NSF 04-23 September 2004
Appendix B - Potentially Disqualifying Conflicts of Interest

Unless a waiver has been granted by NSF, a reviewer cannot review a proposal if:

• the reviewer, the reviewer's spouse, minor child, or business partner,

• the organization where the reviewer is employed, has an arrangement for future employment or is negotiating for employment, or

• the organization where the reviewer is an officer, director, trustee, or partner,

has a financial interest in the outcome of the proposal.

Unless a waiver has been granted by NSF, a potential reviewer also may be barred from reviewing a proposal, if it involves individuals with whom he/she has a personal relationship, such as a close relative, current or former collaborator, or former thesis student/advisor.

Unless a waiver has been granted by NSF, a disqualifying conflict may exist, if a proposal involves an institution or other entity with which the potential reviewer has a connection. Such potentially disqualifying connections include:

• a reviewer's recent former employer,

• an organization in which the reviewer is an active participant;

• an institution at which the reviewer is currently enrolled as a student, or at which he/she serves as a visiting committee member, or

• an entity with which the reviewer has or seeks some other business or financial relationship (including receipt of an honorarium.)