# Presentation: 302490

## Proposal Preparation

- NSF Regional Grants Conference
- October 4 - 5, 2004
- St. Louis, MO

**Hosted by:  Washington University**
**	****	**

## Ask Us Early, Ask Us  Often!!

**Peg Barratt **
- Division Director, SBE
- mbarratt@nsf.gov
- (703) 292-8740
**Jody Chase**
- Program Director, EHR
- lchase@nsf.gov
- (703) 292-8682

**Thomas Waite**
- Program Director, ENG
- twaite@nsf.gov
- (703) 292-7499
**Taieb Znati**
- Program Director, CISE
- tznati@nsf.gov
- (703) 292-8950

## www.nsf.gov 

- _[www.nsf.gov](http://www.nsf.gov/)_

## Grant Proposal Guide (GPG)

- Provides guidance for preparation and submission of proposals to NSF
- Specifies process for deviations including:
- individual program solicitations; and
- written approval of cognizant AD or designee
- Describes process -- and criteria -- by which proposals will be reviewed
- Outlines reasons why a proposal may be returned without review

## GPG (cont’d)

- Describes process for withdrawals, returns & declinations
- Describes the award process and procedures for requesting continued support
- Identifies significant award and  administration processes

## GPG (cont’d)

- Details process for submission of collaborative proposals via:
- Issuance of one proposal that contains a subaward from the proposer to the collaborating organization; and
- Submission of separate proposals fro collaborating organizations
**Note:**  contact with cognizant NSF Program Officer is strongly encouraged prior to submission

## www.nsf.gov/home/cns/ 

- _[www.nsf.gov/home/cns/](http://www.nsf.gov/home/cns/)_

## www.nsf.gov/home/programs/recent.cfm 

- _[www.nsf.gov/home/programs/recent.cfm](http://www.nsf.gov/home/programs/recent.cfm)_

## What to Look for in a Program Announcement/Solicitation

- Goal of program
- Eligibility
- Special proposal preparation and/or award requirements

## Program Announcement vs. Solicitation

- Unsolicited proposals
- Follow GPG guidelines
- NSF merit review criteria
- No cost sharing beyond statutory 1%
- No deadline date

- Solicited proposals
- May deviate from GPG
- May include additional merit review criteria
- If cost sharing is required, it will be explicitly stated in solicitation
- Established proposal due date

- _Program Announcement_

- _Program Solicitation_

## Types of Proposal Submission

- No deadlines
- Deadlines
- Target dates

- Submission Windows
- Preliminary proposals
- Letters of Intent

## Sections of an NSF Proposal

- Cover Sheet
- Project Summary
- Table of Contents
- Project Description
- References Cited
- Biographical Sketch(es)
- Budget
- Current & Pending Support
- Facilities, Equipment & Other Resources
- Special Information & Supplementary Documentation

## A Good Proposal

- A good proposal is a good idea, well expressed, with a clear indication of methods for pursuing the idea, evaluating the findings, making them known to all who need to know, and indicating the broader impacts of the activity.

## Proposal Development

**Key Questions for Prospective Investigator**
- 1.  What do you intend to do?
- 2.  Why is the work important?
- 3.  What has already been done?
- 4.  How are you going to do the work?
- 						(USPHS)

## Proposal Development Strategies    Individual Investigator

- Determine your long-term research/education goals or plan
- Develop your bright idea
- Survey the literature
- Contact Investigators working on topic
- Prepare a brief concept paper
- Discuss with colleagues/mentors

## Proposal Development Strategies Individual Investigator (cont’d)

- Prepare to do the project
- Determine available resources
- Realistically assess needs
- Develop preliminary data
- Present to colleagues/mentors/students
- Determine possible funding sources
- Understand the ground rules

## Proposal Development Strategies  Individual Investigator (cont’d)

- Ascertain overall scope and mission
- Read carefully solicitation instructions
- Determine where your project fits
- Ascertain evaluation procedures and criteria
- Talk with NSF Program Officer:
- Your proposed project
- Specific program requirements/limitations
- Current program patterns
- Coordinate with your organization’s sponsored projects  office

## Budgetary Guidelines

- Amounts
- Reasonable for work - Realistic
- Well Justified - Need established
- In-line with program guidelines
- Eligible costs
- Personnel
- Equipment
- Travel
- Participant Support
- Other Direct Costs (including subawards, consultant services, computer services, publication costs)

## Budgetary Guidelines (cont’d)

- General Suggestions
- All funding sources noted in Current and Pending Support
- Help from Sponsored Projects Office

## Budgetary Guidelines - Cost Sharing

- Unless a program solicitation specifies otherwise, **do not:**
- include cost sharing amounts on Line M of the proposal budget; or
- exceed the cost sharing level or amount specified in the solicitation

## Getting Support in Proposal Writing

- NSF Publications
- Program Announcements/
- 	Solicitations
- Grant Proposal Guide
- Web Pages
- Funded Project Abstracts
- Reports, Special Publications

- Program Officers
- Incumbent
- Former “Rotators”
- Mentors on Campus
- Previous Panelists
- Serve As Reviewer
- Sponsored Research Office
- Successful Proposals

## Small Grants for Exploratory Research (SGER)

- Novel untested ideas; new research areas; urgency
- Abbreviated proposal; limited award amount
- Expedited review