Merit Review
NOTICE: Effective January 14, 2013, the National Science Foundation implemented revised merit review criteria based on the National Science Board (NSB) report, National Science Foundation’s Merit Review Criteria: Review and Revisions. While the two merit review criteria remain unchanged (Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts), guidance has been provided to clarify and improve the function of the criteria. Revisions based on the NSB report have been incorporated into the Foundation’s policies and procedures manuals, websites, and systems. Proposers should familiarize themselves with the Merit Review Principles and Criteria described in GPG Chapter III.A. For comprehensive outreach and training materials visit the Revised Merit Review Criteria Resource site.
Through its merit review process, the National Science Foundation (NSF) ensures that proposals submitted are reviewed in a fair, competitive, transparent, and in-depth manner. The merit review process is described in detail in Part I of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG): the Grant Proposal Guide (GPG). The GPG provides guidance for the preparation and submission of proposals to NSF.
The goal of this Merit Review website is to help you better understand the NSF merit review process as well as identify resources for additional information (including applicable chapters in the GPG). Sections of this website include:
An overview of the NSF Proposal and Award Process is presented in the diagram below. The text in the following sections correspond to the different areas on the diagram.
Download a printable version of the Merit Review Process Illustration. PDF (37KB)
GPG Chapter I. Pre-Submission Information and GPG, Chapter II, Proposal Preparation Instructions provide detailed information on preparation and submission of proposals to the NSF. The NSF website provides a comprehensive source of information on NSF Directorates (including contact information), programs and funding opportunities. The topics below provide additional information on the activities in this phase of the merit review process:
View the Merit Review Process Illustration
Proposals received by NSF are assigned to the appropriate NSF program. NSF Program Officers identify experts in their particular fields to review the proposal. Usually, a proposal is reviewed by at least three external reviewers. Activities in this phase include:
View the Merit Review Process Illustration
If the Program Officer recommends funding of the proposal, and final division or other programmatic approval is obtained, then the recommendation goes to a Grants and Agreements Officer in the Division of Grants and Agreements. The Grants and Agreements Officer reviews the proposal for business, financial and policy implications, as well as the processing and issuance of a grant or cooperative agreement.
View the Merit Review Process Illustration
This section covers topics regarding non-award decisions and other transactions:
This section identifies important facts about the NSF merit review process.
- All proposals submitted to NSF are reviewed according to the two merit review criteria: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts
- NSF implemented revised merit review criteria in January 2013
- NSF Program Officers make recommendations to fund or decline a proposal
- Most proposals that are awarded do not receive all "Excellents"
- NSF Program Officers are encouraged to recommend high risk science and engineering projects for funding
- Principal Investigators submit on average about 2.3 proposals for every award they receive
- NSF promotes broadening participation in science and engineering
- NSF annually has active awards at over 2,000 awardee organizations
This section provides information on why you should volunteer to serve as an NSF Reviewer.
Additional Resources
These resources provide additional and detailed information on funding, proposal preparation, and award management policies and procedures:
Contact Us
If you have additional questions regarding the NSF Merit Review Process or proposal submission and preparation, please contact us:
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