Date

National Science Foundation Solicitation Released
NSF 06-534 "International Polar Year (IPY)"

Target Date: Monday, 1 May 2006

For further information, see the full solicitation at:
http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf06534


The National Science Foundation solicitation "International Polar Year (IPY)"
(NSF 06-534) has been released:
http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf06534

The "International Polar Year 2007-2008" (IPY) will extend from March
2007 through March 2009. IPY is envisioned as an intense scientific
campaign to explore new frontiers in polar science, improve our
understanding of the critical role of the polar regions in global
processes, and educate the public about the polar regions. Projects are
expected to involve a pulse of activity during the IPY period; have
multi- and interdisciplinary scopes; leave a legacy of infrastructure
and data; expand international cooperation; engage the public in polar
discovery; and help attract the next generation of scientists and
engineers.

A number of NSF programs will respond to proposals for support of IPY
activities over the next several years. These are listed on an IPY web
page maintained by NSF's Office of Polar Programs
(http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/ipy/ipyinfo.jsp). This list will be updated
from time to time and should be consulted when considering proposal
submissions.

In anticipation of IPY, the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) and the
Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) have identified
special emphasis areas that will require preparation in advance of IPY.
The research emphasis areas are: ice sheet history and dynamics;
biological adaptations at the cellular and genomic level to life in
extreme cold and prolonged darkness; and the arctic observing network.
Proposed research activities must be integrally related to one or more
of these emphasis areas and adhere to the guidance of the National
Research Council's report "A Vision for the International Polar Year
2007-2008" (http://www.nap.edu/html/ipr2007-2008/0309092124.pdf),
including specific significant linkages to international activities.

The educational emphasis areas for this solicitation are: formal science
education experiences for K-12 teachers and undergraduate or graduate
students; informal science education for the broader public; and
coordination and communication for IPY education projects. In addition
to the educational activities normally integrated into research
proposals, this solicitation will consider standalone proposals that
specifically address one or more of these focus areas.

Proposals for IPY activities outside of these emphasis areas should be
directed to other solicitations from OPP and NSF. Related programs are
listed at the website above. Proposals submitted under this solicitation
may be co-reviewed with other NSF programs.

For further information, see the full solicitation at:
http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf06534