NSF 11-045
Dear Colleague Letter for New Zealand and Japan
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Dear Colleagues:
The February 21, 2011, earthquake in New Zealand and the March 11,
2011, earthquake in Japan and subsequent tsunami and nuclear power
plant crises have shown us Nature's enormous destructive capacity,
once again. This letter is to remind you that NSF has mechanisms in
place to respond to immediate research and education needs that arise
from such unexpected events. For example, such mechanisms were used
to support activities compelled by the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile
in 2010, the Chinese Wenchun earthquake in 2008, and Hurricane
Katrina in New Orleans in 2005.
The Rapid Response Research (RAPID) mechanism is used to support
activities having a severe urgency with regard to availability of, or
access to, data, facilities or specialized equipment, including
quick-response research on natural or anthropogenic disasters and
similar unanticipated events. Another mechanism is for a Principal
Investigator (PI) to request supplemental funds to add an
international dimension to an existing NSF grant. Supported
activities are not limited to on-site research, and could include
research conducted remotely via the use of information and
communication technologies, temporarily hosting databases on behalf
of affected institutions, and providing temporary laboratory space
for researchers and students from affected institutions.
Individual NSF directorates and offices may provide specific
guidance. General guidelines for RAPID and supplement requests are
described in the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide
(<http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf11001>NSF
11-001) at
<http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappguide/nsf11001/gpg_2.jsp#IID1>http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappguide/nsf11001/gpg_2.jsp#IID1
and
<http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappguide/nsf11001/aag_1.jsp#IE4>http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappguide/nsf11001/aag_1.jsp#IE4,
respectively. PI(s) must contact the NSF program officer(s) whose
program is most germane to the proposal topic before submitting a
RAPID proposal or supplement request. PI(s) are also encouraged to
contact the appropriate country contact in the NSF Office of
International Science and Engineering (see
<http://www.nsf.gov/od/oise/country-list.jsp>http://www.nsf.gov/od/oise/country-list.jsp).
Submitted proposals should address access to expertise, facilities,
and resources at the New Zealand or Japanese sites. Whenever feasible
or applicable, the proposal should demonstrate true collaboration
with host country counterparts.
Given the scale of physical damage, areas in New Zealand and Japan
may not be accessible to foreign investigators in the near
term. Proposals should include detailed research plans that
incorporate specific details about country entry, if required, and
logistics for data collection. Grantees are responsible for
obtaining required visas for foreign travel and research permits and
clearances. Awardees are expected to adhere to U.S. State Department
guidance regarding travel and stay in New Zealand and Japan:
* U.S. Department of State, Travel Information for New Zealand
(<http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_984.html>http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_984.html)
* U.S. Department of State, Travel Alert for Japan
(<http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1148.html>http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1148.html)
For RAPID proposals, the budget should include travel costs for one
trip to the Arlington, Virginia area to present results of the RAPID
research at a workshop open to the public. The workshop is
anticipated to be held within a year.
The number of projects supported by NSF will depend on the quality of
the proposals received and the availability of funds. While not a
deadline, for timely consideration, submission of RAPID proposals
electronically via the NSF FastLane system or Grants.gov and
supplement requests electronically via the NSF FastLane system by
Friday, April 15, 2011, is encouraged.
NSF looks forward to continuing to work with the research community
on responses to these devastating events.
Sincerely,
Subra Suresh
Director
NSF
