FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:             Linda Joy
Aug. 2, 1994                       (301) 975-4403

                                   TN-5986

                   NIST SEEKS PROJECT PROPOSALS FOR 1996

                       PRECISION MEASUREMENT GRANTS


     The National Institute of Standards and Technology is
seeking project proposals for two research grants for fiscal year
1996 in the field of precision measurement and fundamental
constants.

     Each Precision Measurement Grant of $50,000 for one year may
be renewed by NIST for up to two additional years for a total of
$150,000.  Prospective candidates must submit summaries of their
proposed projects and biographical information to NIST by Feb. 1,
1995, to be considered for the current grants, which will run
from October 1995 through September 1996.

     NIST Precision Measurement Grants are awarded each year to
scientists in academic institutions for work in determining
values for fundamental constants, investigating related physical
phenomena or developing new, fundamental measurement methods.

     The grants were instituted in 1970 to augment research
programs of the then-National Bureau of Standards in physical
constants and fundamental measurements and to encourage research
in these fields at colleges and universities.  To date, 56 grants
have been awarded in such areas as precision spectroscopy, the
determination of mass ratios between atomic particles, atomic
collision processes at extremely low temperatures, the precise
timing of millisecond pulsars and the redetermination of various
constants (such as the gas constant and Rydberg constant).

     Proposals are evaluated according to the importance of the
proposed research; the relation of the project to the improvement
of basic measurement methodologies, measurement units or physical
standards; the feasibility of the research; and past
accomplishments of the applicant.

     By Feb. 1, applicants should submit a pre-proposal summary
of not more than five double-spaced pages outlining the
objective, motivation and technical approach of the research and
the amount and source of current funding for the research. A
concise biographical sketch of the applicant and a list of the
applicant's most important publications also should be included.
At least three copies of this material should be sent to Barry N.
Taylor, chairman, NIST Precision Measurement Grants Committee,
C229 Radiation Physics Building, NIST, Gaithersburg, Md.
20899-0001.

     Four to eight candidates will be chosen by March 24, 1995,
on the basis of this material, and they will be asked to submit
more complete proposals.  The final selection will be made by
Aug. 15, 1995.  For further information, contact Taylor at the
above address or call (301) 975-4220.  Prospective applicants
should contact Dr. Taylor before preparing their pre-proposals.

     As a non-regulatory agency of the Commerce Department's
Technology Administration, NIST promotes U.S. economic growth by
working with industry to develop and apply technology,
measurements and standards.

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