NSF 2007 Proposer Survey

The National Science Foundation (NSF) would like to announce the 2007 Proposer Survey and encourage principal investigators who are in the survey population to complete the survey. More information about the purpose of survey can be found below as well as answers to frequently asked questions.

In support of NSF’s mission to promote the progress of science, the Foundation is conducting research to understand the factors that impact the proposal and award management processes.  The research effort will include a survey to gather perspectives about the NSF proposal submission process, factors that influence decisions to submit research proposals, and perceptions of success rates within NSF and other organizations.  

On January 29, 2007, a survey weblink was sent via email to individuals who submitted research proposals to NSF in FY2004, FY2005, or FY2006.  The scientific community’s feedback is essential to providing NSF with insight about the proposal submission process and success rates.  NSF will include the survey results in a report on the impact of proposal and award management mechanisms that will be presented to the National Science Board (NSB) in Spring 2007, and will use the results to inform decisions about internal policies and practices.

Thank you in advance for your participation and feedback in NSF’s important research about the proposal submission process and proposal success rates.

FAQS ABOUT THE NSF SURVEY

• Why is NSF conducting the survey? The NSF is interested in gathering external perspectives about its proposal submission process, factors that influence decisions to submit research proposals, and perceptions of success rates within NSF and other organizations.  The results will be used to inform decisions about internal policies and practices that affect NSF’s capacity to promote the progress of science.

• Who will be asked to complete the survey?  Individuals who submitted research proposals to NSF in FY2004, FY2005, or FY2006.

• When will I receive an invitation?  January 29, 2007.  The invitation was sent by e-mail from George Angerbauer (angerbauer_george@bah.com) from Booz Allen Hamilton, the consulting firm that is conducting the survey on NSF’s behalf. 

• Is the survey confidential?  This web-based survey is confidential and there will be no individual attribution to any survey responses.  All responses will be aggregated by Booz Allen Hamilton and only a high-level report will be provided to NSF.

• How long will the survey take to complete?  The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. 

• What will NSF do with the information?  NSF will include the survey results in a report that will be presented to the NSB in Spring 2007 and a summary of the survey results will be posted on the NSF website soon after the survey’s conclusion.