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DEPSCoR Proposal Content

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B. Proposal Content

Each separately fundable proposal of the proposal package must be complete and self-contained to qualify for review. The DoD is interested primarily in the research, related science and engineering education, and the research-related infrastructure development that the research facilitates. For this reason, the proposal must adequately describe the effort so that judgments can be made on relevance to DoD research goals and the infrastructure benefit.

1. Cover: Each separately fundable proposal must bear Appendix C as a cover. For each proposal, no other sheet or page should precede this cover. Each proposal of the original proposal package and each copy must include this cover. To facilitate review, the lead reviewer’s Division or Directorate having a research area of interest best matching the proposed research should be listed. The name of an individual at the lead reviewer (ARO, ONR, or AFOSR) can be included here as a suggested reviewer, or the technical area addressed by the proposal can be listed.

2. Abstract: The abstract of the proposed research for each separately fundable proposal should be no more than one page. The abstract must be contained within the 25-page limit.

3. Text: The technical portion of each separately fundable proposal shall contain (within the 25-page limit) the following items:

(a) Describe in detail the research to be undertaken. State the objectives and approach and the relationship to the state of knowledge in the field and to comparable work elsewhere. Include an appropriate bibliography and list of literature citations. Discuss the nature of the expected results.

(b) Describe how this effort relates to and advances the research infrastructure development goals of the university or the state.

(c) Describe plans for the education of graduate students in the specified research areas of interest. Estimate the number of graduate students and other technical personnel who will be directly associated with the project.

(d) Describe plans for the involvement and interaction with DoD, other federal laboratories, industry, or other existing research centers of excellence.

(e) Describe facilities available for performing the proposed research and any additional facilities or equipment that the organization proposes to acquire at its own expense.

(f) Provide a rationale for each item of equipment requested in the budget and how this equipment will contribute to the infrastructure building goals of the proposal.

(g) Identify other parties who will receive the proposal or who will partially fund the proposed effort or activity.

4. Curriculum Vitae: Furnish a brief vitae for key personnel critical to the research, including senior investigators. Provide short biographical sketches and list relevant publications. This information must be contained within the 25-page limit.

C. Financial Content of the Proposal (Budget)

The financial portion of each separately fundable proposal should contain a cost estimate for the proposed effort that is sufficiently detailed by element of cost for meaningful evaluation. The budget must include the period-of-performance (with a proposed June 1, 2007, start date), a total estimated cost of the project, and the amount and source of project funding (i.e., funds requested from DoD, any funds provided under current grants or contracts with DoD or other federal agencies, and non-federal funds to be provided as cost sharing or matching). The estimated project costs must be shown in total as well as broken down for each year of the program to show the following cost elements:

1. Salary Costs: For all employees, indicate the amount of time being charged to this proposed project (e.g., number of months) and show resulting costs based on current or projected salary and benefits.

2. Supplies and Materials: Estimate costs of supplies and materials.

3. Equipment: Describe any equipment to be acquired and the basis of cost estimates. Costs should be based on recent quotations from manufacturers or distributors.

4. Travel Costs: Estimate the required amount of travel and state its
relationship to the research. List the proposed destinations and basis of cost estimates.

5. Publication and Report Costs: Estimate the costs of publishing and reporting research results.

6. Subaward Costs: Support the estimate of subaward work by indicating the specific items or portion of the work to be subawarded, type of subaward anticipated, name of subawardee, and a detailed cost summary.

7. Consultant Costs: State the planned daily consultant fee and travel expenses, the nature of the consulting effort, and the reason consultants are required to complete the effort.

8. Communication Costs: Estimate communication costs (i.e., long distance telephone calls, telegrams, and postage) not included in overhead.

9. Other Direct Costs: Itemize other anticipated direct costs such as rental for computers and other equipment. Unusual or expensive items should be fully justified.

10. Overhead Rates: State whether or not a recent predetermined or provisional overhead rate has been negotiated by a federal agency and, if so, when and by which federal agency. Always state the basis on which the overhead rate is calculated (i.e., “salaries and wages” or “total costs”) and the period of the grantee's fiscal year. Include a copy of any current indirect rate agreement or provide a URL if this document is available from the internet.

11. Total Costs: Give the total costs, year by year, and the cost for the entire proposed grant period.

12. Cost Sharing or Matching Plans: Construct a table showing the cost sharing or matching share committed to this DEPSCoR proposal in the following categories: state, institutional, and private sector. In each category, show the amount and nature of the planned expenditure share (e.g., state appropriation, equipment, faculty release time for research, etc.). A signed statement of commitment regarding the cost sharing or matching funds described above should be obtained from the appropriate state, institutional, and/or private sector officials.