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Finding your place at the NSF:

Programs & Areas

Funding Mechanisms

Amy Slocum, Ed.D.

Director, Delaware EPSCoR

For UD NSF Academy

October 26, 2023

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The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories.

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In 1950, following a series of bill revisions, Congress passed and President Truman signed Public Law 81-507, establishing the National Science Foundation and the National Science Board.

�The goals of the NSF are:

  • To promote the progress of science.
  • To advance the national health, prosperity and welfare.
  • To secure the national defense.

https://new.nsf.gov/about

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NSF supports research and people that explore the unknown, seek to demystify nature and advance the frontiers of science and engineering.

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NSF funds researchers who generate new knowledge and discoveries that provide a greater understanding of the world around us.

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Situated at the intersection of all science and engineering disciplines, NSF is uniquely positioned to identify and guide investments toward new, cutting-edge research areas.

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https://www.nsf.gov/news/factsheets/2023_NSF_At_A_Glance_Interactive%20508c.pdf

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Each year, the National Science Foundation (NSF) receives about 50,000 proposals for funding. Because there are far more meritorious proposals than NSF is able to fund, the foundation distinguishes among those proposals through a merit review process that incorporates two criteria:

  • Broader impacts (BI)—the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.
  • Intellectual merit (IM)—the potential to advance knowledge

https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/2022-09/Broader_Impacts_0.pdf

NSF PROPOSAL REVIEW CRITERIA

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NSF EMPHASIS ON BROADER IMPACTS

The agency expects researchers' work to have broader impacts: the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.

Your proposal to NSF must clearly state how your activities will contribute to one or more desired societal outcomes.

https://new.nsf.gov/funding/learn/broader-impacts

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https://new.nsf.gov/about/directorates-offices#sbe

NSF Directorates & Offices

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https://new.nsf.gov/about/directorates-offices#sbe

NSF Funded Areas of Research

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NSF BY THE NUMBERS

https://www.nsf.gov/news/factsheets/delaware_factsheet.pdf

*93% of NSF budget goes to supporting research, education and related activities

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NSF BY THE NUMBERS IN DELAWARE

https://www.nsf.gov/news/factsheets/delaware_factsheet.pdf

Note: Delaware is an NSF EPSCoR State

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DELAWARE NSF EPSCOR

States and territories awarded less than 0.75% of NSF funding

CHIPS & SCIENCE directs NSF to rapidly increase the fraction of its research budget that goes to EPSCoR jurisdictions, setting a target of 15.5% in fiscal year 2023 that ramps up to 20% by fiscal year 2029.

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NSF CATEGORIES OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Program Announcements: Formal NSF publications that announce NSF programs.

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Program Solicitations: Formal NSF publications that encourage the submission of proposals in specific program areas of interest to NSF.

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Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs): BAAs are broad in their subject matter and focus on advancing science rather than acquiring specific products.

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Dear Colleague Letters (DCLs): Announce NSF’s interest in receiving proposals in specified topical areas

https://new.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/23-1/ch-2-proposal-preparation#2F10

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NSF FUNDING MECHANISMS

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT: Cooperative Agreement means a legal instrument of financial assistance between NSF and a recipient where the accomplishment of the project objectives requires substantial ongoing Foundation involvement during the project performance period

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GRANT: A Standard Grant means a type of grant in which NSF agrees to provide a specific level of support for a specified period of time with no statement of NSF intent to provide additional future support without submission of another proposal.

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CONTRACT: Contract for goods and services that provides for a firm price or, under appropriate circumstances, for an adjustable price for the supplies or services being procured.

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FIXED AMOUNT AWARD: A Fixed Amount Award means a type of award in which NSF provides a specific level of support without regard to actual costs incurred under the award.

https://new.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/23-1

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  • Center: Centers focus on integrative learning and discovery and demonstrate leadership in broadening participation through focused investments in a diverse set of partner organizations and individuals.

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  • Conference: Conferences in special areas of science and engineering that bring experts together to discuss recent research or education findings or to expose other researchers or students to new research and education techniques.

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  • Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER): Exploratory work in its early stages on untested, but potentially transformative, research ideas or approaches

PROPOSAL TYPES ACCEPTED BY NSF

https://new.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/23-1/ch-2-proposal-preparation#2F10

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  • Equipment: Proposals for specialized equipment may be for: individual investigators; groups of investigators within the same department; several departments; organization(s) participating in a collaborative or joint arrangement; any components of an organization; or a region.

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  • Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI): Seeks to stimulate collaboration between Institutes of Higher Ed (IHEs) and industry

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  • Planning: Used to support initial conceptualization, planning and collaboration activities that aim to formulate new and sound plans for large-scale projects in emerging research areas

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  • Rapid Response Research (RAPID): Used for severe urgency with regard to availability of or access to, data, facilities or specialized equipment

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PROPOSAL TYPES ACCEPTED BY NSF

https://new.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/23-1/ch-2-proposal-preparation#2F10

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  • Research: Proposals submitted to particular NSF solicitations

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  • Research Advanced by Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (RAISE): Bold, interdisciplinary projects that have scientific advances that lie outside the scope of a single program; have promise in transformational advances; discoveries reside at the interfaces of disciplinary boundaries that may not be recognized through traditional review or co-review.

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  • Research Infrastructure: Support for the design, construction, operation, and upgrade of research infrastructure.

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  • Travel: A group travel proposal is encouraged as the primary means of support for domestic and/or international travel for participation in scientific and engineering meetings

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PROPOSAL TYPES ACCEPTED BY NSF

https://new.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/23-1/ch-2-proposal-preparation#2F10

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BEFORE YOU START WRITING

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1. Registration

https://www.research.gov/research-web/

https://www.grants.gov

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2. NSF Program: ProSPCT: Program

https://suitability.nsf.gov/s/

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3. Search for opportunities and Review Solicitations and Announcements

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  • Grants.gov - https://www.grants.gov

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3a. REVIEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH KEYWORD SEARCH: NSF

https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities

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3a. REVIEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH KEYWORD SEARCH: NSF

https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities

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3b. REVIEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH KEYWORD SEARCH: GRANTS.GOV

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FUNDING MECHANISMS – EARLY CAREER

Name

Description

EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Track 4: EPSCoR Research Fellows

Supports early-career investigators located in eligible jurisdictions to go on extended collaborative visits to private, government or academic research centers. Investigators may be affiliated with institutions of higher education or nonprofits.

Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) grants

Supports early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in NSF Directorates

Support independent postdoctoral research, allowing fellows to perform work that will broaden their perspectives, facilitate interdisciplinary interactions, and help establish them in leadership positions.

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3c. FUNDING MECHANISMS – EARLY CAREER- EXAMPLE

The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program – NSF 22-586

Support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization

Eligibility requirements as of the annual deadline:

  • Hold a doctoral degree in a field supported by NSF;�Be engaged in research in an area of science, engineering, or education supported by NSF; 
  • Hold at least a 50% tenure-track (or tenure-track-equivalent) position as an assistant professor (or equivalent title);
  • Be untenured; and
  • Have not previously received a CAREER award. (Prior or concurrent Federal support for other types of awards for non-duplicative research does not preclude eligibility.)

Successful applicants will propose creative, effective research and education plans, along with strategies for assessing these components.

https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2022/nsf22586/nsf22586.htm

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3c. FUNDING MECHANISMS – EARLY CAREER- EXAMPLE

The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program – NSF 22-586

https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2022/nsf22586/nsf22586.htm

CAREER proposals are co-reviewed by more than one program within a Division or a Directorate, or across Directorates/Offices. NSF encourages investigators to seek research and education collaborations with partners in other areas of academia as well as from other sectors (for example, partnerships with industry, national laboratories, schools and school districts, or museums).

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3d. FUNDING MECHANISMS – ESTABLISHED

Name

Description

Capacity Building to Catalyze Collaborations to Address Climate Change Impacts on Human Health (C2H2)

Invites submissions to foster research teams involving geoscientists; social, behavioral and economic science researchers; medical/public health professionals and the education community focused on the planetary and human-health impacts of climate change.

EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: Track-2 Focused EPSCoR Collaborations

Supports interjurisdictional teams of EPSCoR investigators to perform research in emerging industries, with the goal of promoting economic growth in their jurisdictions.

Major Research Instrumentation Program

Supports the development or acquisition of multi-user research instruments that are critical to the advancement of science and engineering.

Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) Program

Supports development of coalitions of academic institutions, nonprofits, for-profits, government entities and others to create regional “innovation ecosystems” — galvanizing use-inspired research, technology translation and workforce development.

Research Coordination Networks (RCNs)

Develop networks to advance research or education through discussion and coordination of research, training, and educational activities across disciplinary and organizational boundaries.

Science and Technology Centers: Integrative Partnerships

Supports exceptionally innovative, complex research and education projects that require large-scale, long-term awards.

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3d. FUNDING MECHANISMS – ESTABLISHED - EXAMPLE

Science and Technology Centers: Integrative Partnerships – NSF 22-521

Supports exceptionally innovative, complex research and education projects that require large-scale, long-term awards.

The PI must be a full-time faculty member at an institution of higher education and have an established record of leading research teams.

https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2022/nsf22521/nsf22521.htm

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4. Talk to the Program Officer at NSF

Program Officer

  • Researchers/experts from the research community who guide grant proposals through Merit Review
  • Valuable resource for both applicants and researchers who have been funded, as they can provide insight and often give direct feedback
  • Administers grants, cooperative agreements & contracts

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When Reaching Out:

  1. Do your homework
  2. Reach out as early as possible
  3. Continue to stay in contact with your program officer
  4. Please be patient
  5. Recognize that there are limits to what program officers can do

https://new.nsf.gov/science-matters/nsf-101-5-tips-how-work-nsf-program-officer

www.nst.9ov1statt1

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5. Review NSF Proposal Preparation Guide

https://new.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/23-1/ch-2-proposal-preparation#d-proposal-contents-171

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  • Figure out which one or two programs might be your 'home' program and go talk to the program officers (in person if you can).
  • Let them know who you are, what you do, and what kinds of projects you are planning to propose and get feedback.
  • Remember that panels are very interdisciplinary. Don't expect that people will be able to read between the lines in your proposal. Make things as clear as possible, and make sure your objectives/hypotheses are compelling. Put the main goals/hypotheses in the first three pages if possible (don't drone on with background before you cut to the chase on what you want to do).
  • Don't skimp on BI, but don't propose to do more than you can reasonably accomplish (and don't propose things that you don't have expertise in). Feel free to enlist collaborators who have the expertise to carry out the BI. Creativity is a plus.
  • Don't skimp on data plans and mentoring plans. They won't get you funded, but they can kill the proposal.

ADDITIONAL ADVICE FROM NSF AWARDEES

Dr. Holly Michael, Director, Delaware Environmental Institute, and Professor, Unidel Fraser Russell Career Development Chair for the Environment

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  • Identify the project that you are passionate about and expressing that in the proposal to help reviewers feel a sense of potential success.
  • A clear roadmap that illustrates how the specific project is tailored to your career goals and how that shapes into a successful research trajectory helps distinguish it from a normal NSF proposal.
  • More illustrations are always a plus.
  • Bonding of proposed research with the educational program and providing metrics for assessing the success of the educational program will put an application in a better position than listing potential educational activities.
  • If a proposal is hypothesis-based, I would see it would be advantageous to have the educational component of the project be hypothesis-based as well.

ADDITIONAL ADVICE FROM NSF AWARDEES

Dr. Deb Jaisi, Professor Plant and Soil Sciences

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  • NSF now has rolling deadlines for many of their programs – make sure to not lose track of time and put off completing proposals
  • Proposals from women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities and from PIs from geographically under-served regions, including EPSCoR jurisdictions are highly encouraged.
  • Make sure to find research partners outside of your organization to work with – connect with DE EPSCoR Office
  • Contact the Research Development team who can help with proposal submissions (graphic design, proposal writing, pre/post award administration, etc).

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ADDITIONAL ADVICE TO KEEP IN MIND

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NSF Prospective New Awardee Guide: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20032/nsf20032.pdf.

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NSF PAPPG (printable): https://nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/2022-10/nsf23_1.pdf

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NSF Advisory Committees: www.nsf.gov/about/performance/dir_advisory.jsp

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NSF TooIkit: www.nsf.gov/about/congress/toolkit.jsp

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UD - NSF Proposal Checklist_ https://research.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/NSF-Proposal-Checklist_PAPPG23-1_FINAL-1-10-2023-db.pdf

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR INVESTIGATORS

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QUESTIONS?