Curatorial Stewardship of a National Collection of Geological Rock & Sediment Cores from Antarctica and the Southern Ocean | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this NSF funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 16-563) about?

This opportunity is focused on selecting a new long-term steward for a nationally important collection of geological rock and sediment cores from Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, collected through the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). The purpose is to ensure the collection is professionally curated, preserved, and kept accessible for ongoing and future scientific use.

Is this funding meant to support a short-term research project?

No. The goal is not to fund a typical investigator-driven research project. Instead, the funding supports long-term infrastructure and stewardship: the day-to-day operation of a core repository and the ongoing curation and preservation of physical core materials that have long-term scientific value.

What does NSF mean by "stewardship" in this solicitation?

Stewardship here refers to reliable, professional management of the core repository and its holdings. That includes maintaining appropriate storage conditions, preserving materials so they remain scientifically valuable over time, organizing and tracking the collection, and ensuring the materials remain accessible to the scientific community.

Why is NSF seeking a new organization to manage the collection?

At the time of the solicitation, the Antarctic Marine Geology Research Facility (AMGRF) at Florida State University (FSU) served as the repository. NSF issued this solicitation because FSU informed NSF that continuing to operate AMGRF was no longer central to the university's long-term plans. As a result, NSF needed to transition stewardship to another capable organization.

What repository held the collection at the time of the solicitation?

The collection was housed at the Antarctic Marine Geology Research Facility (AMGRF) at Florida State University. AMGRF had served as the repository since 1963.

How large is the facility described in the solicitation?

The solicitation describes a facility of roughly 10,000 square feet. It includes a large cold room of about 6,000 square feet maintained at 34 degrees F, a walk-in freezer maintained at about -27 degrees F, and associated office and laboratory space.

What types of materials are included in the collection?

The collection includes marine sediment and drill cores gathered from Antarctica and the Southern Ocean through USAP research cruises, plus associated samples from grab samples and core catchers.

How extensive is the core collection?

The solicitation describes approximately 21,400 meters of marine sediment and drill cores collected across more than 90 USAP research cruises.

How are the cores stored (what formats are mentioned)?

Storage formats vary due to different collection methods and historical practices. The solicitation lists: about 5,300 meters stored in core boxes; roughly 6,000 meters of piston cores stored in plastic sleeves in sections up to 3.5 meters; about 600 meters in other container types; and approximately 10,500 meters stored in D-tubes.

Are any materials stored at very low temperatures?

Yes, but only a small fraction. The solicitation notes that less than 100 meters of core material is stored at -20 degrees F.

Does the repository include additional samples besides the main cores?

Yes. The facility also holds an estimated 5,000 bags of related samples from grab samples and core catchers.

What makes the repository logistically complex?

The solicitation emphasizes that the collection is large and diverse, with different storage formats, packaging, and environmental requirements. Managing the collection requires careful tracking and maintenance across varied conditions to preserve long-term scientific value.

What is the main responsibility of the new awardee?

The new awardee would provide core curation services for geological cores collected in polar regions. Responsibilities include ensuring the materials remain secure, preserved under appropriate environmental conditions, and organized so they continue to support the scientific community.

What kind of award mechanism is used?

The funding mechanism is a Cooperative Agreement. The solicitation notes that this generally implies substantial NSF involvement during the award period compared to a typical grant.

How long is the initial award period?

The initial operating period is five years, beginning October 1, 2017.

Is there a possibility of renewal beyond the first five years?

Yes. Before the end of the first five-year period, NSF plans a programmatic review. The outcome of that review will inform whether the Cooperative Agreement is renewed for an additional five-year term.

What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?

The listing shows an award ceiling of $350,000.

How is this opportunity categorized?

It is described as discretionary funding in the science and technology/research and development category, under CFDA number 47.050.

What was the proposal deadline?

The closing date listed for proposals was August 3, 2016.

What is the larger purpose of this award from NSF's perspective?

The opportunity is intended to protect and maintain a high-value, irreplaceable physical archive that underpins decades of federally supported polar earth science research. The goal is to keep the archive intact and usable so future researchers can locate, request, and analyze cores and samples under well-managed curatorial practices.

How should potential applicants think about this opportunity compared to a standard NSF research grant?

The solicitation is best understood as a national infrastructure and stewardship award for polar geoscience, rather than a typical research grant. It centers on long-term repository operations, preservation, and access to materials, not on producing research findings from a short-term project.