Ocean Sciences Research Initiation Grants | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the Ocean Sciences Research Initiation Grants opportunity (NSF 13-505)?

Ocean Sciences Research Initiation Grants (NSF 13-505) was a National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity run through the Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE). It was designed to provide early, practical start-up research support for researchers from historically under represented groups who had just begun tenure-track (or equivalent) careers in ocean sciences.

2) What were the main goals of the program?

The solicitation was built around two connected aims: (1) helping new investigators establish momentum in independent ocean sciences research programs, and (2) broadening participation in ocean sciences by increasing the presence and success of researchers from groups that have historically been under represented.

3) Which groups did NSF define as under represented for this solicitation?

For NSF 13-505, NSF explicitly defined under represented groups to include women, persons with disabilities, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Pacific Islanders.

4) What kinds of activities or outcomes were the awards intended to support?

The awards were intended to help recipients generate preliminary results, strengthen research independence, and position themselves competitively for larger future grants.

5) What category of federal activity did this solicitation fall under?

The solicitation fell under the science and technology and other research and development activity category.

6) What funding instrument did NSF use for this opportunity?

NSF used the standard NSF grant funding instrument.

7) How many awards did NSF anticipate making and what was the program funding level?

NSF anticipated making about six awards, with an estimated total program funding level of $600,000.

8) What was the minimum award size mentioned in the solicitation?

The solicitation listed an award floor of $100,000.

9) Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The solicitation stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.

10) When was NSF 13-505 originally posted and what was the proposal target date?

The opportunity was originally posted on October 17, 2012. The full proposal target date was January 14, 2013 (the second Monday in January).

11) Was the proposal timing expected to repeat each year?

Yes. The solicitation indicated the January timing would recur annually thereafter.

12) Is this opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity is archived.

13) What replaced NSF 13-505?

NSF 13-505 was replaced by NSF 13-606.

14) When was NSF 13-505 archived?

The archive date listed for NSF 13-505 was September 19, 2013.

15) What organizations were eligible to submit proposals?

Eligible submitting organizations included US-based academic institutions (accredited two- and four-year colleges, including community colleges, and universities with a US campus) submitting on behalf of their faculty. Certain US-based non-profit, non-academic organizations were also eligible, such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar entities associated with education or research.

16) Who was eligible to serve as Principal Investigator (PI) for this solicitation?

The PI had to be a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident at the time of proposal submission.

17) What career-stage requirement applied to the PI?

The PI needed to have accepted or currently hold a tenure-track assistant professor position (or an equivalent research appointment) and must have been in that role no more than three full-time-equivalent years.

18) Did prior federal research grant support disqualify a PI?

Yes, in a specific way. The PI could not have received salary support as a PI or co-PI on a new federal research grant since starting the tenure-track position.

19) Do pending proposals affect eligibility?

No. The solicitation stated that pending proposals did not disqualify an applicant; only grants that had been officially awarded would.

20) Did the proposed work have to fit within a specific NSF scientific scope?

Yes. The proposed work had to fall within the scientific scope of NSF OCE (Division of Ocean Sciences).

21) Could the same project be submitted to another NSF program at the same time?

No. The solicitation stated the PI could not submit the same project to another NSF program.

22) What happened if an application did not meet the eligibility conditions?

NSF stated that if a submission did not meet the eligibility conditions, it would be returned without review.

23) Were co-principal investigators (co-PIs) or senior personnel allowed on proposals?

No. The program design did not permit co-principal investigators or senior personnel on the proposal.

24) Were collaborations with other scientists allowed even though co-PIs were not permitted?

Yes. NSF allowed collaborations with other scientists and also permitted visiting scientist arrangements at other laboratories. This allowed investigators to build partnerships and access facilities or expertise without turning the submission into a multi-PI award.

25) What was the overall intent behind restricting co-PIs and senior personnel?

The restriction was meant to emphasize independent investigator development and give a newly appointed investigator a clear runway to launch an ocean sciences research agenda while reinforcing NSF's broader participation goals.

26) Where did the solicitation point applicants for access and administrative help?

The solicitation referenced NSF Publication 13-505 for access and administrative help.

27) Where could applicants get technical assistance for the electronic announcement process?

Applicants needing technical assistance with the electronic announcement were directed to NSF grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.