August 31, 2022

1. What does "no deadline" mean?
2. Does the change to no deadlines also apply to solicitations that the MB program participates in?
3. Why is this change being made?
4. Will proposals still be panel and ad hoc reviewed?
5. Will the community be told the dates of panels?
6. Will it take longer to receive a decision on my proposal?
7. Can I resubmit a declined proposal right away or do I have to wait a certain length of time to resubmit it?
8. Is there a limit to how many proposals I can have pending at the same time as a PI or co-PI?
9. Do I need to alert the program if I intend to submit or when I submit a proposal?

---

1. What does "no deadline" mean?

   Beginning immediately, the Mathematical Biology (MB) program will accept proposals at any time throughout the year.

2. Does the change to no deadlines also apply to solicitations that the MB program participates in?

   No. Solicitations that the MB program participates in (such as CAREER, FRGMS, RTG, DMS/NIGMS, etc.) will continue to accept proposals by the deadlines or windows stated in their respective solicitations.

3. Why is this change being made?

   By accepting proposals at any time, the MB program is affording more time to prepare proposals, build strong collaborations with other programs in NSF, and to think more creatively without the pressure of a deadline. Spreading proposal submissions more evenly over the year may also reduce the burden on principal investigators (PIs), reviewers, and proposing organizations.

4. Will proposals still be panel and ad hoc reviewed?

   As is present practice, MB proposals will undergo panel and/or ad hoc review as determined by the cognizant NSF Program Director(s). NSF relies on a merit review process that incorporates consideration of both the intellectual merit and broader impacts of the proposed project. NSF Program Directors make every effort to conduct a fair, competitive, transparent merit review process for the assessment of proposals.

5. Will the community be told the dates of panels?

   Consistent with NSF policy, panel dates will not be announced to the public.

6. Will it take longer to receive a decision on my proposal?

   No change in average time to decision and release of reviews is expected with this transition to use of no deadline dates.

7. Can I resubmit a declined proposal right away or do I have to wait a certain length of time to resubmit it?

   A declined proposal may be resubmitted, but only after it has undergone substantial revision. A resubmitted proposal that has not clearly taken into account the major comments or concerns resulting from the prior NSF review may be returned without review. A revised proposal must abide by the 12-month moratorium regardless of whether the previous proposal was submitted to the MB program or to a different NSF program (see the MB program page for additional information).

8. Is there a limit to how many proposals I can have pending at the same time as a PI or co-PI?

   There is no limit to the number of pending proposals a PI or co-PI can have within the MB program at any given time. However, each proposal must be significantly different from the others pending at NSF to be considered for review. A proposal that is a duplicate of, or substantially similar to, a pending proposal at NSF will be returned without review.

9. Do I need to alert the program if I intend to submit or when I submit a proposal?

   No, PIs are not required to contact a Program Director before submitting a research proposal to the MB program.