NSF Merit Review and Proposal Preparation Mark Courtney, Ph.D Adjunct, Department of Biology New Mexico State University 24 September 2008

The NSF Merit Review Process

Research & Education Communities Proposal Preparation Time Org. submits via FastLane N S F Program. Office NSF Program. Office Program Office Analysis & Recomm. Program Office Analysis & Recomm. DD Concur DD Concur Via DGA Via DGA Organization Min. 3 Revs. Req. DGA Review & Processing of Award Proposal Receipt to Division Director Concurrence of Program Officer Recommendation GPG Announcement Solicitation GPG Announcement Solicitation NSF Announces Opportunity Returned Without Review/Withdrawn Mail Panel Both Award NSF Proposal & Award Process & Timeline Decline 90 Days6 Months 30 Days Proposal Receipt at NSF DD Concur Award

NSF Merit Review Criteria Intellectual Merit Broader Impacts of the Proposed Effort

Proposal Review Criterion: Intellectual Merit Potential to advance knowledge and understanding within and across fields Qualifications of investigators Creativity and originality Conceptualization and organization Access to resources

Proposal Review Criterion: Broader Impact Advances discovery while promoting teaching, training and learning Broadens the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc.) Enhances the infrastructure for research and education, such as facilities, instrumentation, networks and partnerships Results disseminated broadly Potential benefits to society

NSF Merit Review Criteria Any proposal that does NOT address both merit criteria in the Project Summary will be RETURNED WITHOUT REVIEW.

Return Without Review Does not meet NSF proposal preparation requirements, such as page limitations, formatting, etc. Is inappropriate for funding by the NSF Is not responsive to the GPG or program announcement or solicitation Does not meet an announced proposal deadline date Is a duplicate of, or substantially similar to, a proposal already under consideration Was previously reviewed and declined and has not been substantially revised.

NSF Sources of Reviewers Program Officer’s knowledge of what is being done and who’s doing what in the research area References listed in proposal Recent technical programs from professional societies Recent authors in Scientific and Engineering journals Reviewer recommendations Investigator’s suggestions Volunteers to Program Officer

Reasons For Funding A Competitive Proposal Likely high impact Place in Program Portfolio Other Support for PI Impact on Institution/State Diversity Educational Impact

Summary A good proposal is a good idea, well expressed, with a clear indication of methods for pursuing the idea, evaluating the findings, making them known to all who need to know, and indicating the broader impacts of the activity.

Summary MAKE IT EXCITING !!!

Proposal Preparation

Call Your Program Director!

Grant Proposal Guide (GPG)  Provides guidance for preparation of proposals  Describes process -- and criteria --by which proposals will be reviewed  Describes process for withdrawals, returns and declinations  Describes the award process and procedures for requesting continued support  Identifies significant grant administrative highlights

What to Look for in a Program Announcement  goal of program  eligibility  special requirements

Types of Proposal Submission No deadlines Deadlines Target dates Submission Windows Preliminary proposals

A Good Proposal A good proposal is a good idea, well expressed, with a clear indication of methods for pursuing the idea, evaluating the findings, and making them known to all who need to know. A Competitive Proposal is… All of the above Appropriate for the Program Responsive to the Program Announcement

AND EXCITING !!!

What Makes a Proposal Competitive? Likely high impact New and original ideas Succinct, focused project plan Knowledge of subject area or published, relevant work Experience in essential methodology Clarity concerning future direction Sound scientific rationale Realistic amount of work Sufficient detail Critical approach

AND EXCITING !!!

Budgetary Guidelines Amounts Reasonable for work - Realistic Well justified - Needs established In-line with program guidelines Eligible costs Personnel Equipment Travel Participant Support Other Direct Costs (including subawards, consultant services, computer services, publication costs)

 Talk to your Program Director! Simple tips for a better proposal  Follow formatting requirements carefully  Compliance check before submitting (FastLane won’t do it for you!)  Be available by to fix compliance problems (proposals may be returned if NSF can’t contact you)  Suggest reviewers  Include all conflicts of interest in your CV  Respond explicitly to previous reviews (Panels are asked to comment on this)  Emphasize readability; avoid verbiage

Simple tips for a better proposal AND MAKE IT EXCITING !!!

Getting Support in Proposal Writing NSF Publications Program Announcements/ Solicitations Grant Proposal Guide Web Pages Funded Project Abstracts Reports, Special Publications Targeted Workshops Program Officers Incumbent Former “Rotators” Mentors on Campus Previous Panelists Serve As Reviewer Sponsored Research Office Successful Proposals

Advice Learn to love rejection Contact the program officer with specific questions Revise and resubmit Collaboration is good, if appropriate Discover alternative funding sources

Myths about NSF Only funds researchers from elite institutions Once declined…always declined Only funds “normal” science Advisory committees make funding decisions

Do’s and Don’ts Talk to your Program Officer Less verbiage, more readability Anticipate objections or criticisms Justify your budget Don’t be greedy Follow the rules Give yourself plenty of time Study reviews carefully

Do’s and Don’ts DO MAKE IT EXCITING !!!

Ask Early, Ask Often!! QUESTIONS?

NSF Merit Review and Proposal Preparation Mark Courtney, Ph.D Adjunct, Department of Biology New Mexico State University 24 September 2008