How to Apply to the East
Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students (EAPSI) via NSF
FastLane
These instructions have two parts: Part 1 for PIs
(Applicants) and Part 2 for Writers of Letters of Reference.
Applicants are advised that Technical questions about how to apply in Fastlane should be directed to the Fastlane Helpdesk 800-673-6188;
fastlane@nsf.gov; while Programmatic questions about how to apply should be directed to the EAPSI Helpdesk 866-501-2922
eapsi@asee.org
PART 1: Instructions for
PIs
It is advised to have your Project
Description (five page limit), References Cited, Biographical
Sketch (two page limit), Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts,
Official Statement of Current Enrollment, and Communication with
Potential Host Researchers (optional) each ready as a word processing or PDF
file for uploading to FastLane. PLEASE REMOVE SECURITY SETTINGS ON ADOBE FILES UPLOADED INTO FASTLANE.
See the program
announcement for details on the content/requirements for each of these parts
of your proposal.
- Access the FastLane web site: http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/.
- Click on Postdoctoral Fellowships
and Other Programs.
- Click the GO button next to I am an
Applicant.
- Click the GO button next to East
Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes.
- Click the GO button next to How to
Apply. Print out the instructions.
- Click the Back arrow on your Browser three
times to return to the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships and Other
Programs screen.
Step 1: Individual
Registration
- Click the GO button next to
Individual Registration.
- After reading the statement 'RULES OF BEHAVIOR',
check the box and click the Accept button.
- On the New Individual Registration
Request screen, type in your personal information. All fields preceded
with an asterisk are required.
- Click the Submit button.
- After confirming information, click the
Approve button.
- Click the Continue button to complete
registration.
Once completed you will receive an e-mail from FastLane
containing your name, NSF ID, and
password.
Step 2: Log In
- On the Postdoctoral Fellowships and Other
Programs screen, click the GO button next to PI/Co-PI Login
Page.
- Type your Last Name, NSF ID (How do I find my NSF ID? If you need to retrieve your NSF ID, simply use the "NSF ID lookup" link located on FastLane login page) and Password and then click the Login button.
- The first time you login, you will be asked to
change your password. Write it down and keep in a safe place.
- On the What Do You Want to Work On?
screen, click on Proposal Functions.
- On the Proposal Functions screen, click
on Proposal Preparation.
- On the Principal Investigator (PI)
Information screen, scroll down and check your information. To update,
click the Edit PI Information button and update. When complete, click
the Save Changes button.
Step 3: Create a
Proposal
- On the Principal Investigator (PI)
Information screen, click the Prepare Proposal button.
- On the Create New Proposal screen,
click the Create Blank Proposal button.
The Form Preparation screen appears
showing the Temporary Proposal Number at the top of the screen. Should
you need assistance, provide this number to the FastLane Help Desk
(800-673-6188; fastlane@nsf.gov).
Note: The proposal’s Project Summary,
Table of Contents, and Budget will be automatically generated by
FastLane.
You must start first with the Cover
Sheet.
Cover Sheet
- Click the GO button next to Cover
Sheet.
- Confirm that your family name and given name
are both listed for both the Awardee Organization and
Performing/Research Organization. The Inst. Code should begin
with a “P”.
- Click the GO button next to Program
Announcement.
- Scroll down to and highlight
East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes.
- Click on Select. The next screen will
show both the Program Announcement and the NSF Unit Consideration:
1. OISE - GLOBAL SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS.
- Click the Go Back button at
bottom of the page.
- Click the GO button next to
Remainder of the Cover Sheet.
- Select OK button when you see "The Remainder of the Cover Sheet has been automatically filled in and saved".
The Form Preparation screen will appear.
Project Description, References Cited, and Biographical Sketch
Repeat the procedure described in this section to
upload files for Project Description, References Cited, and
Biographical Sketch.
- Click the Go button next to Project
Description, References Cited, or Biographical Sketches.
- Click the Go button next to your name
[for Biographical Sketches].
- Enter information or click the Transfer File button to upload a file.
NOTE: As part of your Project Description, be sure to include the title of your research.
As part of your Biographical Sketch, be sure to include the name and location of the last high school attended.
- Click the Browse button and find your
word processing file. Double click on it so it fills the box next to the
Browse button.
- Click the Upload File button. The
program will convert your word processing file into a PDF file.
- Click the Proofread PDF button.
- View the file then click on the X in the upper
right corner.
- Click the Accept button if the file is
OK or the Cancel button to begin the process again.
- Click the Go Back button.
Supplementary
Docs.
This application allows more than one document to
be uploaded. Repeat the procedure described in this section to upload the
following documents:
- Undergraduate and Graduate
Transcripts
- Official Statement of current
enrollment
- Communication with Potential Host
Researchers (Optional)
- Click the GO button next to
Supplementary Docs.
- Enter text for the Supplementary Documents or click the Transfer File button to upload a file.
- Click the Browse button and find your
file. Double click on it so it fills the box next to the Browse
button.
- Click the Upload File button. The
program will convert your file into a PDF file.
- Click the Proofread PDF button.
- View the file then click the X in the
upper right corner.
- Click the Accept button if the file is
OK or the Cancel button to begin the process again.
- Click the Go Back button.
Add/Delete Letter of Reference
Writers
- Click the GO button next to
Add/Delete Letter of Reference Writers.
- Click the Add Reference button.
- Type in the information about the writer and
assign a unique password to each reference.
- Click the Add Reference button to save
the reference information.
The next screen will ask if you want to send this
person an e-mail with the Temporary Proposal Number and the Password.
- Click either the Yes or No
button.
If you select No, contact each Reference
Writer directly and provide him/her with the Temporary Proposal Number and the
Password.
It is recommended that you cut/paste and send each Reference Writer Part 2 of this manual- "Instructions for Writers of Letters of Reference"
- Use the Go Back button to return to the
Form Preparation screen.
You can check the status of letters of reference
by clicking on the GO button next to Status: Letters of Reference
on the Form Preparation screen.
Note: Do not submit your proposal until the
two required letters of reference are submitted.
Application Form
Fill out the application form completely with your personal
information and information about potential hosts.
Click the GO button next to
Application Form.
Fill in the form.
- Do not list a host unless you are willing to accept placement there.
- If you are not selected for your first host preference you may be selected for an alternate.
Fill out the application form with your personal information and information about potential hosts. If you have information about host institutions but not about specific researchers, you may type 'unknown' for host researcher's name.
- Click the GO button next to Application Form.
- Fill in the form.
- Click the OK button to save.
Step 4: Submit the Completed Proposal -
Do not submit your proposal until you are certain that the two required letters
of reference are submitted.
Print out all the forms to review the proposal.
- Click the Print button under
Navigation on the right side of the Form Preparation screen or
on the Proposal Actions screen.
- View and print the entire proposal by clicking
the GO button next to Print Entire Proposal.
- When satisfied that all documents are within
the page limits and print out well, return to the Proposal Actions
screen using the Go Back button.
- Highlight your application in the upper
box.
- Click the Submit button.
- The screen shows the question, Are you sure
you wish to proceed with submission? Click the Continue
button.
If some parts of the proposal have not been
saved, they will be listed along with a Go Back button. Otherwise, the
screen will state, All required forms are saved, you can submit
proposal.
- Scroll down and read the information under
Certification for Authorized Organizational Representative or Individual
Applicant.
- Keep scrolling down and reading until the
Sign and Submit button appears. Click the Sign and Submit
button.
- The next screen will show your official NSF proposal number. KEEP this number for reference in all future correspondence with NSF about your application.
Note: If you do not see the Submit button
on the Proposal Actions screen, click the Allow SRO Access button.
Click the GO button next to Allow SRO to view, edit, and submit
proposal and follow instructions below.
- Return to the FastLane homepage. Click on
Research Administration (in the upper left corner of the
screen).
- On the login screen, type your last name, NSF ID
and password. Click the Login button.
- Click the GO button next to Submit
Proposal to NSF.
- Highlight your application in the upper box.
Click the Submit button.
- Scroll down the screen and review the Cover
Sheet information.
- Continue scrolling down until you see the
question, Submit to NSF?
- Click the Yes button.
- The next screen will show your official NSF
proposal number. Use this number for all correspondence with NSF about your
application.
PART 2: Instructions for
Writers of Letters of Reference
For information about the East Asia and Pacific
Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students (EAPSI), please see www.nsf.gov/eapsi.
Please submit your reference as soon as possible
so that the student can submit their application before the deadline.
It is advised to have the text of your reference
ready as a word processing file for uploading to NSF’s FastLane system. If
you need to contact FastLane please see www.fastlane.nsf.gov/contacts/contact_fl.jsp.
- Access the FastLane website: http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/.
- Click on Postdoctoral Fellowships and Other
Programs.
- Click the Go button next to I am a
Letter of Reference Writer.
- Type your Last Name, the Temporary Proposal
Number, and your Password. Click on the Create/Submit Letter of
Reference button.
- The first time you login, you will be asked to
change your password.
- Type the new password in both boxes. Click the
Save button.
Step 1: Rating
- Click on Step 1: Go button.
- The screen for Step 1: Rating
appears.
- Complete all sections.
- Click the Save button.
Screen appears stating the Rating has been
saved.
A table shows
Step 1: Rating - Green
saved
Step 2: Letter - Red not uploaded
Step 3: Reference - Red Not
Submitted.
Step 2: The Letter
- Click the Step 2: Go button.
The upload screen for the Step 2: Letter
appears.
- Click the Browse button.
- Find the word processing file for your letter
and double click on it so it fills the box next to the Browse
button.
- Click the Upload button.
- After the file has been uploaded,
Proofread.
- Click the Accept button.
Screen appears stating that the Letter has been
Uploaded.
A table shows
Step 1: Rating - Green
Saved
Step 2: Letter - Green Saved
Step 3: Reference - Red Not
Submitted.
- Click the OK button to
continue.
Step 3: The Reference
- Click the Step 3: Go button.
- Type name into signature box.
- Click the Submit button.
Screen appears stating Reference has been submitted.
A table shows
Step 1: Rating - Green
Submitted
Step 2: Letter - Green Submitted
Step 3: Reference - Green
Submitted.
- Click the OK button to continue.
- Return to Reference.
Reference Status box will show Green
submitted for all three steps.
Step 4: Exit Application
Leave application by clicking the Go Back
button in the lower left corner of the screen.
Last Modified: September 18, 2008( Suresh Pendyala)