From: Richard L. Hilderbrandt [rhilderb@nsf.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 1999 12:13 AM
To: Richard Hilderbrandt
Subject: Last Minute Instructions on Submitting ITR Preproposals

Dear ITR PI:

Please read all that follows very carefully.  These are last minute
instructions on the submission of preproposals for the ITR over $500K
competition.   Additional information regarding Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ) may be found at http://www.itr.nsf.gov/it2-faq.html .

* We have been informed that FastLane will not be available for use on
December 31 and January 1.  You will not be able to work on your
preproposals on FastLane on those days.  Please plan accordingly since we
will not make exceptions to the submission deadline for this or any other
reason.
* The title of the preproposal must begin with "ITR/XX: ..." where XX is
chosen from the categories of eligible activities discussed in the program
announcement.  The categories are software (XX=SW), human-computer interface
(HCI), information management (IM), advanced computational science (ACS),
scalable information infrastructure (SII), education and workforce (EWF),
social and economic implications (SOC), and revolutionary computing (RC).
Use the one category that you think is the best for your proposed activity.
If you would like to list more than one category, you may use a title that
starts something like "ITR/SW+ACS:...".  However, using one category will
help us process your submission promptly.
* We have also recently been informed by FastLane that a special tab or
button for ITR preproposals will not be provided.  Use the standard proposal
template, and follow the guidelines in the program announcement.  The
following forms are sufficient: Cover Sheet; Project Summary; Project
Description (5 pages); References Cited; Biographical Sketches (2 pages per
PI or co-PI); and Budgets.
* In order to alleviate the pressure on FastLane we would like all
preproposals from institutions with five-digit zip codes ending in an odd
number to be submitted by January 5, and those from institutions with
five-digit zip codes ending in an even number to be submitted by January 6.
* Avoid FastLane submission problems by carefully following instructions for
converting your proposal to PDF format.  Instructions can be found at
http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a1/pdfcreat.htm .
* It is absolutely imperative that you include the Program Announcement
Number (NSF 99-167) on the cover page of your preproposal. The program
announcement is located at
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/1999/nsf99167/nsf99167.htm
* Be sure to check the box for preproposal submission.
* On the cover page next to "For consideration by the following NSF
Organization Unit" click on the "Add Org. Unit" button and select
"INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH" from the scroll box.
* Time does not permit the handling of color in preproposals.  Reviewers
will not receive color copies.  Be sure information in your preproposal is
legible when viewed as a black and white document.
* If illustrations are included in the preproposal they must be included in
the 5-page narrative.  No appendices are permitted.
* Letters of support cannot not be included with preproposal - an optional
list indicating who will provide such letters may be included in the 5-page
narrative.   Such letters should only be provided with the full formal
proposal, and then only from individuals and organizations that will be
active in the project, either by providing resources (e.g. donating money,
giving access to data sets, etc.) or by using results (e.g. evaluating
software, adopting curricula, etc.) will be appropriate.
* Proposals should offer innovative fundamental research that contributes to
the advancement of the field of information technology.  They should not be
comprised primarily of infrastructure activities.  Given that ITR wishes to
support not only the highest quality scientific research, but also the
training of new researchers, we suggest that project budgets should not
propose spending more money on permanent scientific staff than on students.
* Proposers are urged to bear in mind that NSF utilizes two criteria for the
review of proposals.  The first relates to intellectual merit of the
proposed work and the second relates to the broader impact of the proposed
work.  NSF program officers will direct panelists to take account of both
review criteria while evaluating proposals. You should examine Important
Notice #125 regarding the importance of Criterion 2 relating to broader
impacts of NSF research.  This Important Notice is located at
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/1999/iin125/iin125.html .  Examples of broader
impact include, but are not limited to:
* promoting teaching, training, and learning
* broadening the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g., gender,
ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc.)
* enhancing the infrastructure for research and education, such as
facilities, instrumentation, networks, and partnerships
* disseminating results broadly to enhance scientific and technological
understanding
* identifying the benefits of the proposed activity to society


ITR Working Group
itr@nsf.gov