Title: NSF 95-137 - Active Tectonics-Research Opportunities in Tectonically Active Systems of the Earth's Continental Crust Type: Program Guideline NSF Org: Division of Earth Sciences Date: August 21, 1995 ACTIVE TECTONICS Research opportunities in tectonically active systems of the Earth's continental crust Program Announcement DIVISION OF EARTH SCIENCES DEADLINE DATES: December 1 and June 1 NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Program Description The Division of Earth Sciences at the National Science Foundation (NSF) invites the submission of proposals for participation in the Active Tectonics Special Emphasis Area. Funding through this announcement will support basic research in tectonically active systems of the Earth's continental crust. Many of the essential boundary conditions and dynamic data needed to understand the processes of Earth's past and current deformation are uniquely available in active tectonic systems, and this Special Emphasis Area is designed to exploit these crucial but ephemeral parameters and incorporate the results in study of all tectonic systems, active as well as extinct. Proposals should be integrative, innovative and focus on natural laboratories in tectonically active regions with the purpose of understanding the operation of tectonic processes that have been responsible for shaping the Earth's continental crust. Demonstration of potential for societal outreach is desirable. The emphasis of this research activity derives largely from discussions and reports developed in a series of community workshops, recently culminating in the Workshop Report on an NSF Research Initiative in Active Tectonics. A copy of the report is available from the Division of Earth Sciences, room 785, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230, and is available on-line from Internet http://www/muhoio.edu/tectonics/activetectonics.html . For further information about the Active Tectonics research activity, contact the Active Tectonic Program Director, Division of Earth Sciences, at (703) 306-1552. Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation should show high potential for integration of multiple disciplines in earth sciences and should take advantage of new and emerging technologies. Proposals should demonstrate an ability to test models of active tectonic processes and to integrate them into tectonic syntheses. The area of research should be an actively deforming region or subregion of the earth's continental crust, where dynamic properties that are directly relevant to understanding tectonic processes can be observed or measured. These areas commonly have the following attributes: - topographic, stress and fluid profiles or distributions that are interacting with the active deformation, - heat flow and geothermal gradients that accompany fluid and mineral chemical reactions, - seismic and aseismic slip related to the present tectonism, and - strain and metamorphism not overprinted by younger deformation. In recognition of the potential and the impediments to in- depth collaboration between component disciplines, the project description, budget and work schedule should emphasize the specific steps and mechanisms required to assure successful integration at all stages of the research. Proposals are expected to address the scientific merit of the project. They may also propose specific activities such as workshops to foster interactions and communications among investigators in separate but related fields. Active Tectonic proposals may be submitted by single investigators, but the complexity encountered in attempting to understand the interconnected tectonic processes in actively deforming regions requires an integrative, cross-disciplinary approach that is generally beyond the expertise of a single investigator or subfield. Thus small groups of tightly linked collaborators are expected but are not a prerequisite. Budgets should be commensurate with those of single investigator or collaborative proposals currently supported by standard research grants in the Division of Earth Sciences. Preparation and Submission of Proposals Proposals submitted in response to this opportunity announcement will be accepted from colleges, universities, and other not-for- profit institutions in the U.S. Federal (including FFRDCs), state, and local government affiliated organizations are not eligible. Award durations of two to four years are anticipated. Average annual award levels are anticipated to be approximately $50,000 to $150,000 per senior investigator. The number of awards will depend on a variety of factors, including quality of proposals submitted, linkages with other NSF activities and programs, and availability of funds. The Division of Earth Sciences has budgeted approximately $1.0 million for this activity. Proposals submitted in response to this announcement must conform to the Division of Earth Sciences proposal deadlines of June 1 or December 1 of each year, and must meet all guidelines specified in the NSF brochure, Grant Proposal Guide (GPG), NSF 95-27. Single copies of this brochure are available at no cost from: NSF Publications and Supplies Unit 4201 Wilson Boulevard Room P-15 Arlington, VA 22230 Telephone (703) 306-1130, or via e-mail from Internet: pubs@nsf.doc The GPG is available in most university offices of sponsored research. It contains the forms needed to prepare the proposal and instructions for filling them out. The Active Tectonics (AT) name and announcement number should be referenced in the upper left corner of the proposal cover sheet. Cover sheets not bearing the words "Active Tectonics" but under current consideration by NSF and otherwise meeting the requirements of this announcement may be considered for support under this program. Twenty copies of each proposal, including one copy bearing original signatures, should be mailed to: Announcement No. NSF 95-137 (New) National Science Foundation Room P60 - PPU 4201 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22230 Proposal Review: Proposals will be evaluated by ad hoc mail review, panel review, or a combination of the two in accordance with established Foundation procedures and the four general criteria described in the GPG. An additional factor in the evaluation process will be the potential benefits from synergism among the various disciplinary components involved in the proposed research. Review and processing of proposals require approximately six months. Grant Administration: Grants awarded as a result of this announcement are administered in accordance with the terms and conditions of NSF GC-1, "Grant General Conditions," or FDP-II, "Federal Demonstration Project General Terms and Conditions," depending on the grantee organization. Copies of these documents are available at no cost from the NSF Publications and Supplies Unit, phone (703) 306- 1130, or via e-mail pubs@nsf.gov (Internet). More comprehensive information is contained in the NSF Grant Policy Manual (NSF 95-26, August 1995), for sale through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office (GPO), Washington, D.C. 20402. The telephone number at GPO is (202) 783-3238 for subscription information. If the submitting institution has never received an NSF award, it is recommended that appropriate administrative officials become familiar with the policies and procedures in the NSF Grant Policy Manual which are applicable to most NSF awards. If a proposal is recommended for an award, the NSF Division of Grants and Agreements will request certain organizational, management, and financial information, including a certification of civil rights compliance. These requirements are described in Chapter V of the NSF Grant Policy Manual. One copy of the NSF Grant Policy Manual will be provided free of charge to any new grantee. Related programs: NSF disciplinary programs supporting research related to Active Tectonics include: Division of Earth Sciences (703-306-1550) Geophysics Petrology and Geochemistry Geology and Paleontology Continental Dynamics Division of Ocean Sciences (703 306-1580) Coastal Ocean Processes Marine Geology and Geophysics Marine Aspects of Earth System History Office of Polar Programs (703-306-1033) Arctic Systems Science Division of Bioengineering and Environmental Systems (703-306-1320) Environmental and Ocean Systems Division of Chemical and Transport Systems (703-306-1371) Interfacial, Transport and Separation Processes Fluid, Particulate and Hydraulic Systems Division of Civil and Mechanical Services (703-306-1360) Geomechanical, Geotechnial and Geo- Environmental Systems Earth System History The National Science Foundation (NSF) provides awards for research in the sciences and engineering. The awardee is wholly responsible for the conduct of the research and preparation of the results for publication. The Foundation, therefore, does not assume responsibility for such findings or interpretations. The Foundation welcomes proposals on behalf of all qualified scientists and engineers, and strongly encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to compete fully in any of the research and research-related programs described in this document. In accordance with Federal statutes and regulations and NSF policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the National Science Foundation. Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities (investigators and other staff, including student research assistants) to work on NSF-supported projects. For more information see GPG, the program announcement, or contact the program coordinator at (703) 306- 1636. Upon completion of the project a Final Project Report (NSF Form 98A), including the Part IV Summary, will be required. Applicants should review this form prior to proposal submission so that appropriate tracking methods are included in the proposal plan to ensure that complete information will be available at the end of the project. The Foundation has TDD (Telephonic Device for the Deaf) capability, which enables individuals with hearing impairment to communicate with the NSF Information Center about NSF programs, employment, or general information. The telephone number is (703) 306-0090. Activities described in this publication are in categories 47.076, Education and Human Resources; 47.050, Geosciences; 47.041, Engineering; 47.049, Mathematical and Physical Sciences; and 47.074, Biological Sciences in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). PRIVACY ACT AND PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENTS: The information requested on proposal forms is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. It will be used in connection with the selection of qualified proposals and may be disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff assistants as part of the review process; to applicant institutions/grantees; to provide or obtain data regarding the application review process, award decisions, or the administration of awards; to government contractors, experts, volunteers and researchers as necessary to complete assigned work; and to other governmental agencies in order to coordinate programs. See Systems of Records, NSF-50, "Principal Investigator/Proposal File and Associated Records," and NSF-51, 60 Federal Register 4449 (January 23, 1995), "Reviewer/Proposal File and Associated Records," 59 Federal Register 8031 (February 17, 1994). Submission of the information is voluntary. Failure to provide full and complete information, however, may reduce the possibility of your receiving an award. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 120 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to: Herman G. Fleming Reports Clearance Officer Contracts, Policy and Oversight National Science Foundation Arlington, Virginia 22230 and/or to Office of Management and Budget OIRM-Paperwork Reduction Project (3145-0058) OMB 3145-0058 PT 18 34 40 42 10050000