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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - NSF Next Generation National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NG NNIN) (Funding Opportunity 13-521)

What is this NSF funding opportunity about?

This NSF opportunity was an open competition to create a Next Generation National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NG NNIN) to succeed the original National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN) after NNIN reached the end of its ten-year award period at the close of Fiscal Year 2013.

What was the main goal of NG NNIN?

The goal was to fund a single, coordinated national network for Fiscal Years 2014 through 2018 that would preserve what worked in NNIN while expanding the network's scope, capabilities, and user community.

How many awards did NSF expect to make under this solicitation?

NSF anticipated making one award, reflecting an intent to support a single, unified national network rather than multiple independent awards.

What was the estimated total funding level?

The estimated total funding level was $16,000,000.

What funding mechanism was used?

The solicitation used a cooperative agreement mechanism, which typically indicates substantial NSF involvement during the award, such as oversight, coordination, performance expectations, and network-level integration.

What is the NG NNIN concept in practical terms?

NG NNIN was designed as a nationwide system of university-based user facilities providing broad, open access to advanced nanotechnology fabrication and characterization tools, specialized instrumentation, and expert staff to train and support users.

Who was the network designed to serve?

The network was designed to serve researchers and innovators from academia, industry (including small businesses and large companies), and government by providing access to state-of-the-art facilities that are often too expensive or complex for most organizations to build and maintain independently.

What kinds of capabilities and resources were expected to be available through the network?

The network emphasized access to advanced nanotechnology fabrication and characterization tools, specialized instrumentation, and expert staff support, with an expectation that the infrastructure would function as shared national research infrastructure.

Did the solicitation focus only on operating facilities like cleanrooms and toolsets?

No. Beyond operating facilities, the mission explicitly included workforce development and national education and outreach programs, alongside a broadened reach and a larger, more diverse user base.

What did the solicitation say about education, outreach, and workforce development?

Education and outreach were explicit parts of the network mission, aimed at strengthening and diversifying the science and engineering pipeline, alongside workforce development activities.

Was responsible development of nanotechnology part of the NG NNIN mission?

Yes. The solicitation retained a focus on responsible development, including research and programming related to societal and ethical implications and to environmental, health, and safety considerations.

Were modeling and simulation included in the expected scope?

Yes. Modeling and simulation capabilities were called out as part of the core mission, reflecting expectations that modern nanotechnology infrastructure should integrate experimental fabrication and characterization with computational tools to design, predict, and interpret nanoscale behavior.

Which NSF program or funding opportunity number identifies this solicitation?

The NSF Funding Opportunity Number for this solicitation was 13-521.

Which NSF organizations participated in supporting the program?

The program was supported broadly across NSF, with participation from all NSF Directorates and the Office of International Science and Engineering, highlighting that the infrastructure was intended to serve many disciplines.

What disciplines or CFDA areas were associated with this opportunity?

The listed CFDA areas spanned Engineering; Mathematical and Physical Sciences; Geosciences; Computer and Information Science and Engineering; Biological Sciences; Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences; Education and Human Resources; and the Office of International Science and Engineering.

Who was eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility was centered on U.S. academic institutions, which were eligible to submit proposals or participate as part of an integrated network of user facilities.

Could non-academic U.S. organizations participate?

Yes. Non-academic U.S. institutions and organizations (including national laboratories and private sector companies) could participate in network activities, but they were expected to do so using their own resources rather than receiving NSF support through the award.

Could non-U.S. institutions participate?

Yes. Non-U.S. institutions could participate in network activities, but they were expected to do so using their own resources rather than receiving NSF support through the award.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching.

What were the key dates for the competition?

The timeline required a letter of intent by April 1, 2013 (by 5 p.m. local time) and full proposals due May 13, 2013.

When was the opportunity originally posted?

The opportunity was originally posted on December 13, 2012.

Is this funding opportunity still active?

No. The opportunity is archived.

What time period was the funded network intended to cover?

The intent was to support the NG NNIN for Fiscal Years 2014 through 2018.

Why did NSF create NG NNIN instead of continuing NNIN?

NNIN was reaching the end of its ten-year award period at the close of Fiscal Year 2013, and NSF sought a next-generation network that preserved successful elements while expanding reach, capabilities, and the user community.

What did NSF say about the impact of the original NNIN?

The solicitation emphasized that NNIN demonstrated strong national value by enabling discoveries and technological advances across essentially all areas of nanoscale science and engineering, while also contributing to education and commercial innovation.

Was the network intended to be multidisciplinary?

Yes. Broad participation across all NSF Directorates and the range of CFDA areas reinforced that the infrastructure was meant to serve many disciplines and support multidisciplinary impact.