1. NSF Tribal College Workshop
Proposal Preparation
November 14, 2008

2. Ask Early, Ask Often! Name Title Contact Jan Cuny Program Director
Division of Computer & Network Systems (CNS); Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering
(703)
Jessie DeAro
Division of Human Resource Development (HRD); Directorate for Education & Human Resources (EHR)
(703)
Michael Fredenberg
(703)
Joan Frye
Senior Staff Associate
Office of Integrative Activities (OIA); Office of the Director
(703)

3. Coverage Finding Funding Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide
Grant Proposal Guide (GPG)
Sections of an NSF Proposal
Proposal Development Strategies
Budgetary Guidelines
Support for Proposal Writing
Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID) & EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER)

7. Grant Proposal Guide (GPG)
Provides guidance for preparation and submission of proposals to NSF
Describes process – and criteria – by which proposals will be reviewed
Outlines reasons why a proposal may be returned without review
Describes process for withdrawals, returns & declinations

8. Types of Funding Opportunities
NSF uses the following types of funding opportunities
Program Description
Follows GPG instructions
Program Announcement
Program Solicitation
Deviates/supplements GPG instructions
Dear Colleague Letter
Not used to generate new proposals, however, can be used to generate funding requests to supplement an existing award

9. What to Look for in a Program Announcement/Solicitation
Goal of program
Eligibility
Special proposal preparation and/or award requirements

10. Types of Proposal Submission
No deadlines
Deadlines
Target dates
Submission Windows
Preliminary proposals
Letters of Intent

11. Sections of an NSF Proposal
Budget
Current & Pending Support
Facilities, Equipment & Other Resources
Special Information & Supplementary Documentation
Cover Sheet
Project Summary
Table of Contents
Project Description
References Cited
Biographical Sketch(es)

12. Proposal Development Key Questions for Prospective Investigator
What do you intend to do?
Why is the work important?
What has already been done?
How are you going to do the work?

13. Proposal Development Strategies: Individual Investigator
Determine your long-term research/education goals or plan
Develop your bright idea
Survey the literature
Contact Investigators currently working on the topic
Prepare a brief concept paper
Discuss with colleagues/mentors
Read solicitation instructions carefully

14. Proposal Development Strategies Individual Investigator (cont’d)
Prepare to do the project
Determine available resources
Realistically assess needs
Develop preliminary data
Present to colleagues/mentors/students
Determine possible funding sources
Understand the ground rules

15. Budgetary Guidelines Amounts Eligible costs
Reasonable for work – Realistic
Well Justified – Need established
In-line with program guidelines
Eligible costs
Personnel
Equipment
Travel
Participant Support
Other Direct Costs (including subawards, consultant services, computer services, publication costs)

16. 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

17. Small Grants for Exploratory Research (SGER)
Novel untested ideas
New research areas
Urgency
Abbreviated proposal
limited award amount
Expedited review
SGER available through January 4, 2009.
Will be replaced by two new mechanisms: RAPID and EAGER.

18. Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID)
RAPID will be used for proposals having a severe urgency with regard to availability of, or access to data, facilities or specialized equipment, including quick-response research on natural or anthropogenic disasters, or similar unanticipated events.
Budget consistent with project scope and existing programmatic activities (up to $200K)
Require internal review with optional external input
Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID): Rapid release of funds and expedited merit review
Replace part of SGER: having a severe urgency with regard to availability of, or access to data, facilities or specialized equipment, including quick-response research on natural or anthropogenic disasters and similar unanticipated events
Budget consistent with project scope and existing programmatic activities (up to $200K)
Require internal review with optional external input

19. EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER)
Exploratory work in its early stages on untested, but potentially transformative, research ideas or approaches.
Work may be considered “high-risk, high payoff” in the sense that it, for example, involves radically different approaches, applies new expertise or engages in novel disciplinary or interdisciplinary perspectives
Budget consistent with project scope and existing programmatic activities (up to $300K for 2 years)
Program Officer approval needed:
PI needs to convince appropriateness for EAGER submission Vs “regular” NSF proposals
Requires internal review with optional external input
EArly-Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER): Exploratory work in its early stages on untested, but potentially transformative, research ideas or approaches. 
Replace part of SGER - “High Risk-High Payoff“: Radically different approaches, new expertise, or novel disciplinary or interdisciplinary perspectives
Budget consistent with project scope and existing programmatic activities (up to $300K for 2 years)
Program Officer approval needed:
PI needs to convince appropriateness for EAGER submission Vs “regular” NSF proposals
Requires internal review with optional external input