Opportunity Fund




							Funding Available $
		Notice: Competition for the FY 2008 Opportunity Fund is on hold pending outcome of NCAR's Annual Budget Review process scheduled to be completed in mid June. At that time, a decision will be made to either hold the competition or use the funds for other possible FY08 program needs.
		The Opportunity Fund was established in FY 1997 in response to a National Science Foundation (NSF) review panel recommendation to provide more opportunities for inter-divisional collaboration. With the advent of a strategic initiative process in FY 2001, which emphasized inter-divisional collaboration, the Opportunity Fund's primary focus shifted to supporting new, innovative ideas in research and facility development. Beginning in FY 2003, inter-divisional collaboration, though encouraged, is no longer an eligibility requirement for the fund. Education and non-research proposals are also encouraged. An announcement of opportunity is provided to all NCAR/UCAR scientific and scientific support staff each year. Eligible proposals generally cover one year but can be for two years with a maximum funding request of $200,000 for each proposal. An internal review panel, convened by the NCAR Scientist Assembly Executive Committee, evaluates proposals using the NSF Merit Review Criteria. The review panel then provides award recommendations to the NCAR Director. The NCAR Director determines the final award allocations. Occasionally, Director's Reserve, Equipment and Instrumentation Fund, and UCAR Bond Funds have augmented the Opportunity Fund, thereby leveraging NCAR resources to fund new activities. If you have any questions regarding the Opportunity Fund please contact Rena Brasher-Alleva at ext. 1116 or email her at rena@ucar.edu.

		Allocations: 2007 Allocations 2006 Allocations 2004 Allocations 2003 Allocations 2002 Allocations Opportunity Fund Spending Reports: FY 2007 Opp Fund Spending Report FY 2006 Opp Fund End-of-Year Report (frozen) FY07 Guidance: NCAR Director's Letter Guidelines Budget Template Link to FY2007 Opportunity Fund Proposals and Reviews: This link is for Opp Fund Panel Members, Reviewers, and Directorate Staff only.