Submitting a Proposal: Best Practices By: Anu Singh Science Assistant

Best Practices in Proposal Preparation Start with a Good Idea! The best proposals have a high “WOW” factor or have a “HIGH IMPACT” in the field.  Talk to a Program Director  PD’s can assist in program identification

Best Practices in Proposal Preparation  Follow the Rules! Grant Proposal Guide – GPG  Allow Plenty of Time  Examine previous awards in your area. “Awards” Hyperlink from NSF homepage

Typical Components of an NSF Proposal  Cover Sheet  Table of Contents  Project Summary  Project Description  References Cited

Proposal Supporting Documents  Biographical Sketches  Proposal Budget  Budget Justification  Current and Pending Support  Facilities, Equipment & Other Resources  Supplementary Documentation

Best Practices: Cover Sheet  Cover Sheet NSF Unit Organization PI and Co-PI’s Information  Table of Contents – Done Automatically

Best Practices: Project Summary  Introduction/Overview  Intellectual Merit  Broader Impact

Best Practices Project Description:  Appearance Matters  Must address: Results from prior NSF funding (Required) Intellectual Merit and Broader Impact Brief response to reviewer comments (recommended)

Best Practices Project Description:  Results from prior NSF funding Basic findings, training, outcomes, publications  Organization Clearly apparent Aims/Goals/Hypotheses Separate sections for both Merit Criteria  Integration Intellectual Merit Broader Impacts

 Aims/Goals/Hypothesis New insights Rationale Inter-relationships between aims Timeline Best Practices: Project Description - Intellectual Merit

What if it doesn’t work?  Anticipate criticisms  Provide backup plans  Include alternative hypotheses. Best Practices: Project Description - Intellectual Merit

 Methodology Competence Collaborations Experimental System Best Practices: Project Description - Intellectual Merit

 Don’t Forget Broader Impacts! High impact Education/Outreach are important Your record Your plan Your budget pubs Best Practices: Project Description – Broader Impacts

Best Practices: References  Provide current background information  Cite literature accurately

Best Practices: Biographical Sketches:  Maximum length: 2 pages  Maximum publications: 10  Synergistic activities  Mentors and Mentees  Collaborators and Other Affiliations

Best Practices: Proposal Budget  Amounts Reasonable for work – Realistic In-line with program guidelines  Eligible costs Personnel (PI, Co-PIs, Senior Personnel, Techs, Post-docs, Graduate and Undergraduate students) Equipment Travel – Consider student support Participant Support Supplies – Varies depending upon discipline Other Direct Costs (including sub awards, consultant services, computer services, publication costs)

Best Practices: Budget Justification  Well justified - Needs established  Done line by line basis

Best Practices: List of Suggested Reviewers  Well qualified reviewers  Program Director discretion  Potentially disqualifying conflicts include:  Organization with which reviewer has/seeks business relationship  Institution at which reviewer is enrolled or serves as visiting scientist

Best Practices: Supplementary Documents  Letters of support or collaboration  RUI Impact Statement (certification)  Limit these to minimum necessary. Avoid introducing addition informational content (Not allowed)

 Font size must satisfy all GPG requirements.  Follow page limit.  Fill out all forms honestly and accurately.  Spell check and grammar check.  Double check AFTER FastLane upload. Poorly Written or Organized Proposals DO NOT Review Well Even with Excellent Science! Best Practices: General Notes

Submitting the Proposal:  The Sponsored Research Office (SRO) or equivalent submits the proposal to NSF electronically.  The Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) is required to electronically sign the proposal.

Questions or Concerns??  NSF website:  GPG hyperlink:  Contact the Program Director  Procedure questions: Contact the Fastlane Help Desk by sending an to or call