NSF Proposal Writing Guidelines

Overview Components Other Important Factors Tips for Success

www.nsf.gov

Overview Address these 2 factors in your

proposal:1. Research Quality

What are your strengths? How will you be innovative in your approach?

2. Impact of the Research Broader impact on education through life-

long learning, K-12 outreach, teacher training, etc.

Broader impact on society through the environment, economy, energy, etc.

Overview

Discuss these issues:

1. Who else is working in your field on this topic?

2. What recent awards have been made?3. What has been published?4. Is there any interest from industry?5. Explain why your research is needed.6. Explain how you will conduct the research.7. Discuss any collaborations.

Components

Cover page Identify NSF program on second line

of the cover page Avoid acronyms State if you are sending the proposal

to another agency You cannot submit the same proposal

to two NSF programs

Components Page 1, Project Summary, is the MOST

important page. It may be the only page that people read! State your research objectives. Explain how you will do the research and

why it is needed. Broader impact on education and society? What are your particular strengths? Will there be any collaboration with industry

or other universities?

Be concise and persuasive!

Components

Pages 2-15 Explain your research plan Acknowledge what others in the field are

doing Discuss your prior work Explain how you are validating your results Discuss how you’ll handle obstacles Impact on education, society, economy,

environment?

Other Important Factors

FastLane All proposals are to be submitted

through FastLane. Make sure you indicate the right NSF unit. If the proposal is for the GOALI program, make sure that GOALI is in the first word of the title.

www.fastlane.nsf.gov

Other Important Factors

Stick to the 15 page limit.

Do not include appendices, unless specifically stated that they are allowed.

Collaborations Separate proposals from each institution Each has its own budget

Other Important Factors

Proposal Processing at NSF: Identify specific program and division Generally takes 4½-6 months

Classify proposals Determine the size of the sub-panel and the

date to meet and review proposals *Peer Review* - recruit a mix of panelists from

academia, industry, etc. Program Assistants

Other Important Factors

If your proposal is awarded a NSF grant, you will be required to submit progress reports Standard – basic grant funded Continuing – funding by annual increments

Final Report Submit no later than 90 days after the grant

funding ends

All reports go through FastLane

Other Important Factors

Supplemental Funding can be awarded for these purposes: To assure completion of the original work International Travel Expenses, common

reason for request of supplemental funding Research Experience for Undergrads (REU) Research Experience for Teachers (RET) Ask for funding in advance (submit through

FastLane) Contact your program director

Other Important Factors

There are no cost extensions, but you can ask for more time. 1st extension – go to the Office of

Research 2nd extension – can be done through

FastLane Justify your need for an extension Must ask for it before the grant ends

Other Important Factors

NSF grants are to universities, not the professor.

Grants can be transferred to a different university.

Tips for Success

If your proposal is declined, you are in the majority. Over 80% are declined.

Persevere! Think about re-submitting. Be a reviewer!

Excellent way to see how the system works Volunteer by contacting a program director Reviewers are moderately compensated