NIST SURF Application Checklist

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR surf-g-2012-01
OVERVIEW
The application consists of three mandatory elements: Formal Proposal and Information
about the Applicant Institution; Student Information, and Required Forms.
Formal Proposal and Information about the Applicant Institution:
(1) description of the institution's education and research programs; and
(2) a summary list of the student(s) being nominated.
Student Information (student’s name and university should appear on all of these
documents):
For each student:
(1) student application information cover sheet (can be found at
http://www.surf.nist.gov/pdf/apchklst2011.pdf);
(2) academic transcript for each student nominated for participation (it is recommended
that students have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or better, out of a possible 4.0);
(3) a statement of motivation and commitment from each student to participate in the
2010 SURF program, including a description of the student's prioritized research
interests;
(4) a resume for each student;
(5) two letters of recommendation for each student that should address the evaluation
criteria in e.1.(A); and
(6) copy of passport, green card, or birth certificate as confirmation of U.S. citizenship or
permanent legal resident status for each student.
Required Forms
The following forms are available as part of the Grants.gov application kit and can be
completed through the download application process.
• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance
• SF-424A, Budget Information – Nonconstruction Programs
• SF-424B, Assurances – Nonconstruction Programs
• CD-511, Certification Regarding Lobbying
The list of certifications and assurances referenced in item 21 of the SF-424 is contained
in the SF-424B.
In order for an application to be considered complete it must meet all the
application documentation requirements stated in the Federal Funding Opportunity
notice.

PAPER SUBMISSION
For the CNST, EL, MML/NCNR, ITL, and PML SURF NIST
Gaithersburg Programs, an application kit, containing all required forms and
certifications, may be obtained by accessing the following website:
http://www.nist.gov/surfgaithersburg/.
An application kit for the Gaithersburg programs may also be obtained by contacting Ms.
Anita Sweigert, Administrative Coordinator, SURF NIST Gaithersburg Programs,
National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8400,
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8400, (301) 975-4200.
Applicant institutions must submit one (1) signed original.
Applications that are sent via surface mail should be sent to Ms. Anita Sweigert, at the
address cited above.
ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION
The Grants.gov registration process must be completed before a new registrant can apply
electronically. If all goes well, the registration process takes from 3 to 5 business days.
If problems are encountered, the registration process can take up to 2 weeks. Only
authorized individual(s) will be able to submit the application, and the system may need
time to process a submitted application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to start early
and not to wait until the approaching due date before logging on and reviewing the
instructions for submitting an application through Grants.gov. It may take several days or
longer from the initial log-on before a new Grants.gov system user can submit an
application. Applicants should save and print the proof of submission they receive from
Grants.gov. If problems occur while using Grants.gov, the applicant is advised to (a)
print any error message received, and (b) call Grants.gov directly at 800-518-4726 for
immediate assistance. Grants.gov hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to
9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (except for Federal holidays).
Users of Grants.gov (www.grants.gov) will be able to download a copy of the application
package, complete it off line, and then upload and submit the application package and
associated proposal information via the Grants.gov website.
Applicants should follow the Application Instructions provided at Grants.gov when
submitting a response to this funding opportunity. Applicants are encouraged to start
early and not wait to the approaching due date before logging on and reviewing the
instructions for submitting an application through Grants.gov.

Applicant may choose to scan or create the necessary documents and then attach them to
the application in Grants.gov. The following forms and documents are required, but
are not available on Grants.gov:
Institutional Description and Formal Proposal
Student Information – one of each for each student that is being nominated:
• Student Application Form (can be found at
http://www.surf.nist.gov/pdf/apchklst2011.pdf)
• Official Transcript
• Personal Statement
• Resume
• Two letters of Recommendation
• Copy of student’s passport, green card, or birth certificate as verification of
citizenship or legal permanent resident
If you choose to apply via Grants.gov all requirements of the application must be
included.
For further information or questions regarding applying electronically for the SURF-G-2012-01
announcement please contact Christopher Hunton at 301-975-5718, e-mail
address christopher.hunton@nist.gov .