Dear Colleagues,

In light of the emergence and spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States and abroad, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is accepting proposals to conduct non-medical, non-clinical-care research that can be used immediately to explore how to model and understand the spread of COVID-19, to inform and educate about the science of virus transmission and prevention, and to encourage the development of processes and actions to address this global challenge.

NSF encourages the research community to respond to this challenge through existing funding opportunities. In addition, the agency invites researchers to use the Rapid Response Research (RAPID) funding mechanism, which allows NSF to receive and review proposals having a severe urgency with regard to availability of or access to data, facilities or specialized equipment as well as quick-response research on natural or anthropogenic disasters and similar unanticipated events. Requests for RAPID proposals may be for up to $200K and up to one year in duration. Well-justified proposals that exceed these limits may be entertained.

Additionally, NSF has also created a dedicated website on COVID-19, with links to Frequently Asked Questions addressing (i) questions associated with NSF proposal submission and award management relevant to research proposals relating to COVID-19 and (ii) possible impacts of COVID-19 on activities under existing awards; that website will be updated as appropriate. We strongly urge that you read the FAQs prior to submission of an inquiry about possible RAPID funding.

Complete guidance on submitting a RAPID proposal may be found in Chapter II.E.1 of the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide.

All questions should be directed either to a program officer managing an NSF program with which the research would be aligned or to rapid-covid19@nsf.gov.

Thank you.

Kathleen Nolan, Director, ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG)