THE NSA MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00530R000701720007-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 16
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 12, 2013
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: August 6, 1981
• Content Type: MISC

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PREFACE
This brochure serves as a guide for preparing and submitting pro-
posals for research support in mathematics or cryptology. Included is an
overview of specific areas of interest, guidance and necessary require-
ments for preparation and submission of the proposal, and some general
administrative information.
Authority for Publication:
NSA/CSS Directive 60-11
Grants and Cooperative Agreements for Research in cryptology
Dated 6 August 1981
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NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES PROGRAM
(Formerly Program OCREAE)
Grants for Research in Mathematics and cryptology
INTRODUCTION
In January 1987, Lieutenant General William E. Odom, Director
of the National Security Agency, announced the expansion and redirec-
tion of Program OCREAE, NSA's grants program for research in cryp-
tology and related areas. Spurred by the importance of mathematics to
NSA in performing its mission and by the findings of the National
Research Council report, Renewing U. S. Mathematics (the "David
Report"), NSA decided that it must act decisively to help insure the
strength and vitality of American mathematics. This action will
include changing the focus of the NSA grants program almost exclusive-
ly to pure mathematics. Reflecting this new direction is a name change:
from Program OCREAE to the NSA Mathematical Sciences Program.
Work was formerly supported by Program OCREAE in the loosely
defined area of "cryptologic related research." Under its new direction,
the NSA Mathematical Sciences Program will devote the bulk of its
funding (perhaps 80-90%) to mathematics, and the remainder to crypto-
logic related research.
AREAS OF INTEREST
The NSA Mathematical Sciences Program is interested in support-
ing research in the following areas of pure mathematics: Algebra,
Number Theory, Discrete Mathematics, Probability, and Statistics.
Because of the universal applicability of these areas to cryptology, it is
not necessary that this mathematical research have any immediate con-
nection to cryptology. From time to time, research in certain areas may
be stressed, and there will be support for some special projects in
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mathematics, such as "special years" at universities. Researchers are
encouraged to call the Program Director to find out about current areas
of special emphasis.
NSA also supports research dealing with the design and analysis
of cryptographic algorithms, particularly the theoretical foundations of
cryptology. Researchers may submit proposals on any aspect of infor-
mation security, but it should be noted that cryptographic protocols and
hardware implementation of algorithms, while of great importance, are
of marginal interest to the NSA Mathematical Sciences Program.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Grant awards will be made on the basis of several factors deter-
mining the scientific merit of the proposal, including : (1) the prospect
that the research will lead to important discoveries; (2) the prospect that
the research will produce innovations or significant improvements in
investigative methods; (3) the investigator's scientific qualifications and
accomplishments; (4) the investigator's demonstrated awareness of pre-
vious approaches to the problem. The NSA Mathematical Sciences Pro-
gram attempts to have a wide geographic and institutional distribution
of support, and NSA encourages proposals from traditionally underrep-
resented groups. ,
TECHNICAL EVALUATION
A panel of the Board on Mathematical Sciences of the National
Research Council provides an independent peer review of all mathema-
tics research proposals submitted to the NSA Mathematical ,Sciences
Program. Proposals for research in cryptology are reviewed by an inter-
nal NSA review board.
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
Although it is the intent of the NSA Mathematical Sciences Pro-
gram that the research it supports will produce only unclassified
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results, it should be recognized that research in cryptologic areas may
produce information whose disclosure could harm LJ.S. national secur-
ity. In order to deal with this possibility, the following disclosure policy
is incorporated in each NSA grant:
"It is expected that the recipient may make formal public
disclosure of the scientific and technical information resulting
from this agreement {e.g., release articles for appropriate pro-
fessional publications or present papers at scientific meetings
or symposia). Such disclosure is authorized as long as a copy of
the article, paper, report, etc., shall be provided to the Govern-
ment, preferably in advance, but at least concurrent with pub-
lic disclosure. It is also understood and agreed that the recip-
ient may utilize the scientific .and technical information result-
ing from this work in consulting or discussing this and related
information with other qualified individuals or groups of indi-
viduals, where appropriate, for furthering research. In the
event that the researcher believes information generated dur-
ing the research may require classification, the researcher
shall notify NSA and request that the information be reviewed
for classification prior to further dissemination."
WHO MAY SUBMIT
Awards will be made only to nonprofit institutions. Such awards
will be based on a formal proposal submitted by an organization on
behalf of the principal investigator{s). It is NSA's intent to support
American mathematics; therefore, for mathematics grants the principal
investigator and all research personnel must be ~. S. citizens. To be eli-
gible for an award the organization must have submitted a Certificate of
Assurance or Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
and be constantly in compliance with the Act.
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WHEN TO SUBMIT
There are two deadlines for grant applications:
* 1 November for grants to begin the following summer or fall,
* 1 May for grants to begin the following winter or spring.
A proposal should give the preferred starting date, taking into account
that technical review, negotiation, and award normally take nine (9)
months.
WHAT TO SUBMIT
No specific form is now required, though applicants are cautioned
to include all necessary data (outlined below). An original and seven (7)
copies of the proposal must be submitted.
Name and Address of Organization -Proposals should be submitted
on the institution's letterhead stationary giving the legal name and
address of the organization. The names and telephone numbers of tech-
nical and business personnel should be provided. The home telephone
number of the principal investigators is useful.
Organizational Endorsement and Approval - At least one (1) Copy of
the proposal must carry the original signatures of the principal investi-
gator(s), the department head, and an official authorized to sign for the
institution. All copies should indicate who signed the original proposal,
giving the official title in each case.
Confirmation of Indirect Rates -Include either the name, address,
and phone number of the federal government audit agency that will con-
firm the indirect rates proposed in the budget, or a copy of the latest rate
agreement (usually with the Department of Health and Human Ser-
vices) covering at least the requested starting date of the grant.
Title of Proposed Research -The title of the proposed research
should be brief but properly descriptive and should use keywords suit-
able for indexing and retrieval. It should avoid symbols, alphabetical
letters, and mathematical or scientific notation.
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Time Period -The length of time for which support is requested
should be consistent with the nature and complexity of the proposed
research. Multi-year grants shall be funded on an annual basis.
Summary - A one page summary of the work being proposed must
be the first section of the proposal. The summary should be self-con-
tained, should avoid symbols, and should be expressed, as far as possi-
ble, in language understandable to a scientifically literate reader.
Description of Proposed Research - Submit a detailed description of
the research to be undertaken, its objectives and approach, and its rela-
tionship to the state of knowledge in the field and to comparable work in
progress elsewhere.
Personnel -The qualifications of the principal investigator and the
time the principal investigator and other senior professional personnel
will devote to the research are important factors in the selection of pro-
posals for NSA support. For mathematics grants the principal inoesti-
gatorand all research personnel must be American citizens. -The inform-
ation*be1ow will help in evaluating the proposal.
1) For the principal investigator and the senior staff, include:
(a) a short biography and a list of major publications;
(b) information on other commitments of time, such as
sabbatical or extended leave; and
(c) proportion of time to be devoted to this and other research.
2) Indicate if the principal investigator or other key personnel
have applied to or receive support from other agencies for this
or other research.
*This information about an individual is subject to the requirements of the Pri-
vacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-579). The information is requested under the
authority of Title 10, US Code Sections 2358 and 8012, and Title 42, US Code, Sec-
tions 1891-93. The principal purpose and routine use of the requested information
are for the evaluation of the qualifications of those persons who will perform the
proposed research. Disclosure of the requested information is voluntary, but fail-
ure to provide such will prevent evaluation of the proposal.
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3) List the number of postdoctoral, student, or other research
assistants and their scientific training and experience.
4) Give the names and association with the project of other
technical personnel who will be working on the research.
Bibliography - Include a bibliography and a list of pertinent litera-
ture citations. When relevant to the proposed research or indicative of
the applicant's ability, include summaries of these and preprints or
reprints of research not yet available in readily accessible journals.
Facilities and Equipment Available -Facilities available for the
research should be described as well as other facilities or equipment the
organization intends to acquire under the proposed effort. Such equip-
ment must be reasonably justified by the description of the work.
Proprietary Data -Identify any proprietary data within the pro-
posal that is to be used for evaluation purposes only.
Other Sponsors -Provide the names of other parties that have
funded, are funding, or have been asked to fund the proposed research.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
NSA will cooperate with other granting agencies to provide appro-
priate levels of support for research proposals. Atypical research grant
supported by the NSA Mathematical Sciences Program for a single
investigator might include funding for the following items:
? up to 2.5 months of salary support annually for the principal
investigator (summer or academic year);
? 50% support (salary and tuition) for 1 or 2 graduate students;
? 50% support for a postdoctoral research assistant;
? support for a regional mathematics workshop;
? 1 trip to the annual program review in Baltimore;
? computer support required by the research;
? $2,500 in other expenses for travel, supplies, etc.
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Creative approaches to financial support are encouraged, but should be
discussed with the Program Director before a proposal is submitted.
An estimate of the total cost of the research project with a break-
down of funds by category and year must accompany the proposal. A
sample cost estimate is included at the back of this brochure for guid-
ance in preparing that estimate. If a portion of the total research cost is
to be furnished by the offerer, the source and amount should be set forth
separately from that money requested from the Agency.
The cost principles of OMB Circular A-21 will be applicable to
agreements with educational institutions and the cost principles of
OMB Circular A-122 shall be applicable for nonprofit organizations.
For projects of more than one (1) year duration, separate estimates are
required for each year.
PAYMENTS
If advance payments are requested, please provide a suggested
payment schedule. The requested schedule should include the dates
invoices would be submitted and the amount (by dollars or percent of the
grant) for each payment request.
JOINT SPONSORSHIP
Present or prospective joint sponsorship of any portion of the pro-
gram outlined in the proposal should be disclosed in the proposal. Prior
approval of all agencies must be secured for research to be undertaken
under joint sponsorship.
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GRANT ADMINISTRATION
The NSA Office of Contracting administers the non-technical
aspects of grants. Further details, including General Provisions for
NSA Grants and Cooperative Agreements, may be obtained from:
National Security Agency
Office of Contracting
Attention: L431
Fort George G. Meade, Maryland 20755-6000
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further. information on grants is available by writing or calling:
irector
NSA Mathematical Sciences Program
National Security Agency
Attention: RMA
Ft. George G. Meade, MD 20755-6000
(301) 859 -6438
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SAMPLE COST ESTIMATE
Agency Cost Total
1 June 198n through 30 June 198n+1 Support Share Cost
1. SALARIBS b WAGES
a. Principal Investigator - J. Q. Math
Two month acad. yr. @ $5,500*/mo.
One month summer @ $5,000/month $ 5,000 $ 5,000
*Assumes a 10$ increase 1 July
b. Postdoctoral Researcher - K. R. Math
Full-time, 12 mos. @ $3,000/mo. $18,000 $18,000 $ 36,000
c. 1 Graduate Research Assistants
Tuition @ $3,500/semes. $ 3,500 $ 3,500
Half-time, 9 mos.@ $500/mo. $ 4,500 $ 4,500
Full-time summer, 3 mos.@ $1,000/mo. $ 3,000 $ 3,000
36 000 27 000 $ 63,000
2. ffi4PLOYSE BSNBFITS
26.5$ of regular faculty salaries $ 2,783 $ 1,457 $ 4,240
20.08 of visiting faculty salaries $ 3,600 $ 3,600 $ 7,200
16.0$ of student salaries $ 1,200 $ 1,200
7 583 5 057 $ 12,640
3. COliPUTSR COSTS
(See justification in Note 1)
15 hrs. @ $75/hr. 1 125 $ 1,125
4. THRBg DAY SUM![BR WORKSHOP
(Workshop details are in Note 2)
University Support Services $ 3,500 $ 3,500
Three principal lecturers @$500 ea. $ 1,500 $ 1,500
Secretarial support $ 1,000 $ 1,000
Student stipends, 12 @ $150 $ 1,800 $ 1,800
Printing & Publicity $ 1,500 $ 1,500
5. PUBLICATIOti AIiD RgPORT COSTS
10 pages @ $50/page
5 800 3 500 $ 9,300
6. OTHgR DIRECT COSTS
Telephone, photocopy, communications 500 $ 500
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7.
TRAVEL
1 to West Coast for technical meeting
$450 travel plus 3 days @ $i50/day
$ 900
$ 900
2 to Baltimore for annual MSP review
P.I. and student,
$350 travel plus 2 days @ $125/day
$ 1,200
$ 1,200
TOTAL TRAVEL
2 100
$ 2,100
TOTAL DIRECT COSTS
53 608
35 557
$ 89,165
8.
INDIRgCT COSTS
Current Provisional rate - 56$
NSA support 56$X$49,138
$30,020
$ 30,020
Cost share 56$X$38,425
19 '912
$ 19,912
TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS
83 628
$55,469
$139,097
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Mathematics
and NSA.. .
A Long Term
Partnership
Each year, some of the nation's
leading mathematicians take on
an extraordinary challenge-they
go to work for the National
Security Agency. NSA's Mathe-
maticalSabbatical Program offers
an opportunity to work on ashort-
termbasis with the leading
employer of mathematicians in
the United States. And it offers a
personal challenge as well: to
develop one's skills in directions
that would be impossible
anywhere else.
The sabbaticals primarily
involve cryptanalysis, a discipline
highly dependent on superior math
ability. Cryptanalysis requires
background, perspective and
experience that cannot be learned
overnight. History shows, how-
ever, that visiting mathematicians
are quick learners and make a
significant contribution in a short
time. Other sabbatical work
involves algebra, probability,
statistics, number theory and
discrete mathematics.
Questions you
may have
Just what is the NSA?
The National Security Agency
makes a vital contribution to an
informed and secure environment
for our nation's policy-making.
Established bypresidential direc-
tive in 1952; it is the Department
of Defense agency responsible for
producing foreign intelligence
information.. It also safeguards our
government's vital communica-
tions, and sets standards for
computersecurity throughout the
'federal government. These
missions require the use of the
most' advanced technologies and
techniques, often years before
their commercial use.
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What is the NSA math
environment like?
Mathematicians at NSA enjoy
the type of dynamic environment
that only the largest employer of
mathematicians can offer. In
addition to our own in-house
publications, we offer: summer
workshop programs, continuing
colloquia, cooperative education
programs and occasional meet-
ingsthat provide opportunities to
interact with mathematicians both
within and outside the agency.
NSA also awards grants for
research in cryptology and related
areas. Further, as a member of the
NSA professional staff, you will
have access to support services.
For example, our computer
services are available to assist
you with research.
Will I still be able to
publish my work?
Publishing is important to all
serious mathematicians. NSA
provides ample opportunity to in-
formyour contemporaries of your
work. The in-house publication,
Cryptologic Quarterly, is one
such forum. Because of the nature
of the work, however, publications
outside the NSA community must
be cleared through our public
information office. This is also
true after you leave our employ,
but only for work directly related
to your research at NSA. And of
course, any classified techniques
you are involved with cannot be
reported.
How long do NSA
sabbaticals last?
Mathematical sabbaticals can
run from 9 to 24 months, and we
are flexible regarding start dates.
What kind of compensa-
tioncan Iexpect?
NSA will supplement
mathematicians' University
stipends to at least equal their
regular monthly salary. You may
choose either an allowance for
moving expenses or a housing
supplement.
How are sabbatical
applicants screened?
Keep in mind that mathematical
achievement is the main criterion
for selection. The applicant must
participate in a thorough and
extensive screening process: In
addition to psychological testing
and interviewing, there is a
polygraph exam, personnel
interview, and interviews with
senior mathematicians at NSA.
Applicants will be given an
opportunity to make presentations
on their current research. A
completebackgroundmvestigation.
is also required.
How do I apply?
Those mathematicians
interested must submit a U.S.
Government applicatidh form
(SF-171, available in campus
placement offices); a curriculum
vita, including a complete list of
publications, and any other
relevant information to:
envy
Director
NSA Mathematical Sabbatical
Program
ATTN: RMA
National Security Agency
Fort George G. Meade,
Maryland 20755-6000
The application deadline is
August 1st. Call [phone]
for more information.
An equal opportunity employer.
U. S. citizenship required for applicant and
immediate family members.
STAT
National
Security
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National
Security
Agency
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