The National Science Foundation (NSF) awards funding to researchers affiliated with institutions of higher education, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and state and local governments to conduct research relevant to engineering, natural, and social sciences. These grants allow researchers to undertake significant data-gathering projects and to conduct field research in settings away from their campus that would not otherwise be possible. Proposals are judged based on their scientific merit, including the theoretical importance of the research question and the appropriateness of the proposed data and methodology to be used in addressing the question.
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- Start the process early.
- Read the entire solicitation very carefully and repeatedly.
- Ask questions of University grant specialists and NSF program officer (Caroline McMullin (cmcmulli@syr.edu), Research Administrator in the SU Office of Sponsored Programs).
- Demonstrate review criteria in application materials.
- Write clearly, concisely, confidently, and truthfully.
- Draw on accomplishments more than aspirations.
- Write multiple drafts and show them to others for review.
- Check for spelling, grammar, and required formatting.
- Verify materials are uploaded correctly in the appropriate places in the application system.
- Be ready to submit your application before the deadline day to allow for any unexpected technical issues or system errors.
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- You and your co-writers will need NSF IDs in order to access the FastLane system (see Registering for an NSF ID).
Proposal Development Steps
1. Review the program solicitation from the applicable NSF program. Talk with your colleagues and collaborators to determine which program is a good fit for your research interests.
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