OpportunityTitle: Academic Research Infrastructure Program:  Recovery and Reinvestment  (ARI-R??)
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: *Organization Limit: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:   -         Universities and two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in, the United States, its territories and possessions. Distinct academic campuses (that award their own degrees, have independent administrative structures, admissions policies, alumni associations, etc.) within multi-campus systems qualify as separate institutions. &lt;li&gt;Independent non-profit research museums, independent non-profit research institutions and laboratories, and non-profit research consortia located in the United States, its territories and possessions. These organizations must have an independent administrative and financial structure. Non-profit research consortia must also have 501(c)(3) tax status. Any organization can collaborate in a consortium; however, only eligible organizations can receive NSF funds. &lt;/li&gt;  Organizations that may NOT receive funds include foreign organizations (e.g., foreign academic institutions, museums and laboratories); research arms of for-profit firms; and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). Construction, engineering, architecture and other facility service divisions of for-profit firms that will carry out the work of renovation and repair may receive NSF funds as sub-awards. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 states that funds may not be used by any State or local government, or any private entity, for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, or swimming pool.
Description: Scientific discoveries are emerging at an accelerated pace, presenting new frontiers for exploration, stimulating innovation and economic growth, and driving the development of new tools and systems to support research. Likewise, the convergence of disciplines and the cross-fertilization that characterized contemporary science and engineering have made collaboration a centerpiece of the 21st century science and engineering enterprise. As new scientific opportunities and processes have emerged, the Nation&apos;s research facility requirements have also evolved and changed. In 2005, NSF estimated that academic institutions then had at least $3.6 billion in deferred projects to repair and renovate science and engineering research facilities (FY05 Survey of Science and Engineering Research Facilities.) As a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, NSF will invest $200 million in the Nation&apos;s research facilities and research training infrastructure. This investment will advance the science and engineering research enterprise at many institutions.The purpose of this program is to enhance the Nation&apos;s existing research facilities where sponsored and/or unsponsored research activities and research training take place to enable next-generation research infrastructure that integrates shared resources across user communities. Consistent with NSF&apos;s mission to strengthen the U.S. science and engineering enterprise, the ARI-R&#178; program will:Update existing research facilities at institutions of higher education (including graduate and undergraduate institutions, among which are included community colleges) and other non-profit research organizations (e.g., independent research museums, independent research laboratories, and research consortia) in order to support research that can address the challenges of the 21st century. Enable academic departments, disciplinary and cross-disciplinary units, or multi-organization consortia to renovate research facilities through the addition or augmentation of cyberinfrastructure, other than general-purpose computing systems or data storage systems, to create environments that enhance research and integrate research with education. Improve access to and increase use of next-generation research facilities for researchers, educators and students.Assist research organizations, including those that have historically received limited Federal research and development funds, to improve their science and engineering research environments.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: If you have any problems linking to this funding announcement, please contact
GrantorContactText: NSF grants.gov support&lt;br/&gt;grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov&lt;br/&gt;
CloseDateExplanation: Letter of Intent Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m. proposer&apos;s local time): July 01, 2009 Full Proposal Deadline(s): August 24, 2009