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Author: thoule

Proposal Routing Form (PRF) is now electronically routed in DocuSign

Posted in WPI

We are pleased to announce, that we are currently in the process of moving our Proposal Routing Form (PRF) to DocuSign from the current PDF version.

Some of you may have used DocuSign already, but if not, it is really simple and compatible with both desktop and mobile devices.  You will simply get an email notification that you have a PRF to sign and you will have the ability to quickly access and sign it digitally.  You can also track your PRFs within the system if you create an account, but you do not have to create an account to sign a document.

Please contact your pre-award contact with any questions.

Revised NSF PAPPG – February 25, 2019

Posted in NSF

Below is a link to the updated PAPPG (NSF 19-1), which is effective on February 25, 2019.

https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappg19_1/index.jsp

Here are a few changes that should be noted regarding proposal preparation:

  • Subawards, has been updated to clarify that the description of the work to be performed by the subaward must be included in the project description.
  • Types of Proposals, specifies that “RAPID”, “EAGER” and “RAISE” must be included in the proposal project title. The language has been updated to indicate that these proposal types are not eligible for reconsideration.
  • Proposal Font, Spacing and Margin Requirements, has been updated to specify that fonts not listed in the PAPPG may be used for mathematical formulas, equations, or when inserting Greek letters or special characters.
  • Synergistic Activities, has been revised to specify that a list should include up to five distinct examples that demonstrate the broader impact of the individual’s professional and scholarly activities that focuses on the integration and transfer of knowledge as well as its creation.

You can find a full list of significant changes and clarifications at:

https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappg19_1/sigchanges.jsp

If you are planning a submission to the National Science Foundation, please carefully read the update in its entirety.  Please be advised that non-compliance with these changes could result in your proposal being returned without review.

Do not hesitate to reach out to your pre-award contact with any questions or concerns.

NSF Update: New Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) – Effective Date Delayed

Posted in NSF

The implementation date for the revised NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 19-1), which was scheduled to become effective on January 28, 2019, has been delayed. NSF will post a new implementation date on the NSF website as soon as practicable. In the interim, the current version of the PAPPG (NSF 18-1) applies. (https://www.nsf.gov/shutdown/grantees.jsp)

NSF PAPPG Changes and Proposal Compliance Checking Updates – January 29, 2018

Posted in NSF

Below is a link to the PAPPG (NSF 18-1) Policy Changes and Proposal Compliance Checking Updates Coming to FastLane and Research.gov on January 29, 2018.

https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/fastlane.jsp?t=0&idx=2

Here are a few significant changes regarding proposal preparation:

  • Collaborators and Other Affiliations Information – Please be sure to use the most up to date NSF COA template, which changed in January 2018.

https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/coa.jsp

  • Project Description – “Intellectual Merit” should now be specifically identified as a separate section.
  • Budget Justification – The page limitation has now been increased to 5 pages.

If you are planning a submission to the National Science Foundation, please carefully read the update in its entirety.  Please be advised that non-compliance with these changes could result in your proposal being returned without review.

Do not hesitate to reach out to your pre-award contact with any questions or concerns.

National Science Foundation Formatting Guidelines

Posted in NSF

Below are the National Science Foundation (NSF) formatting guidelines as outlined in the newest Proposals& Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) for proposals submitted on or after January 29, 2018.  The full PAPPG can be found at:

https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf18001

In the last few months, during administrative reviews, we have noticed documents that are not following these formatting guidelines.  This has become increasingly important as NSF have implemented automated format checks at initial proposal compliance review.  Please be advised that non-compliance could result in your proposal being returned without review.

Some common issues deal with 1) the number of lines per vertical inch, 2) margin size, and 3) font type and size.  In particular, we have noticed these issues with files that originate in LaTeX and Google Docs.  Please double check your formatting settings.

Be sure to review the guidelines carefully, and do not hesitate to reach out to your pre-award contact with any questions.

Format of the Proposal

Prior to submission, it is strongly recommended that proposers conduct an administrative review to ensure that proposals comply with the guidelines established in Part I of the PAPPG or the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide. The Proposal Preparation Checklist (Exhibit II-1) may be used to assist in this review. The checklist is not intended to be an all-inclusive repetition of the required proposal contents and associated proposal preparation guidelines. It is, however, meant to highlight certain critical items so they will not be overlooked when the proposal is prepared.

  1. Proposal Pagination Instructions

Proposers are advised that FastLane does not automatically paginate a proposal. Each section of the proposal that is uploaded as a file must be individually paginated prior to being uploaded to the electronic system.

  1. Proposal Margin and Spacing Requirements

The proposal must conform to the following requirements:

a. Use one of the following typefaces identified below:

  • Arial9, Courier New, or Palatino Linotype at a font size of 10 points or larger;
  • Times New Roman at a font size of 11 points or larger; or
  • Computer Modern family of fonts at a font size of 11 points or larger.

A font size of less than 10 points may be used for mathematical formulas or equations, figures, table or diagram captions and when using a Symbol font to insert Greek letters or special characters. PIs are cautioned, however, that the text must still be readable.

b. No more than six lines of text within a vertical space of one inch.

c. Margins, in all directions, must be at least an inch.

These requirements apply to all uploaded sections of a proposal, including supplementary documentation.

  1. Page Formatting

Proposers are strongly encouraged to use only a standard, single-column format for the text.

The guidelines specified above establish the minimum type size requirements; however, PIs are advised that readability is of paramount importance and should take precedence in selection of an appropriate font for use in the proposal. Small type size makes it difficult for reviewers to read the proposal; consequently, the use of small type not in compliance with the above guidelines may be grounds for NSF to return the proposal without review. Adherence to type size and line spacing requirements also is necessary to ensure that no proposer will have an unfair advantage, by using smaller type or line spacing to provide more text in the proposal.

(National Science Foundation Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide, 18-1)