[Flex] [Fwd: NSF Division of Ocean Sciences Update]

[Claire Reid]

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Don't know if you all normally get copies of this...

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From: "Binkley, Kandace S." <kbinkley@nsf.gov>
To: "Binkley, Kandace S." <kbinkley@nsf.gov>
Subject: NSF Division of Ocean Sciences Update
Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002 15:22:43 -0500 
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Dear Colleagues:

With the 15 February 2002 target date fast approaching, we thought it would
be a good time to send out a message alerting you to:
	1.	Grant Proposal Guide (NSF 02-2) changes 
	2.	Recent changes in FastLane 
	3.	Upcoming proposal announcement deadlines, and 
	4.	Current position announcement.
We hope that the information that follows will help you in your proposal
preparation plans over the next few weeks and months.  

1. GRANT PROPOSAL GUIDE (NSF 02-2) CHANGES -
<http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?gpg>

NSF revised the proposal preparation guidelines relating to the Project
Summary and Project Description. These changes continue NSF's efforts to
remind proposers that both NSF merit review criteria must be addressed in
the preparation and review of proposals submitted to NSF.

A critical new requirement for proposals received after January 1, 2002, is
that (1) the intellectual merit of the proposed activity; and (2) the
broader impacts resulting from the proposed activity must be addressed
explicitly in both the project summary and project description.  While
Investigators routinely address the Intellectual Merit criterion, treatment
of Broader Impacts has been inconsistent.   Both criteria must be addressed.
NSF policy states that proposals not consistent with these instructions may
not be considered by NSF.  Please help us avoid taking this drastic action
by ensuring you pay careful attention and address both criteria in your
proposal.

2. FASTLANE 

Reminder for Collaborative Proposals

When submitting collaborative proposals, ONLY THE LEAD ORGANIZATION should
submit the project summary, project description, and references cited.
Collaborative proposals are now viewed electronically and printed as a
single interleaved document. If the non-lead organization(s) submit(s) a
project summary, project description, and references cited, multiple copies
of those sections will appear in the final version of the proposal viewed by
reviewers. 

New Process for Printing Collaborative Proposals

Effective August 3, a non-lead organization on a collaborative proposal must
assign its proposal a Proposal PIN by using the "Proposal PIN" button on the
"Proposal Actions" screen and then give the lead organization the temporary
proposal ID and the Proposal PIN. To link the proposals, the lead
organization then enters the non-lead organization's temporary proposal ID
and Proposal PIN by using the "Link Collaborative Proposals" option on the
FastLane Form Preparation screen. 

FastLane Home Page Gets A New Look

The FastLane home page has changed considerably in recent months. The new
FastLane Home Page should be easier to use and load much faster than the old
Home Page. A single login for Principal Investigators (PIs) has been created
so PIs no longer need to know their proposal and award numbers to log into
FastLane. Within this "Proposals, Awards, & Status" login, PIs can check on
the status of their proposals and continuing grant increments and prepare
their proposals, project reports, supplement requests, revised proposal
budgets, and notifications and requests.

In addition, the new Home Page has a single login for panelists to submit
reviews, update banking information, update travel information or use the
new interactive panel system.
Compliance Check for Uploaded Files

FastLane now checks uploaded files against the following conditions:

GPG Compliance (all submitted files) 
	*	Warnings: Text in margin, Project description page count,
Empty pages 
	*	Blocks: Page sizes other than 8.5" x 11" (orientation
ignored) 

PDF Compliance (user submitted PDF files only) 
	*	Warnings: Files created dvips and dvipsk 
	*	Blocks: PDF files produced from the following products:
FrameMaker, GhostScript versions prior to 6.5, Hewlett-Packard Intelligent
Scanners, PDFWriter , PhotoShop, Pstill, Canvas/Deneba PDF filter and
Dvipdf(m).  For more information on the issues related to these products and
their use with FastLane go to
https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a1/PitstopBlockedPDF.html; files with Adobe
encryption or security settings, Type 3 or other fonts that cannot be
embedded, PDF version 1.1 or below.

If a file is blocked or receives a warning, context specific help is
provided to help the user create a FastLane compliant file.

As of December 20, 2001 FastLane should be able to fix most of the following
blocked file types: Blocked PDF Producers except PDFWriter, old PDF
versions, non 8.5" x 11" page sizes, and empty pages.  These file types will
still be blocked and the reasons provided, but users will be presented with
the option to have FastLane fix the problem. If the fix option is requested,
FastLane will attempt to fix the file, and then re-submit the file to the
compliance checker.

FastLane Proposal and Panel Review Submission

A number of reviewers have expressed concern that their reviews have been
lost while entering them into the Proposal and Panel Review system.  We
recommend that reviewers create and save a copy of the review locally, and
then log on to FastLane to copy and paste the text into the appropriate
blocks.   This will prevent wasted time and frustration if something happens
to the internet connection during the session.

3. UPCOMING TARGET DATES AND DEADLINES

Unsolicited Proposals - for Biological Oceanography, Physical Oceanography,
Chemical Oceanography, Marine Geology & Geophysics, Ocean Drilling Program
and Technology Development. Target dates: February 15 and August 15

Program Announcements - 

Biocomplexity in the Environment (BE) for : Integrated Research and
Education in Environmental Systems

<http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf02010> 

Deadlines:  	January 24, 2002 Deadline for CNH and IDEA
		February 20, 2002 Deadline for CBC and GEN-EN
		March 14, 2002 Deadline for MUSES

Synopsis of Program: This special competition promotes comprehensive,
integrated investigations of environmental systems using advanced scientific
and engineering methods. The concept of biocomplexity stresses the richness
of biological systems and their capacity for adaptation and self-organizing
behavior. By placing biocomplexity studies in an environmental context, this
competition emphasizes research with the following characteristics: (a) a
high degree of interdisciplinarity; (b) a focus on complex environmental
systems that include interactions of non-human biota or humans; and (c) a
focus on systems with high potential for exhibiting non-linear behavior. In
this third year of a multi-year effort, five topical areas will be
emphasized: 1. Dynamics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems (CNH); 2.
Coupled Biogeochemical Cycles (CBC); 3. Genome-Enabled Environmental Science
and Engineering (GEN-EN); 4. Instrumentation Development for Environmental
Activities (IDEA); 5. Materials Use: Science, Engineering, & Society
(MUSES). In all areas, quantitative modeling, simulation, analysis, and
visualization methods are emphasized, as well as integration of education
and a global perspective. Consistent with the guidance provided in each of
the five topical areas, individuals or small groups may submit proposals to
conduct research projects or exploratory and planning activities. This
comprehensive approach to research on biocomplexity in the environment is
expected to improve science-based predictive capabilities for
decision-making.

Integrated Carbon Cycle Research Program

<http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf02016> 

Deadline:  5 March 2002

Synopsis of Program: The purpose of this Program Announcement is to solicit
innovative proposals from U.S. academic institutions to conduct basic
research into the scientific aspects of the global carbon cycle. Studies of
the chemical, biological, ecological, and physical processes driving carbon
distribution, transformation and transport within and between terrestrial,
atmospheric, and oceanic environments are appropriate for this competition.
The five topical foci of this Announcement include (1) focused process
studies, (2) drainage basin and ocean margin studies, (3) global modeling
and empirical studies, (4) effects of climatic change and variability on the
carbon cycle, and (5) data management and development of standards and
methods.

Improvements in Facilities, Communications and Equipment at Biological Field
Stations and Marine Laboratories (FSML)
<http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf02040> 

This Program is cooperatively supported by the Ocean Sciences Division with
the Biological Science Directorate as the lead.  

Deadline 22 March 2002

Synopsis of Program: Biological Field Stations and Marine Laboratories
(FSMLs) are off-campus facilities for research and education conducted in
the natural habitats of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.
FSMLs support biological research and education by preserving access to
study areas and organisms, by providing facilities and equipment in close
proximity to those study areas, and by fostering an atmosphere of mutual
scientific interest and collaboration in research and education. To fulfill
these roles, FSMLs must offer modern laboratories and educational spaces,
up-to-date equipment, appropriate personal accommodations for visiting
scientists and students, and modern communications and data management
systems for a broad array of users. In recognition of the importance of
FSMLs in modern biology, NSF invites proposals that address these general
goals of FSML improvement. 

CoOP - Buoyancy Driven Processes 

<http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf02059>

Deadline 24 July 2002

Synopsis of Program: Coastal ocean regions with large freshwater inflows are
major gateways for the transfer of materials from continents to oceans.
Thus, it is important to understand how processes on shelves with large
freshwater inflows affect cross-margin transport of biologically,
geologically, and chemically important materials. This announcement, offered
under the auspices of the Coastal Ocean Processes (CoOP) Program of NSF/OCE,
calls for proposals investigating processes that control buoyancy-driven
systems influenced by freshwater inflows.

** Note: CoOP will host an evening meeting at the AGU/ASLO Ocean Sciences
meeting in Honolulu (12 February 2002, 6-9 pm) to address community
questions about the Program Announcement and facilitate the development of
collaborations for interdisciplinary proposals.

Microbial Observatories 

<http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf0198> 

This Program Announcement is due out soon for 2002.  In 2001, it had a
deadline in the summer.  The same is expected this year.  
Synopsis of Program: The National Science Foundation (NSF), Directorate for
Biological Sciences (BIO) announces the third competition for Microbial
Observatories. The long-term goal of the Microbial Observatories activity is
to discover previously unknown microbes and to describe and characterize
microbial diversity, phylogenetic relationships, interactions, and other
novel properties by developing a network of sites, "microbial
observatories." Individual investigators or teams of investigators are
encouraged to develop and conduct research at a variety of sites dedicated
to studies of microbial communities over time and across environmental
gradients.
Examples of areas for study include, but are not limited to: the discovery
and culturing of as yet undescribed microorganisms and microbial consortia
in diverse habitats, mechanisms regulating the exchange of genetic material,
biochemical and metabolic properties of microbes, other attributes and
activities of newly described or poorly understood microbes and microbial
communities. Development and application of genomic approaches to these
studies is strongly encouraged. 
Projects supported are expected to establish or participate in an
established, Internet-accessible knowledge network to disseminate the
information resulting from these activities. In addition, educational and
outreach activities such as formal or informal training in microbial biology
and activities that will broaden the participation of underrepresented
groups in microbial biology research and education, are expected.

4. DIVISION OF OCEAN SCIENCES VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Oceanographer (Program Director), AD-1360-4, Ocean Drilling Program,
Division of Ocean Sciences, National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking qualified applicants for
the position of Oceanographer (Program Director) in the Ocean Drilling
Program in the Division of Ocean Sciences.  The annual salary range for the
AD4 level is from $78,265 to $121,967.

For additional information, please read the full vacancy announcement, which
will soon be available on the NSF web page.


Please stop by the NSF booth at the Ocean Sciences 2002 meeting if you are
attending and have any specific questions.  Also, please note that there
will be an NSF Town Meeting during the lunch hour on Tuesday, February 12.

Good luck with preparing your submissions.

Larry Clark, Bruce Malfait and Kandace Binkley








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