nsf merit review and proposal preparationbiology-web.nmsu.edu/~bgso/web/forms/funding...
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NSF Merit Review andProposal Preparation
Mark Courtney, Ph.DAdjunct, Department of BiologyNew Mexico State University
24 September 2008
The NSF Merit Review Process
Research & Education
Communities
Proposal Preparation Time
Org.submits
viaFastLane
N S FNSF
Program.Office
ProgramOffice
Analysis&
Recomm.
DDConcur
ViaDGA
Organization
Min. 3
Revs.Req.
DGA Review & Processingof Award
Proposal Receipt to DivisionDirector Concurrence of Program
Officer Recommendation
GPGAnnouncement
Solicitation
NSF AnnouncesOpportunity
Returned Without Review/Withdrawn
Panel
Both
Award
NSF Proposal & Award Process & Timeline
Decline
90 Days 6 Months 30 Days
Proposal Receiptat NSF DD Concur Award
NSF Merit Review Criteria
Intellectual Merit
Broader Impacts of the Proposed Effort
Proposal Review Criterion: Intellectual Merit
Potential to advance knowledge and understanding within and across fields
Qualifications of investigators
Creativity and originality
Conceptualization and organization
Access to resources
Proposal Review Criterion: Broader Impact
Advances discovery while promoting teaching, training and learning
Broadens the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc.)
Enhances the infrastructure for research and education, such as facilities, instrumentation, networks and partnerships
Results disseminated broadly
Potential benefits to society
NSF Merit Review Criteria
Any proposal that does NOT address both merit criteria in the Project Summary will be
RETURNED WITHOUT REVIEW.
Return Without Review
Does not meet NSF proposal preparation requirements, such as page limitations, formatting, etc.Is inappropriate for funding by the NSFIs not responsive to the GPG or program announcement or solicitationDoes not meet an announced proposal deadline dateIs a duplicate of, or substantially similar to, a proposal already under considerationWas previously reviewed and declined and has not been substantially revised.
NSF Sources of Reviewers
Program Officer’s knowledge of what is being done and who’s doing what in the research areaReferences listed in proposalRecent technical programs from professional societiesRecent authors in Scientific and Engineering journalsReviewer recommendationsInvestigator’s suggestionsVolunteers to Program Officer
Reasons For Funding A Competitive Proposal
Likely high impact
Place in Program Portfolio
Other Support for PI
Impact on Institution/StateDiversity
Educational Impact
Summary
A good proposal is a good idea, well expressed, with a clear indication of
methods for pursuing the idea, evaluating the findings, making them known to all who need to know, and indicating the
broader impacts of the activity.
Summary
MAKE IT EXCITING !!!
Proposal Preparation
Call Your Program Director!
Grant Proposal Guide (GPG)
Provides guidance for preparation of proposals Describes process -- and criteria --by which
proposals will be reviewed Describes process for withdrawals, returns and
declinations Describes the award process and procedures
for requesting continued support Identifies significant grant administrative
highlights
What to Look for in a Program Announcement
goal of program
eligibility
special requirements
Types of Proposal Submission
No deadlines
Deadlines
Target dates
Submission Windows
Preliminary proposals
A Good Proposal
A good proposal is a good idea, well expressed, with a clear indication of
methods for pursuing the idea, evaluating the findings, and making them known to all
who need to know.
A Competitive Proposal is…All of the above
Appropriate for the ProgramResponsive to the Program Announcement
AND EXCITING !!!
What Makes a Proposal Competitive? Likely high impactNew and original ideasSuccinct, focused project planKnowledge of subject area or
published, relevant workExperience in essential methodologyClarity concerning future directionSound scientific rationaleRealistic amount of workSufficient detailCritical approach
AND EXCITING !!!
Budgetary GuidelinesAmounts Reasonable for work - Realistic Well justified - Needs established In-line with program guidelines
Eligible costs Personnel Equipment Travel Participant Support Other Direct Costs (including subawards,
consultant services, computer services, publication costs)
Talk to your Program Director!
Simple tips for a better proposal
Follow formatting requirements carefully
Compliance check before submitting (FastLane won’t do it for you!)
Be available by email to fix compliance problems (proposals may be returned if NSF can’t contact you)
Suggest reviewers Include all conflicts of interest in your CV
Respond explicitly to previous reviews(Panels are asked to comment on this)
Emphasize readability; avoid verbiage
Simple tips for a better proposal
AND MAKE IT EXCITING !!!
Getting Support in Proposal Writing
NSF Publications Program Announcements/
Solicitations
Grant Proposal Guide
Web Pages
Funded Project Abstracts
Reports, Special Publications
Targeted Workshops
Program Officers Incumbent Former “Rotators”
Mentors on Campus
Previous Panelists
Serve As Reviewer
Sponsored Research Office
Successful Proposals
Advice
Learn to love rejectionContact the program officer with specific questionsRevise and resubmitCollaboration is good, if appropriateDiscover alternative funding sources
Myths about NSF
Only funds researchers from elite institutions
Once declined…always declined
Only funds “normal” science
Advisory committees make funding decisions
Do’s and Don’ts Talk to your Program Officer
Less verbiage, more readability
Anticipate objections or criticisms
Justify your budget
Don’t be greedy
Follow the rules
Give yourself plenty of time
Study reviews carefully
Do’s and Don’ts
DO MAKE IT EXCITING !!!
Ask Early, Ask Often!!
QUESTIONS?
NSF Merit Review andProposal Preparation
Mark Courtney, Ph.DAdjunct, Department of BiologyNew Mexico State University
24 September 2008