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Policy Office

Head, Policy Office: Jean Feldman

The Policy Office in the Division of Institution and Award Support is responsible for developing, implementing and issuing proposal and award policy for the programs of the National Science Foundation and is available to assist you with questions involving policy related issues. Questions related to specific awards should be directed to the Division of Grants and Agreements.

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Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)

NSF published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the availability of a "For comment" draft of the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 22-1). The Foundation is accepting comments from the external community until cob February 12, 2021.

Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 20-1) - effective for proposals submitted or due on or after June 1, 2020, and awards made on or after June 1, 2020

  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Proposal Preparation and Award Administration Related to PAPPG (NSF 20-1)

  • Webinar on PAPPG Significant Changes

  • Significant changes to the PAPPG include:
    • NSF will require use of an NSF-approved format in submission of the biographical sketch and current and pending support documents;

      • NSF has partnered with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to use SciENcv: Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae as an NSF-approved format for preparation of both documents.

      • Use of an NSF-approved format will go into effect for new proposals submitted or due on or after October 5, 2020. In the interim, proposers must continue to prepare these documents in accordance with the guidance specified in the PAPPG (NSF 20-1). NSF, however, encourages the community to use the NSF-approved formats and provide valuable feedback as we enhance them for the October implementation.

      • To assist the community, NSF has developed websites with additional information for the preparation of the biographical sketch and current and pending support. A set of FAQs related to current and pending support also is available.

      • NSF recorded a webinar on the use of the NSF-approved formats. Please note that this webinar was recorded April 2020, and refers to the effective date of June 1, 2020 for the requirement to use an NSF-approved format in submission of the biographical sketch and current and pending support documents. Since the recording of the webinar, NSF has changed the effective date of the requirement. Use of an NSF-approved format will go into effect for new proposals submitted or due on or after October 5, 2020.

    • New requirement for proposing organizations to submit government-wide representations and certifications in the System for Award Management (SAM);

    • New requirement for providing e-mail documentation of Program Officer approval for the submission of RAPID and EAGER proposals; and

    • Clarifications to current and pending support coverage as well as other changes throughout the document.

  • For guidance on proposals submitted or due before June 1, 2020, and awards made before June 1, 2020, reference the PAPPG 19-1, dated February 25, 2019

Automated Compliance Checking of NSF Proposals

Research Protection

NSF Policies on Harassment

NSF Responses to Natural Disasters

Conflicts of Interest

Collaborators and Other Affiliations Information

NSF Outreach

Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR)

Dissemination and Sharing of Research Results (NSF Data Management)

Human Subjects

NSF - NIH/OLAW Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Regarding Vertebrate Animal Welfare Issues

NSF Merit Review

NSF Cost Sharing Policy

Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR)

NSF Prospective New Awardee Guide

Federal Demonstration Partnership

Grants.gov