The Principal Investigator whose proposal for support has been declined may request, in writing, and receive from the cognizant program officer the reasons for declination. If not satisfied, the Principal Investigator may request that the Foundation reconsider the procedural aspects of the declination action. Request for reconsideration must be received within 90 days of the declination letter. Standard grants may be renewed once by amendment of the original grant, provided the cumulative duration does not exceed 5 years. Proposals for renewal should be submitted 6 months prior to the expiration of the original grant and should contain the same type of information as the original proposal plus a summary of progress to date, a proposed budget for the ensuing period, and a statement of expenditures to date and existing commitments that will require expenditure of residual funds from the original grant after the requested renewal date.
Renewals compete with other proposals for available funds.
The revised criteria are designed to be useful and relevant across NSF's many different programs, however, NSF will continue to employ special criteria as required to highlight the specific objectives of certain programs and activities. The revised merit review criteria are listed below. Following each criterion are potential considerations that the reviewer may employ in the evaluation. These are suggestions and not all will apply to any given proposal. These institutions provide abundant opportunities where individuals may concurrently assume responsibilities as researchers, educators, and students and where all can engage in joint efforts that infuse education with the excitement of discovery and enrich research through the diversity of learner perspectives.