1. NSF Funding Melissa A. Moss Professor, Dept. Chemical Engineering
7/16/2019
NSF Funding
Melissa A. Moss
Professor, Dept. Chemical Engineering
Director, Biomedical Engineering Program
University of South Carolina

2. Funding Mechanisms Selected Directorate, Division, and Program
7/16/2019
Funding Mechanisms
Selected Directorate, Division, and Program
Typical budget: $300,000 for 3 years, total cost
Many now have rolling deadlines
Solicitations -- span multiple directorates
More likely to have a deadline and specified budget
Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER)
Still submitted to a particular directorate, and the due dates vary

3. Identify Directorate, Division, and Program
7/16/2019
Identify Directorate, Division, and Program
Biological Sciences (BIO)
Biological Infrastructure (DBI)
Environmental Biology (DEB)
Emerging Frontiers (EF)
Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS)
Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB)
Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE)
Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC)
Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF)
Computer and Network Systems (CNS)
Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS)
Education and Human Resources (EHR)
Graduate Education (DGE)
Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL)
Undergraduate Education (DUE)
Human Resource Development (HRD)
Engineering (ENG)
Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems (CBET)
Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI)
Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems (ECCS)
Engineering Education and Centers (EEC)
Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities (EFMA)
Industrial Innovation and Partnerships (IIP)
Environmental Research and Education (ERE)
Geosciences (GEO)
Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS)
Earth Sciences (EAR)
Ocean Sciences (OCE)
Office of Polar Programs (OPP)
Integrative Activities (OIA)
International Science and Engineering (OISE)
Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS)
Astronomical Sciences (AST)
Chemistry (CHE)
Materials Research (DMR)
Mathematical Sciences (DMS)
Physics (PHY)
Office of Multidisciplinary Activities (OMA)
Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE)
Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (BCS)
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES)
Social and Economic Sciences (SES)
SBE Office of Multidisciplinary Activities (SMA)
Biomaterials (BMAT)
See ‘Research Areas’ at nsf.gov

4. 7/16/2019
To Choose Your Target
Check out the grants that have been previously funded by the program
Discuss your idea with the Program Officer

5. Communication with the Program Officer
7/16/2019
Communication with the Program Officer
More influence than at NIH; although they differ in the personalities and preferences
Send a white paper and request a phone conversation to discuss
Request to discuss comments on a reviewed grant
Take advantage of the UofSC flight to DC

6. Your proposal should address the following...
What is the problem being addressed? (What is the goal of the research being proposed? What is the hypothesis being tested?) 
Why is the problem important and interesting? To the world? To the funders?
What will you DO to address the problem? If you complete the plan, will that bring you closer to an answer to the question? 
Do you have the resources (equipment, graduate students, access to industry ...) necessary to complete the research?

7. Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts
7/16/2019
Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts
The intellectual Merit criterion encompasses the potential to advance knowledge
The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes

8. Proposal Content Project summary
Not an abstract, a self-contained, third-person description of objectives, methods, significance
Overview
Intellectual Merit
Broader Impacts
Project description
Objectives and Expected Significance
Background and Technical Need
Research Description
Broader Impacts of the Proposed Work
Results from Prior NSF Support

9. Review Criteria 1. What is the potential for the proposed activity to:
7/16/2019
Review Criteria
1. What is the potential for the proposed activity to:
a. advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields (Intellectual Merit); and
b. benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)?
2. To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?
3. Is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned, well- organized, and based on a sound rationale? Does the plan incorporate a mechanism to assess success?
4. How well qualified is the individual, team, or institution to conduct the proposed activities?
5. Are there adequate resources available to the PI (either at the home institution or through collaborations) to carry out the proposed activities?

10. 7/16/2019
Some Advice
Read the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) carefully
Follow instructions precisely
Distinguish your work from disease and sell it fundamentally and broadly
Be clear about what is ‘transformative’ about your research
Tie your budget to activities in the Broader Impacts
Make your title informative—it may be the only way reviewer have to select your proposal
If funded, respond quickly to your Program Officer queries about service on panels and submit reports on time.