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session details

Introduction, NSF Overview and Funding Types

This session will cover NSF’s purpose, mandate, structure and budget highlights, as well as the various mechanisms NSF uses to fund proposals.

Proposal Preparation

Learn how to prepare a proposal and what constitutes a proposal of high quality.

Merit Review

Learn how the merit review system at NSF works, as well as types of reviews. Presenters will also cover the role of the NSF Program Officer, timing of proposal submissions, reviewer selection, release of reviewer comments and conflict of interest issues.

Award Management

This session will address post-award requirements and conditions and will outline the responsibility of those involved in the award process.

Proposal & Award Policy Update

This session will provide an update to NSF policies and procedures that affect proposal preparation, merit review and award management.

Office of International Science & Engineering

Presenters will discuss the role of the office in coordinating activities, as well as how to incorporate international components in NSF proposals.

Office of the Inspector General

Presenters will discuss the roles and responsibilities of the office. Issues arising from current audits and investigations will be covered.

Financial Reviews, Site Visits, & Audit Resolution

Representatives from the Cost Analysis & Audit Resolution (CAAR) Branch of DIAS will cover the oversight and monitoring of Federal awards. Topics will include the overall Federal context for oversight, stewardship of Federal funds, the “NSF Gold Standard” model for award portfolio monitoring and business assistance, compliance issues, and other common areas of concern.

NSF Convergence Accelerator — A New Transition Model for Government

NSF recently launched the NSF Convergence Accelerator — a new organizational structure to accelerate the transition of use-inspired convergence research into practice in areas of national importance. Convergence research is a critical mechanism for solving many vexing research problems, especially those stemming from complex social and/or scientific challenges. As a funder of research and education across all fields of science and engineering and as a strategic partner in ensuring this new knowledge benefits society, NSF is uniquely positioned to pilot this accelerated approach to discovery and innovation.

The guiding rationale of the NSF Convergence Accelerator is that to deliver progress on scientific and societal challenges it is necessary to take an approach at the highest level of interdisciplinarity and to involve multiple kinds of partners and stakeholders, including researchers and the ultimate users of research products. This session will include a description of the progress to date, including details of the first cohort of awardees, and provide the plan and strategy for the Convergence Accelerator. Most importantly the presenter will discuss how universities and industry can partner and can get involved.

NSF IT Modernization / Research.gov

Research.gov is the modernization of FastLane, providing the next generation of grants management capabilities for the research community. Research.gov currently provides easy access to research-related information and grants management services in one location. The modernization includes moving legacy FastLane capabilities to a new, modern portal platform. Programmatic and financial reporting services, notifications, and requests are already available on Research.gov. Come to this panel discussion to learn about these and future changes, ask questions about NSF’s plans for electronic research administration, and share what you think the priorities should be so NSF can best serve the research community.

Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program

NSF’s Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program catalyzes new knowledge and discoveries by empowering the nation’s scientists and engineers with state-of-the-art research instruments that are, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs. The program provides organizations with opportunities to acquire major instrumentation that supports the research and research training goals of the organization and that may be used by other researchers regionally or nationally. Come to this crosscutting session to learn more about what types of awards are made by the program, eligibility criteria, and cost sharing requirements.

Financial Reporting and Award Cash Management Service (ACM$)

Representatives from the Division of Financial Management (DFM) will provide an overview of NSF’s grant payment and reporting processes. Topics will include ACM$, monitoring activities, program income, grant accrual validation, improper payments, and cancelling appropriations.

NSF Crosscutting Programs: CAREER

The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers NSF’s most prestigious awards in 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.

NSF Crosscutting Programs: REU, RUI and RET

Each directorate participates in these popular Foundation-wide programs. Learn more about program requirements and eligibility for the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, the Research at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) program and the Research Experiences for Teachers Supplement Opportunity (RET).

Sexual Harassment Term and Condition for NSF Awards

NSF has taken steps to help ensure all NSF-funded research and learning environments are free from sexual harassment. Learn how organizations are required to notify NSF of any findings/determinations of sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault.

Promoting and Protecting the U.S. Science and Engineering Enterprise

Learn about science and security goals at NSF, NSF actions to ensure the integrity of federally funded research and next steps for NSF in research security