Cost Sharing Dear Colleague Letter
NSF 08-67
4 September 2008
To view the letter online, please go to:
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08067/nsf08067.jsp
Dear Colleagues:
The National Science Board (NSB) Task Force on Cost Sharing is currently
engaged in an examination of the NSF cost sharing policy. Prompted by a
2007 Congressional directive in the America COMPETES Act, the Board
issued a report in February 2008 on the impacts of a 2004 change to NSF
cost sharing policy that eliminated NSF program-specific mandatory cost
sharing requirements. This report contained several recommendations
regarding mandatory cost sharing policy at NSF and is available
electronically at:
http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/publications/2008/rprt_congress_cs_policy.pdf
The NSB is continuing its study of this issue, and is now focusing on
voluntary cost sharing, and the impact of both mandatory and voluntary
cost sharing on broadening the participation of traditionally
underrepresented groups and organizations in federally sponsored
research. The NSB intends to release a second, more comprehensive report
on NSF cost sharing policy in early 2009.
To engage the community, the NSB recently published a notice in the
Federal Register soliciting public comment regarding the research
communities' experiences on use of cost sharing in NSF-funded activities
(http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-18023.htm). The Board is
particularly interested in receiving feedback on the following:
1) The relationship between cost sharing and NSF program goals;
2) The relationship between cost sharing and institutional
competitiveness in NSF grant funding;
3) The role of cost sharing in the NSF merit review process;
4) The importance of types, sources, and timing of voluntary cost
sharing;
5) Effort associated with tracking and reporting cost-shared
resources;
6) The relationship between cost sharing and institutional strategic
investment;
7) Options for ensuring equity in NSF grant funding when cost
sharing is either required or volunteered;
8) Research resources from state providers; and
9) Research resources from industry providers.
Given the importance of this issue to the research enterprise, I
strongly encourage you to provide a response to the Federal Register
Notice, in order that all viewpoints may be considered in development of
the second Cost Sharing Report.
Comments submitted in response to the Federal Register Notice should be
addressed to Jennifer Richards, Executive Secretary, Task Force on Cost
Sharing, National Science Board Office, National Science Foundation,
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1220, Arlington, VA 22230; telephone (703)
292-7000; FAX (703) 292-9008; e-mail nsbcostsharing [at] nsf.gov. All
comments must be received by October 1, 2008.
Arden L. Bement, Jr.
Director