National Science Foundation (NSF)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, welfare and to secure the national defense."

2020 Updates

Demo Site for Research.gov Proposal Preparation Now Available (PDF: 61 KB) - Posted: October 27, 2020
NSF Updates to the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) - Effective 10/5/20 (PDF: 54 KB) - Posted: September 29, 2020
Enforcement of NSF-approved Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support Formats Begins on 10/5/20 (PDF: 64 KB) - Posted: September 15, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Relating to NSF’s Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-26 for NSF Proposers and Awardees and NSF Major Facility Cooperative Agreement Recipients - Updated: July 30, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions on Current and Pending Support PAPPG (NSF 20-1) - Updated: July 30, 2020
Available on Research.gov Proposals: Cost Sharing and Single Copy Documents - Posted: July 27, 2020
NSF Award Terms and Conditions - Posted: July 7, 2020
NSF’s Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-26: Extension of Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations - Posted: June 25, 2020
Implementation of the revised NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and associated guidance - Posted: May 29, 2020
NSF-approved Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support Formats - Posted: April 1, 2020

Biographical Sketch Resources

NSF-Approved Formats for the Biographical Sketch website
SciENcv Guidance on Creating an NSF Biographical Sketch, including step-by-step instructions and screenshots for each of the four required sections (This is a subsection of the guidance at SciENcv Help.)
YouTube Video - SciENcv for NSF Users: Biographical Sketches (This is a new video targeted to the NSF research community.)
NSF PAPPG (NSF 20-1) webinar (recorded February 6, 2020)
YouTube Video - SciENcv Tutorial
YouTube Video - Integrating with ORCID
FAQs on using NSF Fillable PDF
Current and Pending Support 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 PAPPG (NSF 20-1) webinar (recorded February 6, 2020)
FAQs addressing policy questions related to the PAPPG (NSF 20-1) clarifications to the current and pending support coverage, as well as questions regarding use of an NSF-approved format for current and pending support
FAQs on using NSF Fillable PDF
Research.gov Expanded: Separately Submitted Collaborative Proposals from Multiple Organizations - Posted: March 31, 2020

Issuance of Current and Pending Support FAQs to accompany the revised PAPPG (NSF 20-1)

Posted: February 18, 2020

NSF is pleased to announce issuance of a set of Current and Pending Support Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that accompany the revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 20-1), effective June 1, 2020. The FAQs address policy questions related to the PAPPG clarifications to the current and pending support coverage, as well as questions regarding use of an NSF-approved format for current and pending support. The FAQs will be updated periodically as appropriate.

If you have any questions regarding the 2020 PAPPG, please contact the DIAS/Policy Office by email at policy@nsf.gov.

NSF Update on Release and Implementation of Proposal & Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) NSF 20-1

Posted: January 2020

The revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 20-1) has been issued.

The new PAPPG will be effective for proposals submitted or due, and awards made, on or after June 1, 2020.

Significant changes include:

NSF will require use of an NSF-approved format in submission of the biographical sketch and current and pending support documents, once the PAPPG (NSF 20-1) becomes effective;
- NSF is partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to use SciENcv: Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae as an NSF-approved format for preparation of both documents.
- Use of an NSF-approved format will not be required until implementation of PAPPG 20-1 on June 1, 2020.
- To assist the community, NSF has developed websites with additional information for the preparation of the biographical sketch and current and pending support.
New requirement for proposing organizations to submit government-wide representations and certifications in the System for Award Management (SAM);
New requirement for providing e-mail documentation of Program Officer approval for the submission of RAPID and EAGER proposals; and
Clarifications to current and pending support coverage as well as other changes throughout the document.

You are encouraged to review the by-chapter summary of changes provided in the Introduction section of the PAPPG.

NSF plans to conduct a webinar covering these changes on February 6 at 2PM EST. Visit the webinar website to register for this event.

While this version of the PAPPG becomes effective on June 1, 2020, in the interim, the guidelines contained in the current PAPPG (NSF 19-1) continue to apply.

A PDF version of the PAPPG will be available in the coming weeks. If you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact the DIAS/Policy Office at policy@nsf.gov.