Title : NSF 95-155 - Research Opportunity: Cooperative Studies Of The Earth's Deep Interior (CSEDI) Type : Program Guideline NSF Org: GEO / EAR Date : October 2, 1996 File : nsf95155 ***************************************************************************** Note: This guideline has had the DEADLINE date extended to January 20, 1997 for 1997 Modified 10/2/96 wcg ***************************************************************************** Research Opportunity: Cooperative Studies Of The Earth's Deep Interior (CSEDI) Program Announcement Division of Earth Sciences DEADLINE DATE: December 16 ******************************** January 20, 1997 for 1997 ******************************** NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Arlington, VA 22230 Directorate for Geosciences Division of Earth Sciences RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: COOPERATIVE STUDIES OF THE EARTH'S DEEP INTERIOR (CSEDI) Program Description The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) at the National Science Foundation (NSF) invites the submission of proposals for collaborative, interdisciplinary studies of the Earth's interior within the framework of the community-based initiative known as Cooperative Studies of the Earth's Deep Interior (CSEDI). Funding for this Special Emphasis Area will support basic research on the character and dynamics of the Earth's mantle and core, their influence on the evolution of the Earth as a whole, and on processes operating within the deep interior that affect or are expressed on the Earth's surface. CSEDI is a community initiative that has been organized by members of the SEDI (Studies of the Earth's Deep Interior) committee of the IUGG (International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics) and the SEI (Studies of the Earth's Interior) committee of the American Geophysical Union/1. A science plan has been developed with broad community input and support and reflects the scientific objectives of the initiative. This initiative grew out of the realization that the most important problems related to the Earth's interior need a multi-disciplinary effort that brings to bear in a coherent way creative and imaginative thinking about the state and dynamics of the Earth's interior, along with the utilization of the most advanced computational, experimental, analytical, and observational techniques. Ultimately, the goal of such efforts is to determine as quantitatively as possible how the Earth's interior works, and how processes in the Earth's deep interior control the structure and evolution of the Earth as a whole. To do so requires the resolution of many first-order issues leading to an understanding of: - the engine in the Earth's deep interior that drives plate tectonics and the physical and chemical aspects of plate motions and mantle convection, and, hence, the physical, mechanical, and chemical evolution of the lithosphere and deep mantle; - the generation and changes of the Earth's magnetic field; - the character and dynamism of the Earth's interior as expressed on or near the Earth's surface throughout Earth history; - the generation of mantle plumes and their role in mantle flow and the generation of large igneous provinces; - the dynamical, thermal, electromagnetic, and chemical interactions that occur across the core-mantle boundary zone; and - the mechanical, thermal, and chemical interactions across the mantle transition zone. The opportunity for rapid progress in this research activity derives largely from the timely coincidence of advances in several disciplines. Seismic imaging of the Earth's deep interior provides insights into the convective and thermal patterns in the mantle. Advances in high pressure materials research allow for direct laboratory investigations of the pressure-temperature-composition and mechanical properties of the deep interior. Isotopic measurements of crustal and mantle-derivative rocks reveal chemical signatures that indicate recycling of the deep interior. Modeling of the Earth's magnetic field has illuminated possible relations between convection in the Earth's core and structures in the lowermost mantle, potentially providing new insights into the geodynamo. Geodetic techniques have provided new and unexpected probes of the deep interior. Advances in computational techniques allow complex simulations of flow and convection in the mantle and core. Individually these are all important advances, but the aim of this funding opportunity is to link these advances into coordinated and integrated studies that will allow significant new insights into an understanding of the processes operating in the deep interior and how they govern the evolution of the surface of the Earth. The function of the National Science Foundation CSEDI special emphasis is to provide support for truly integrated, multi- disciplinary studies so that accelerated progress can be made on these fundamental problems of the Earth's deep interior. Emphasis will be placed on cooperative, multi-disciplinary efforts that are fully integrated and for which the value of the collaboration can be shown to exceed the contributions from individual studies. In recognition of the potential and of the impediments to in-depth collaboration among 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. The Division of Earth Sciences anticipates budgeting approximately $1.5M for this program in Fiscal Year 1996. Award durations of two to four years are anticipated, with annual award levels in the approximate range of $30,000 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. Eligible Applicants Proposals will be accepted from colleges, universities, and other institutions in the United States with formal research programs in the areas supported by EAR. Colleges and universities designated as Undergraduate or Predominantly Undergraduate Institutions should consult the guidelines described in NSF 94-79, Research in Undergraduate Institutions. Federal (including FFRDCs), state, and local government affiliated organizations are not considered eligible. Preparation and Submission of Proposals Interested investigators should obtain the CSEDI Science Plan/1 and ascertain that the proposal falls within the framework outlined therein. Further information can be obtained from: Robin Reichlin CSEDI Director Division of Earth Sciences, Room 785 National Science Foundation Arlington, VA 22230 (703) 306-1556 rreichli@nsf.gov The proposal format is detailed in the Grant Proposal Guide (NSF 95-27). Proposals not conforming to these guidelines will not be accepted. The CSEDI name and announcement number (NSF95-155) should be referenced in the upper left corner of the proposal cover sheet. Cover sheets not bearing the CSEDI name but under current consideration by NSF and otherwise meeting the requirements of this announcement may be considered for support under this program. The following guidelines apply to collaborative CSEDI research projects involving principal investigators from different institutions: The title of the proposal should begin with "Collaborative Research: ..." and all co-principal investigators and their institutions should be listed on the cover sheet. There should be an explicit statement of the collaboration in the Project Summary. A table summarizing total dollars requested by each participating institution for each year of the project should be included in the proposal. The proposals should have a common text. Cover sheets, formal budgets, and PI information (vitae, current and pending support statements, results from prior NSF support) should reflect the separate submissions. Each institution should submit one full copy of the proposal with a signed original cover sheet, and 19 copies of the separate information. Only one institution need submit 19 copies of the full text of the proposal. Where proposals require cooperation with other groups for access to field locations, samples, special instrumentation, etc., supporting letters must be included endorsing the nature and extent of cooperation. The proposal submission deadline is December 16 of each year. Proposals received after a deadline will be returned to the proposer. Unsuccessful proposals may be resubmitted for the following year only after substantial revision. The 20 copies of the proposal, including the original signature copy, should be sent to: Proposal Processing Unit, Room P-60 Attention: EAR/CSEDI National Science Foundation Arlington, VA 22230 ----------------- 1/Additional information on the US SEDI organization (EOS, 74,16, April 20,1993) and the science plan can be obtained from Dr. R. J. O Connell, Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Harvard University, 20 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Cambridge, MA 02138. Proposal Review Proposals will be evaluated by a combination of ad hoc mail review and panel review in accordance with established Foundation procedures. General criteria to be used in evaluation of the proposals are described in Grant Proposal Guide (NSF 95- 27), and in Earth Science Research at NSF (NSF 93-66). Additional factors in the evaluation process will include the demonstrated synergism among the various disciplinary components involved in the proposed research, and likelihood of making accelerated progress on major problems of global significance. 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 and all other NSF documents referenced in this announcement are available at no cost from the NSF Publications and Supplies Unit, (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, DC 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 Efforts in development of Earth models are expected to be on the frontiers of computation. These activities are expected to contribute to, and benefit from, the federal High Performance Computing and Communications Program in which NSF is a participant. It is anticipated that some CSEDI research will be related to research being carried out within the RIDGE Program of NSF's Division of Ocean Sciences (NSF95-132), in areas such as mantle melt generation and migration. NSF disciplinary programs supporting research related to CSEDI include: Division of Earth Sciences (703) 306-1550 Geophysics (703) 306-1556 Petrology and Geochemistry (703) 306-1554 Continental Dynamics (703) 306-1559 Division of Ocean Sciences (703) 306-1580 Marine Geology and Geophysics (703) 306-1586 OMB 3145-0058 CFDA 47.050 PT 18 34 40 42 KW 10050000 NSF 95-155 (NEW)