National Science Foundation (NSF)

Proposal Preparation

TAKE NOTE! If your senior/key personnel are using the fillable format for biographical sketch, NSF now requires the listing of Professional Preparation in reverse chronological order (most recent position first, with undergrad last in the list). Please see the most recent PAPPG for information.

Research.gov - Proposal Submission Portal (FastLane retired January 30, 2023)

  • Last day for proposal submissions via FastLane was January 27, 2023
  • Last day to submit a proposal file update is September 29, 2023
  • Last day to download FastLane submitted proposals is September 28, 2023

Policy Office Website, including link to latest Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) - make sure you are using the latest version.

No-Cost Extension Requests

No-cost extension requests are routed via Research.gov under Awards & Reporting - Notifications & Requests.

As a Grants Manager, you may initiate this request on behalf of your PI in Research.gov which will then route to your GCA in ORPA for review and approval. You must route the OPAR to your GCA for the request to be approved in Research.gov.

  • Complete an OPAR with the request, indicating whether this is a first or subsequent request.
  • The justification for the extension must be clearly outlined on the OPAR, and in a form that would easily be transferrable to the sponsor portal, so make sure it is complete and accurate.
  • Grantee-approved extension requests must be submitted at least 10 days prior to award expiration.
  • NSF-approved extension requests must be submitted at least 45 days priors to award expiration. 
  • If you route a first NCE after award expiration, a justification for the late request must be also provided on the OPAR as these fields are mandatory, and it will require NSF approval.
  • Ensure the newly requested end date is provided on the OPAR, as well as the remaining balance (balance not including encumbrances - so on the Sponsored Award Summary, include the Expense vs. Budget Variance balance, not spendable balance).
  • Keep in mind you cannot request an extension if there is a $0 or negative balance. 
  • 2nd NCE's must also be submitted prior to the end of the period of performance (at least 45 days) and will always require NSF approval. 
  • Third NCE's are unusual, but not un-allowed. In certain circumstances, an extension beyond a 1st and 2nd is necessary and discussions would have occurred between your PI and the Program Officer prior to submitting this type of request. 

Templates & Policies

Templates & Policies

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