, or for
assistance with using Grants.gov contact
support@grants.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access: NIST strongly
encourages all applicants to read the
Federal Funding Opportunity Notice
(FFO) available at https://www.grants.gov
for complete information about this
program and its requirements, and
instructions for applying by paper or
electronically. A paper copy of the FFO
may be obtained by calling (301) 975–
6328. The Gaithersburg and Boulder
SURF programs will publish separate
FFOs on https://www.grants.gov.
Funding Availability: Funds budgeted
for payments to students under these
programs are stipends, not salary. The
stipend is an amount that is expected to
be provided to the participating student
to help defray the cost of living, for the
duration of the program, in the
Washington National Capital Region.
The SURF NIST Gaithersburg Programs
will not authorize funds for indirect
costs or fringe benefits. The table below
summarizes the anticipated annual
funding levels from the NSF to operate
our REU (Research Experience for
Undergraduates) programs, subject to
program renewals and availability of
funds. In some programs, anticipated
NIST co-funding will supplement the
number of awards supported. Program
funding will be available to provide for
the costs of stipends ($409.09 per week
per student), travel, and lodging (up to
$3,400 per student).
Anticipated
NIST funding
$40,000
0
0
105,000
65,000
0
0
40,000
Total program
funding
Anticipated
No. of awards
$112,960
87,000
47,400
105,000
181,000
130,000
81,000
40,000
∼13
∼10
∼6
∼13
∼22
∼16
∼9
∼5
Funding for student housing will be
included in cooperative agreements
awarded as a result of this notice.
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The SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Program is anticipated to run from May
24, 2010 through August 6, 2010;
adjustments may be made to
accommodate specific academic
schedules (e.g., a limited number of 9week cooperative agreements may be
shifted in order to accommodate
institutions operating on quarter
systems).
Statutory Authority: The authority for
the SURF NIST Gaithersburg Program is
15 U.S.C. 278g–l, which authorizes
NIST to fund financial assistance
awards to students at institutions of
higher learning within the United States
who show promise as present or future
contributors to the mission of the
Institute.
Eligibility: NIST’s SURF Gaithersburg
Programs are open to colleges and
universities in the United States and its
territories with degree granting
programs in materials science,
chemistry, nanoscale science, neutron
research, engineering, computer science,
mathematics, or physics. Participating
students must be U.S. citizens or
permanent U.S. residents.
Cost Sharing or Matching: The SURF
NIST Gaithersburg Programs do not
require any cost sharing or matching
funds.
Review and Selection Process: All
SURF NIST Gaithersburg Program
proposals must be submitted to the
Administrative Coordinator listed in the
ADDRESSES section above. Each proposal
is examined for completeness and
responsiveness. Incomplete or nonresponsive proposals will not be
considered for funding, and the
applicant will be notified in writing.
The Program will retain one copy of
each non-responsive application for
three years for record keeping purposes.
The remaining copies will be destroyed.
Proposals should include the required
forms listed in the FFO. Proposals must
also include the following information:
(A) Student Information (student’s
name and university should appear on
all of these documents):
(1) Student application information
cover sheet;
(2) Academic transcript for each
student nominated for participation (it
is recommended that students have a
G.P.A. of 3.0 or better, out of a possible
4.0);
(3) A statement of motivation and
commitment from each student to
participate in the 2010 SURF program,
including a description of the student’s
prioritized research interests;
(4) A resume for each student;
(5) Two letters of recommendation for
each student that should address
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paragraph (A) of the evaluation criteria
below; and
(6) Copy of passport, green card, or
birth certificate as confirmation of U.S.
citizenship or permanent legal resident
status for each student.
(B) Information About the Applicant
Institution:
(1) Description of the institution’s
education and research programs; and
(2) A summary list of the student(s)
being nominated.
Institution proposals will be separated
into student/institution packets. Each
student/institution packet will be
comprised of the required application
forms, including a complete copy of the
student information and a complete
copy of the institution information. The
student/institution packets will be
directed to the SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Program designated by the student as
his/her first choice.
The selection process occurs in three
rounds. Each SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Program will have three independent,
objective NIST employees, who are
knowledgeable in the scientific areas of
the program, conduct a technical review
of each student/institution packet based
on the Evaluation Criteria for the SURF
NIST Gaithersburg Programs described
in this notice. For the first round of
evaluations and placement, each
technical reviewer will evaluate
according to the Evaluation Criteria
listed below and provide a score for
each student/institution packet. Based
on the average of the reviewers’ scores,
a rank order of the student/institution
packets will be prepared within each
laboratory.
The SURF Program Director (Selecting
Official) for each laboratory, who is a
NIST program official who did not
participate in the technical evaluations,
will then apply the following Selection
Factors, which may result in revisions
to the rank order: relevance of the
student’s course of study to the program
objectives of the NIST laboratory in
which that SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Program resides as described in the
Program Description section of this
notice and the corresponding Federal
Funding Opportunity, the relevance of
the student’s statement of commitment
to the goals of the SURF NIST
Gaithersburg Program, fit of the
student’s interests and abilities to the
available projects in that laboratory
program, compatibility of the student
with the research environment in that
laboratory, assessment of whether the
laboratory experience is a new
opportunity for the student which may
encourage future postgraduate training,
and the availability of funding.
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66293
Based on these results, the Program
Director (Selecting Official) for each
laboratory will divide the rank ordered
student/institution packets into three
categories: Priority Funding; Fund if
Possible; and Do Not Fund. Student/
institution packets placed in the Priority
Funding category will be selected for
funding in that SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Program, contingent upon availability of
funds. Student/institution packets
placed in the Do Not Fund category will
not be considered for funding by any
other NIST laboratory.
Student/institution packets placed in
the Fund if Possible Category may be
considered for funding at a later time by
the category-designating SURF Program
(The ‘‘category-designating’’ program is
that Laboratory Program whose Program
Director first categorized the applicant
packet as ‘‘Priority Funding’’, ‘‘Fund if
Possible’’, or ‘‘Do Not Fund.’’ This is the
same Laboratory Program which was
designated by the student in the
application cover sheet as his/her first
choice); in the interim period these
students will be released for
consideration for funding by the SURF
NIST Gaithersburg Program designated
by the student as his/her second choice.
The student’s second choice laboratory’s
SURF Program Director will take into
consideration the recommendations of
the reviewers who conducted the
technical reviews for the student’s first
choice SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Program, apply the selection factors
noted above as applied to that
laboratory and arrive at a final rank
order of the students available for the
second round of selections and
placements. Any SURF NIST
Gaithersburg Program may choose not
to participate in the second round, if the
Program Director does not see suitable
students in the second round
appropriate for the available projects.
Students not selected during the first or
second round are available for the third
round of selections.
Students not selected for funding by
their first or second choice SURF NIST
Gaithersburg Program, and students
who did not designate a second choice,
will then be considered for funding
from all SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Programs that still have slots available
in a third round, conducted using the
same process as the second round. In
making selections for the third round of
selections and placement, each SURF
NIST Gaithersburg Program Director
(Selecting Official) will take into
consideration the recommendations of
the reviewers who conducted the
technical reviews for the student’s first
choice SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Program, the selection factors noted
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above as applied to that laboratory and
rank order the students in this selection
round. Any SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Program may choose not to participate
in the third round if there are no slots
available. Substitutions for students
who decline offers will be made from
the remaining pool of ranked students
consistent with the program review
process.
The final approval of selected
applications and award of cooperative
agreements will be made by the NIST
Grants Officer based on compliance
with application requirements as
published in this notice and other
applicable legal and regulatory
requirements. NIST also reserves the
right to reject an application where
information is uncovered that reflects
adversely on an applicant’s business
integrity, resulting in a determination by
the Grants Officer that an applicant is
not presently responsible. Applicants
may be asked to modify objectives, work
plans, or budgets and provide
supplemental information required by
the agency prior to award. The decision
of the Grants Officer is final.
The SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Programs will retain one copy of each
unsuccessful application for three years
for record keeping purposes, and
unsuccessful applicants will be notified
in writing. The remaining copies will be
destroyed.
Evaluation Criteria: For the SURF
NIST Gaithersburg Programs, the
evaluation criteria are:
(A) Evaluation of Student’s Interest in
Participating in the Program, Academic
Ability, Laboratory Experience and
Advanced Degree Interest: Evaluation of
completed course work, English
proficiency, writing proficiency, safety
consciousness, research skills, social
skills, leadership potential,
innovativeness, independence, honesty,
grade point average in courses relevant
to the SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Programs, career goals, honors and
awards, commitment of the student to
working in a laboratory environment,
and interest in pursuing graduate
school.
(B) Institution’s Commitment to
Program Goals: Evaluation of the
institution’s academic department(s)
relevant to the discipline(s) of the
student(s).
Each of these factors is given equal
weight in the evaluation process.
SURF NIST Boulder Programs
DATES: All SURF NIST Boulder Program
applications, paper and electronic, must
be received no later than 5 p.m.
Mountain Standard Time on February
16, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Paper applications for the
SURF NIST Boulder Program must be
submitted to: Ms. Cynthia Kotary,
Administrative Coordinator, SURF NIST
Boulder Programs, National Institute of
Standards and Technology, 325
Broadway, Mail Stop 104, Boulder, CO
80305–3337.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Program questions should be addressed
to Ms. Cynthia Kotary, Administrative
Coordinator, SURF NIST Boulder
Programs, National Institute of
Standards and Technology, 325
Broadway, Mail Stop 104, Boulder, CO
80305–3337, Tel: (303) 497–3319, Email: kotary@boulder.nist.gov; Web site:
https://www.nist.gov/surfboulder/. All
grants related administration questions
concerning this program should be
directed to Hope Snowden, NIST Grants
Anticipated
NSF
funding
Laboratory
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES
EEEL ................................................................................................................
PL .....................................................................................................................
CSTL ................................................................................................................
MSEL ...............................................................................................................
ITL ....................................................................................................................
The actual number of awards made
under this announcement will depend
on the proposed budgets and the
availability of funding. For the SURF
NIST Boulder Programs described in
this notice, it is expected that awards to
institutions will total $8000 multiplied
by the number of participating students
from that institution.
The SURF NIST Boulder Programs are
anticipated to run from May 24, 2010
through August 6, 2010; adjustments
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$40,000
20,000
8,000
16,000
4,000
may be made to accommodate specific
academic schedules (e.g., some 11-week
cooperative agreements may be shifted
in order to accommodate institutions
operating on quarter systems).
Statutory Authority: The authority for
the SURF NIST Boulder Program is 15
U.S.C. 278g–l, which authorizes NIST to
fund financial assistance awards to
students at institutions of higher
learning within the United States who
show promise as present or future
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and Agreements Management Division
at (301) 975–6002, or
hope.snowden@nist.gov or for assistance
with using Grants.gov contact
support@grants.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access: NIST strongly
encourages all applicants to read the
Federal Funding Opportunity Notice
(FFO) available at https://www.grants.gov
for complete information about this
program and its requirements, and
instructions for applying by paper or
electronically. A paper copy of the FFO
may be obtained by calling (301) 975–
6328. The Gaithersburg and Boulder
SURF programs will publish separate
FFOs on https://www.grants.gov.
Funding Availability: Funds budgeted
for payments to students under this
program are stipends, not salaries. The
SURF NIST Boulder Programs will not
authorize funds for indirect costs or
fringe benefits. The stipend of $8000
includes a fellowship of $4500 plus
$3500 for all expenses associated with
travel and subsistence. Once they
receive their awards, college and
university grant recipients are expected
to provide the full stipend to
participating students in one lump sum
before May 24, 2009, the start of the
SURF NIST Boulder Programs. NIST
will disburse funds to college and
university awardees via the Automated
Standard Application for Payments
(ASAP) system.
The table below summarizes the
anticipated funding from NSF and NIST
to operate the SURF NIST Boulder
Programs, broken out by Laboratory,
subject to program approval and
availability of NIST and/or NSF
funding.
Anticipated
NIST
funding
$40,000
20,000
8,000
16,000
4,000
Total
program funding
$80,000
40,000
16,000
32,000
8,000
Anticipated
number of
awards
10
5
2
4
1
contributors to the mission of the
Institute.
Eligibility: The SURF NIST Boulder
Programs are open to colleges and
universities in the United States and its
territories with degree granting
programs in materials science,
chemistry, engineering, computer
science, mathematics, or physics.
Participating students must be U.S.
citizens or permanent U.S. residents.
The SURF NIST Boulder Programs focus
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on undergraduate fellows. Graduating
seniors are eligible to participate but the
likelihood of funds for their possible
participation is extremely limited. Up to
approximately three such participants
might be considered if funds become
available. If so, NIST will give priority
to previous SURF participants.
Cost Sharing or Matching: The SURF
NIST Boulder Program does not require
any cost sharing or matching funds.
Review and Selection Process: All
SURF NIST Boulder Programs proposals
must be submitted to the Administrative
Coordinator listed in the Addresses
section above. Proposals should include
the required forms listed in the FFO.
Proposals must also include the
following information:
(A) Student Information (student’s
name and university should appear on
all of these documents):
(1) Student application information
cover sheet;
(2) Academic transcript for each
student nominated for participation (it
is recommended that students have a
G.P.A. of 3.0 or better, out of a possible
4.0);
(3) A statement of motivation and
commitment from each student to
participate in the SURF NIST Boulder
Program, including a description of the
student’s prioritized research interests;
(4) A resume for each student;
(5) Two letters of recommendation for
each student; and
(6) Confirmation of U.S. citizenship or
permanent legal resident status for each
student (copy of passport, green card, or
birth certificate).
(B) Information About the Applicant
Institution:
(1) Description of the institution’s
education and research programs; and
(2) A summary list of the student(s)
being nominated, with one paragraph of
commentary about each student from a
dean or department chair that describes
why the students would be successful in
the SURF program.
Institution proposals will be separated
into student/institution packets. Each
student/institution packet will be
comprised of the required application
forms, including a complete copy of the
student information and a complete
copy of the institution information. The
student/institution packets will be
directed to a review committee of NIST
staff appointed by the SURF NIST
Boulder Directors.
First, all applications received in
response to this announcement will be
reviewed to determine whether or not
they are complete and responsive to the
scope of the stated program objectives.
Incomplete or non-responsive proposals
will not be reviewed for technical merit,
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and the applicant will be so notified.
The Program will retain one copy of
each non-responsive application for
three years for record keeping purposes.
Second, each SURF student/
university packet will be reviewed by at
least three independent, objective NIST
employees, who are knowledgeable in
the scientific areas of the program and
are able to conduct a technical review
of each student/university packet based
on the Evaluation Criteria described in
this notice. The normalized scores based
on this merit review will be averaged for
each student/institution applicant
packet, creating a rank order. The
Selecting Official, the Acting Director of
NIST Electronics and Electrical
Engineering Laboratory, shall award in
the rank order unless a proposal is
justified to be selected out of rank order
based upon one or more of the following
factors: availability of funding, and
balance or distribution of funds by
research or technical disciplines.
The final approval of selected
applications and award of financial
assistance will be made by the NIST
Grants Officer based on compliance
with application requirements as
published in this notice, compliance
with applicable legal and regulatory
requirements, and whether the
recommended applicants appear to be
responsible. Applicants may be asked to
modify objectives, work plans, or
budgets and provide supplemental
information required by the agency
prior to award. The decisions of the
Grants Officer are final.
Unsuccessful applicants will be
notified in writing. The Programs will
retain one copy of each unsuccessful
application for three years for record
keeping purposes.
Evaluation Criteria: For the SURF
NIST Boulder Programs the evaluation
criteria are as follows:
(A) Evaluation of Student’s Academic
Ability and Commitment to Program
Goals (80%): Includes evaluation of
completed course work; expressed
research interest; compatibility of the
expressed research interest with SURF
NIST Boulder research areas; research
skills; grade point average in courses
relevant to the SURF NIST Boulder
Program; career goals; honors and
activities;
(B) Evaluation of Applicant
Institution’s Commitment to Program
Goals (20%): Includes evaluation of the
institution’s academic department(s)
relevant to the discipline(s) of the
student(s).
The following information applies to
all programs announced in this notice:
The Department of Commerce PreAward Notification Requirements for
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Grants and Cooperative Agreements:
The Department of Commerce PreAward Notification Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements,
which are contained in the Federal
Register Notice of February 11, 2008 (73
FR 7696) are applicable to this notice.
On the form SF–424 items 8.b. and 8.c.,
the applicant’s 9-digit Employer/
Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN/
TIN) and 9-digit Dun and Bradstreet
Data Universal Numbering System
(DUNS) number must be consistent with
the information on the Central
Contractor Registration (CCR) (https://
www.ccr.gov) and Automated Standards
Application for Payment System
(ASAP). For complex organizations with
multiple EIN/TIN and DUNS numbers,
the EIN/TIN and DUNS numbers MUST
be the numbers for the applying
organization. Organizations that provide
incorrect/inconsistent EIN/TIN and
DUNS numbers may experience
significant delays in receiving funds if
their proposal is selected for funding.
Please confirm that the EIN/TIN and
DUNS number are consistent with the
information on the CCR and ASAP.
Use of NIST Intellectual Property: If
the applicant anticipates using any
NIST-owned intellectual property to
carry out the work proposed, the
applicant should identify such
intellectual property. This information
will be used to ensure that no NIST
employee involved in the development
of the intellectual property will
participate in the review process for that
competition. In addition, if the
applicant intends to use NIST-owned
intellectual property, the applicant must
comply with all statutes and regulations
governing the licensing of Federal
government patents and inventions,
described at 35 U.S.C. 200–212, 37 CFR
part 401, 15 CFR 14.36, and in section
B.21 of the Department of Commerce
Pre-Award Notification Requirements,
73 FR 7696 (February 11, 2008).
Questions about these requirements may
be directed to the Chief Counsel for
NIST, 301–975–2803.
Any use of NIST-owned intellectual
property by a proposer is at the sole
discretion of NIST and will be
negotiated on a case-by-case basis if a
project is deemed meritorious. The
applicant should indicate within the
statement of work whether it already
has a license to use such intellectual
property or whether it intends to seek
one.
If any inventions made in whole or in
part by a NIST employee arise in the
course of an award made pursuant to
this notice, the United States
government may retain its ownership
rights in any such invention. Licensing
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or other disposition of NIST’s rights in
such inventions will be determined
solely by NIST, and include the
possibility of NIST putting the
intellectual property into the public
domain.
Initial Screening of all Applications:
All applications received in response to
this announcement will be reviewed to
determine whether or not they are
complete and responsive to the scope of
the stated objectives for each program.
Incomplete or non-responsive
applications will not be reviewed for
technical merit. The Program will retain
one copy of each non-responsive
application for three years for record
keeping purposes. The remaining copies
will be destroyed.
Paperwork Reduction Act: The
standard forms in the application kit
involve a collection of information
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act.
The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A,
424B, SF–LLL, CD–346, and SURF
Program Student Applicant Information
have been approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) under
the respective Control Numbers 0348–
0043, 0348–0044, 0348–0040, 0348–
0046, 0605–0001, and 0693–0042.
Notwithstanding any other provision of
the law, no person is required to
respond to, nor shall any person be
subject to a penalty for failure to comply
with, a collection of information subject
to the requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act, unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid
OMB Control Number.
Research Projects Involving Human
Subjects, Human Tissue, Data or
Recordings Involving Human Subjects:
Any proposal that includes research
involving human subjects, human
tissue, data or recordings involving
human subjects must meet the
requirements of the Common Rule for
the Protection of Human Subjects,
codified for the Department of
Commerce at 15 CFR part 27. In
addition, any proposal that includes
research on these topics must be in
compliance with any statutory
requirements imposed upon the
Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS) and other Federal
agencies regarding these topics, all
regulatory policies and guidance
adopted by DHHS, the Food and Drug
Administration, and other Federal
agencies on these topics, and all
Presidential statements of policy on
these topics.
NIST will accept the submission of
human subjects protocols that have been
approved by Institutional Review
Boards (IRBs) possessing a current
registration filed with DHHS and to be
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performed by entities possessing a
current, valid Federal-wide Assurance
(FWA) from DHHS. NIST will not issue
a single project assurance (SPA) for any
IRB reviewing any human subjects
protocol proposed to NIST.
President Obama has issued Executive
Order No. 13,505 (74 FR 10667, March
9, 2009), revoking previous Executive
Orders and Presidential statements
regarding the use of human embryonic
stem cells in research. On July 30, 2009,
President Obama issued a memorandum
directing that agencies that support and
conduct stem cell research adopt the
‘‘National Institutes of Health
Guidelines for Human Stem Cell
Research’’ (NIH Guidelines), which
became effective on July 7, 2009, ‘‘to the
fullest extent practicable in light of legal
authorities and obligations.’’ On
September 21, 2009, the Department of
Commerce submitted to the Office of
Management and Budget a statement of
compliance with the NIH Guidelines. In
accordance with the President’s
memorandum, the NIH Guidelines, and
the Department of Commerce statement
of compliance, NIST will support and
conduct research using only human
embryonic stem cell lines that have
been approved by NIH in accordance
with the NIH Guidelines and will
review such research in accordance
with the Common Rule and NIST
implementing procedures, as
appropriate. NIST will not support or
conduct any type of research that the
NIH Guidelines prohibit NIH from
funding. NIST will follow any
additional polices or guidance issued by
the current Administration on this
topic.
Research Projects Involving Vertebrate
Animals: Any proposal that includes
research involving vertebrate animals
must be in compliance with the
National Research Council’s ‘‘Guide for
the Care and Use of Laboratory
Animals’’ which can be obtained from
National Academy Press, 2101
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC 20055. In addition, such proposals
must meet the requirements of the
Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et
seq.), 9 CFR parts 1, 2, and 3, and if
appropriate, 21 CFR part 58. These
regulations do not apply to proposed
research using pre-existing images of
animals or to research plans that do not
include live animals that are being cared
for, euthanized, or used by the project
participants to accomplish research
goals, teaching, or testing. These
regulations also do not apply to
obtaining animal materials from
commercial processors of animal
products or to animal cell lines or
tissues from tissue banks.
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Limitation of Liability: Funding for
the programs listed in this notice is
contingent upon the availability of
Fiscal Year 2010 appropriations. NIST
issues this notice subject to the
appropriations made available under the
current continuing resolution, H.R.
2918, ‘‘Continuing Appropriations
Resolution, 2010,’’ Public Law 111–68,
as amended by H.R. 2996, ‘‘Further
Continuing Appropriations, 2010,’’
Public Law 111–88. NIST anticipates
making awards for the programs listed
in this notice provided that funding for
the programs is continued beyond
December 18, 2009, the expiration of the
current continuing resolution. In no
event will NIST or the Department of
Commerce be responsible for proposal
preparation costs if these programs fail
to receive funding or are cancelled
because of agency priorities. Publication
of this announcement does not oblige
NIST or the Department of Commerce to
award any specific project or to obligate
any available funds.
Executive Order 12866: This funding
notice was determined to be not
significant for purposes of Executive
Order 12866.
Executive Order 13132 (Federalism):
It has been determined that this notice
does not contain policies with
federalism implications as that term is
defined in Executive Order 13132.
Executive Order 12372: Applications
under this program are not subject to
Executive Order 12372,
‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.’’
Administrative Procedure Act/
Regulatory Flexibility Act: Notice and
comment are not required under the
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.
553) or any other law, for rules relating
to public property, loans, grants,
benefits or contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)).
Because notice and comment are not
required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or any
other law, for rules relating to public
property, loans, grants, benefits or
contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)), a Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis is not required and
has not been prepared for this notice,
5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
Dated: December 10, 2009.
Jason Boehm,
Acting Director, NIST Program Office.
[FR Doc. E9–29823 Filed 12–14–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 15, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66291-66296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29823]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket Number 0911121400-91403-01]
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) NIST
Gaithersburg and Boulder Programs; Availability of Funds
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
announces that the following programs are soliciting applications for
financial assistance for FY 2010: (1) The NIST Gaithersburg Summer
Undergraduate Research Fellowship Programs, and (2) the NIST Boulder
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Programs. Each program will
only consider applications that are within the scientific scope of the
program as described in this notice and in the detailed program
descriptions found in the Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO)
announcement for these programs.
DATES: See below.
ADDRESSES: See below.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Name and Number: Measurement
and Engineering Research and Standards--11.609.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) NIST Gaithersburg and
Boulder Programs
Program Description: The SURF NIST Gaithersburg Programs are
soliciting applications in the areas of Electronics and Electrical
Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Nanoscale Science and
Technology, Chemical Science and Technology, Physics, Materials Science
and Engineering/Neutron Research, Building and Fire Research, and
Information Technology as described in the Federal Funding Opportunity.
[[Page 66292]]
The SURF NIST Boulder Programs are soliciting applications in the
areas of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Chemical Science and
Technology, Physics, Materials Science and Engineering, and Information
Technology as described in the Federal Funding Opportunity.
Applications for the Gaithersburg and Boulder programs are
separate. Application to one program does not constitute application to
the other, and applications will not be exchanged between the
Gaithersburg and Boulder programs. If applicants wish to be considered
at both sites, two separate applications must be submitted.
Both SURF programs provide an opportunity for the NIST laboratories
and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to join in a partnership to
encourage outstanding undergraduate students to pursue careers in
science and engineering. The programs provide research opportunities
for students to work with internationally known NIST scientists, to
expose them to cutting-edge research and promote the pursuit of
graduate degrees in science and engineering.
The SURF NIST Gaithersburg and Boulder Program Directors will work
with appropriate department chairs, outreach coordinators, and
directors of multi-disciplinary academic organizations to identify
outstanding undergraduates (including graduating seniors) who would
benefit from off-campus summer research in a world-class scientific
environment.
The objective of the SURF programs is to build a mutually
beneficial relationship among the student, the institution, and NIST.
NIST is one of the nation's premiere research institutions for the
physical and engineering sciences and, as the lead Federal agency for
technology transfer, it provides a strong interface between government,
industry and academia. NIST's mission is to promote U.S. innovation and
industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards,
and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our
quality of life. NIST embodies a science culture, developed from a
large and well-equipped research staff that enthusiastically blends
programs that address the immediate needs of industry with longer-term
research that anticipates future needs. This occurs in few other places
and enables the Electronics and Electrical Engineering Lab (EEEL),
Manufacturing Engineering Lab (MEL), Center for Nanoscale Science and
Technology (CNST), Chemical Science and Technology Lab (CSTL), Physics
Lab (PL), Materials Science and Engineering Lab (MSEL)/NIST Center for
Neutron Research (NCNR), Building and Fire Research Lab (BFRL), and
Information Technology Lab (ITL) to offer unique research and training
opportunities for undergraduates, providing them a research-rich
environment and exposure to state of the art equipment.
EEEL, MEL, CNST, CSTL, PL, MSEL/NCNR, BFRL, and ITL SURF NIST
Gaithersburg Programs
DATES: All SURF NIST Gaithersburg Program applications, paper and
electronic, must be received no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
on February 16, 2010.
ADDRESSES: For all SURF NIST Gaithersburg Programs, paper applications
must be submitted to: Ms. Anita Sweigert, Administrative Coordinator,
SURF NIST Gaithersburg Programs, National Institute of Standards and
Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8400, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8400.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Program questions should be addressed
to Ms. Anita Sweigert, Administrative Coordinator, SURF NIST
Gaithersburg Programs, National Institute of Standards and Technology,
100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8400, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8400, Tel: (301)
975-4200, E-mail: anita.sweigert@nist.gov. The SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Program Web site is: https://www.surf.nist.gov/surf2.htm. All grants
related administration questions concerning this program should be
directed to Hope Snowden, NIST Grants and Agreements Management
Division at (301) 975-6002 or hope.snowden@nist.gov, or for assistance
with using Grants.gov contact support@grants.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access: NIST strongly encourages all applicants to read
the Federal Funding Opportunity Notice (FFO) available at https://www.grants.gov for complete information about this program and its
requirements, and instructions for applying by paper or electronically.
A paper copy of the FFO may be obtained by calling (301) 975-6328. The
Gaithersburg and Boulder SURF programs will publish separate FFOs on
https://www.grants.gov.
Funding Availability: Funds budgeted for payments to students under
these programs are stipends, not salary. The stipend is an amount that
is expected to be provided to the participating student to help defray
the cost of living, for the duration of the program, in the Washington
National Capital Region. The SURF NIST Gaithersburg Programs will not
authorize funds for indirect costs or fringe benefits. The table below
summarizes the anticipated annual funding levels from the NSF to
operate our REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) programs,
subject to program renewals and availability of funds. In some
programs, anticipated NIST co-funding will supplement the number of
awards supported. Program funding will be available to provide for the
costs of stipends ($409.09 per week per student), travel, and lodging
(up to $3,400 per student).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anticipated Anticipated Total program Anticipated
Program NSF funding NIST funding funding No. of awards
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EEEL............................................ $72,960 $40,000 $112,960 ~13
MEL............................................. 87,000 0 87,000 ~10
CNST............................................ 47,400 0 47,400 ~6
CSTL............................................ 0 105,000 105,000 ~13
PL.............................................. 116,000 65,000 181,000 ~22
MSEL/NCNR....................................... 130,000 0 130,000 ~16
BFRL............................................ 81,000 0 81,000 ~9
ITL............................................. 0 40,000 40,000 ~5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The actual number of awards made under this announcement will
depend on the proposed budgets and the availability of funding. For all
SURF NIST Gaithersburg Programs described in this notice, it is
expected that awards to institutions will range from approximately
$3,000 to $70,000. Funding for student housing will be included in
cooperative agreements awarded as a result of this notice.
[[Page 66293]]
The SURF NIST Gaithersburg Program is anticipated to run from May
24, 2010 through August 6, 2010; adjustments may be made to accommodate
specific academic schedules (e.g., a limited number of 9-week
cooperative agreements may be shifted in order to accommodate
institutions operating on quarter systems).
Statutory Authority: The authority for the SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Program is 15 U.S.C. 278g-l, which authorizes NIST to fund financial
assistance awards to students at institutions of higher learning within
the United States who show promise as present or future contributors to
the mission of the Institute.
Eligibility: NIST's SURF Gaithersburg Programs are open to colleges
and universities in the United States and its territories with degree
granting programs in materials science, chemistry, nanoscale science,
neutron research, engineering, computer science, mathematics, or
physics. Participating students must be U.S. citizens or permanent U.S.
residents.
Cost Sharing or Matching: The SURF NIST Gaithersburg Programs do
not require any cost sharing or matching funds.
Review and Selection Process: All SURF NIST Gaithersburg Program
proposals must be submitted to the Administrative Coordinator listed in
the ADDRESSES section above. Each proposal is examined for completeness
and responsiveness. Incomplete or non-responsive proposals will not be
considered for funding, and the applicant will be notified in writing.
The Program will retain one copy of each non-responsive application for
three years for record keeping purposes. The remaining copies will be
destroyed. Proposals should include the required forms listed in the
FFO. Proposals must also include the following information:
(A) Student Information (student's name and university should
appear on all of these documents):
(1) Student application information cover sheet;
(2) Academic transcript for each student nominated for
participation (it is recommended that students have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or
better, out of a possible 4.0);
(3) A statement of motivation and commitment from each student to
participate in the 2010 SURF program, including a description of the
student's prioritized research interests;
(4) A resume for each student;
(5) Two letters of recommendation for each student that should
address paragraph (A) of the evaluation criteria below; and
(6) Copy of passport, green card, or birth certificate as
confirmation of U.S. citizenship or permanent legal resident status for
each student.
(B) Information About the Applicant Institution:
(1) Description of the institution's education and research
programs; and
(2) A summary list of the student(s) being nominated.
Institution proposals will be separated into student/institution
packets. Each student/institution packet will be comprised of the
required application forms, including a complete copy of the student
information and a complete copy of the institution information. The
student/institution packets will be directed to the SURF NIST
Gaithersburg Program designated by the student as his/her first choice.
The selection process occurs in three rounds. Each SURF NIST
Gaithersburg Program will have three independent, objective NIST
employees, who are knowledgeable in the scientific areas of the
program, conduct a technical review of each student/institution packet
based on the Evaluation Criteria for the SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Programs described in this notice. For the first round of evaluations
and placement, each technical reviewer will evaluate according to the
Evaluation Criteria listed below and provide a score for each student/
institution packet. Based on the average of the reviewers' scores, a
rank order of the student/institution packets will be prepared within
each laboratory.
The SURF Program Director (Selecting Official) for each laboratory,
who is a NIST program official who did not participate in the technical
evaluations, will then apply the following Selection Factors, which may
result in revisions to the rank order: relevance of the student's
course of study to the program objectives of the NIST laboratory in
which that SURF NIST Gaithersburg Program resides as described in the
Program Description section of this notice and the corresponding
Federal Funding Opportunity, the relevance of the student's statement
of commitment to the goals of the SURF NIST Gaithersburg Program, fit
of the student's interests and abilities to the available projects in
that laboratory program, compatibility of the student with the research
environment in that laboratory, assessment of whether the laboratory
experience is a new opportunity for the student which may encourage
future postgraduate training, and the availability of funding.
Based on these results, the Program Director (Selecting Official)
for each laboratory will divide the rank ordered student/institution
packets into three categories: Priority Funding; Fund if Possible; and
Do Not Fund. Student/institution packets placed in the Priority Funding
category will be selected for funding in that SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Program, contingent upon availability of funds. Student/institution
packets placed in the Do Not Fund category will not be considered for
funding by any other NIST laboratory.
Student/institution packets placed in the Fund if Possible Category
may be considered for funding at a later time by the category-
designating SURF Program (The ``category-designating'' program is that
Laboratory Program whose Program Director first categorized the
applicant packet as ``Priority Funding'', ``Fund if Possible'', or ``Do
Not Fund.'' This is the same Laboratory Program which was designated by
the student in the application cover sheet as his/her first choice); in
the interim period these students will be released for consideration
for funding by the SURF NIST Gaithersburg Program designated by the
student as his/her second choice. The student's second choice
laboratory's SURF Program Director will take into consideration the
recommendations of the reviewers who conducted the technical reviews
for the student's first choice SURF NIST Gaithersburg Program, apply
the selection factors noted above as applied to that laboratory and
arrive at a final rank order of the students available for the second
round of selections and placements. Any SURF NIST Gaithersburg Program
may choose not to participate in the second round, if the Program
Director does not see suitable students in the second round appropriate
for the available projects. Students not selected during the first or
second round are available for the third round of selections.
Students not selected for funding by their first or second choice
SURF NIST Gaithersburg Program, and students who did not designate a
second choice, will then be considered for funding from all SURF NIST
Gaithersburg Programs that still have slots available in a third round,
conducted using the same process as the second round. In making
selections for the third round of selections and placement, each SURF
NIST Gaithersburg Program Director (Selecting Official) will take into
consideration the recommendations of the reviewers who conducted the
technical reviews for the student's first choice SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Program, the selection factors noted
[[Page 66294]]
above as applied to that laboratory and rank order the students in this
selection round. Any SURF NIST Gaithersburg Program may choose not to
participate in the third round if there are no slots available.
Substitutions for students who decline offers will be made from the
remaining pool of ranked students consistent with the program review
process.
The final approval of selected applications and award of
cooperative agreements will be made by the NIST Grants Officer based on
compliance with application requirements as published in this notice
and other applicable legal and regulatory requirements. NIST also
reserves the right to reject an application where information is
uncovered that reflects adversely on an applicant's business integrity,
resulting in a determination by the Grants Officer that an applicant is
not presently responsible. Applicants may be asked to modify
objectives, work plans, or budgets and provide supplemental information
required by the agency prior to award. The decision of the Grants
Officer is final.
The SURF NIST Gaithersburg Programs will retain one copy of each
unsuccessful application for three years for record keeping purposes,
and unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing. The remaining
copies will be destroyed.
Evaluation Criteria: For the SURF NIST Gaithersburg Programs, the
evaluation criteria are:
(A) Evaluation of Student's Interest in Participating in the
Program, Academic Ability, Laboratory Experience and Advanced Degree
Interest: Evaluation of completed course work, English proficiency,
writing proficiency, safety consciousness, research skills, social
skills, leadership potential, innovativeness, independence, honesty,
grade point average in courses relevant to the SURF NIST Gaithersburg
Programs, career goals, honors and awards, commitment of the student to
working in a laboratory environment, and interest in pursuing graduate
school.
(B) Institution's Commitment to Program Goals: Evaluation of the
institution's academic department(s) relevant to the discipline(s) of
the student(s).
Each of these factors is given equal weight in the evaluation
process.
SURF NIST Boulder Programs
DATES: All SURF NIST Boulder Program applications, paper and
electronic, must be received no later than 5 p.m. Mountain Standard
Time on February 16, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Paper applications for the SURF NIST Boulder Program must be
submitted to: Ms. Cynthia Kotary, Administrative Coordinator, SURF NIST
Boulder Programs, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 325
Broadway, Mail Stop 104, Boulder, CO 80305-3337.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Program questions should be addressed
to Ms. Cynthia Kotary, Administrative Coordinator, SURF NIST Boulder
Programs, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 325 Broadway,
Mail Stop 104, Boulder, CO 80305-3337, Tel: (303) 497-3319, E-mail:
kotary@boulder.nist.gov; Web site: https://www.nist.gov/surfboulder/.
All grants related administration questions concerning this program
should be directed to Hope Snowden, NIST Grants and Agreements
Management Division at (301) 975-6002, or hope.snowden@nist.gov or for
assistance with using Grants.gov contact support@grants.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access: NIST strongly encourages all applicants to read
the Federal Funding Opportunity Notice (FFO) available at https://www.grants.gov for complete information about this program and its
requirements, and instructions for applying by paper or electronically.
A paper copy of the FFO may be obtained by calling (301) 975-6328. The
Gaithersburg and Boulder SURF programs will publish separate FFOs on
https://www.grants.gov.
Funding Availability: Funds budgeted for payments to students under
this program are stipends, not salaries. The SURF NIST Boulder Programs
will not authorize funds for indirect costs or fringe benefits. The
stipend of $8000 includes a fellowship of $4500 plus $3500 for all
expenses associated with travel and subsistence. Once they receive
their awards, college and university grant recipients are expected to
provide the full stipend to participating students in one lump sum
before May 24, 2009, the start of the SURF NIST Boulder Programs. NIST
will disburse funds to college and university awardees via the
Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system.
The table below summarizes the anticipated funding from NSF and
NIST to operate the SURF NIST Boulder Programs, broken out by
Laboratory, subject to program approval and availability of NIST and/or
NSF funding.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anticipated
Laboratory Anticipated Anticipated Total program number of
NSF funding NIST funding funding awards
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EEEL............................................ $40,000 $40,000 $80,000 10
PL.............................................. 20,000 20,000 40,000 5
CSTL............................................ 8,000 8,000 16,000 2
MSEL............................................ 16,000 16,000 32,000 4
ITL............................................. 4,000 4,000 8,000 1
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The actual number of awards made under this announcement will
depend on the proposed budgets and the availability of funding. For the
SURF NIST Boulder Programs described in this notice, it is expected
that awards to institutions will total $8000 multiplied by the number
of participating students from that institution.
The SURF NIST Boulder Programs are anticipated to run from May 24,
2010 through August 6, 2010; adjustments may be made to accommodate
specific academic schedules (e.g., some 11-week cooperative agreements
may be shifted in order to accommodate institutions operating on
quarter systems).
Statutory Authority: The authority for the SURF NIST Boulder
Program is 15 U.S.C. 278g-l, which authorizes NIST to fund financial
assistance awards to students at institutions of higher learning within
the United States who show promise as present or future contributors to
the mission of the Institute.
Eligibility: The SURF NIST Boulder Programs are open to colleges
and universities in the United States and its territories with degree
granting programs in materials science, chemistry, engineering,
computer science, mathematics, or physics. Participating students must
be U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents. The SURF NIST Boulder
Programs focus
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on undergraduate fellows. Graduating seniors are eligible to
participate but the likelihood of funds for their possible
participation is extremely limited. Up to approximately three such
participants might be considered if funds become available. If so, NIST
will give priority to previous SURF participants.
Cost Sharing or Matching: The SURF NIST Boulder Program does not
require any cost sharing or matching funds.
Review and Selection Process: All SURF NIST Boulder Programs
proposals must be submitted to the Administrative Coordinator listed in
the Addresses section above. Proposals should include the required
forms listed in the FFO. Proposals must also include the following
information:
(A) Student Information (student's name and university should
appear on all of these documents):
(1) Student application information cover sheet;
(2) Academic transcript for each student nominated for
participation (it is recommended that students have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or
better, out of a possible 4.0);
(3) A statement of motivation and commitment from each student to
participate in the SURF NIST Boulder Program, including a description
of the student's prioritized research interests;
(4) A resume for each student;
(5) Two letters of recommendation for each student; and
(6) Confirmation of U.S. citizenship or permanent legal resident
status for each student (copy of passport, green card, or birth
certificate).
(B) Information About the Applicant Institution:
(1) Description of the institution's education and research
programs; and
(2) A summary list of the student(s) being nominated, with one
paragraph of commentary about each student from a dean or department
chair that describes why the students would be successful in the SURF
program.
Institution proposals will be separated into student/institution
packets. Each student/institution packet will be comprised of the
required application forms, including a complete copy of the student
information and a complete copy of the institution information. The
student/institution packets will be directed to a review committee of
NIST staff appointed by the SURF NIST Boulder Directors.
First, all applications received in response to this announcement
will be reviewed to determine whether or not they are complete and
responsive to the scope of the stated program objectives. Incomplete or
non-responsive proposals will not be reviewed for technical merit, and
the applicant will be so notified. The Program will retain one copy of
each non-responsive application for three years for record keeping
purposes.
Second, each SURF student/university packet will be reviewed by at
least three independent, objective NIST employees, who are
knowledgeable in the scientific areas of the program and are able to
conduct a technical review of each student/university packet based on
the Evaluation Criteria described in this notice. The normalized scores
based on this merit review will be averaged for each student/
institution applicant packet, creating a rank order. The Selecting
Official, the Acting Director of NIST Electronics and Electrical
Engineering Laboratory, shall award in the rank order unless a proposal
is justified to be selected out of rank order based upon one or more of
the following factors: availability of funding, and balance or
distribution of funds by research or technical disciplines.
The final approval of selected applications and award of financial
assistance will be made by the NIST Grants Officer based on compliance
with application requirements as published in this notice, compliance
with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, and whether the
recommended applicants appear to be responsible. Applicants may be
asked to modify objectives, work plans, or budgets and provide
supplemental information required by the agency prior to award. The
decisions of the Grants Officer are final.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing. The Programs
will retain one copy of each unsuccessful application for three years
for record keeping purposes.
Evaluation Criteria: For the SURF NIST Boulder Programs the
evaluation criteria are as follows:
(A) Evaluation of Student's Academic Ability and Commitment to
Program Goals (80%): Includes evaluation of completed course work;
expressed research interest; compatibility of the expressed research
interest with SURF NIST Boulder research areas; research skills; grade
point average in courses relevant to the SURF NIST Boulder Program;
career goals; honors and activities;
(B) Evaluation of Applicant Institution's Commitment to Program
Goals (20%): Includes evaluation of the institution's academic
department(s) relevant to the discipline(s) of the student(s).
The following information applies to all programs announced in this
notice:
The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements: The Department of Commerce Pre-Award
Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements, which
are contained in the Federal Register Notice of February 11, 2008 (73
FR 7696) are applicable to this notice. On the form SF-424 items 8.b.
and 8.c., the applicant's 9-digit Employer/Taxpayer Identification
Number (EIN/TIN) and 9-digit Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number must be consistent with the information
on the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) (https://www.ccr.gov) and
Automated Standards Application for Payment System (ASAP). For complex
organizations with multiple EIN/TIN and DUNS numbers, the EIN/TIN and
DUNS numbers MUST be the numbers for the applying organization.
Organizations that provide incorrect/inconsistent EIN/TIN and DUNS
numbers may experience significant delays in receiving funds if their
proposal is selected for funding. Please confirm that the EIN/TIN and
DUNS number are consistent with the information on the CCR and ASAP.
Use of NIST Intellectual Property: If the applicant anticipates
using any NIST-owned intellectual property to carry out the work
proposed, the applicant should identify such intellectual property.
This information will be used to ensure that no NIST employee involved
in the development of the intellectual property will participate in the
review process for that competition. In addition, if the applicant
intends to use NIST-owned intellectual property, the applicant must
comply with all statutes and regulations governing the licensing of
Federal government patents and inventions, described at 35 U.S.C. 200-
212, 37 CFR part 401, 15 CFR 14.36, and in section B.21 of the
Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements, 73 FR 7696
(February 11, 2008). Questions about these requirements may be directed
to the Chief Counsel for NIST, 301-975-2803.
Any use of NIST-owned intellectual property by a proposer is at the
sole discretion of NIST and will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis
if a project is deemed meritorious. The applicant should indicate
within the statement of work whether it already has a license to use
such intellectual property or whether it intends to seek one.
If any inventions made in whole or in part by a NIST employee arise
in the course of an award made pursuant to this notice, the United
States government may retain its ownership rights in any such
invention. Licensing
[[Page 66296]]
or other disposition of NIST's rights in such inventions will be
determined solely by NIST, and include the possibility of NIST putting
the intellectual property into the public domain.
Initial Screening of all Applications: All applications received in
response to this announcement will be reviewed to determine whether or
not they are complete and responsive to the scope of the stated
objectives for each program. Incomplete or non-responsive applications
will not be reviewed for technical merit. The Program will retain one
copy of each non-responsive application for three years for record
keeping purposes. The remaining copies will be destroyed.
Paperwork Reduction Act: The standard forms in the application kit
involve a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction
Act. The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B, SF-LLL, CD-346, and
SURF Program Student Applicant Information have been approved by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the respective Control
Numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046, 0605-0001, and
0693-0042. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.
Research Projects Involving Human Subjects, Human Tissue, Data or
Recordings Involving Human Subjects: Any proposal that includes
research involving human subjects, human tissue, data or recordings
involving human subjects must meet the requirements of the Common Rule
for the Protection of Human Subjects, codified for the Department of
Commerce at 15 CFR part 27. In addition, any proposal that includes
research on these topics must be in compliance with any statutory
requirements imposed upon the Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS) and other Federal agencies regarding these topics, all
regulatory policies and guidance adopted by DHHS, the Food and Drug
Administration, and other Federal agencies on these topics, and all
Presidential statements of policy on these topics.
NIST will accept the submission of human subjects protocols that
have been approved by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) possessing a
current registration filed with DHHS and to be performed by entities
possessing a current, valid Federal-wide Assurance (FWA) from DHHS.
NIST will not issue a single project assurance (SPA) for any IRB
reviewing any human subjects protocol proposed to NIST.
President Obama has issued Executive Order No. 13,505 (74 FR 10667,
March 9, 2009), revoking previous Executive Orders and Presidential
statements regarding the use of human embryonic stem cells in research.
On July 30, 2009, President Obama issued a memorandum directing that
agencies that support and conduct stem cell research adopt the
``National Institutes of Health Guidelines for Human Stem Cell
Research'' (NIH Guidelines), which became effective on July 7, 2009,
``to the fullest extent practicable in light of legal authorities and
obligations.'' On September 21, 2009, the Department of Commerce
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a statement of
compliance with the NIH Guidelines. In accordance with the President's
memorandum, the NIH Guidelines, and the Department of Commerce
statement of compliance, NIST will support and conduct research using
only human embryonic stem cell lines that have been approved by NIH in
accordance with the NIH Guidelines and will review such research in
accordance with the Common Rule and NIST implementing procedures, as
appropriate. NIST will not support or conduct any type of research that
the NIH Guidelines prohibit NIH from funding. NIST will follow any
additional polices or guidance issued by the current Administration on
this topic.
Research Projects Involving Vertebrate Animals: Any proposal that
includes research involving vertebrate animals must be in compliance
with the National Research Council's ``Guide for the Care and Use of
Laboratory Animals'' which can be obtained from National Academy Press,
2101 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20055. In addition, such
proposals must meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act (7
U.S.C. 2131 et seq.), 9 CFR parts 1, 2, and 3, and if appropriate, 21
CFR part 58. These regulations do not apply to proposed research using
pre-existing images of animals or to research plans that do not include
live animals that are being cared for, euthanized, or used by the
project participants to accomplish research goals, teaching, or
testing. These regulations also do not apply to obtaining animal
materials from commercial processors of animal products or to animal
cell lines or tissues from tissue banks.
Limitation of Liability: Funding for the programs listed in this
notice is contingent upon the availability of Fiscal Year 2010
appropriations. NIST issues this notice subject to the appropriations
made available under the current continuing resolution, H.R. 2918,
``Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2010,'' Public Law 111-68, as
amended by H.R. 2996, ``Further Continuing Appropriations, 2010,''
Public Law 111-88. NIST anticipates making awards for the programs
listed in this notice provided that funding for the programs is
continued beyond December 18, 2009, the expiration of the current
continuing resolution. In no event will NIST or the Department of
Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation costs if these
programs fail to receive funding or are cancelled because of agency
priorities. Publication of this announcement does not oblige NIST or
the Department of Commerce to award any specific project or to obligate
any available funds.
Executive Order 12866: This funding notice was determined to be not
significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
Executive Order 13132 (Federalism): It has been determined that
this notice does not contain policies with federalism implications as
that term is defined in Executive Order 13132.
Executive Order 12372: Applications under this program are not
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act: Notice and
comment are not required under the Administrative Procedure Act (5
U.S.C. 553) or any other law, for rules relating to public property,
loans, grants, benefits or contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)). Because notice
and comment are not required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, for
rules relating to public property, loans, grants, benefits or contracts
(5 U.S.C. 553(a)), a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required
and has not been prepared for this notice, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
Dated: December 10, 2009.
Jason Boehm,
Acting Director, NIST Program Office.
[FR Doc. E9-29823 Filed 12-14-09; 8:45 am]
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