FastLane FAQs

General FAQs

These are general questions about FastLane that deal with "non-technical" areas such as deadlines, policies, etc. There are 29 items in General FAQs.

1. Which file formats, besides PDF, are now supported by FastLane?
    
2. How and when will the AOR be notified if there is a proposal waiting to be electronically signed?
    
3. If an organization determines that those authorized to submit proposals also are designated AORs, should both the "Submit Proposals to NSF" and "Authorized Organizational Representative Functions" be checked as part of their user permissions?
    
4. My password does not work. What should I do?
    
5. What if an existing program announcement or solicitation specifies that a paper proposal Cover Sheet should be submitted?
    
6. I get a security library error message. What should I do?
    
7. When NSF prints the proposals, do they print the proposal in color?
    
8. How does a Co-PI access the proposal?
    
9. How do I add a Co-PI to the proposal?
    
10. With implementation of the electronic signature process, are all pre- and post-award actions able to be done electronically?
     
11. What security is provided with FastLane?
     
12. How do I exit the FastLane Proposal Preparation application?
     
13. What if our organization has multiple individuals that we wish to designate as AORs?
     
14. I want to get started in FastLane. How do I get my Principal Investigator (PI) Password so I can access the FastLane Proposal Preparation application?
     
15. How do I know NSF has successfully received my FastLane proposal?
     
16. What if an existing program announcement or solicitation specifies that a paper proposal Cover Sheet should be submitted?
     
17. Can you print out the PI/Co-PI Information Form?
     
18. I cannot enter data in a FastLane field. It stops me from entering the last character. What should I do?
     
19. After the proposal was submitted, I go into the Proposal Status Inquiry/FastLane organizational Reports application and get a message that the Proposal does not exist. What's happening?
     
20. At what point does NSF consider a proposal to be submitted?
     
21. What software do I need to use the FastLane Proposal Preparation application?
     
22. How will my Sponsored Research Office (SRO) know when I have clicked on the Allow SRO access button?
     
23. How does the organizational administrator make required changes to a FastLane proposal once the PI allows SRO access?
     
24. What is an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR)?
     
25. How do I print a copy of my completed report?
     
26. How will I know NSF received my report?
     
27. Many students have worked on my project. Who should be included on my report?
     
28. How can I change my e-mail, phone and fax numbers?
     
29. Should I keep on hitting a button if I do not get a quick response?