Opportunity Information: Apply for 12 526
Apply for 12 526
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Planning a Partnership Model for a Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope" 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.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 3, 2012 and posted on Jan 3, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 16, 2012 Full Proposal Deadline(s) April 16, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,250,000.00 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) funding opportunity titled "Planning a Partnership Model for a Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope" (Funding Opportunity Number 12-526) supports early-stage planning to organize how the U.S. astronomy community could participate in developing a next-generation Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope (GSMT). The scientific motivation comes from two major National Academy of Sciences survey reports that highlighted GSMTs as essential infrastructure for answering high-priority astrophysics questions across many subfields. Rather than funding telescope construction or guaranteeing a future build, this solicitation focuses on building a credible, workable partnership and governance framework that could position a GSMT effort for potential federal funding consideration in the following decade.
The core purpose is to solicit proposals that lay out an initial framework for a U.S. community partnership tied to a proposed GSMT, drawing on prior, current, or potential future NSF investments in areas like design, construction planning, instrumentation, and operations concepts. In practical terms, applicants are expected to propose how a national community role would be structured, how responsibilities and decision-making would be shared, and how the project would engage a mix of public, private, and international partners. The solicitation anticipates that, after a competitive review, NSF will make a single award to advance a more detailed partnership model under a cooperative agreement, which implies substantial NSF involvement during the project period rather than a hands-off grant.
During the award, the GSMT project leadership, NSF representatives, and members of the U.S. astronomical community are expected to work together closely to clarify roles and expectations in project development. This includes refining what NSF's role would be versus what the broader community and other partners would contribute, and it also includes forward-looking operational planning. That operational planning spans both science operations (how observing time might be allocated, how the community gains access, how scientific priorities are set) and engineering operations (how the facility would be operated, maintained, upgraded, and supported over time). A key deliverable theme is readiness: producing plans and structures that would make the project more competitive and better defined if and when future federal funding opportunities become available after the start of the next decade.
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and uses a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument, under the NSF activity category of Science and Technology and other Research and Development. NSF expected to make one award, with an estimated total funding level of $1,250,000. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated. The CFDA program reference is 47.049 (Mathematical and Physical Sciences), which aligns with astronomy and astrophysics-related infrastructure planning.
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations capable of leading such a planning effort. Proposals may be submitted by for-profit U.S. commercial organizations (with an emphasis on strong scientific or engineering research or education capabilities, including small businesses), by non-profit non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies, and by accredited U.S. colleges and universities acting on behalf of their faculty. This mix is consistent with the partnership theme of the solicitation, since GSMT concepts often involve consortia that blend universities, non-profits, private philanthropy, industry expertise, and international collaborators.
Key dates show the solicitation was posted on January 3, 2012, with a full proposal deadline of April 16, 2012, and an archive date of May 16, 2012. NSF also makes an explicit point that selection for this planning award does not mean NSF has approved a GSMT for construction or future funding. In other words, the award is intended to strengthen the community and partnership planning and to clarify pathways and responsibilities, but it does not commit the federal government to building the telescope.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this NSF funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Planning a Partnership Model for a Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope" (GSMT).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 12-526.
What is the main goal of this opportunity?
The main goal is to support early-stage planning to organize how the U.S. astronomy community could participate in developing a next-generation Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope (GSMT), specifically by creating a credible partnership and governance framework.
Is NSF funding the construction of a Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope through this solicitation?
No. This solicitation is focused on planning and partnership/governance development. It does not fund telescope construction.
Does receiving this award mean NSF has approved a GSMT for construction?
No. NSF explicitly states that selection for this planning award does not mean NSF has approved a GSMT for construction or future funding.
What kind of work is NSF looking to fund under this opportunity?
NSF is looking for proposals that lay out an initial framework for a U.S. community partnership connected to a proposed GSMT. This includes how a national community role would be structured, how responsibilities and decision-making would be shared, and how public, private, and international partners would be engaged.
What is meant by a "partnership model" in this context?
Based on the solicitation description, a partnership model refers to an organized approach for governance and collaboration among the U.S. astronomy community, NSF, and other stakeholders (including public, private, and international partners). It includes roles, responsibilities, and decision-making structures for developing and operating a GSMT concept.
What is the scientific motivation for planning a GSMT partnership model?
The scientific motivation is tied to two major National Academy of Sciences survey reports that identified GSMTs as essential infrastructure for addressing high-priority astrophysics questions across many subfields.
Does this opportunity relate to prior NSF investments?
Yes. The solicitation indicates the partnership framework may draw on prior, current, or potential future NSF investments in areas such as design, construction planning, instrumentation, and operations concepts.
What is the anticipated award structure and NSF involvement?
NSF anticipates making a single award, and the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement implies substantial NSF involvement during the project period, rather than a hands-off grant structure.
How many awards does NSF expect to make?
NSF expected to make one award.
What is the estimated total funding level?
The estimated total funding level is $1,250,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated for this opportunity.
What type of funding is this categorized as?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
What is the NSF activity category associated with this solicitation?
The NSF activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
What is the CFDA program reference?
The CFDA program reference is 47.049 (Mathematical and Physical Sciences).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad across U.S.-based organizations capable of leading the planning effort. Eligible applicants include for-profit U.S. commercial organizations (including small businesses, with an emphasis on strong scientific or engineering research or education capabilities), non-profit non-academic organizations (such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies), and accredited U.S. colleges and universities acting on behalf of their faculty.
Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. For-profit U.S. commercial organizations may submit proposals, with an emphasis on organizations that have strong scientific or engineering research or education capabilities, including small businesses.
Are non-profit organizations eligible even if they are not academic institutions?
Yes. Non-profit non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, and professional societies are eligible.
Can colleges and universities apply?
Yes. Accredited U.S. colleges and universities may apply on behalf of their faculty.
What kinds of partners are expected to be involved in the planning effort?
The solicitation emphasizes engagement of a mix of public, private, and international partners, consistent with the partnership theme and typical GSMT consortium structures.
What collaboration is expected during the award period?
During the award, GSMT project leadership, NSF representatives, and members of the U.S. astronomical community are expected to work closely together to clarify roles and expectations in project development.
What kinds of roles and expectations are expected to be clarified?
The work includes refining what NSF's role would be versus what the broader community and other partners would contribute, along with planning for future project development and operations.
Does the planning effort include operational planning?
Yes. The solicitation includes forward-looking operational planning, spanning both science operations and engineering operations.
What does "science operations" planning cover in this solicitation?
Science operations planning includes how observing time might be allocated, how the community would gain access, and how scientific priorities might be set.
What does "engineering operations" planning cover in this solicitation?
Engineering operations planning includes how the facility would be operated, maintained, upgraded, and supported over time.
What is the key theme of the deliverables for this planning award?
A key theme is readiness: producing plans and structures that make the project more competitive and better defined if and when future federal funding opportunities become available after the start of the next decade.
Is this solicitation intended to position a GSMT project for future federal funding?
Yes. The solicitation is framed to build a workable partnership and governance framework that could position a GSMT effort for potential federal funding consideration in the following decade, without guaranteeing such funding.
When was the solicitation posted?
The solicitation was posted on January 3, 2012.
What was the proposal deadline?
The full proposal deadline was April 16, 2012.
When was the archive date?
The archive date was May 16, 2012.
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