PKG00005380.doc

Application Instructions for Submitting Proposals to

The Federal Aviation Administration

Joint Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research

JAMS

The Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Airport and Aircraft Safety R&D Division, located at the William J. Hughes Technical Center, Atlantic City International Airport, NJ established the Joint Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research (JAMS) in December 2003. The FAA supports JAMS by providing assistance to member universities to conduct aircraft safety related research through Cooperative Agreements.

Eligibility Eligibility for funding is limited to academic institutions who are members of the Joint Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research as evidenced by a current Cooperative Agreement between the institution and the FAA Centers of Excellence Program Office. Applications received from institutions that are not a member of the Center of Excellence will be rejected.

Scope

Centers of Excellence are designated on behalf of the FAA Administrator following rigorous competition and a formal evaluation based on criteria mandated in Public Law 101-508 (49 U.S. Code 44513), the FAA Research Engineering and Development Authorization Act of 1990. All funds awarded under JAMS must be 100% matched by the member university The mission of this COE is to create a cost-sharing partnership of academia, industry, and government that will initially focus on advanced materials and structures. The purpose is to forge a union between the public sector (FAA, airport authorities, state/local governments, etc.), the private sector (airlines, manufacturers, etc.), and academic institutions to create a world-class consortium that will identify solutions for existing and anticipated advanced materials and structures problems.

Submission Information

This announcement and related application forms provide a mechanism for current JAMS members to submit proposals for specific research projects within the scope of the Joint Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research. Item7 “Project Narrative” on form OMB Number 4040-0001 titled “RESEARCH & RELATED Other Project Information” provides an opportunity for the proposer to include sufficient information to enable reviewers to evaluate the proposal in accordance with the criteria specified below. The responsibility for proper attribution and citation rests with authors of a research proposal. Failure to adhere to such standards can result in disqualification of the proposal.

Evaluation Criteria

The FAA has established four criteria against which each proposal will be evaluated in order to determine whether it will be eligible for funding. Failure to meet any one of the criteria may result in the proposal being judged ineligible. The criteria and a brief explanation of each are listed below.

1. Intrinsic Value. This is the likelihood that the proposed research will lead to new discoveries or fundamental advances within a specific field of science or engineering or have substantial impact on progress in that field or in other scientific or engineering fields pertinent to FAA research. The introduction of new ideas or innovative approaches will be viewed positively.

2. Relevance to FAA Mission. This is the establishment of a logical connection and probable application to the long-term growth of civil aviation.

3. Technical Soundness of the Proposal. This is the quality of the overall approach proposed to verify concepts or apply new technologies. The proposal must be formulated in a clear and logical fashion, utilizing known scientific principles and their extensions to reach a definable, substantial, and relevant goal.

4. Research Performance Competence. This is the capability of the organization (personnel and resources) to carry on successful work. The grantee should identify specific resources that are required and note whether adequate access to these will exist or whether they will be acquired in the course of the proposed activity. Achievements will be considered in evaluating performance competence. The Principal Investigator should demonstrate an established reputation in the relevant field. Such reputation may be shown by publications, patents, conference contributions, or any other relevant information that demonstrates his or her capability to advance the state of knowledge in the proposed area.

Deadline:

Therefore, the deadline for the submission of applications under this announcement has been extended to June 1, 2007.

For grant administration questions, please contact:

Patricia Watts, FAA Center of Excellence Program Director

(609) 485-4431 patricia.watts@faa.gov

For questions related to this COE Announcement, please contact:

Curtis Davies

FAA JAMS Program Manager

(609) 485-8758 curtis.davies@faa.gov