Dear Colleague:
The Arctic Sciences Section of the OPP has partnered with the NSF
Geosciences (GEO) Directorate, the NSF International (INT) Office and the
CRDF (Civilian Research and Development Foundation) to establish a science
liaison office in Moscow. The office will facilitate coordination of
research projects between U.S. and Russian scientists, including field work.
In order to avoid confusion and to expedite such support, current and
potential PIs should contact their NSF Program Manager for information on
the office and support provided.
Operating Procedures
Summary
The U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) provides
on-site logistical support in Russia in support of NSF cooperative
activities in the FSU in the Geosciences and in Arctic research.
Specifically, CRDF makes available Dr. Marianna Voevodskaya and office
facilities in Moscow, in proximity to the offices of the Russian Foundation
for Basic Research (RFBR), to facilitate close coordination of cooperative
projects sponsored by NSF and RFBR in these fields.
Requesting Services
A. Program Coordination Support
CRDF representative Dr. Marianna Voevodskaya will provide NSF and its
grantees with program including but not limited to the following activities
- Interact and monitor activities related to joint projects between RFBR or
other national organizations - Identify appropriate national, regional, or local officials or
organizations responsible for key aspects of the project - Determine what actions or decisions are necessary to ensure that a
project is fully coordinated, and make appropriate recommendations
through CRDF/Arlington to NSF - As instructed, work actively with Russian officials/scientists to ensure
that key issues are addressed to appropriate bodies
It is the responsibility of the NSF grantees to obtain all necessary
permits, clearances, and authorizations for NSF supported research projects.
The standard clearance process, using the US Embassy as appropriate, for NSF
proposals will continue to be the responsibility of NSF and will not be
altered. CRDF shall have no liability, at any time or for any reason to NSF,
the recipients, or to any other entity or person for any loss, damage or
injury.
The procedure for requesting these services is as follows
- NSF will supply CRDF headquarters with a current list of awardees it
wishes CRDF (in care of John Courtney) to provide service. Changes to the
list will be forwarded to CRDF headquarters in writing. - NSF will notify their grantees of the services CRDF will provide and the
protocol for requesting services. - CRDF staff member Dr. Marianna Voevodskaya will make contact with each
grantee to ensure they are clear as to how she can help them. - Dr. Voevodskaya will keep a log of all contacts and a summary of
discussions with grantees and will submit a quarterly report to NSF.
B. On-Site Facilities and Logistics
CRDF makes available its office space and facilities (including computer,
Internet connection, facsimile and photocopy machines) to NSF staff and
grantees covered under the contract between NSF and CRDF traveling in the
region. CRDF Moscow staff will also be available to assist visiting NSF
personnel with logistical support for scheduling meetings, site visits, etc.
Costs associated with transportation, interpreter, hotels, meals, etc. are
the responsibility of the traveler, not CRDF.
The procedure for requesting these services is as follows:
- NSF shall provide a written request for these services to CRDF
headquarters (in care of John Courtney) at least two weeks prior to the
travel to Russia. - CRDF will provide a written confirm of the services requested as well as
communicate other relevant information to the requesting party. - CRDF will provide a report on these activities to NSF as part of its
quarterly report submission to NSF.
C. Financial Management
Through its Grant Assistance Program (GAP), CRDF may assist NSF PIs as
needed in transferring research funds and equipment to FSU researchers and
tracking their use. To the extent that the need to transfer such resources
can be well coordinated and anticipated, CRDF may be able to effect
economies of scale and reduce the associated costs. The cost to use this
service is 7% of the value of funds or equipment transferred into Russia.
The procedure for requesting these services is as follows
- NSF or the grantee requests this service by contacting CRDF (in care of
John Courtney). - CRDF will forward a grant assistance program application and provide
assistance in completing this form. Upon completion of this form, CRDF
will secure the necessary tax approvals to ensure it will be treated as a
tax-exempt activity. - NSF or the grantee will transfer funds to CRDF and then CRDF will make
the transfer into Russia as directed by the funding party.
Dr. Marianna V. Voevodskaya’s contact information:
32a Leninsky prospect, room 603
117334 Moscow V-334, Russia
tel.: (7-095) 938-5151
fax: (7-095) 938-1838
voevodsk [at] ns.ras.ru (office)
marianna [at] vpras.ips.ras.ru (home)