NSF Proposal Toolkit

KEY NSF RESOURCES

Proposal Preparation

• Common Guidelines for Education Research and Development
  A joint committee (NSF and IES) developed a "broad framework that clarifies research types and provides basic guidance about the purpose, justification, design features, and expected outcomes from various research types." More info:
• FAQs for NSF's Common Guidelines for Education Research and Development
• Companion Guidelines on Replication & Reproducibility in Education Research
  This 2018 report is a supplement to the Common Guidelines for Education Research and Development.
• Data Management for NSF EHR Directorate Proposals and Awards
  A guide to assist applicants in the development of a data management plan (DMP) for proposals.
• Fall 2018 Grants Conference Webcast | Nov 8-9 | New Orleans
  Fall Grants Conferences shares learning opportunities for new faculty, researchers and administrators who want to gain key insights into a wide range of current issues at NSF. (Archived: Fall 2017 Grants Conference Webcast)
• Funding-How to Prepare a Proposal
  A short guide to preparing a proposal for NSF.
• Grants.gov Application Guide (2019)
  A guide to assist applicants in the preparation and submission of applications to NSF via Research.gov.
• Human Subjects
  NSF's policy on research involving human subjects. See also
  Frequently Asked Questions regarding Human Subjects.
• NSF Guide for Proposal Writing
  General advice on proposal writing.
• NSF Prospective New Awardee Guide (January 2018) 
  What you should know if you get awarded.
• Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) NSF 19-1 (Effective starting on Feb 25, 2019)
  A guide to assist applicants in the preparation and submission of proposals to NSF via Fastlane. More info:
• View a webinar recording that gives an overview of updates to the PAPPG. Helpful information can also be found in NSF's Proposal & Award Policy Newsletters.
• Fall 2016 NSF Grant Conference presentation slides
• Consolidated Listing of Program-and Cost-related Grantee Notifications To, and Requests for Approval From, The National Science Foundation
• List of Automated Proposal Compliance Checks Performed by System as of August 1, 2016

Proposal Submission
Proposals can be submitted via Fastlane or Research.gov.

• FastLane
  Read the PAPPG (listed above) if you plan to submit your proposal via Fastlane. More info:
• FastLane Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Research.gov
  Read the Grants.gov application guide (listed above) if you plan to submit your proposal via Research.gov.

Proposal Review

• One of the best ways to learn about what a good proposal entails is to serve on an NSF review panel. Learn more. 
• Watch a mock review session as panelists discuss the strengths and weaknesses of a CAREER Award proposal.