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TPC Frequently Asked Questions
FAQS ABOUT PREPARING AND SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL
TO NSF
NSF's Policy Office offers information on proposals in the Grant
Proposal Guide: http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ods/getpub.cfm?ods_key=nsf042.
Q. How many preliminary proposals were submitted to the TPC program this year?
A. A total of 360 preliminary proposals were submitted to the TPC program via FastLane, requesting a total of about $245 million dollars.
Q. If a TPC preproposal and/or proposal was
submitted last year, is a preliminary proposal required?
A. Yes. Due to revisions in the current TPC Solicitation, preliminary
proposals are required to participate in the full competition under
Categories A and B.
Q. What is meant by scientifically based research?
A. An excerpt from the recent "Resolution on the Essential
Elements of Scientifically-based Research" passed by the American
Education Research Association may provide some insight into this
question. It asserts that "there are multiple components of
quality research, including well specified theory, sound problem
formulation, reliance on appropriate research designs and methods,
and integrity in the conduct of research and the communication of
research findings. A fundamental premise of scientific inquiry is
that research questions should guide the selection of inquiry methods."
Included among the potential research methodologies are randomized
trials and qualitative research.
Two recent publications of the National Research Council provide
further guidance into modes of scientifically-based research:
Scientific Research in Education. Committee on Scientific
Principles for Education Research, Richard J. Shavelson and Lisa
Towne, Editors, 2002.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/10236.html
Knowing What Students Know: The Science and Design of Educational
Assessment, Committee on the Foundations of Assessment, James
W. Pellegrino, Naomi Chudowsky, and Robert Glaser, Editors, Board
on Testing and Assessment, Center for Education, 2001.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/10019.html
Other valuable references include the following:
Handbook of Research Design in Mathematics and Science Education,
Anthony Kelly and Richard A. Lesh, Editors, Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc,
2000.
Handbook of International Research in Mathematics Education,
Lyn English, Maria Bartolini Bussi, Graham Jones, Richard Lesh,
and Dina Tirosh, Editors, Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc, 2002.
Articles in a variety of journals dedicated to research in STEM
education may also be useful. These include the following:
Journal for Research in Mathematics Education (National Council
of Teachers of Mathematics)
Journal of Research in Science Teaching (National Association for
Research in Science Teaching)
American Educational Research Journal (American Education Research
Association)
Q. How many PIs and Co-PIs are allowed?
A. A project is allowed to have a maximum of five PIs (one PI and
4 Co-PIs). The total number of PIs should be determined by the scope
and scale of the project.
Q. Can researchers outside the U.S. apply?
A. NSF rarely provides support to foreign organizations. NSF will
consider proposals for cooperative projects involving US and foreign
organizations, provided support is requested only for the US portion
of the collaborative effort.
Q. Can a PI submit more than one proposal?
A. There are no limitations on the number of proposals that a Principal
Investigator may submit.
Q. Are there opportunities for community colleges?
A. Proposals are welcomed from a broad range of institutions. No
priorities based on institution type have been identified.
Q. How do I indicate that I am a first-time PI?
A. If you are a first-time PI, check the "Beginning Investigator"
box on the proposal cover page and state that you are a first-time
PI in the project summary.
Q. As part of the CAREER program, can I apply to TPC?
A. Yes. CAREER proposals are limited to Category A and must be submitted
directly to the Division of Research, Evaluation, and Communication
in accordance with the proposal submission guidelines of the CAREER
program. The deadline for an EHR CAREER proposal is July 22, 2003,
and does not require a preliminary proposal. The design of the proposed
activity must be in accordance with TPC guidelines for Category
A. Other aspects of the submission must adhere to CAREER program
guidelines and requirements. A Cognizant Program Officer in TPC
and CAREER should be contacted for additional guidance. Refer to
the CAREER FAQ section on Preparation and Submission of Proposals
and FastLane questions 14 and 15 at http://www.nsf.gov/pubsys/ODs/getpub.cfm?ods_key=nsf03031.
Q. Can a planning grant be submitted?
A. Yes, a planning grant is allowed under item (3) under Category
C- Conferences and Symposia. The nature of the planning grant activities
will be limited to small-scale conferences and symposia. The proceedings
of the activities and subsequent documentation must be available
to the public.
Q. Must the proposed activity address both pre-service and
in-service?
A. No. The proposed activity can address any aspect of the Teacher
Professional Continuum - pre-service, in-service, or both.
Q. What are allowable costs associated with infrastructure
and production of resources?
A. Materials and equipment for the purpose of project activities
are allowable costs. These items must support the research and development
of the proposed model or the development of professional resources.
According to the Grant Proposal Guide (NSF 04-2): "Equipment
is defined as an item of property that has an acquisition cost of
$5,000 or more (unless the organization has established lower levels)
and an expected service life of more than one year. Items of needed
equipment must be listed individually by description and estimated
cost, including tax, and adequately justified. Allowable items ordinarily
will be limited to research equipment and apparatus not already
available for the conduct of work. General-purpose equipment, such
as a personal computer, is not eligible for support unless primarily
or exclusively used in the actual conduct of scientific research.
(See also GPG Chapter VI, Section D, Equipment, for further information
on title to equipment.)"
Q. Are appendices allowed?
A. Appendices are not permitted for preliminary proposals. Supplementary
documentation in the form of letters of support and a maximum of
five additional pages are permitted in the full proposal submission.
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