Enhancing scientific discovery and problem-solving through integrated research.
Proposal Tips and Examples
To help Working Groups develop successful proposals, the Powell
Center Science
Advisory Board has adopted the following NCEAS rules of thumb to
guide proposal preparation:
Proposals are evaluated primarily on the significance and novelty
of the idea(s) under consideration and should be question-driven
(i.e., not purely descriptive).
Provide a clear rationale for why the proposed activities should
be, or can only be, done at the Powell Center with or without
potential NSF co-funding.
Be clear and concise. Provide brief examples of major points being
made or approaches being used. “Trust me” proposals
are not effective.
Your reviewers are not always subject matter experts. Minimize
technical jargon and unidentified acronyms.
Include a diverse array of participants who are committed to the
project. Pay attention to gender balance and ethnic
diversity, and include individuals at all stages of their
career. For each participant, specify the expertise brought
to the project and whether he/she has agreed to participate.
Note that co-funding by NSF, Division of Earth Sciences (EAR), will
require "coequal" PI leadership from both USGS and US
academic personnel.
Indicate sources and attributes of data used in the project and
their availability.
If the results are designed or imagined to be useful to resource
managers, make clear, valid statements about why and how that is so.
For proposals that may be considered for co-funding by NSF and
USGS, call Tom Torgersen or Chuck Estabrook at (703) 292-8550, or
email at ttorgers@nsf.gov, cestabro@nsf.gov.
