News & Information

Updates to the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 24-1)

Summary of Changes to the PAPPG (NSF 24-1) include:

• Overall Document
  • Editorial changes have been made throughout to either clarify or enhance the intended meaning of a sentence or section. 
  • Website and document references have been updated to reflect current information. 
  • Updates have been made to ensure consistency with data contained in NSF systems or guidance located and terminology used in other NSF or Federal policy documents.
• Pre-Submission Information
  • Chapter I.D, Concept Outlines, has been updated to provide additional clarity on the use of concept outlines and the Program Suitability and Proposal Concept Tool (ProSPCT).
  • Chapter I.D, Types of Submissions, includes new coverage on the use of concept outlines and the required use of the Program Suitability and Proposal Concept Tool (ProSPCT) for submission. Additional changes on the use of concept outlines and the use of ProSPCT for specific proposal types is available in Chapter II.E.
  • Chapter I.E, Who May Submit Proposals:
    • 1(c) Tribal Nations, has been revised to substitute the term "Tribal Government" with the term "Tribal nation". This update has also been made throughout the PAPPG.
    • 2(c) Foreign Organizations, has been updated to clarify the information required from proposers to justify the request to provide funding through the NSF budget of a foreign organization or foreign individual (through a subaward or consultant arrangement).
    • 3(b) Parties to Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs, has been modified to incorporate a new section establishing that individuals who are a party to a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program are not eligible to serve as a senior/key person on an NSF proposal.
  • Chapter I.F, When to Submit Proposals, has been modified to clarify that the 5 p.m. submitter's local time is tied to the organization, and not the location of the PI.
  • Chapter I.G.2, Requirements Relating to Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and Registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), has been updated to clarify SAM and UEI requirements for new and renewal proposals or the transfer of an award.
• PROPOSAL PREPARATION
  • Chapter II.B, NSF Disclosure Requirements, has been modified to incorporate the annual postaward annual reporting requirements mandated by Section 10339B, "Foreign Financial Support", of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, (42 U.S.C. § 19040). Language also has been added to this section to reference the certification regarding malign foreign talent recruitment programs.
  • Chapter II.C, Format of the Proposal, Research Opportunity Awards for Predominantly Undergraduate Institutions (ROA)(PUI) Supplemental Funding Requests has been added to the listing of types of proposals.
  • Chapter II.C.2, Proposal Font, Spacing, and Margin Requirements, has been modified to allow for submission of proposal documents in landscape format.
  • Chapter II.D.1.d(ix), Certification Regarding Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs, is a new section that addresses Section 10632 of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (42 U.S.C. § 19232) organizational certification requirement regarding malign foreign talent recruitment programs.
  • Chapter II.D.1.e(ii), Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs, is a new section that addresses Section 10632 of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (42 U.S.C. § 19232), requirements regarding malign foreign talent recruitment programs. This applies to individuals designated as senior/key persons on a proposal.

  • Chapter II.D.2.h(i), Biographical Sketch(es), the updated guidance serves as NSF’s implementation of the biographical sketch common form developed by the National Science and Technology Council’s Research Security Subcommittee.

    This section has been revised to remove the 3-page limitation for the biographical sketch. There is no page limitation for this section of the proposal.

    The Synergistic Activities section has been removed from the biographical sketch. This information must now be submitted by individuals designated as senior/key persons as part of the senior/key personnel documents in Research.gov.

  • Chapter II.D.2.h(ii), Current and Pending (Other) Support, the updated guidance serves as NSF’s implementation of the biographical sketch common form developed by the National Science and Technology Council's Research Security Subcommittee.
  • Chapter II.D.2.i(i), Mentoring Plan, has been expanded to address the revision to Section 7008(a) of the America COMPETES Act of 2022 (42 U.S.C. § 1862o(a)) requiring a mentoring plan for postdoctoral researchers or graduate students supported on the project. This page limitation for the Mentoring Plan remains one page.
  • Chapter II.D.2.i(iv), Federal Environmental Statutes, has been revised to address new requirements for consultation with Tribal Nations.
  • Chapter II.E.7, Projects Requiring Advanced Computing, Data, and Analysis Capabilities, has been updated with revised instructions for projects that require such resources.
  • Chapter II.E.10, Seeking and Obtaining Tribal Nation Approval for Proposals that May Impact Tribal Resources or Interests, has been added as a new section for proposals that may impact the resources of a Tribal Nation. Projects that do not have prior written approval from the official(s) designated by the relevant Tribal Nation(s) will not be awarded by NSF.
  • Chapter II.F.14, Research Opportunity Supplemental Funding Requests for Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (ROA/PUI), is now included as a new type of supplemental funding request, rather than described in an NSF solicitation.
• Awrad, Administration and Monitoring of NSF Assistance Awards
  • Chapter VI.E, Supplemental Support, has been modified to reflect that NSF Dear Colleague Letters and solicitations may identify supplemental funding opportunities with specified durations longer than six months and for additional funding amounts.
• Award Administration
  • Chapter VII.B.2.f, Disposition of an Award When a PI Transfers from One Organization to Another:
    • implements the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 requirement to mentor graduate students in addition to postdoctoral researchers; and
    • includes new language to remind users about NSF's policies regarding funding of foreign organizations, including foreign subawards and consultant arrangements.
  • Chapter VII.B.5, Postaward Additions of Postdoctoral or Graduate Student Researchers, has been modified to expand the requirement to cover graduate student researchers.
  • Chapter VII.B.6, Postaward Addition of Off-Site or Off-Campus Research, is a new section to address postaward requirements associated with the plan for safe and inclusive working environments.
  • Chapter VII.B.7, Individual Development Plans for Postdoctoral Scholars or Graduate Students, implements Section 10313 (42 U.S.C. § 18993) of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 requirement for postdoctoral scholars or graduate students who receive substantial NSF support must have an Individual Development Plan which is required to be updated annually.
  • Chapter VII.D, Reporting Requirements, has been revised to incorporate new institutional annual reporting requirements mandated Section 10339B, “Foreign Financial Support”, of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 ((42 U.S.C. § 19040).
• Other Post-Award Requirements and Considerations
  • Chapter XI.A, Non-Discrimination Statutes and Regulations, includes clarifying language for when IRB approval is required for awards involving human subjects.
    • incorporates new coverage to address Executive Order 14096, "Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All;" and
    • updates the section covering "NSF Policy on Sexual Harassment, Other Forms of Harassment, or Sexual Assault," to improve clarity of language and NSF's expectations.
  • Chapter XI.A.7, Limited English Proficiency under E.O. 13166, has incorporated additional language regarding Limited English Proficiency under Executive Order 13166.
  • Chapter XI.A.8, Environmental Justice under E.O. 14096, has been added as a new section regarding NSF's implementation of Executive Order 14096, "Environmental Justice."
  • Chapter XI.M, Scientific Integrity, incorporates a new definition for scientific integrity derived from "A Framework for Federal Scientific Integrity Policy and Practice" issued by the National Science and Technology Council.

Spring 2024 NSF Grants Conference

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) will host the Spring 2024 NSF Grants Conference from June 3 – 5, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA. Registration is now open!
For more information, visit the NSF Grants Conference page.

The NSF Grants Conference is designed to give new faculty, researchers, and administrators key insights into a wide range of current issues at NSF. NSF staff will provide up-to-date information about policies and procedures, specific funding opportunities, and answer attendee questions.

Highlights include: 

• New programs and initiatives
• Proposal preparation  
• NSF’s merit review process 
• NSF directorate sessions  
• Award management topics 
• Conflict of interest policies 
• NSF systems updates 

Noteworthy NSF News Items:

• Certification Regarding Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR)
  The requirement specified in Section 7009 of the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act (42 USC 1862o–1), as amended, to have a plan to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to faculty and other senior personnel who will be supported by NSF to conduct research will go into effect for new proposals submitted or due on or after July 31, 2023. NSF, however, encourages the community to establish such training and oversight for faculty and other senior personnel prior to the July 31,2023, implementation.

   

  Section 7009 of the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act (42 USC 1862o–1), as amended, requires that each institution that applies for financial assistance from the Foundation for science and engineering research or education describe in its grant proposal a plan to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty, and other senior personnel supported by the proposed research project. Such training must include mentor training and mentorship.
• Revised NSF Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support Formats - Now Available in SciENcv and on the NSF Website
  The National Science Foundation (NSF) implemented revised versions of the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support formats for consistency with the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 23-1). The requirement to use the revised formats is effective for proposals submitted or due on or after January 30, 2023.

   

  These revised formats are now available in SciENcv and on the NSF Policy Office website. As a reminder, the mandate to use SciENcv only for preparation of these senior personnel documents will go into effect for new proposals submitted or due on or after October 23, 2023.

   

  Staff from NSF and NIH conducted a webinar to discuss the revised formats and demonstrate the SciENcv system .   (Updated 1/30/2023; Originally Posted 1/12/23)
• Safe and Inclusive Working Environments for Off-Campus and Off-Site Research.
  • Requirement for proposers to provide a certification regarding Safe and Inclusive Working Environments for Off-Campus and Off-Site Research.
    • A new box will appear on the Cover Sheet titled Off-Campus or Off-Site Research
    • For purposes of this requirement, off-campus or off-site research is defined as data/information/samples being collected off-campus or off-site, such as fieldwork and research activities on vessels and aircraft. 
    • For each proposal that proposes to conduct research off-campus or off-site, the AOR must complete a certification that the organization has a plan in place for that proposal regarding safe and inclusive working environment.
    • The plan itself is not submitted to NSF as part of the proposal.
    • The plan must describe how the following types of behavior will be addressed: 
      1. 1. Abuse of any person, but not limited to harassment, stalking, bullying or hazing of any kind, whether the behavior is carried out verbally, physically, electronically, or in written form; or
         2. Conduct that is unwelcome, offensive, indecent, obscene, or disorderly.
    • The plan should identify steps the proposing organization will take to nurture an inclusive off-campus or off-site working environments , e.g., trainings; processes to establish shared team definitions of roles, responsibilities, and culture, e.g., codes of conduct; and field support, such as mentor/mentee support mechanisms, regular check-ins, and/or developmental events.  A good starting point for SBU Investigators would be the Stony Brook University Plan for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity.
    • The plan should consider communications within the team and to the organization, minimizing singular points within the communications pathway (e.g., a single person overseeing access to a single satellite phone), and any special circumstances such as the involvement of multiple organizations or the presence of third parties in the working environment should be taken into account.  The process or method for making incident reports as well as how any reports received will be resolved should also be accounted for.  In developing your plan, SBU Investigators should refer to the Office of Equity and Access Policies and Procedures page.
• NSF Project Report Enhancements for Datasets and Research Materials

  Effective July 24, 2023, the National Science Foundation (NSF) made enhancements to the Project Reporting System in Research.gov to enable datasets and research materials to be entered as distinct product types that are managed and reviewed separately. This change improves project report data quality by listing each product type resulting from NSF funded research as a separate entry rather than a combined listing of multiple product types. Other changes include improved system messaging and an updated user interface to provide a more seamless look and feel for NSF award recipients. There are no changes to NSF’s Public Access policy or project reporting requirements.

  An updated How to Add Datasets to the NSF-PAR and NSF In-progress Project Reports guide and updated How to Remove Datasets from the NSF-PAR and In-progress Project Reports guide will be available on the Research.gov About Public Access page. Visit the NSF Public Access Initiative page for more information including the NSF Public Access Plan 2.0 - Ensuring Open, Immediate and Equitable Access to National Science Foundation Funded Research released earlier this year.

• PI Transfer Request Transition from FastLane to Research.gov and Critical System Deadlines

   Effective June 26, 2023, the National Science Foundation (NSF) transitioned the Principal Investigator (PI)/Project Director (PD) or co-PI/co-PD Transfer from one organization to another request functionality ("PI Transfer") from FastLane to Research.gov and decommissioned this request in FastLane. Here's what you need to know:

  • All PI Transfer requests will now be prepared and submitted in Research.gov.
  • In-progress PI Transfer requests in FastLane as of June 23, 2023, were moved to Research.gov.
  • All notifications and requests previously submitted in FastLane are accessible in Research.gov.
  • Award recipients can access the notifications and requests module in Research.gov via the Notifications & Requests link under Awards & Reporting on the Research.gov homepage (formerly known as the Research.gov "My Desktop" page) after signing into Research.gov.
  • Please see the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) Chapter VII, Research.gov About Notifications and Requests page, and FastLane System Decommissioning page for additional information.
• FastLane Decommissioning - Critical System Deadlines
  • Friday, September 29, 2023 (5:00 PM submitter’s local time) is the last day to submit proposal file updates and budget revisions in FastLane, withdraw FastLane submitted proposals, and withdraw supplemental funding requests submitted in FastLane. Please see the FastLane System Decommissioning page for additional information.
  • Friday, September 29, 2023 (11:00 PM Eastern Time) is the last day to access FastLane submitted and in-progress letters of intent, proposals, and supplemental funding requests.
    • FastLane submitted and in-progress letters of intent, proposals, and supplemental funding requests will not be transferred to Research.gov; however, the reviews and summaries for proposals submitted in FastLane will remain available in Research.gov.
    • Refer to the Instructions to Access and Download/Print FastLane Letters of Intent, Proposals and Supplemental Funding Requests.
  • Friday, September 29, 2023 (11:00 PM Eastern Time) is the last day to access the FastLane Proposals, Awards and Status tab; Research Administration tab; and Honorary Awards tab on the FastLane homepage. These tabs will be removed from the FastLane homepage as of September 30, 2023, and the functionality will be decommissioned in FastLane. 

  Research.gov and Grants.gov Deadlines 

  • Friday, October 20, 2023 (5:00 PM submitter’s local time) is the last day to upload the NSF fillable PDF format for the biographical sketch and current and pending (other) support.
    • Proposers currently may prepare the biographical sketch and current and pending (other) support using either SciENcv or the NSF fillable PDFs.
    • The mandate to use SciENcv only for preparation of the biographical sketch and current and pending (other) support will go into effect for new proposals submitted or due on or after October 23, 2023.
    • Please see PAPPG Chapters II.D.2.h.(i). and II.D.2.h.(ii). as well as the NSF biographical sketch and current and pending (other) support websites for more information.

   

• 2023 NSF Virtual Grants Conference (Archived)

  Join the National Science Foundation for the Spring 2023 NSF Virtual Grants Conference, to be held June 5, 2023 2:00 PM ET  to June 8, 2023 4:00 PM ET.. 

  Registration will open on Wednesday, May 10 at 12PM EST.

  Just like the in-person grants conferences, the NSF Virtual Grants Conference is a must, especially for new faculty, researchers and administrators.

  Highlights include:

  • New programs and initiatives
  • Proposal preparation 
  • NSF's merit review process 
  • NSF directorate sessions 
  • Award management topics 
  • Conflict of interest policies 
  • NSF systems updates 

  The NSF Grants Conference is designed to give new faculty, researchers, and administrators key insights into a wide range of current issues at NSF. NSF staff will provide up-to-date information about policies and procedures, specific funding opportunities and answer attendee questions.