Opportunity Information: Apply for PD 15 5342
Apply for PD 15 5342
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "General Age Related Disabilities Engineering" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.041 Engineering Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 7, 2015 and posted on Jul 24, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 20, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $4,600,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) General Age Related Disabilities Engineering (GARDE) program funds fundamental engineering research aimed at creating new technologies, devices, and software that measurably improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, including age-related disabilities. The program is focused on advancing core engineering knowledge rather than simply building or refining a product, and it is especially interested in work that can lead to transformative outcomes. In practical terms, GARDE supports research that helps characterize human function, restore lost function, substitute for impaired function, or improve how a person with a disability interacts with their environment. While a wide range of disability-related engineering topics can fit, the opportunity highlights neuroengineering and rehabilitation robotics as particular priorities.
A strong GARDE proposal is expected to go beyond incremental upgrades and clearly explain what is genuinely new about the approach compared to prior work in the field. NSF emphasizes that applicants should describe the novelty and potentially transformative nature of the research directly in the Project Summary, and they should make a convincing case for why the work matters both for engineering science (the fundamental knowledge gained) and for broader societal or industrial impact (how success could change real-world practice or capabilities). Proposals that ask for significantly more funding than typical levels, or that fall outside the program scope, are at higher risk of being returned without review unless the principal investigator (PI) consults with the Program Director in advance. The solicitation repeatedly encourages contacting the Program Director before submitting, both to confirm fit and to avoid administrative return.
In terms of project structure and budget norms, unsolicited GARDE awards are generally one to three years in duration, with a typical award size of about $100,000 per year. The source information for this posting lists an estimated total funding amount of $4.6 million and an award floor of $240,000, and it notes there is no cost sharing or matching requirement. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), assuming the proposal meets any eligibility details described in the full announcement and complies with NSF policy requirements.
GARDE has also shifted how it supports undergraduate involvement. It no longer directly funds Undergraduate Engineering Design projects aimed at disability needs. Instead, it encourages undergraduate participation through Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) activities focused on improving quality of life for people with disabilities. These REU activities can be supported either as supplements to existing GARDE awards or through separate REU Site proposals submitted under the NSF REU program solicitation, with review coordinated in collaboration with the GARDE Program Director. The practical takeaway is that teams wanting an undergraduate-focused component should route that effort through the REU mechanism rather than treating GARDE as a design-project funding source.
Like many NSF engineering programs, GARDE aligns with several NSF proposal mechanisms beyond standard research proposals. Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) proposals are strongly encouraged, with a typical five-year award period and an annual July deadline for engineering CAREER submissions. The program also notes that conference, workshop, and supplement proposals should be discussed with the Program Director before submission. Likewise, RAPID (Rapid Response Research) and EAGER (EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research) proposals may be considered when appropriate, but they require prior discussion with the Program Director. GOALI (industry-academic partnership) proposals are encouraged when they combine fundamental research with translational outcomes consistent with the program interests, and they must be submitted during the annual unsolicited proposal window.
Finally, the opportunity underscores strict compliance and timing requirements. Proposals that do not follow the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) can be returned without review, and unsolicited proposals submitted outside the announced proposal window dates can also be returned without review. The archived opportunity details list the posting date as July 24, 2015, with an original and current closing date of October 20, 2015, and an archive date of November 19, 2016. The sponsoring agency is NSF under CFDA 47.041 (Engineering Grants), and the funding instrument is a grant under the science and technology research and development category.
FAQs: NSF General Age Related Disabilities Engineering (GARDE) Program
What is the NSF GARDE program?
The National Science Foundation (NSF) General Age Related Disabilities Engineering (GARDE) program funds fundamental engineering research aimed at creating new technologies, devices, and software that measurably improve quality of life for people with disabilities, including age-related disabilities. The program is centered on advancing core engineering knowledge rather than simply building or refining a product.
What kinds of outcomes does GARDE want to enable?
GARDE supports research that can (1) characterize human function, (2) restore lost function, (3) substitute for impaired function, or (4) improve how a person with a disability interacts with their environment. NSF is especially interested in work with potentially transformative outcomes.
Which research areas are specifically highlighted as priorities?
The opportunity highlights neuroengineering and rehabilitation robotics as particular priorities, while also allowing a wide range of other disability-related engineering topics that fit the program goals.
Is GARDE focused on product development or fundamental research?
GARDE is focused on fundamental engineering research and advancing core engineering knowledge. Proposals should not be framed as primarily product development, incremental refinement, or routine engineering upgrades.
What does NSF mean by “transformative” in the context of GARDE proposals?
Within this program framing, “transformative” means the work goes beyond incremental advances and could meaningfully change what is possible in the field. A strong proposal clearly explains what is genuinely new compared to prior work and why success would matter for both engineering science and broader real-world impact.
Where should the proposal explain novelty and broader impacts?
NSF emphasizes that applicants should describe the novelty and potentially transformative nature of the research directly in the Project Summary, and make a clear case for (1) the fundamental engineering knowledge gained and (2) potential broader societal or industrial impact.
What is a typical project duration for an unsolicited GARDE award?
Unsolicited GARDE awards are generally one to three years in duration.
What is a typical GARDE award size?
A typical award size is about $100,000 per year. The source information for this posting also lists an award floor of $240,000 and an estimated total funding amount of $4.6 million.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The posting notes there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), assuming the proposal meets any eligibility details described in the full announcement and complies with NSF policy requirements.
Why does NSF encourage contacting the Program Director before submitting?
The solicitation repeatedly encourages contacting the Program Director to confirm fit with the GARDE scope and to reduce the risk of an administrative return. This is especially important if the project seems outside scope or requests significantly more funding than typical levels.
When is a proposal more likely to be returned without review?
The opportunity notes several higher-risk situations for being returned without review, including proposals that fall outside the program scope, proposals requesting significantly more funding than typical levels without prior consultation, proposals that do not follow NSF’s Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG), and unsolicited proposals submitted outside the announced proposal window dates.
Does GARDE fund undergraduate engineering design projects focused on disability needs?
No. GARDE no longer directly funds Undergraduate Engineering Design projects aimed at disability needs.
How can undergraduates be involved if GARDE does not fund undergraduate design projects?
The program encourages undergraduate participation through Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) activities focused on improving quality of life for people with disabilities. These REU activities can be supported as supplements to existing GARDE awards or through separate REU Site proposals submitted under the NSF REU program solicitation, with review coordinated in collaboration with the GARDE Program Director.
If a team wants an undergraduate-focused component, what is the recommended route?
The practical takeaway described is to route undergraduate-focused efforts through the REU mechanism rather than treating GARDE as a design-project funding source.
Are NSF CAREER proposals relevant to GARDE?
Yes. Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) proposals are strongly encouraged. The program notes a typical five-year award period and an annual July deadline for engineering CAREER submissions.
Can conference, workshop, or supplement proposals be submitted under GARDE?
The program notes that conference, workshop, and supplement proposals should be discussed with the Program Director before submission.
Does GARDE consider RAPID or EAGER proposals?
RAPID (Rapid Response Research) and EAGER (EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research) proposals may be considered when appropriate, but they require prior discussion with the Program Director.
Are industry-academic partnerships supported?
Yes. GOALI (industry-academic partnership) proposals are encouraged when they combine fundamental research with translational outcomes consistent with the program interests, and they must be submitted during the annual unsolicited proposal window.
What compliance rules are emphasized for GARDE submissions?
The opportunity underscores strict compliance with NSF’s Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Proposals not following PAPPG can be returned without review.
What timing rules are emphasized for unsolicited proposals?
Unsolicited proposals submitted outside the announced proposal window dates can be returned without review.
What dates are listed in the archived opportunity details?
The archived details list a posting date of July 24, 2015, an original and current closing date of October 20, 2015, and an archive date of November 19, 2016.
Which NSF program and funding classification identifiers are associated with this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the National Science Foundation (NSF). The CFDA listing provided is 47.041 (Engineering Grants). The funding instrument is a grant, and the category is science and technology research and development.
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