NSF Proposal Writing Guidelines Overview Components Other Important Factors Tips for Success

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.

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. 1 st extension – go to the Office of Research 2 nd 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