Can a proposer send multiple copies of a proposal to different organizations within NSF?

Only one submission should be provided to NSF even if review by multiple programs is envisioned. You may indicate on the Cover Sheet which NSF organizational unit(s) you believe would be most appropriate for proposal review. However, NSF will determine which program will evaluate each proposal. All proposals must be sent to the delivery address provided in the GPG Section 1.F or as required in a specific program announcement/solicitation. Unless stated otherwise in a program announcement/solicitation, proposals should not be addressed to or sent directly to a Program Officer; multiple copies should not be sent to various organizations within NSF.

The submission of duplicate or substantially similar proposals concurrently for review by more than one program without prior NSF approval may result in the return of the redundant proposals.

 Can the same proposal submitted to NSF be submitted to other agencies for simultaneous review?

Generally, proposals may be submitted to other agencies for simultaneous review. However, research proposals (not proposals for conferences or workshops) to the Biological Sciences Directorate cannot be duplicates of proposals to any other Federal agency for simultaneous consideration. The only exceptions, to the rule for research proposals submitted to the Biological Sciences Directorate, are: (1) when the proposers and program managers at relevant Federal agencies have previously agreed to joint review and possible joint funding of the proposal; and (2) proposals from beginning investigators (individuals who have not been a principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on a Federally funded award with the exception of doctoral dissertation, postdoctoral fellowship or research planning grants). (Reference GPG I.A.3.)

 Cost-Sharing

 Is cost-sharing required as part of an award?

In accordance with statutory requirements, cost-sharing is mandatory in awards that result from unsolicited research proposals. Some program announcements may also contain other cost-sharing/matching requirements. (References GPG I.A and II.D.7.l and GPM 330.)

 What constitutes acceptable cost-sharing under an NSF award?

If cost-sharing is incorporated as a special condition in the grant letter, cost-sharing becomes a legal condition of the award and, as such, is an auditable item for the grantee organization. A thorough examination of the cost-sharing proposal is a part of the detailed Division of Grants and Agreements' budgetary and administrative review of the proposal jacket. In order for cost-sharing to be acceptable, the cost-sharing amount must be listed on line M of NSF Form 1030, must be in accordance with Section .23 of OMB Circular A-110 and authorized by the institutional representative.

 Delivery of a Proposal

 Where should proposals be delivered?

(Reference GPG I.F.)

 Does use of express delivery or courier service qualify as an acceptable method of delivery?

Yes. Proposals sent by special messenger or courier should be delivered to NSF weekdays, except Federal holidays, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET. Contact the NSF Mail Room, 703-306-0657, with any questions regarding the mailing or delivery of proposals. (Reference GPG I.F.)

 Where/how can a proposer electronically access forms for proposal submission?

The Proposal Forms Kit (NSF 98-3) is available electronically on the NSF home page including helpful hints and instructions. The Forms Kit contains all forms necessary for proposal submission. Individual forms are available in Microsoft Word 6.0 and postscript formats. 6.0 for Macintosh is also provided.

The NSF FastLane system can be used by FastLane-registered users to access the forms that are required as part of the proposal submission. Detailed information about the FastLane Project is available from the FastLane home page at www.fastlane.nsf.gov. (Reference GPG I.C.)

 Where should questions on accessing or completing electronic forms be directed; who should a proposer contact regarding questions on completion of forms submitted via the NSF FastLane system?

Proposers who submit proposals via the FastLane system should review the FastLane home page at www.fastlane.nsf.gov for more information, or refer specific questions by e-mail to fastlane@nsf.gov.

The "Helpful Hints" section of the electronic version of the Proposal Forms Kit provides a variety of information that may answer many of your questions. For general proposal preparation questions for proposals that are not submitted via the NSF FastLane system, the Policy Office can be contacted at 703-306-1243 or e-mail to policy@nsf.gov for further assistance.

 Eligibility

 Can an award be made to an individual?

Generally, awards are rarely made to individuals. Unaffiliated individuals should contact the appropriate NSF program prior to preparing a proposal for submission. (Reference GPG I.D.)

 If an individual is not a U.S. citizen, can the individual apply for a grant? Can a permanent resident serve as a Principal Investigator at a U.S. institution?

• the proposed project is sufficiently meritorious and otherwise complies with the conditions of any relevant program announcement/solicitation;
• the proposer has demonstrated the capability and has access to any necessary facilities to carry out the project; and
• the proposer agrees to fiscal arrangements which, in the opinion of the NSF Grants Officer, ensure responsible management of Federal funds. (Reference GPG I.D.)

Except for NSF fellowships, which by statute can be made only to citizens, nationals, or lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens of the United States, there is no nationality restriction in any NSF program. A proposing institution may designate as Principal Investigator anyone it believes to be capable of fulfilling the role.

 Can an award be made to a foreign organization?

NSF rarely provides support to foreign organizations. NSF, however, will consider proposals for cooperative projects involving U.S. and foreign organizations, provided support is requested only for the U.S. portion of the collaborative effort. For further information, contact the Division of International Programs; Appendix A of the GPG. (Reference GPG I.D.6.)

 Can a Federal agency apply for an NSF award?

NSF does not normally support research or education activities by scientists, engineers or educators employed by Federal agencies or Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). However, a scientist, engineer or educator who has a joint appointment with a university and a Federal agency (such as a Veterans Administration Hospital, or with a university and an FFRDC) may submit proposals through the university and may receive support if he/she is a bona fide faculty member of the university, although part of his/her salary may be provided by the Federal agency. Under unusual circumstances, other Federal agencies and FFRDCs may submit proposals directly to NSF. Preliminary inquiry should be made to the appropriate program before preparing a proposal for submission. (Reference GPG I.D.7.)

 What is FastLane? Where can a proposer find more information?

FastLane uses advanced information technology to explore methods to redesign and streamline the way NSF does business with the research, education, and related communities. The FastLane Project is available for proposal preparation, submission, status check and post-award administrative activities. This electronic function may be accessed using a World Wide Web browser that supports file upload and forms capabilities (e.g., NetScape Navigator 3.0 or later) at location www.fastlane.nsf.gov. FastLane-registered institutions may access proposal and post-award functions for all proposals from the institution through use of a Personal Identification Number.

For those associated with institutions of higher education, the college or university's Office of Sponsored Programs should be the first point of contact regarding registration for FastLane. Detailed information about the FastLane Project is available from the FastLane home page at www.fastlane.nsf.gov. To register, the Office of Sponsored Programs should send an e-mail to fastlane@nsf.gov. (Reference GPG I.C.)

 Forms

 The Grant Proposal Guide and the Proposal Forms Kit were recently revised. Which forms should a proposer use for preparation and submission of a proposal prior to October 1, 1997?

The forms contained in the Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) (NSF 95-27) and the Proposal Forms Kit may continue to be used until the implementation date for the new GPG of October 1, 1997. The new forms may also be used at this time. While a proposal will not be rejected on October 1st if it does not contain the new formats, a proposer should begin the transition/implementation process to the new guidelines as soon as possible. This is of particular importance in areas where forms are no longer provided, such as the biographical sketch, project description and project summary. Since the guidelines have changed, PIs should pay particular attention to the new content requirements in these areas.

 What is the difference between use of the terms "form" and "format" for purposes of proposal preparation?

 Must the awardee organization code and the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number be included on the Cover Sheet for Proposal to the National Science Foundation (NSF Form 1207)? Where can a proposer find the awardee organization code and DUNS number?

An organization should include the organization code, if known, on the NSF Form 1207; if the code is not known, the block should be left blank. NSF assigns the codes to the institutions. These codes are unique to the NSF database and in no way visible to the institutions. The DUNS number must also be included on the cover sheet. If the organization does not have a DUNS number, Dun and Bradstreet Information Services should be contacted at 800-333-0505 to obtain one. (Reference GPG II.D.1.)

 Should copies of the Certification Page (page 2 of the Cover Sheet for Proposal to the National Science Foundation, NSF Form 1207) be included in all copies of the proposal?

The signed original of page 2 of the 1207 must be included with the original proposal. It is not necessary to include copies of the certification page with each of the proposal copies. (Reference GPG II.D.1.)

 Should the Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, SF LLL, be submitted with every proposal?

The Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form, SF LLL, is required when the proposal exceeds $100,000 and the conditions in paragraph (2) of the certification are met: specifically, if any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence a government employee, Member or employee of Congress in connection with the Federal grant or cooperative agreement. (Reference GPG II.D.1.)

 Where can a proposer find general information about NSF programs?

1. The NSF Guide to Programs (NSF 97-30) contains funding opportunities for research and education in science, mathematics and engineering. Additional information on a variety of funding opportunities is located on the NSF home page under Grants.
2. Individual NSF program announcements/solicitations address specific statements of work, review criteria and budgetary information for areas that NSF is specifically interested in funding. Program announcements and solicitations may be accessed electronically via the NSF home page. Appendix A of the Grant Proposal Guide provides a listing of program offices that may be contacted to obtain additional information.
3. The Custom News Service is available electronically to anyone wishing to know about new NSF funding opportunities. Basic points about how the service works is listed below.

   To subscribe, you need an Internet e-mail account. Once you subscribe, you will get an e-mail from NSF confirming your subscription. After subscribing, be sure to create your "profile" of publications you want to be told about. This automatically creates a custom web page for you, which you access using your Internet e-mail account. You must visit the web page at least once every six months to keep your subscription current. You can choose to be notified via e-mail when new documents matching your profile are added to the NSF Online Document System. E-mails include links to the electronic location of each document, and/or full text of short documents. A weekly e-mail alert listing all documents added the previous week is available under "Notification Options" when you set up or modify your profile. For more information, please see the Custom News Service help pages.

4. The NSF Grants Bulletin Board is an electronic service which contains updates, informative messages and a variety of topics related to NSF grants. To get on or off the mailing list for the Grants Bulletin Board, or for additional information about the list, send a message to: grants-request@nsf.gov

 Where can a proposer find guidance on proposal preparation?

The Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) (NSF 98-2) provides guidance for the preparation of unsolicited proposals to NSF. It contains instructions for proposal preparation and submission; information on NSF proposal processing and merit review, award and continued support, special programs, and grant administration highlights. NSF also issues program announcements/solicitations for areas that NSF is specifically interested in supporting. For those connected with institutions of higher education, the college or university's Office of Sponsored Programs is a good place to start gathering information.

 Where can a proposer find guidance on administration of an NSF award?

The Grant Policy Manual (GPM) (NSF 95-26) provides information regarding the NSF award cycle from issuance and administration of an award through closeout. See the Grant and Agreement Conditions, such as GC-1, for additional information. For those connected with institutions of higher education, the college or university's Office of Sponsored Programs is a good place to start gathering information.

 Where and how can a proposer obtain copies of the Grant Policy Manual (GPM) and Grant Proposal Guide (GPG)?

The complete text of the GPM, GPG, and NSF Proposal Forms Kit (NSF 98-3) are available electronically on the NSF home page. Note that the GPG also contains the Proposal Forms Kit. Hard copies of the GPM are available only by subscription from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Subscription prices and terms are subject to change without notice. The GPG and Proposal Forms Kit may be ordered from: NSF Publications Clearinghouse, PO Box 218, Jessup MD 20794-0218, telephone: 301-947-2722, e-mail: pubs@nsf.gov.

 Where can a proposer obtain copies of Grant General Conditions?

Grant General Conditions are available electronically on the NSF home page under Grants and Awards or they may be ordered from: NSF Publications Clearinghouse, PO Box 218, Jessup MD 20794-0218, telephone: 301-947-2722, e-mail: pubs@nsf.gov.

 Where can a proposer find information related to NSF's revised merit review criteria?

The National Science Board has approved new criteria for reviewing proposals to the National Science Foundation, effective October 1, 1997. The criteria, and how reviewers are to address them, are addressed in Important Notice No. 121,

from the Office of the Director. The revised criteria are designed to be useful and relevant across NSF's many different programs, however, NSF will continue to highlight the specific objectives of certain programs and activities. Additional background information about this change, including the Board's resolution and the report on which it is based, can be found on the home page of the National Science Board. (Reference also GPG III.A.)

 An organization is preparing a grant proposal for submission to NSF but does not have a negotiated indirect cost rate. Can the organization submit a grant proposal without a negotiated indirect cost rate, and if so, what indirect cost rate should be used in the grant proposal budget?

Since the grant proposal budget is an organization's estimate of total grant project costs, and is one of NSF's considerations in determining appropriate funding amounts, organizations should include estimated amounts for both direct and indirect costs on their proposal budgets. The indirect cost rates that should be used in arriving at estimated indirect costs should be reflective of the organization's financial operations as determined in the preparation of an indirect cost proposal based on historical and/or budgeted expenditure data. More detailed information on indirect cost rates, preparing indirect cost rate proposals, and where to direct questions in this area can be at accessed electronically www.nsf.gov/bfa/cpo/oversite/start.htm.

 What if an organization has never received NSF funding?

 Where can a new proposer find information on the types of documents required to be completed and submitted to NSF in order for NSF to conduct the necessary administrative and financial reviews of the organization?

The "Prospective New Awardee Guide" (NSF 97-100) includes information on: Administration and Management Information; Accounting System Requirements and Auditing Information; and Payments to Organizations with Awards. This information will assist an organization in preparing documents which the NSF requires to conduct administrative and financial reviews of an organization. The guide also serves as a means of highlighting the accountability requirements associated with Federal awards. It is available on the NSF home page under Grants.

 Notification of Proposal Receipt

 How will a proposer know whether NSF has received his/her proposal?

An acknowledgment of proposal receipt will be provided; it will reference the NSF proposal number and the NSF program to which the proposal has been assigned. NSF FastLane-registered users can verify the status of their submission via the FastLane system. (Reference GPG I.F.3.)

 How does a proposer find out about NSF outreach opportunities on proposal preparation?

In addition to frequent campus visits by NSF Program Officials, NSF usually conducts two regional grants conferences per calendar year. These regional grants conferences are announced on the NSF home page under NSF Outreach and on the Grants Bulletin Board. These conferences cover topics such as: proposal preparation; merit review of proposals; electronic initiatives and special issues; grant administration; new programs and cross-disciplinary initiatives; and future directions and strategies for the Foundation.

NSF representatives also participate in educational and professional development seminars, meetings and workshops, which focus on current issues and developments, frequently with such organizations as the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) and the Society of Research Administrators (SRA). Also see the DGA home page for a listing of scheduled outreach events.

 On the "Current and Pending Support" form (NSF Form 1239), how do I calculate the person months per year committed to the project?

 Who should a proposer contact when seeking guidance on proposal preparation?

For those connected with institutions of higher education, the college or university's Sponsored Programs Office should be the first point of contact. For general policy-related questions regarding proposal preparation (e.g., how to complete forms or access the GPM, GPG or Proposal Forms Kit), the Policy Office may be contacted on 703-306-1243 or by e-mail to policy@nsf.gov. When responding to a specific program announcement/solicitation, contact the applicable Program Office. (Reference GPG Appendix A.)

The Division of Grants and Agreements should be contacted regarding questions related to award or administration of a grant (e.g., terms and conditions of an award or extension of an expiration date).

 Post Award Considerations

 What is the CFDA number and where can an awardee find it?

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) profiles all Federal grant programs and includes a section on writing grant applications. It is issued by the Office of Management and Budget and the General Services Administration. The Catalog is available for reference in the government documents section of most major libraries and in the offices of State and local governments. The CFDA number is important for tracking and audit purposes. (See page ii of the GPG for the listing of the nine numbers assigned to corresponding NSF programs.)

 Where can an awardee find information related to post award administration?

The Grant Policy Manual (GPM) provides information to follow the NSF award cycle from issuance and administration of an award through closeout. The Manual is available electronically via the NSF home page or by subscription from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Subscription prices and terms are subject to change without notice from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

 Program Announcements and Solicitations

 Where can a proposer obtain copies of program announcements and solicitations?

Program announcements and solicitations are available electronically on the NSF home page under Grants and Awards or they may be ordered from the: NSF Publications Clearinghouse, PO Box 218, Jessup MD 20794-0218, telephone: 301-947-2722, e-mail: pubs@nsf.gov.

 If there is a conflict between the Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) and a program announcement or solicitation, which document should be followed?

Instructions in an NSF program announcement or solicitation can modify general guidance in the GPG. Proposal preparation guidance contained in program announcements or solicitations has precedence over instructions in the GPG and should therefore be followed closely. The cognizant program office should be consulted with questions regarding compliance with specific program announcement/solicitations. (Reference GPG II.A.)

 Is a proposal submitted in response to an NSF Program Announcement considered unsolicited?

Proposals submitted in response to specific NSF program announcements are considered unsolicited, and are therefore subject to statutory cost-sharing requirements. In addition, unless otherwise specified, proposals are to be prepared in accordance with GPG formatting and other requirements. (Reference GPG I.A.1.)

 Proposal Preparation

 Can a PI request more than two months salary for the summer?

Summer salary for faculty members on academic-year appointments is limited to no more than two-ninths of their regular academic-year salary. (Reference GPG II.D.7.a.(i))

 What is the limitation on payments to consultants under NSF awards?

The current maximum rate is $453.00 per day (exclusive of indirect cost, travel, per diem, clerical services, fringe benefits and supplies) as specified in Article 6 of GC-1.

 Is there a salary cap for proposals submitted to NSF?

Academic Year Salaries are to be based on the individual faculty member's regular compensation for the continuous period which, under the policy of the institution concerned, constitutes the basis of his/her salary. Except as provided in GPM 616.2, "Intra-University Consulting," charges to Federal grants, irrespective of the basis of computation, will not exceed the proportionate share of the base salary for that period. (Reference GPM 611)

 Are there specific line spacing requirements that must be used for preparation of a proposal?

While line spacing (single-spaced, double-spaced, etc.) is at the discretion of the proposer, established page limits must be followed and there also must be no more than 6 lines in a vertical space of 2.5 cm. (Individual program announcements/solicitations may eliminate this proposer option.) (Reference GPG II.C.)

 Do the margin requirements apply to forms such as the Summary Proposal Budget (NSF Form 1030) and the Cover Sheet for Proposal to the National Science Foundation (NSF Form 1207)?

Generally, margin requirements are applicable to those sections of the proposal which require written responses from the proposer. Forms, such as the 1030 and 1207, require brief "fill-in the blank" responses. Maintaining the margins on these forms at 2.5 cm may create difficulty for proposers in reading the forms as well as filling in the blanks due to inadequate space. Therefore, the margin requirements generally do not apply to these types of forms. (Reference GPG II.C.)

 Are there any specific page numbering requirements which should be used in preparation of a proposal?

Proposers may select any numbering mechanism for the proposal, however, the entire proposal must be paginated. For example, sections may be separately paginated and include both the section and page number on the bottom center of each page or the entire proposal may be numbered consecutively. (Reference NSF Form 1359, Table of Contents, and GPG II.D.)

 Should copies of the proposal be stapled or bound?

Proposals must be stapled in the upper left-hand corner. However, for copies other than the original, a simple binding such as a comb binding also is permitted. (Reference GPG II.C.)

This does not apply to FastLane submitted proposals since NSF will make copies as needed.

 What are the guidelines concerning collaborative/group proposals?

1. the proposal may be submitted by only one organization where multiple organizations are involved in the collaborative or joint arrangements. The proposal should clearly describe both the role to be played by the other organizations, specify the managerial arrangements and explain the advantages of the multi-organizational effort. Each proposal should be a complete package which includes the cover sheets for all organizations, biographical sketches for all PIs, statements of current and pending support, and budgets and budget justifications for each organization. (Reference GPG II.D.12.b.)
2. In some cases group proposals may exceed the 15-page limit. The cognizant Program Officer should be contacted prior to submission of a proposal in these instances. (Reference GPG II.D.12.b)
3. Any substantial collaboration with individuals not included in the budget should be described and documented with a letter of commitment from each collaborator; this should be provided as supplementary documentation and included in Section I of the proposal. (Reference GPG II.D.4. and D.10.)

 Where should "References Cited" information be placed in the proposal?

The required Reference information should be included in Proposal Section D. (Reference GPG II.D.5.)

 What is the definition of "person months"?

The term "person months" refers to the effort (amount of time) that PI(s), faculty and other senior personnel will devote to a specific project. The effort is based on the organization's regular academic-year, summer or calendar-year. For example, if the regular schedule is 10 months and 30% effort will be devoted to the project, a total of 3 months should be listed in the academic or calendar-year block (10 months x 30% = 3 months). (Reference GPG II.D.7.a.)

 What is the NSF policy on submission of appendices?

All information necessary for the review of a proposal should be contained in Sections A through I of the proposal. Appendices may not be included unless a deviation has been authorized. Section II.A. contains information on deviations. (Reference GPG II.D.11.)

 Proposal Submission

 How does a proposer find out how many copies of the proposal should be submitted?

Appendix A, "Programs Providing Support for Scientific and Engineering Research and Education", of the GPG specifies the required number of copies of proposals that must be submitted.

 Are original signatures required on all copies of the proposal?

One copy of the proposal must be signed by the PI(s) and an official authorized to commit the organization in business and financial affairs. Other copies may include page 1 of the NSF Form 1207 only. The proposer must sign page 2 of the NSF Form 1207 to submit the required certifications.

 How does a proposer submit a proposal to NSF? How does a proposer submit a proposal electronically via FastLane?

1. Electronically: The NSF FastLane Project uses advanced information technology to explore methods to redesign and streamline the way NSF does business with the research, education, and related communities. The FastLane Project is available for proposal preparation, submission, status check and post-award administrative activities. This electronic function may be accessed using a World Wide Web browser that supports file upload and forms capabilities (e.g., NetScape Navigator 3.0 or later) at location www.fastlane.nsf.gov. FastLane-registered institutions may access proposal and post-award functions for all proposals from the institution through use of a Personal Identification Number.

   For those associated with institutions of higher education, the college or university's Office of Sponsored Programs should be the first point of contact regarding registration for FastLane. Detailed information about the FastLane Project is available from the Fastlane home page at www.fastlane.nsf.gov. To register, the Office of Sponsored Programs should send an e-mail to fastlane@nsf.gov. (Reference GPG I.C.)

2. Hard copy: Proposals must be addressed exactly as specified in the GPG or as required in the specific program announcement/solicitation. The delivery address must clearly identify the NSF announcement/solicitation number under which the proposal is being submitted, if applicable. If the proposal is not submitted in response to a specific program announcement/solicitation, enter the NSF Program to which the proposal should be directed; use Appendix A of the GPG as a guide in selecting the appropriate program. (Reference GPG I.F.)

 What happens if a program announcement/solicitation deadline falls on a weekend or Federal holiday?

If the receipt date falls on a weekend, it will be extended to the following Monday; if the date falls on a holiday, it will be extended to the following work day. (Reference GPG I.E.)

 What is the difference between deadline and target dates?

Unless otherwise stated in a program announcement or solicitation, proposals must be received by the specified date. Proposals received after a deadline date usually will not be accepted for review by NSF. However, a proposal received after a deadline may be acceptable if it carries a legible proof-of-mailing date assigned by the carrier and the proof-of-mailing date is not later than one week prior to the deadline date. Proposals received after a target date will be reviewed although they may miss a particular panel or committee meeting. Lists of deadlines and target dates are available on the NSF home page. (Reference GPG I.E.)

 Resubmissions

 Can a proposer resubmit a previously declined proposal?

A declined proposal may be resubmitted, but only after it has undergone substantial revision. Resubmittals that have not clearly taken into account the major comments or concerns resulting from the prior NSF review may be returned without further review. The Foundation will treat the revised proposal as a new proposal, subject to the standard review procedures. (Reference GPG IV.E. )

 How is the term "senior personnel" defined?

• (Co)Principal Investigator(s) - the individual(s) designated by the grantee and approved by NSF who will be responsible for the scientific or technical direction of the project. If more than one, the first one listed will have primary responsibility for the project and the submission and signing of reports.
• Faculty Associate (faculty member) - an individual other than the Principal Investigator(s) considered by the performing institution to be a member of its faculty or who holds an appointment as a faculty member at another institution, and who will participate in the project being supported. (Reference GPG Appendix C.)

 Special Considerations

 Where can a proposer find information on conflicts of interest (investigator financial disclosure policy)? Does NSF provide a written sample of an institution conflict of interest policy? Who should a proposer contact if there are questions?

The Grant Policy Manual provides information on the conflicts of interest policy. This section also contains references to university associations and scientific societies that have issued guidance on conflicts of interest policies. NSF does not provide written samples of such policies. Additional information in the form of Frequently Asked Questions has been developed and issued jointly with the Department of Health and Human Services. Questions regarding the NSF conflicts of interest policy should be directed to the Office of General Counsel on 703-306-1060. (Reference GPM Section 510.)

 Are there any special requirements for proposals which involve the use of human subjects or vertebrate animals?

In addition to providing sufficient information in the project description to allow for evaluation of the proposal and checking the applicable box on the NSF Form 1207, the following is required:

1. Prior to award for projects which involve vertebrate animals, the project must have approval from the organization's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The appropriate block on the Cover Sheet should be checked and the IACUC Approval Date (if available) should be listed. (Reference GPG II.D.12.d. )
2. Prior to issuance of an NSF award for projects which involve human subjects, one of the two following conditions must be met: (1) have approval from the organization's institutional Review Board (IRB); or (2) the applicable subsection exempting the proposal from IRB review, as established in section 101(b) of the Common Rule, must be identified on the Cover Sheet. (Reference GPG II D.12.e. )

 Subawards

 If a proposer includes a budget (NSF Form 1030) for a subaward from a subawardee, should it be signed by the subawardee?

With each proposal that includes a subaward, a separate Summary Proposal Budge, NSF Form 1030, as well as a work description and basis for selection of the subawardee (except for collaborative/joint arrangements) must be included for each subaward. The authorized representative of the organization receiving the subaward must sign the NSF Form 1030 and include the form with the proposal submission to NSF. (Reference GPG II.D.7.(f)(v) .)

  What documentation is needed for subawards?

The basic items are a description of the work to be performed, the budget estimate and the basis for selection. (Reference GC-1 Articles 8.a. and 9; GPG II.D.7.f (v) ; and GPM 313.)