Delay in the Requirement to Use NSF-Approved Formats and Other Changes

A message from Jean Feldman, Head of the National Science Foundation Policy Office:

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Dear Colleagues:

On June 1, 2020, NSF will implement the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 20-1) for proposals submitted or due on or after this date. The revised PAPPG implements a variety of changes and clarifications, the highest profile of which requires use of an NSF-approved format for the preparation of the biographical sketch and current and pending support.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing stress on proposers, the research community has not been able to adequately prepare and train their staff for the implementation of the new requirements.

NSF has therefore made the decision to delay the requirement to use NSF-approved formats for the biographical sketch and current and pending support sections of NSF proposals until October 1, 2020.

Proposers must continue to format these documents in accordance with PAPPG requirements (see PAPPG sections II.C.2.f and II.C.2.h). NSF encourages the community to use these formats and continue to provide valuable feedback as we enhance them for future implementation.

Over the coming week, NSF will make updates to existing policy guidance, websites and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to reflect the change. NSF will communicate further with the community once these updates have been made.

Webinars covering the use of NSF-approved formats as well as all of the significant changes to the PAPPG are available on the NSF Policy Outreach website.

NSF will continue to implement all other changes to the PAPPG beginning June 1, 2020, including the following:

• 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.

You are encouraged to review the by-chapter summary of changes provided in the Introduction section of the PAPPG. If you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact the DIAS/Policy Office at policy@nsf.gov.

Regards,

Jean Feldman
Head, Policy Office
Division of Institution and Award Support
National Science Foundation
email: policy@nsf.gov

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May 7, 2020 Research Advocate: NSF-Approved Formats for Proposals Due On or After June 1, 2020

NSF-Approved Formats for Proposals Due On or After June 1, 2020

A message from Jean Feldman, Head of the National Science Foundation Policy Office:

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Dear Colleagues:

Based on feedback from the community, NSF has made a number of improvements to the NSF-approved formats for the biographical sketch and current and pending support sections of proposals. As a reminder, in accordance with the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 20-1), these formats will be required for proposals submitted or due on or after June 1, 2020. NSF also has updated the websites for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support to further inform the community about these improvements, including updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Biographical Sketch Improvements:

• Permit use of “et al” for publication citations in the Products section in the event that listing multiple authors makes it difficult to fit the information into the allotted space (NSF fillable format and SciENcv format);
• Increased space for the Products section by removing instructional text. Links added to relevant PAPPG sections (NSF fillable format);
• Removed the requirement to include the NSF ID (NSF fillable format); and
• Added a version date to the document (NSF fillable format).

Current and Pending Support Improvements:

• Increased the number of Project/Proposal entries from 10 to 15 to support the majority of proposals submitted to NSF (NSF fillable format);
• Updated the Award Number field to allow entry of both numbers and letters (NSF fillable format and SciENcv format);
• Replaced the “Calendar Year” label with “Year” to be consistent with PAPPG guidance (NSF fillable format and SciENcv format);
• Removed the requirement to include the NSF ID (NSF fillable format); and Added a version date to the document (NSF fillable format).

We look forward to you continued suggestions and improvements. Please continue to provide comments to policy@nsf.gov.

Regards,

Jean Feldman
Head, Policy Office
Division of Institution and Award Support
Office of Budget, Finance & Award Management

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April 2, 2020 Research Advocate: Required June 1: Use of NSF-Approved Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support Formats