Opportunity Information: Apply for 10 562
Apply for 10 562
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Management and Operations of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.049 Mathematical and Physical Sciences 47.050 Geosciences.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 29, 2010 and posted on Apr 29, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 1, 2010 Letter of Intent Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m. proposers local time) August 02, 2010 Full Proposal Deadline(s) October 01, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $41,200,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Organization Limit Proposals may only be submitted by the following For profit organizations U.S. commercial organizations, especially small businesses with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education. Non profit, non academic organizations Independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies and similar organizations in the U.S. associated with educational or research activities. Universities and Colleges Universities and two and four year colleges (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Such organizations also are referred to as academic institutions.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
This NSF opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 10-562) sought proposals from qualified organizations to take on the management and operations of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC) via a cooperative agreement. NAIC was described as a center of excellence for multidisciplinary research and education built around the observational capabilities of the Arecibo Observatory (AO) near Arecibo, Puerto Rico, situated on roughly 120 acres of U.S. Government owned land. The core asset highlighted in the announcement was Arecibo's 305-meter fixed spherical reflector, described at the time as the world's largest single-dish radio telescope and the most powerful scientific radar system, with unique strengths for passive radio astronomy, solar system radar astronomy, and space and atmospheric (ionospheric) sciences.
The central purpose of the award was not simply to keep the facility running, but to sustain and advance "frontier science" enabled by Arecibo's distinctive capabilities while promoting a culture of excellence. NSF emphasized an active, collaborative relationship between the awardee, NSF, and the broader scientific community. Within available resources and in cooperation with NSF, the operator was expected to plan and carry out a coherent, viable, and inclusive program of research and education that reflected community objectives and priorities. In other words, the selected organization would be responsible for ensuring Arecibo functioned as an integrated national research and education facility, serving multiple scientific stakeholder communities rather than a narrow set of users or disciplines.
From an operational standpoint, the awardee would be responsible for managing facilities and equipment provided by NSF, supplying additional facilities and equipment as needed to deliver the proposed program scope, and providing the technical and support staff required to operate and maintain the observatory. The solicitation made clear that strong facility stewardship was essential: proposals needed to address maintenance of instruments, facilities, and infrastructure, as well as the systems and processes needed to provide reliable observing capabilities and high-quality scientific data products to the user community.
From a programmatic standpoint, NSF expected proposals to go beyond operations and describe a competitive research portfolio and an integrated education, training, and outreach program. Because AO/NAIC was positioned as a multidisciplinary resource, a significant portion of the research and education program was expected to be conducted in collaboration with relevant stakeholder communities. Proposing teams were also asked to explain how they would manage and develop a skilled and diverse workforce, and how they would build appropriate partnerships with universities, industry, private organizations, and the international community in support of NAIC's mission and long-term impact.
The funding instrument was a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial NSF involvement during performance (for example, coordination on priorities, oversight, and joint planning) rather than a more hands-off grant. NSF anticipated making one award, with an estimated total funding level of about $41.2 million, and stated a five-year duration beginning October 1, 2011. The opportunity was categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, with CFDA numbers 47.049 (Mathematical and Physical Sciences) and 47.050 (Geosciences). Cost sharing was not required.
Eligibility was broad across U.S.-based organizational types capable of operating a complex scientific facility. The solicitation allowed proposals from for-profit U.S. commercial organizations (with an emphasis on organizations, including small businesses, having strong scientific or engineering research/education capabilities), non-profit non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, and research labs, and accredited U.S. colleges and universities (two-year and four-year, including community colleges) acting on behalf of their faculty. The announcement noted "Others (see text)" in the high-level field, but the detailed eligibility language focused on those three main categories and required that academic applicants be accredited and have a campus located in the United States.
Key dates included a posted/created date of April 29, 2010, a required letter of intent due August 2, 2010 (by 5 p.m. local time), and a full proposal deadline of October 1, 2010. The primary agency contact pathway referenced NSF's Grants.gov support email (grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) for access and submission issues, and the announcement pointed applicants to NSF Publication 10-562 for the full details and requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this NSF funding opportunity?
This is an NSF solicitation (Funding Opportunity Number 10-562) seeking proposals from qualified organizations to manage and operate the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC) through a cooperative agreement.
2) What facility is at the center of NAIC?
NAIC was described as a center of excellence built around the observational capabilities of the Arecibo Observatory (AO) near Arecibo, Puerto Rico, located on roughly 120 acres of U.S. Government owned land.
3) What are Arecibo Observatory's key scientific capabilities highlighted in the announcement?
The solicitation highlighted Arecibo's 305-meter fixed spherical reflector, described at the time as the world's largest single-dish radio telescope and the most powerful scientific radar system. Unique strengths noted included passive radio astronomy, solar system radar astronomy, and space and atmospheric (ionospheric) sciences.
4) What is the main purpose of the award?
The purpose was not only to keep the facility operating, but to sustain and advance "frontier science" enabled by Arecibo's distinctive capabilities while promoting a culture of excellence.
5) What is NSF expecting from the operator beyond basic operations?
NSF expected proposals to include: (a) strong facility stewardship and reliable observing capabilities, (b) a competitive research portfolio, and (c) an integrated education, training, and outreach program, aligned with community objectives and priorities.
6) What does NSF mean by an active, collaborative relationship?
The solicitation emphasized an active and collaborative relationship between the awardee, NSF, and the broader scientific community, including cooperation with NSF on priorities, oversight, and joint planning.
7) What type of funding instrument will NSF use?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial NSF involvement during the period of performance rather than a hands-off grant.
8) How many awards does NSF expect to make?
NSF anticipated making one award.
9) What is the estimated total funding level and project period?
The estimated total funding level was about $41.2 million for a five-year duration beginning October 1, 2011.
10) Is cost sharing required?
No. The solicitation stated that cost sharing was not required.
11) What kinds of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad across U.S.-based organizational types capable of operating a complex scientific facility. The solicitation allowed proposals from:
- For-profit U.S. commercial organizations (including small businesses) with strong scientific or engineering research/education capabilities
- Non-profit non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, and research laboratories
- Accredited U.S. colleges and universities (two-year and four-year, including community colleges) acting on behalf of their faculty
12) Are there any specific requirements for academic institutions?
Yes. Academic applicants were required to be accredited and have a campus located in the United States.
13) Does the opportunity mention any additional eligible applicant types?
The high-level eligibility field noted "Others (see text)," but the detailed eligibility language focused on the three main categories listed in the solicitation.
14) What operational responsibilities would the awardee take on?
The awardee would be responsible for managing facilities and equipment provided by NSF, supplying additional facilities and equipment needed to deliver the proposed program scope, and providing the technical and support staff required to operate and maintain the observatory.
15) What does NSF expect regarding maintenance and facility stewardship?
NSF described strong facility stewardship as essential. Proposals needed to address maintenance of instruments, facilities, and infrastructure, plus the systems and processes needed to provide reliable observing capabilities and high-quality scientific data products to the user community.
16) What does "integrated national research and education facility" mean in this context?
It means the operator would be responsible for ensuring Arecibo functioned as an integrated facility serving multiple scientific stakeholder communities, not just a narrow set of users or a single discipline.
17) What programmatic elements were expected in proposed research and education efforts?
NSF expected proposals to describe a coherent, viable, and inclusive program of research and education that reflects community objectives and priorities, and that is carried out within available resources and in cooperation with NSF.
18) Was collaboration with the scientific community expected?
Yes. Because AO/NAIC was positioned as a multidisciplinary resource, a significant portion of the research and education program was expected to be conducted in collaboration with relevant stakeholder communities.
19) What workforce expectations were included in the solicitation?
Proposing teams were asked to explain how they would manage and develop a skilled and diverse workforce to support NAIC's mission.
20) Were partnerships encouraged as part of the NAIC program?
Yes. The solicitation asked proposers to explain how they would build appropriate partnerships with universities, industry, private organizations, and the international community in support of NAIC's mission and long-term impact.
21) What is the program area/category for this opportunity?
The opportunity was categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
22) What CFDA numbers were associated with this opportunity?
The solicitation listed CFDA 47.049 (Mathematical and Physical Sciences) and 47.050 (Geosciences).
23) What were the key dates for submission?
- Posted/created date: April 29, 2010
- Letter of intent due: August 2, 2010 (by 5 p.m. local time)
- Full proposal deadline: October 1, 2010
24) Was a letter of intent required?
Yes. The solicitation indicated a required letter of intent due August 2, 2010, by 5 p.m. local time.
25) Where should applicants go for official submission access and technical help?
For access and submission issues, the primary contact pathway referenced NSF's Grants.gov support email: grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
26) Where are the full details and requirements published?
The announcement directed applicants to NSF Publication 10-562 for the full details and requirements.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: RECOVERY Repair Deteriorating Trail and Footbridges with The Student Conservation Association, Inc. YELL 121640 14 1035
Previous opportunity: Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services Program
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for 10 562
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (10 562) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| 2010 Voting Technology and Accessibility Research Military Heroes Initiative Apply for EAC20103 Funding Number: EAC20103 Agency: Election Assistance Commission Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| WaterSMART Research Grants to Develop Climate Analysis Tools Apply for R10SF80326 Funding Number: R10SF80326 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU Apply for 10HQPA0054 Funding Number: 10HQPA0054 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DARPA Information Processing Techniques Office (IPTO) Broad Agency Announcement Apply for DARPA BAA 10 08 Funding Number: DARPA BAA 10 08 Agency: DARPA Information Processing Technology Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosytem Studies Unit, North West Alaska CESU Apply for 10HQPA0055 Funding Number: 10HQPA0055 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Gulf Coast CESU Apply for 10HQPA0057 Funding Number: 10HQPA0057 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, North West Alaska CESU Apply for 10HQPA0059 Funding Number: 10HQPA0059 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU Apply for 10HQPA0058 Funding Number: 10HQPA0058 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2010 Climate and Biological Response Research and Applications Apply for NNH10ZDA001N BIOCLIM Funding Number: NNH10ZDA001N BIOCLIM Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2010 Atmospheric Composition Aura Science Team Apply for NNH10ZDA001N AURA Funding Number: NNH10ZDA001N AURA Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Are threatened high elevation spruce fir forest impacted by aluminum toxicity and calcium loss Apply for NPS NOI GRSM 10 GR02 Funding Number: NPS NOI GRSM 10 GR02 Agency: National Park Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $25,523 |
| Archeological Data Recovery at the Elbee and Karishta sites, Knife River Indian Villages NHS Apply for NPS NOI KNRI 10 GP01 Funding Number: NPS NOI KNRI 10 GP01 Agency: National Park Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Office of Health Affairs Bio Preparedness Collaboratory Apply for DHS 10 OHA 122 001 Funding Number: DHS 10 OHA 122 001 Agency: Office of Procurement Operations Grants Division Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Defense Sciences Research and Technology Apply for DARPA BAA 10 55 Funding Number: DARPA BAA 10 55 Agency: DARPA Defense Sciences Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Recovery Act FY 2010 SBIR/STTR Phase II Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0000363 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000363 Agency: Chicago Service Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| TCTO Office Wide BAA Apply for DARPA BAA 10 61 Funding Number: DARPA BAA 10 61 Agency: DARPA Transformational Convergence Technology Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2010 Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry Apply for NNH10ZDA001N OBB Funding Number: NNH10ZDA001N OBB Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Clinical Consortium Award Apply for W81XWH 10 PRORP ORCCA Funding Number: W81XWH 10 PRORP ORCCA Agency: Dept. of the Army USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Tribal Colleges and Universities Project (TCUP) Apply for NNG10ZNE005C Funding Number: NNG10ZNE005C Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY 2010 Harriett G. Jenkins Pre Doctoral Fellowship Project (JPFP) Apply for NNA10335625C Funding Number: NNA10335625C Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "10 562", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.