Volume 12, number 2: August 1, 2005
FEDERAL NEWS
AAAS R&D Agency Updates
The American Association for the Advancement of Science's (AAAS) has published its R&D Funding Updates for all the major federal R&D funding agencies. The AAAS R&D web site also includes:
- a continually updated table on the status of FY 2006 appropriations, which summarizes appropriations actions so far and their impacts on federal R&D funding;
- the full text of AAAS Report XXX: R&D FY 2006, a comprehensive analysis of the President's proposals for R&D in FY 2006, along with a 12-summary of the full report; and
- supplementary information, historical data , and other information on the federal R&D investment.
Multiple PI Awards
The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Office of Management and Budget, and the Office of Federal Financial Management have issued a request for information (RFI) about the use of multiple Principal Investigators (PIs) on awards made under federal research programs. This is related to the January 4, 2005 , OSTP memorandum to all government agencies, requiring them to formally allow more than one PI on individual research awards. Federal agencies are now seeking input from the research community on how best to implement this policy. Responses must be received by September 16, 2005 . For more information, please see the Federal Register Notice (pdf).
Opportunities for Collaboration between NSF and NIST
In order to better fulfill its missions, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate collaboration and program coordination. Such cooperation will strengthen the science and engineering programs at NSF and the measurement, standards, and technology programs at NIST by accelerating the development of the measurement science infrastructure and standards necessary for advancing and disseminating fundamental and applied science and technology research for the benefit of the United States . Collaboration in various areas of science and technology relevant to the missions of the two agencies is anticipated. NSF encourages the development of proposals that take advantage of this MOU. Proposal deadlines are October 5, 2005 , and then March 1 and October 1 annually in successive years. READ MORE.
NOAA Omnibus Notice of FY06 Grant Funds
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has published an omnibus notice announcing the availability of its grant funds for Fiscal Year 2006. This notice provides a single source of program and application information for NOAA's competitive grant offerings, replacing the multiple Federal Register announcements that have traditionally been used. It should be noted that additional program initiatives unanticipated at the time of the publication of this notice may be announced through subsequent Federal Register notices, the NOAA Web site, or Grants.gov. READ MORE.
New Grant Programs at IMLS
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has released information on a number of programs that provide funding for improvement, training, outreach, and collaboration grants involving museums and libraries. The grants are posted on Grants.gov and on the IMLS website. Grants range from $5,000 to $1 million and include funding for conservation support and assessment, training and professional development for museum and library professionals, and services to minorities. Program deadlines vary from October 2005 to May 2006. See the IMLS website for more information about these funding opportunities.
OMB Audit Compliance Supplement
On July 18, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced the availability of the Circular A-133 (Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations) Compliance Supplement for use in performing audits for fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2004 . The 2005 Supplement will apply to A-133 audits for fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2004 and amends the 2004 Supplement. All comments on the 2005 Supplement must be received in writing by October 30, 2005 . For more information, please see the Federal Register Notice (pdf).