Frequently Asked Questions FAQs for (NSF 17-590) Improving Undergraduate STEM Education Program (IUSE)

Synopsis

	EXPLORATION AND DESIGN TIER	DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION TIER
	Applications accepted from October 1, 2017 to October 1, 2018 (Applications received after May 1, 2018 may be considered for funding in FY 2019)	Applications deadline December 12, 2017
Engaged Student Learning track	Up to $300,000; up to 3 years	Level 1: Up to $600K; up to 3 years Level 2: $601K - $2M; up to 5 years
Institutional and Community Change track	Up to $300,000; up to 3 years	Up to $3M, up to 5 years

Is there a new solicitation for the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) program?

Yes, program solicitation NSF 17-590 is the current solicitation. (It replaces NSF 15-585).

What is the estimated number of IUSE awards in FY18?

The program estimates making 140 total awards: 100 Exploration and Design projects and 40 Development and Implementation projects.

When is the FY18 deadline for the Development and Implementation (D&I) tier of the IUSE program?

As specified in IUSE solicitation NSF 17-590, the submission deadline for proposals for the D&I tier is December 12, 2017. This submission deadline applies to both the Engaged Student Learning and the Institution and Community Transformation tracks of the D&I tier.

When is the FY18 deadline for the Exploration and Design (E&D) tier of the IUSE program?

As specified in IUSE solicitation NSF 17-590, the submission window for proposals for the E&D tier is from October 1, 2017 to October 1, 2018. This submission window applies to both the Engaged Student Learning and the Institution and Community Transformation tracks of the E&D tier.

What does a proposal submission window mean for the E&D tier?

During FY 2018 and FY 2019, there will be no single date deadlines for Exploration and Design proposals. Thus, for FY 2018, E&D proposals may be submitted at any time from October 1, 2017 until October 1, 2018. Please note, however, that proposals received after May 1, 2018 may be held over to FY 2019 for potential award.

Can I submit more than one proposal to the E&D tier in the one-year submission window?

Yes, you may submit up to three proposals in the one year submission window.

Can I submit separate proposals to both the E&D and the D&I tiers in the one-year submission window?

Yes. The E&D and D&I tiers are separate competitions within the IUSE program, so you can submit both E&D and D&I proposals during the one-year submission window. An individual PI/Co-PI can submit up to three IUSE proposals (including both Exploration and Design and Development and Implementation Tiers) during the one-year submission window.

Can I submit more than three IUSE proposals (E&D and/or D&I tiers) in the one-year submission window if I am PI on some proposals and co-PI on other proposals?

An individual may serve as PI or co-PI on no more than three IUSE proposals (including both Exploration and Design and Development and Implementation Tiers) submitted during the one year submission window.

How soon after an E&D proposal is declined can I re-submit another proposal?

Up to three proposals in total, including resubmissions, may be submitted to the IUSE E&D and the D&I programs during the one-year submission window.

If my E&D proposal is "returned without review," how soon can I re-submit?

You may resubmit as soon as you are ready with a specification-compliant proposal. Up to three IUSE proposals (including both Exploration and Design and Development and Implementation Tiers) may be submitted during the one-year submission window.

Will IUSE proposals be reviewed by a panel of reviewers or only ad-hoc reviewers?

The review process is the same for both E&D and D&I proposals. Most proposals will be reviewed by panels of reviewers. Some proposals may receive ad hoc review instead of, or in addition to, panel review.

How will the reviews be handled for the "no deadline" proposals?

The review process is the same for both E&D ("no deadline") and D&I proposals. Most proposals will be reviewed by panels of reviewers. Some proposals may receive ad hoc review instead of, or in addition to, panel review.

On average, how many IUSE proposals will a panel review?

Each panel of approximately five reviewers will review approximately 12 E&D proposals.

Will E&D proposals that are submitted early in the submission window be more (or less) likely to receive funding than proposals submitted late in the submission window?

The timing of a submission will not affect its chances of being funded. All proposals will undergo the same review process, and those that are judged most meritorious will be funded regardless of when they were received. However, proposals received after May 1 may not be funded until the following fiscal year. For example, a proposal received on May 15, 2018 may not receive funding until FY 2019 funds are available.

How soon after IUSE proposal submission can we expect to receive feedback on funding decisions?

Funding decisions are typically made within six months of proposal submission.