JSA Initiatives Fund Call for Proposals for FY2009

Process
This Call for Proposal is issued to solicit proposals for Initiatives Fund support for fiscal year 2009. The JSA Programs Committee will appoint an Initiatives Fund Evaluation Committee that will evaluate all eligible proposals that meet the criteria. The Evaluation Committee will include Programs Committee members, a representative of Jefferson Lab, a representative of the Users Group, and external consultants as needed to ensure a fair and objective process. In addition to evaluating new proposals, the Evaluation Committee will reassess the value of the programs historically sponsored and carried forward, to ensure their on-going relevance and appropriate support for continuation. The Committee will make its recommendation to the owners at the Fall JSA Programs Committee meeting. The owners have final approval of all awards from the Initiatives Fund. Proposers will be notified of the status of proposals following the owners' final decision.

Who Can Submit Proposals
Members of the Jefferson Lab user community, Jefferson Lab researchers and staff, others who can make a unique contribution to the Lab's research, education, and development and technology transfer missions.

Evaluation Criteria

• Scientific, educational, technical or business merit. The Evaluation Committee is not intended to provide original scientific or technical review of proposals and will use the following sub-criteria to determine proposal merit.
• Alignment with or significance to current Lab programs
• Degree of leveraged and/or matching support (cash as well as in-kind)
• Prior scientific and/or technical reviews by others in support of proposal
• Extent to which other means to obtain financial support were considered
• Program evaluation plan, including clear and concise statement of the value of the proposal to the Lab
• For renewals, assessment of past performance, including clear and concise statement of value of proposal to the Lab.

NOTE: The JSA Initiatives Fund does not support indirect costs.

Instructions to Proposers
All proposals must include the Summary Sheet, along with Attachment A, Technical Proposal, and Attachment B, Budget Proposal. Please keep technical proposals under 5 pages, with up to 5 additional pages for supporting materials (letters of support, etc.). Budget proposals must be completed using the Budget Proposal form. All proposals must identify a Principal Investigator (PI). The PI is the responsible party with whom JSA will coordinate the award of funds for approved projects. The Initiatives Fund is not intended for salary and salary-related support and the inclusion of these costs may be a factor in the evaluation for award.

Proposals submitted by PI's who are Lab employees require the sign-off of the appropriate Associate Director AND the Lab Director. Proposals submitted by PI's who are members of the user community require the sign-off of the Users Group Chair on behalf of the Users Group Board. If the proposal includes leveraged support and/or matching resources, the authorized sign-off of the institution providing the leveraged support and/or matching resources is required.

Proposals are due no later than COB September 12, 2008, via e-mail to the SURA Chief of Strategic Services, Elizabeth Lawson, elawson@sura.org.

Questions & Answers (last updated 7/27/08) about Call for Proposals. JSA will make responses to general questions regarding this call for proposal available to all proposers.