Undergraduate-Research

Federal Grant Information

The following are links to key documents regarding policies and procedures and upcoming changes.

NSF (National Science Foundation)

Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 24-1)

The new PAPPG will be effective for proposals submitted or due on or after May 20, 2024. Click here for significant changes in this PAPPG.

NSF Grants.gov Application Guide

The NSF has issued a revised Grants.gov Application Guide to reflect recent changes in the PAPPG. It is effective for proposals submitted or due on or after May 20, 2024.

Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 23-1)

This PAPPG will be effective for proposals submitted or due on or after January 30, 2023. Significant changes include:

  • Revisions to incorporate Research.gov as the replacement for FastLane for proposal preparation and submission.
  • Information about the use of Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) and the BAA Management System (BAAM).
  • Revisions to the certification for Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR) for proposals submitted on or after July 31, 2023, which expands the training to faculty and other senior personnel as well as requires specific training mandated by the America COMPETES Act, as amended.
  • Use of Concept Outlines as a submission type and the Program Suitability and Proposal Concept Tool (ProSPCT).
  • Requirement for proposers to provide a certification regarding Safe and Inclusive Working Environments for Off-Campus and Off-Site Research.
  • Revisions to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support formats to include certifications from the individual (as required by the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, Section 223) regarding information being accurate, current, and complete.
  • Requirement for NSF program officers to request updated Current and Pending Support information prior to making a funding recommendation, in accordance with the NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance.
  • Requirements for use of SciENcv for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support documents.
  • Implementation of Build America, Buy America statutes.
  • New sections on Research Security and Scientific Integrity.

New Research.gov Proposal Preparation Functionality and NSF-PAR Enhancements – May 2022

Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 22-1)

This PAPPG is effective for proposals submitted or due on or after October 4, 2021. Significant changes include:

  • A new section covering requests for reasonable and accessibility accommodations regarding the proposal process or requests for accessibility accommodations to access NSF’s electronic systems, websites and other digital content;
  • A table entitled, NSF Pre-award and Post-award Disclosures Relating to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support. This table identifies where pre- and post-award current and pending support disclosure information must be provided. Proposers and awardees may begin using this table immediately;
  • Increasing the page limit for the biographical sketch from two to three pages;
  • Updates to the current and pending support section to require that information on objectives and overlap with other projects is provided to help NSF and reviewers assess overlap/duplication;
  • Adding planning proposals and Career-Life Balance supplemental funding requests as new proposal types;
  • Updates to travel proposals will require that AORs certify that prior to the proposer’s participation in the meeting for which NSF travel support is being requested, the proposer will assure that the meeting organizer has a written policy or code-of-conduct addressing harassment.

Required Biosketch and Current and Pending Formats for NSF and NIH Grants – Effective October 5, 2020
Biographical Sketch Training Resources
Current and Pending Support Training Resources
  • NSF-Approved Formats for Current and Pending Support website
  • SciENcv Guidance on Creating an NSF Current and Pending Support document, including step-by-step instructions and screenshots for the two required sections (This is a subsection of the guidance at SciENcv Help.)  
  • NSF FAQs regarding Current and Pending – July 30, 2020
  • FAQs on using NSF Fillable PDF

Increased Enforcement of Reporting Requirements and FAPIIS Website

The NSF – along with other federal funding agencies – are enforcing reporting requirements. PIs with delinquent reports will impact their (and that of any Co-PIs on the grant) to receive additional funding, request no cost extensions, etc. Also, institutions with delinquent reports must be reported to the FAPPIS website. All federal granting agencies must submit such reports and check the FAPIIS website prior to awarding grants. Institutions remain listed on the FAPIIS website for 5 years.

Other NSF Resources

NIH (National Institutes for Health)

Here are some key resources for NIH grants:

  • NIH grant home page
  • Application Guide – follow these guidelines unless instructed otherwise
  • Forms Library – master list of NIH forms
  • RePORTer – for searching NIH awarded grants and finding the right fit

Fulbright Program

The Fulbright Program, the flagship international academic exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government, has fostered mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries since 1946. Partnering with more than 160 countries worldwide, the Fulbright Program offers international educational and cultural exchange programs for passionate and accomplished scholars, artists, teachers, and professionals of all backgrounds to study, teach, or pursue important research and professional projects. OSSR is happy to support faculty and staff interested in applying for a Fulbright opportunity.

More about Fulbright