Education and Human Resources

How to Apply

Award Procedure:
NSF staff members review and evaluate all proposals based on a set of criteria established by the National Science Board. In most cases reviews are undertaken with the advice of scientists, engineers, educators and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the fields covered by the proposals. External reviewers, who are conversant with the fields covered by the applications, review and evaluate all graduate fellowship applications. NSF makes awards on a competitive basis.

Preapplication Coordination:
In selected areas, discussion with NSF program staff is strongly recommended and/or submission of a preliminary proposal is required before submitting formal proposals. Other areas are eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." A proposer should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her state for more information on the process that the state requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the state has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure:
By electronic submission via FastLane of a formal proposal, and, in some programs, a preliminary proposal, describing the planned project and the proposed amount of the grant. For guidelines, see specific funding opportunities and the "Grant Proposal Guide."

Deadlines:
Many NSF programs accept proposals at any time. Other programs, however, establish due dates for submission of proposals. NSF utilizes Target Dates, Deadline Dates, and Submission Windows. Consult the Grant Proposal Guide, Section I.F. for a further description of these types of due dates.

Range of Approval / Disapproval Time:
NSF is striving to be able to advise proposers whether their proposals have been recommended or declined for funding within six months. The time interval begins on the closing date of an announcement or solicitation, or the date of proposal receipt (whichever is later). The time interval ends when the cognizant NSF Division Director accepts the Program Officer's recommendation.

Appeals:
The principal investigator may request, in writing within 90 days of a declination or return, that the Foundation reconsider its action in declining or returning any proposal or application.

Renewals:
Contact NSF program staff for specific renewal policies and procedures.