[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 7756-7759] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: X98-10217] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Institute of Standards and Technology [Docket No. 971029258-7258-01] RIN: 0693-ZA17 Physics Laboratory 1998 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF)--Partnerships in Atomic, Molecular and Optical (AMO) Physics and Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory (MSEL) 1998 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce. action: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- summary: Through Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF), the programs ``SURFing the Physics Lab: A Partnership for AMO Physics'' and ``SURFing the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory'' will provide an opportunity for the Physics Laboratory (PL) and the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory (MSEL) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to join in partnership with American colleges and universities to encourage outstanding undergraduate students to pursue careers in science and engineering. The MSEL program will function by providing research opportunities with internationally known NIST scientists in the fields of ceramics, solid state chemistry, metallurgy, polymers, neutron condensed matter science, and materials reliability. The PL program will function by exposing students to world class atomic, molecular, optical (AMO) and radiation physicists and facilities in the NIST Physics Laboratory, and by strengthening undergraduate AMO physics curricula by forming the basis for ongoing collaborations. The NIST Program Directors will work with physics and materials science 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. Each program recommends that a group of two candidates plus one alternate be nominated by each institution, although larger or smaller groups will be given equal consideration. For the PL program the selected group of about twenty-five (25) students will spend approximately twelve (12) weeks at the Physics [[Page 7757]] Laboratory's Gaithersburg, MD site, 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. For the MSEL program the selected group of about eight (8) students will spend approximately twelve (12) weeks at the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory's Gaithersburg, MD site, working one-on-one with NIST staff metallurgists, ceramists, polymer scientists, chemists, and 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 1998 will be $3,600. Students and NIST research advisors will be paired based on the student's background and interests soon after the application deadline to allow for adequate dialogue between the student, the student's undergraduate advisor, and the NIST advisor, to ensure that the student arrives at NIST ready to contribute and to prepare the student's undergraduate advisor for follow-up in the fall. Good overlap of research interests 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 PL or MSEL Laboratory Summer Seminar Series. The students will all present a research seminar at NIST and will 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 and materials science 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 March 19, 1998. addresses: Applicant institutions must submit one signed original plus one (1) copy of the proposal along with the Grant Application, Standard Form 424 (Rev. 4/97) to: Physics Laboratory, Attn: Dr. Paul D. Lett, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Building 221, Room A-167, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001 or Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, Attn: Dr. Kenneth L. Jewett, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Building 223, Room B-309, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001. for further information contact: For MSEL: Dr. Kenneth L. Jewett, (301) 975-2608; For PL: Dr. Paul D. Lett, (301) 975-6559. supplementary information: Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Name and Number: 11.609-- Measurement and Engineering Research and Standards. Authority The Act of March 3, 1901, as amended (15 USC 278g-1) 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 fifth year of a program partially funded by the NSF Physics Division as a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site. This is the first year of a proposed five year program funded by the NSF Materials Science Division as a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site. Between ten and fifty percent of the associated student stipends, travel, and housing is provided in cost sharing by the individual participating institutions. NIST is one of the nation's premiere research institutions for the physical sciences and, as the lead Federal 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 institutions. 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 occurs in few other places and enables the Physics Laboratory and the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory to offer unique research and training opportunities for undergraduates, providing them a research-rich environment and exposure to state of the art equipment, 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 and NIST's Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory conducts basic research in the electronic, magnetic, optical, superconducting, mechanical, thermal, chemical, and structural properties of metals, ceramics polymers, and composites. Much of this applied research is devoted to overcoming barriers to the next technological revolution, in which individual atoms and molecules will serve as the fundamental building blocks of devices. To achieve these goals, PL 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 computer modeling of fundamental processes through trapping atoms and choreographing molecular collisions, to standardization for radiation therapy. Preparation of unique materials by atomic level tailoring of multi- layers, perfect single crystals, and nanocomposites are just some of the future technologies being developed and explored in NIST's MSEL. To achieve these goals, staff develop and utilize highly specialized equipment, such as high resolution electron microscopes, atomic force microscopes, a nuclear reactor, x-ray diffration sources, lasers, magnetometers, plasma furnaces, melt spinners, molecular beam epitaxy systems, and powder atomization chambers. Research projects can be theoretical or experimental and will range in focus from the structural, chemical, and morphological characterization of advanced materials made in the NIST laboratories to the accurate measurement of the unique properties possessed by these special materials. 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 [[Page 7758]] 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 or materials science and to consider research careers. SURFing the Physics Lab and SURFing the Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory will help 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 or U.S. permanent residents interested in AMO physics or materials science. Eligibility Colleges and universities in the United States with degree granting programs in materials science, chemistry, or physics. Funding Availability The NIST Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory is anticipates receiving funding as a NSF REU Program at the level of $50,000 per year. It is anticipated that this funding would provide for the direct and indirect cost for stipends, travel and housing, and conference attendance for eight students. 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. The NIST Physics Laboratory will commit approximately $50,000 to support cooperative agreements under this program. The NIST Physics Laboratory's REU Program is anticipating renewal of funding by the NSF at the level of $70,000 per year. The anticipated direct and indirect cost for stipends, travel and housing and conference attendance for twenty-five students is about $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 Directors. 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 1998 SURF program, including a description of the student's prioritized research interests; (3) A resume for each student; and (4) Two letters of recommendations for each student. All references to student include the proposed alternate. (B) Information About the Applicant Institution: (1) Description of the institution'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 Erica Fosburg at (301) 975-5112, for the PL program; Susan Roth at (301) 975-5655, for the MSEL program. The application kit includes the following: SF 424 (Rev 7/97)--APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE SF 424A (Rev 7/97)--BUDGET INFORMATION--Non-Construction Programs SF 424B (Rev 7/97)--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 EXCLUSION--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 or materials science; 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 applicant institutions will be encourage to contribute matching funds. A suggested level of participation would be to directly cover student travel (one round trip by common carrier) or 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, indirect costs, 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 1998 Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory SURFing Partnership and the 1998 Physics Laboratory SURFing Partnership are anticipated to run between May 26 through August 14, 1998; 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 No. 0348-0043, 0348-0044, 0348- 0040, and 0348-0046. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection, subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Additional Requirements Primary Application Certifications: All primary applicant institutions must submit a completed form CD-511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug- Free Workplace [[Page 7759]] 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 institution 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 applicant/ bidder institutions 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. Name Check Reviews All for-profit and non-profit applicants will be subject to a name check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any individuals associated with the applicant have been convicted or or are presently facing, criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or other matters which significantly reflect on the applicant's management honesty or financial integrity. Preaward Activities Applicants (or their institutions) 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 pre- award 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. 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 No Federal funds will be authorized for Indirect Costs (IDC); however, an applicant may provide for IDC under their portion of Cost Sharing. (For additional information refer to the ``Evaluation of Applicant Institution's Cost Sharing (30%):'' section of this notice under Evaluation Criteria. 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 effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total proposed direct costs 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 Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory Program and 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 purposes of Executive Order 12866. Dated: February 10, 1998. Robert E. Hebner, Acting Deputy Director. [FR. Doc. 98-3853 Filed 2-13-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-13-M