SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
- What are the major changes in submission?
- Why was the "Submission Target Date" changed to “Proposals Accepted Anytime”?
- When can I submit a proposal?
- Is there a 90-day waiting period for proposal submission from the time the solicitation was released?
- Do I need to confirm that the date I want to submit my proposal is acceptable?
- Is there a preferred time of year to submit a proposal in response to a "No Deadline" solicitation?
- Is there any advantage to submitting at or near the beginning of a fiscal year?
- Will this new submission plan affect the Merit Review process?
- When will I be notified of the funding recommendation for my proposal?
- May I submit a one-page description to the Program Directors to make sure the proposal is a program fit for PGRP?
- What is the “Collaborations and Other Affiliations” workbook and how should it be submitted?
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- My proposal was declined and I’ve decided to collaborate with someone else who would be a better choice for PI. May that person resubmit the proposal?
- May I be PI on more than one proposal submitted to this PGRP solicitation in a 12-month period?
- May I be a co-PI on more than one proposal submitted to this solicitation?
- May I be a PI on a proposal and co-PI on another proposal submitted to this solicitation?
FOCUS AREAS IN THE SOLICITATION
- It looks like proposals that focus on developing tools or community resources are no longer invited in this new solicitation. Is this true?
- I would like to submit a proposal to the ECA opportunity during my tenure year. Am I still eligible?
- I would like to submit a proposal to the ECA (or the MCA) opportunity. Am I required to include a co-PI who will serve as a mentor (for the ECA) or facilitate training in plant genomics (for the MCA)?
- I would like to submit to the ECA (or the MCA) opportunity, but my institution does not have a tenure process. My institution has a similar process called a “rolling five” appointment [or some other type], but true tenure is not available. Am I still eligible to apply to either opportunity?
OTHER
- How can I communicate my comments about the changes in this solicitation?
- What if my question is not addressed by these FAQs?
The following set of questions and answers refer to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the PGRP Program Solicitation NSF 16-614: Plant Genome Research Program (PGRP) https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf16614 . They are not intended to be a modification of the Program Solicitation.
Before preparing PGRP proposals, please read the PGRP (NSF 16-614) solicitation and refer to the general information about NSF proposal submission including the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) submission guidelines available at https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=papp.
FAQs about FastLane, the NSF site for submitting proposals, can be found at https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/NSFHelp/flashhelp/fastlane/FastLane_Help/fastlane_help.htm#fastlane_faqs_introduction.htm.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
- What are the major changes in submission?
Instead of a "target date" or "deadline," proposals may now be submitted at any time.
- Why was the "Submission Target Date" changed to “Proposals Accepted Anytime”?
PGRP is evaluating whether increasing submission opportunities will have different outcomes from a single competition per year with a preset target date. These include:
- Attracting new ideas and participants into the PGRP program
- Encouraging the development of transdisciplinary collaborations
- Offering the community flexibility to select a submission date that allows time for building effective collaborations
- Increasing the quality of proposals submitted
- When can I submit a proposal?
Proposals are accepted anytime.
- Is there a 90-day waiting period for proposal submission from the time the solicitation was released?
No. There is no waiting period. You may submit a proposal as soon as the solicitation is released.
- Do I need to confirm that the date I want to submit my proposal is acceptable?
No. Any submission date is acceptable.
- Is there a preferred time of year to submit a proposal in response to a "No Deadline" solicitation?
No. However, it is important for project planning purposes to note that proposals submitted after April of each fiscal year will be recommended for funding with start dates after October 1, the first day of the next fiscal year.
- Is there any advantage to submitting at or near the beginning of a fiscal year?
No. The selection of a submission date should be based on the best time for the PI(s) to submit a high quality proposal.
- Will this new submission plan affect the Merit Review process?
No, the ability to submit proposals any day, any time does not affect the review process. PGRP will continue to provide ad hoc and/or panel review for all proposals submitted. We expect to hold several panels per year in response to proposal submission load.
- When will I be notified of the funding recommendation for my proposal?
PGRP intends to recommend proposals for award or decline within six months of submission.
- May I submit a one-page description to the Program Directors to make sure the proposal is a program fit for PGRP?
Yes. We encourage the PI of a project to contact a PGRP Program Director before submitting a proposal to ensure program fit.
- What is the “Collaborations and Other Affiliations” workbook and how should it be submitted?
The Collaborators and Other Affiliations workbook provides information to help Program Directors select reviewers who do not have any potentially biasing relationships (personal or professional) with either the PI/co-PI(s) or the submitting institution(s). Information regarding collaborators and other affiliations must be provided for each individual identified as senior project. A workbook template is found at https://www.nsf.gov/bio/ios/ioscoatemplate.xlsx and instructions for filling out the workbook are included in the solicitation and on the first tab of the template. Per the instructions in the PGRP solicitation, the workbook must be prepared using the designated template and submitted as a Single Copy document with the proposal. After submission of the proposal, the workbook should be sent as an attachment to an email message to the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS), using the email address provided in the template.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- My proposal was declined and I’ve decided to collaborate with someone else who would be a better choice for PI. May that person resubmit the proposal?
Yes, but he/she may not resubmit within 12 months counted from the date of submission of the declined proposal. The proposal would be returned without review if it is resubmitted within 12-months regardless of the PI composition.
- May I be PI on more than one proposal submitted to this PGRP solicitation in a 12-month period?
No. An investigator may serve as PI on only one proposal during a 12-month period, counted from the date of submission of a proposal as PI.
- May I be a co-PI on more than one proposal submitted to this solicitation?
Yes. You may be a co-PI on more than one proposal. However, investigators should be aware that time commitments are considered in the review process of all proposals. Overly committed co-PIs may reduce reviewer confidence that project objectives can be achieved.
- May I be a PI on a proposal and co-PI on another proposal submitted to this solicitation?
Yes. This is acceptable under the new solicitation.
FOCUS AREAS IN THE SOLICITATION
- It looks like proposals that focus on developing tools or community resources are no longer invited in this new solicitation. Is this true?
Definitely not! The area called RESEARCH-PGR still invites proposals that focus solely on tool and resource development in addition to proposals that focus on genome-wide scale hypothesis-driven research. Please contact PGRP Program Directors if you have additional questions.
- I would like to submit a proposal to the ECA opportunity during my tenure year. Am I still eligible?
You are eligible for up to 4 years from the start of the tenure appointment. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact a PGRP Program Director for guidance.
- I would like to submit a proposal to the ECA (or the MCA) opportunity. Am I required to include a co-PI who will serve as a mentor (for the ECA) or facilitate training in plant genomics (for the MCA)?
No. You are not required to include a co-PI. However, reviewers will be asked to comment on mentoring and/or training. For that reason, it is in your best interest to articulate how you will be mentored and/or trained. Please refer to the solicitation for additional details.
- I would like to submit to the ECA (or the MCA) opportunity, but my institution does not have a tenure process. My institution has a similar process called a “rolling five” appointment [or some other type], but true tenure is not available. Am I still eligible to apply to either opportunity?
Yes. Equivalent career stages are eligible. Please contact a PGRP Program Directors if you need further clarification.
OTHER
- How can I communicate my comments about the changes in this solicitation?
Please email your comments to the Plant Genome Research Program at dbipgr@nsf.gov. PGRP wants to hear about and will share with IOS and BIO your experiences, opinions, suggestions for improvements, and other comments about the changes in this solicitation.
- What if my question is not addressed by these FAQs?
Please ask us! Contact information for PGRP Program Directors and management in IOS can be found in the solicitation and at the Division website (https://www.nsf.gov/ios).