NSF-NIST Interaction in Chemistry, Materials Research, Molecular Biosciences, Bioengineering, and Chemical Engineering

NSF and NIST have entered into an arrangement intended to facilitate interactions between faculty and students supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the scientists and engineers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory (CSTL), Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory (MSEL), NIST Center for Neutron Research.

NSF and NIST have shared interests in chemistry, chemical engineering, the molecular biosciences and bioengineering, and materials research. These research areas are centralized at NIST in CSTL, MSEL, and NCNR. At the NSF, the Divisions of Chemistry (CHE), Materials Research (DMR), Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB), Chemical and Transport Systems (CTS), and Bioengineering and Environmental Systems (BES) support these research areas. This program is designed to promote these shared NSF/NIST interests by supporting collaborative research and education activities between researchers at CSTL, MSEL, and NCNR and academic researchers whose areas of research and education are traditionally supported in one or more of the above NSF Divisions.

This program provides supplements to NSF supported researchers with active awards in the NSF's Divisions of Chemistry, Materials Research, Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Chemical and Transport Systems, and Bioengineering and Environmental Systems for collaboration with researchers at NIST's CSTL, MSEL, and NCNR. Faculty who are principal investigators on current NSF awards supported by one or more of the participating NSF Divisions may request supplements for travel and per diem associated with collaborative work either at the CSTL, MSEL, NCNR. Support may be requested for faculty, students, and other personnel associated with the joint NSF/NIST activity. No NSF funds will be provided for NIST employees. Prior agreement on the part of the collaborating CSTL, MSEL, or NCNR scientific staff member or members must be obtained and a letter from the appropriate NIST CSTL, MSEL, and NCNR Division Chief or Center Director must be included in the submitted proposal.

It is estimated that 10-20 supplements will be made annually. The anticipated funding amount for this activity is $200,000 annually. Estimated program budget, number of supplemental awards and average award size are subject to the availability of funds and the quality of the proposals submitted. Supplement requests must not exceed $20,000.