Publications
NSF Merit Review Reports
These reports to the National Science Board include data on proposals and awards and other pertinent information, as well as descriptions of special activities that NSF has undertaken in support of the merit review process. Longitudinal data are given to provide a long-term perspective. The current funding rate is a significant decrease from the FY 2000 funding rate of 33 percent, but the current rate has been approximately unchanged over the last five years.
The Foundation continues to exceed its "time to decision" goal of informing at least 70 percent of Principal Investigators (PIs) of funding decisions within six months of receipt of the proposal. The National Science Board conducted a review of the NSF merit review process and concluded that the NSF merit review process is fair and effective. It "remains an international 'gold standard' for review of science and engineering research proposals."
The next report will be published in the summer of 2019 and will cover data collected in 2017 and 2018. The most current report available is Merit Review FY 2016.
Past Reports
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process FY 2016
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process FY 2015
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process FY 2014
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process FY 2013
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process FY 2012
- Merit Review Criteria: Review and Revisions (2012)
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process FY 2011
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process FY 2010
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process FY 2009
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process FY 2008
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process FY 2007
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process FY 2006
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process FY 2005
- Report of the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review System
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process Fiscal Year 2004
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process Fiscal Year 2003
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process Fiscal Year 2001
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process Fiscal Year 2000
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process Fiscal Year 1998
- Report to the National Science Board on the National Science Foundation's Merit Review Process Fiscal Year 1996
- Task Force on Merit Review Discussion Report
