[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 251 (Monday, December 30, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68717-68720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-33134]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[Docket No. 961030302-6302-01]
RIN 0693-ZA12
Physics Laboratory 1997 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships
(SURF)--Partnerships in Atomic, Molecular and Optical (AMO) Physics
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Through Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, the program
``SURFing the Physics, Lab: A Partnership for AMO Physics'' will
provide an opportunity for the Physics Laboratory of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Science
Foundation to join in partnership with American colleges and
universities, to encourage outstanding physics students to pursue
scientific careers. This program will function by exposing students to
the world class atomic, molecular, optical and radiation physicists and
facilities in the NIST Physics Laboratory, and by strengthening
undergraduate AMO physics curricula by forming the basis of ongoing
collaborations. The NIST
[[Page 68718]]
program director will work with physics department chairs and directors
of multi-disciplinary centers of excellence to identify outstanding
undergraduates (including graduating seniors) who would benefit from
off-campus summer research in an honors academy environment. We
recommend a group of two candidates plus one alternate to be nominated
by each institution, although larger or smaller groups will be given
equal consideration. The selected group of about twenty-give (25)
students will spend approximately twelve (12) weeks at the Physics
Laboratory's Gaitherburgh, MD campus, working one-on-one with NIST
staff physicists actively engaged in projects that combine the quest
for fundamental knowledge and direct applications to problems of
national importance. The 12-week stipend for the summer of 1997 will be
$3600. Students and NIST research advisors will be paired, based on the
student's background and interests, in the spring. This allows for
adequate dialog between the student, the student's physics professors
and the NIST advisor. It also ensures that the student arrives at NIST
ready to contribute, and prepares the student's physics professor for
follow-up in the fall. Good overlap of research interest will
facilitate collaborations between NIST and the participating academic
partners. The students will live in a nearby furnished apartment
complex and participate in the many NIST seminars and in a weekly
SURFing the Physics Lab Summer Seminar Series. The students will all
present a research seminar at NIST and be encouraged to participate in
a local or national scientific conference during the following academic
year. Given the significant lack of diversity in the present physics
work force, we encourage students from under-represented groups to
apply. Costs for this program (stipend, travel and housing) will be
shared by NIST, NSF and the participating schools.
DATES: Proposals must be received no later than the close of business
February 14, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Applicants must submit one signed original plus two (2)
copies of the proposal along with the Grant Application, Standard Form
424 (Rev. 4/92) to: Physics Laboratory, Attn: Dr. Paul D. Lett,
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Building 221, Room A-
167, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Paul D. Lett, (301) 975-6559.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Name and Number
Measurement and Engineering Research and Standards; 11.609
Authority
The Act of March 3, 1901, as amended (15 U.S.C. 278g-l) authorizes
the National Institute of Standards and Technology to expend up to 1
per centum of the funds appropriated for activities of NIST in any
fiscal year, as the Director deems appropriate, for financial
assistance awards in the form of cooperative agreements to students at
institutions of higher learning within the United States. These
students must show promise as present or future contributors to the
missions of NIST. Cooperative Agreements are awarded to assure
continued growth and progress of science and engineering in the United
States, including the encouragement of women and minority students to
continue their professional development.
Program Description
The objective of this partnership is to build a mutually beneficial
relationship between the student, the institution of higher learning,
and NIST. This is the fourth year of a program partially funded by the
NSF Physics Division as a Research Experience for Undergraduates Site
(REU). Between 20 and 50% of the associated student stipends, travel
and housing will be provided in cost sharing by the individual
participating institutions.
NIST is one of the nation's premiere institutions for the physical
sciences and, as the lead agency for technology transfer, is providing
a strong interface between government, industry, and academia; on-site
researchers at NIST come from a broad range of colleges and industries.
Owing to its unique mission to support the U.S. economy by working with
industry, NIST embodies a special science culture, developed from a
large and well-equipped research staff that enthusiastically blends
programs that address the immediate needs of industry with longer-term
research that anticipates future needs. This synergy occurs in few
other places and enables the Physics Laboratory to offer unique
research and training opportunities for undergraduates, providing them
a research-rich environment and exposure to state of the art equipment,
as well as to scientists at work and to professional contacts that
represent future employment possibilities.
Attending to the long term needs of many U.S. high-technology
industries, NIST's Physics Laboratory conducts basic research in the
areas of quantum, electron, optical, atomic, molecular, and radiation
physics. This is complemented by applied research devoted to overcoming
barriers to the next technological revolution, in which individual
atoms and molecules will serve as the fundamental building blocks of
electronic and optical devices. To achieve these goals, staff develop
and utilize highly specialized equipment, such as polarized electron
microscopes, scanning tunneling microscopes, lasers, and x-ray and
synchrotron radiation sources. Research projects can be theoretical or
experimental, and will range in focus from quantum electrodynamics,
through trapping atoms and choreographing molecular collisions, to
ionizing radiation. SURF students will work one-on-one with our
nation's top physical scientists both from NIST and from some of our
nation's leading, high tech industries. It is anticipated that
successful SURF students will move from a position of reliance on
guidance from their research advisors to one of research independence
during the twelve-week period. One goal of this partnership is to
provide opportunities for our nation's next generation of scientists
and engineers to engage in world-class scientific research at NIST,
especially in ground-breaking areas of emerging technologies. This
carries with it the hope of motivating these individuals to pursue a
Ph.D. in physics and to consider research careers. SURFing the Physics
Lab will attempt to forge partnerships with NSF and with post-secondary
institutions that demonstrate strong, hands-on undergraduate science
curricula, especially those with a demonstrated commitment to the
education of women, minorities and students with disabilities. This
program will be open to all U.S. citizens interested in AMO physics.
Eligibility
Colleges and universities with degree granting programs in areas of
AMO physics.
Funding Availability
The NIST Physics Laboratory will commit approximately $45,000 to
support cooperative agreements under this program. The NIST Physics
Laboratory's REU Program is anticipating renewal of funding by the NSF
at a level between $50,000 and $70,000 per year. The anticipated direct
and indirect cost for stipends, travel and housing and conference
attendance for up to twenty-five students is about
[[Page 68719]]
$150,000. The actual number of awards made under this announcement will
depend on the level of cost sharing by our academic partners. The
issuance of awards is contingent upon the availability of funding.
Proposal Review Process
All proposals will be reviewed by a panel of three NIST scientists
appointed by the Program Director. Proposals should include the
following:
(A) Student Information:
(1) official transcript for each student nominated with a
recommended G.P.A. of 3.0 or better;
(2) a personal statement from each student and statement of
commitment to participate in the 1997 SURF program, including a
description of the student's prioritized research interests;
(3) a resume for each student; and
(4) two letters of recommendation for each student. All references
to student include the proposed alternate.
(B) Information About the Applicant Institution:
(1) description of the applicant's education and research
philosophy, faculty interests, on-campus research program(s) and
opportunities, and overlapping research interests of NIST and the
institution; and
(2) a statement addressing issues of academic credit and commitment
to cost sharing.
Application Kit
An application kit, containing all required application forms and
certifications is available by calling Marilyn King at (301) 975-3200.
An application kit includes the following:
SF 424 (Rev 4/92)--Application for Federal assistance
SF 424A (Rev 4/92)--Budget information--Non-Construction Programs
SF 424B (Rev 4/92)--Assurances--Non-Construction Programs
CD 511 (7/91)--Certification regarding debarment, suspension, and other
responsibility matters; drug-free workplace requirements and lobbying
CD 512 (7/91)--Certification regarding debarment, suspension,
ineligibility and voluntary exclusions--lower tier covered transactions
and lobbying
SF-LLL Disclosure of lobbying activities
Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation of Student's Academic Ability and Commitment to Program
Goals (35%): Includes, but is not limited to, evaluation of the
following: Completed course work; expressed research interest; prior
research experience; grade point average in courses relevant to
program; career plans; honors and activities.
Evaluation of Applicant Institution's Commitment to Program Goals
(35%): Includes, but is not limited to, evaluation of the following:
Institution's focus on AMO physics; overlap between research interests
of the institution and NIST; emphasis on undergraduate hands-on
research; undergraduate participation in research conferences/programs;
on-campus research facilities; past participation by students/
institution in such programs; and commitment to educate women/
minorities, and persons with disabilities. Evaluation of Applicant
Institution's Cost Sharing (30%): In the spirit of a true partnership,
successful applicants will be encouraged to contribute matching funds.
A suggested level of participation would be to directly cover student
travel (one round trip by common carrier) and housing costs
(approximately $1500); a higher level of participation, such as partial
payment of the student's stipend, stated intent to support the
participating students at a research conference, and/or awarding of
academic credit, will be given extra merit in the evaluation process.
Award decisions shall be based upon total evaluation score.
Award Period
The 1997 Physics Laboratory SURFing Partnership is anticipated to
run between May 27 through August 15, 1997; adjustments may be made to
accommodate specific academic schedules (e.g., a limited number of 10-
week cooperative agreements).
Paperwork Reduction Act
The Standard Form 424 and other Standard Forms in the application
kit are subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act and
have been approved by OMB under Control Nos. 0348-0043, 0348-0044,
0348-0040, and 0348-0046.
Additional Requirements
Primary Application Certifications
All primary applicants must submit a completed form CD-511,
``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other
Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and
Lobbying,'' and the following explanations must be provided:
1. Nonprocurement debarment and suspension. Prospective
participants (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, Section 105) are subject to
15 CFR Part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
2. Drug-free workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26,
Section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Governmentwide
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section
of the certification form prescribed above applies;
3. Anti-lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR Part 28, Section
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352,
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal
contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of
the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids
for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than
$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the
single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever
is greater.
4. Anti-lobbying disclosure. Any applicant that has paid or will
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of
Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR Part 28, Appendix B.
5. Lower-tier certifications. Recipients shall require applicants/
bidders for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier
covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit, if
applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding
Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier
Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and disclosure form, SF-LLL,
``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' Form CD-512 is intended for the
use of recipients and should not be transmitted to NIST. SF-LLL
submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient should be submitted to
NIST in accordance with the instructions contained in the award
document.
Preaward Activities
Applicants who incur any costs prior to an award being made do so
solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the Government.
Notwithstanding any verbal assurance that may have been provided, there
is no obligation on the part of NIST to cover preaward costs.
No Obligation for Future Funding
If an application is accepted for funding, DOC has no obligation to
provide any additional future funding in connection with that award.
Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of
performance is at the total discretion of NIST.
[[Page 68720]]
Past Performance
Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may result in
an application not being considered for funding.
False Statements
A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or
termination of funds, and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or
imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
Delinquent Federal Debts
No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has an
outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either:
1. The delinquent account is paid in full,
2. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one
payment is received, or
3. Other arrangements satisfactory to DoC are made.
Indirect Costs
The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the
proposed direct cost dollar amount in the application whichever is
less.
Purchase of American-made Equipment and Products
Applicants are hereby notified that they are encouraged, to the
greatest practicable extent, to purchase American-made equipment and
products with funding provided under this program.
Federal Policies and Procedures
Recipients and subrecipients under the Physics Laboratory Program
shall be subject to all Federal laws and Federal and Departmental
regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to financial
assistance awards. The SURF program does not directly affect any state
or local government. Applicants are reminded of the applicability of
Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.''
Executive Order Statement
This funding notice was determined to be ``not significant'' for
purses of Executive Order 12866.
Dated: December 18, 1996.
Samuel Kramer
Associate Director.
[FR Doc. 96-33134 Filed 12-27-96; 8:45 am]
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