Virtual Grants Conference
The U.S. National Science Foundation held the Fall 2024 NSF Virtual Grants Conference on Dec. 9–12, 2024. View the conference sessions and associated resources below.
Introduction and NSF overview
This session covered NSF's purpose, mandate, organizational structure, program and budget highlights (including current budget status).
Monday Dec. 9, 2024
Presenter: Quadira Dantro
Proposal preparation
NSF staff review how and when to prepare a proposal, including discussion of what constitutes a project and a proposal of high quality. Presenters discuss do's and don'ts, recent procedural changes, as well as the various sources of NSF programmatic opportunities.
Monday Dec. 9, 2024
Presenters: Jean Feldman, Carol Bessel, Jennifer Wade
Merit review process
NSF program officers discuss the philosophy of merit review and how it works, as well as ad hoc and multi-tiered reviews. Presenters also cover the role of the program officer, timing of proposal submissions, reviewer selection, release of reviewer comments, and conflict-of-interest issues related to merit review.
Monday Dec. 9, 2024
Presenters: Randy Phelps, Nigel Sharp, Marina Mazor
Award management
This session addresses award requirements and conditions and outlines the responsibilities of those involved in the award process: principal investigators, grantee organizations, program officers, research administrators and agency grants officials.
Tuesday Dec. 10, 2024
Presenters: Jeffery Vieceli, Tess Tulley, Lynda Kummelt
Financial management update
NSF's Payment and Analytics Branch provides an overview of their financial management practices and operations, as well as new initiatives within the branch. Topics covered include awardee financial reporting and reimbursement responsibilities, best practices and frequently asked questions, recurring monitoring activities, critical fiscal year timelines, as well as new innovations in grant monitoring. This session will be helpful to both new and current NSF awardees to learn more about post-award financial activities at NSF.
Thursday Dec. 12, 2024
Presenters: Naomi Jackson, Justin Poll
Proposal and award policy update
This session provides an update to NSF policies and procedures that affect proposal preparation, merit review and award administration.
Thursday Dec. 12, 2024
Presenters: Jean Feldman, Daniel Hofherr
Office of Inspector General update
Staff from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) discuss the roles and responsibilities of the OIG, as well as how it serves the NSF customer communities. Issues arising from current audits and investigations are also covered.
Tuesday Dec. 10, 2024
Presenters: Heather Gallagher, Lee Stokes
