The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has launched a new $20 million grant competition to support the construction of new or expanded scientific research facilities at universities and nonprofit research organizations. The NIST Construction Grant Program (NCGP) has provided over $250 million in funding since 2008 for facilities supporting research in areas like earthquakes, ocean ecology, nanoscale engineering, and quantum physics.
To be eligible, proposed projects must align with the research goals of one or more of the U.S. Commerce Department’s science agencies, which focus on measurement science, engineering, oceanography, atmospheric research, and telecommunications. A 20% non-federal cost share is required.
The competition will be evaluated based on the scientific and technical merit of the proposed facility use, the need for federal funding, the quality of the facility design, and the adequacy of the project management plan. Letters of Intent are due by February 24, 2011, with full proposals due by March 24, 2011.
Keywords: Quantum Physics, Research Computing Facilities, Measurement Science
