Funder: National Science Foundation
Due Dates: September 16, 2024 | Third Monday in September, annually thereafter
Funding Amounts: Design Track: up to $300,000 (1–2 years) | Implementation Phase 1: up to $1,500,000 (3–4 years) | Implementation Phase 2: up to $350,000 (1–2 years)
Summary: Supports the creation and implementation of international research networks to accelerate scientific advancement and develop a diverse, globally competent U.S. workforce in any NSF-funded area.
Key Information: Proposals must involve at least three research networks (one outside the U.S.); no funds for direct research in Design/Implementation Phase 1; strict eligibility for Phase 2.
Description
This program supports the formation and operation of international "networks of networks" (NoNs) to accelerate scientific research and foster a diverse, internationally competent U.S.-based workforce. The initiative is open to any area funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), with a particular focus on projects addressing grand research challenges identified by research communities or NSF.
The program offers two main tracks:
- Design Track: Provides planning support to build capacity and readiness for launching a synergistic international NoN.
- Implementation Track: Supports the actual implementation of an international NoN, with two phases:
- Phase 1: For establishing and coordinating the NoN.
- Phase 2: For early concept research that emerges from Phase 1 activities (open only to Phase 1 awardees).
Proposals must demonstrate that the activities will accelerate research beyond what is possible without international collaboration, enhance the competitiveness of NoN members for future research awards, and recruit and train a diverse U.S.-based workforce in international, multi-team science.
Due Dates
- Next Full Proposal Deadline: September 16, 2024 (Monday)
- Future Deadlines: Third Monday in September, annually
Funding Amount
- Design Track: Up to $300,000 for 1–2 years (planning and capacity-building only)
- Implementation Track Phase 1: Up to $1,500,000 for 3–4 years (network implementation and coordination)
- Implementation Track Phase 2: Up to $350,000 for 1–2 years (early concept research; only for Phase 1 awardees)
- Estimated Number of Awards: 10–14 per cycle
- Total Program Funding: Approximately $10 million per cycle (subject to availability)
Eligibility
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Eligible Organizations:
- U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (two- and four-year, including community colleges)
- U.S.-based non-profit, non-academic organizations (e.g., museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies)
- Federally recognized Tribal Governments
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PI/Co-PI Restrictions:
- An individual may serve as PI or Co-PI on only one proposal per cycle (either Design or Implementation).
- Implementation Track Phase 2: Only available to active Phase 1 awardees, and only after 12 months of Phase 1.
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Network Requirements:
- Proposals must involve at least three independent research networks, with at least one operating wholly outside the U.S.
- Networks must be distinct, regularly collaborating groups (not just labs within a university or large professional organizations).
Application Process
- Submission Platforms: Research.gov or Grants.gov
- Letters of Intent/Preliminary Proposals: Not required
- Full Proposal: Required; follow the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and solicitation-specific instructions.
- Supplementary Documents:
- Design Track: 1–3 letters of collaboration required.
- Implementation Track Phase 1: Network Coordination and Management Plan (max 4 pages) and up to 10 letters of collaboration.
- Budget Notes:
- No funds for direct research in Design Track or Implementation Phase 1 (except for Phase 2).
- No support for full-time graduate research assistants or tuition (except in Phase 2).
- Travel and professional development costs for network participants are allowed.
- All recipients must budget for annual PI meetings at NSF.
Additional Information
- Broader Impacts: Proposals must address how the project will broaden participation in STEM, including recruitment and training of underrepresented groups.
- Review Criteria: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, plus solicitation-specific criteria (e.g., viability of the NoN, workforce development, sustainability).
- Reporting: Annual and final reports required; additional data on international activities and participants must be provided.
- Renewals: Design Track may be renewed only in rare cases; Implementation Track Phase 1 is not renewable; each Phase 1 team may receive only one Phase 2 award.
External Links
Contact Information
For the most current contacts and updates, refer to the NSF program page.