This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110 . This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102 . NSF staff members review and evaluate all proposals generally with the assistance and advice of other qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Proposals are accepted on the basis of merit to the extent permitted by available funds. Unsolicited proposals may be submitted at any time.
Some specific programs have formal announcements with deadlines.
The program announcement should be consulted. The principal investigator may request, in writing, that the Foundation reconsider its action in declining any proposal application, renewal application, or continuing application. Renewals are treated in competition with all other pending proposals. 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.