NSF Improvements to Biological Research Collections (BRC)
Please distribute this information to your faculty to determine if they have an interest in submitting a proposal to this program.
WHAT: Limited Submission Proposal for the National Science Foundation Improvements to Biological Research Collections (BRC) Program
WHO: Texas A&M University faculty. TAES, TEES and TTI personnel may wish to submit internal proposals through their own agency.
WHY: NSF anticipates making 6-15 awards, with each award having a maximum amount of $500,000 for a period of one to three years.
WHEN: Internal proposal deadline of April 20, 2009.
HOW: TAMU faculty should submit an internal proposal via email for review by the internal selection committee.
THE FINE PRINT:
The funding agency below has limited the number of solicitations to one from any individual collection within the institution. If the number of faculty wishing to submit a proposal exceeds the number allowed by the agency, we will conduct an internal selection process. Below are due dates for the program, including the due date for the internal proposal for review by the internal selection committee, the date for announcement of the internal selection and the due date for submission of the proposal to the agency.
AGENCY: National Science Foundation (NSF)
AGENCY PROGRAM TITLE: NSF 09-548 Improvements to Biological Research Collections (BRC)
BRIEF PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Improvements to Biological Research Collections (BRC) Program provides funds for improvements to network, secure and organize established natural history collections for sustained, accurate and efficient accessibility of the collection to the biological research community. NSF is encouraging collaborative proposals to network collections on regional and continental scales, especially collaborations that bring large and small collections together into networks. Thus, collaborative proposals among institutions that promote networking of collections will be given highest priority.
The BRC Program also provides support for biological collection enhancement, computerization of specimen-related data, research to develop better methods for specimen curation and collection management, and activities such as symposia and workshops to discuss management of biological collections and other subjects designed to improve service to the research community.
Examples of supported biological collections include: natural history specimens, frozen tissues, physical samples, DNA libraries, digital images and genome samples, such as arrayed BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome).
Further, BRC supported projects include those that deal directly with specimens of organisms, parts of organisms or direct artifacts of organisms (recorded sounds, fossilized footprints). Other eligible collections include organism-based collections that maintain associated specimens and data documenting the environmental context of the primary organism (soil and water samples, temperature and precipitation records, specimen-based geographic information).
Most awards involve the purchase of new specimen cases and installation costs, curatorial supplies, and new curatorial and technical assistance specifically designed to effect the proposed improvements for the duration of the proposed project. Also, it is expected that BRC projects will lead to improved direct user access to collection data via standard internet protocols.
Collections not eligible for support involve projects to computerize card files of observational records, literature sources or other library items.
The full announcement can be found at the web page of the sponsor here.
AGENCIES ELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT: Eligible organizations include colleges and universities that maintain research collections, natural history museums, including herbaria and other collections administered by independent organizations or by state, county or local governments; non-federal and non-profit research organizations that maintain collections; and field stations, marine laboratories, botanical gardens, zoological parks and aquaria that maintain research collections that document biological diversity.
ELIGIBLE PROJECT COSTS: Indirect Cost (F&A) limitations. The BRC Program does not provide support to defray ordinary operating expenses, to purchase specimens, to create or establish a new collection, or to improve of libraries or archives. A cost breakdown and narrative justification should be provided for budgeted items. Building renovation associated with collection improvement will not be supported by BRC, but may be provided by the submitting organization as an indication of organizational commitment to the long-term housing of the collections. Further, at least two vendor quotes for items of equipment and supplies that total more than $10,000 should have been obtained.
AWARD INFORMATION: NSF anticipates making 6-15 awards, with each award having a maximum amount of $500,000 for a period of one to three years.
COST SHARING: None allowed.
INTERNAL SELECTION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES
April 17, 2009: Deadline for an email of intent, including the names of the PI and co-PIs, title of internal proposal and a 1-3 sentence description of the project. Send email of intent.
April 20, 2009: Deadline to obtain signatures of approval from your department head and college dean and to submit an internal proposal to the Research Policy and Development Support Office for review by the internal selection committee. The internal proposal should include:
(1) An executive summary, up to three pages, based on the proposal description as outlined in the NSF Program Announcement;
(2) Project and Management Plans (including team members);
(3) Summary budget.
The form for completing the internal proposal is here.
This completed form should be submitted electronically for review by the internal selection committee.
*Once your internal proposal has been received with all of the necessary signatures, you will receive an email indicating it will be reviewed by the internal selection committee. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please call 5-1812.*
Please read the RFP carefully for specific requirements of the program here .
Selection of internal proposals will be based on NSF evaluation guidelines. Meeting the needs of the university’s reinvestment plan will also be taken into account.
During the selection process, the internal selection committee may contact
departments and colleges for their opinions and commitments. They may also
request additional information from PI’s.
May 1, 2009: The Internal Selection Committee will notify PIs of the result of the internal competition.
July 24, 2009: Deadline for full proposal (due by 5 p.m. proposer’s local time).
