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.
QUICK LINKS
Research.gov: Online grants management for the NSF community
SU OSP Budget Template: Required in order to develop and submit budgets consistent with current University rates and policies
SU OSP Internal Routing and Review (IRR) Form: Required in order to submit an external-grant application
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- NSF accepts applications from scientists, engineers, and educators that are officially submitted by their employing organization.
- Applicants do not need to have an advanced degree. Nevertheless, they must be affiliated with an accredited institution that can officially submit their application.
- Graduate students typically do not submit research proposals through the general program but can arrange to serve as research assistants to faculty members. Graduate students who wish to fund their research should explore NSF Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants and Awards.
What will NSF fund?
- Up to two months of regular salary compensation for senior faculty. Any additional compensation for personnel must be included and justified in the proposal’s budget and specifically approved in the NSF award notice budget.
- Equipment, which is defined as tangible personal property having a useful life of more than a year. Please review the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide for information about equipment costs.
- Travel related to research in the application. Applicants may request travel funds for fieldwork, attendance at meetings and conferences, and other travel associated with proposed work.
- Cost of documenting, preparing, publishing, or otherwise making results of the proposed research available to members of the public.
- Professional consulting services that provide services that help further the research project.
- Incentive payments to human subjects or incentives to promote the completion of a survey.
- Computer services, including computer-based retrieval of scientific, technical, and educational information.
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NSF offers funding through several ongoing and special programs. See See NSF General Program and Due Dates for a running list of annual programs and explore NSF's funding search for special programs.
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Planning Time Required for an NSF Proposal
The Syracuse University Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) requests the final, complete application by no later than three business days before the application due date. The OSP Service Guidelines page gives other key timeframes leading up to submission.
As a general rule, preparing an NSF application takes a minimum of four to six weeks lead time. In addition to time devoted to writing your project description and other narrative components that comprise your proposal, you should plan for two weeks ahead of the submission deadline to work with University staff to finalize the complex paperwork required to submit your application. Please
Please note that the same work cannot be funded twice. Nevertheless, the applicant indicate that they would like to have their proposal reviewed by more than one program on their cover sheet. Concurrent submission of duplicated or similar proposals for review by more than one program without prior NSF approval will result in the return of these submissions.
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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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4. Prepare a 1-page summary of your project to send by email to the NSF program officer(s) for your chosen program. Request a phone call to discuss your project, including its fit with the program, or feedback by email.
5. Read carefully pertinent sections of the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Highlight or otherwise take note of important information.
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9. Finalize and submit your proposal and all necessary paperwork to Caroline McMullin (cmcmulli@syr.edu) in OSP well in advance of the deadline. Caroline will review, work with you to revise as needed, and submit the application to the NSF.