Foreword

This Grant Policy Manual (GPM) is a compendium of basic NSF policies and procedures for use by the grantee community and NSF staff. Its coverage includes the NSF award process, from issuance and administration of an award through closeout and is effective for proposals submitted on or after August 1, 2002. Guidance regarding other grant requirements or considerations that either are not universally applicable or which do not follow the award cycle is also provided.

General information about NSF programs may be found in the NSF Guide to Programs. Additional information about special requirements of individual NSF programs may be obtained from the appropriate Foundation program offices. Information about most program deadlines and target dates for proposals appears in the NSF E-Bulletin, an electronic publication available at http://www.nsf.gov/home/ebulletin/. Program deadline and target date information also appears in individual program announcements and solicitations and on relevant NSF Divisional websites. A listing of all upcoming deadlines, sorted by date and by program area is available on the NSF website.

The Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) provides guidance for the preparation and submission of proposals to NSF. Some NSF programs have program solicitations that modify the general provisions of this Guide, and, in such cases, the guidelines provided in the solicitation must be followed. Contact with NSF program personnel prior to proposal preparation is encouraged.

Informal information about NSF activities can be obtained on the Grants Bulletin Board. To make arrangements to access the bulletin board, send your electronic mail address along with your complete name, address and telephone number to grants@nsf.gov.

The National Science Foundation has Telephonic Device for the Deaf (TDD) and Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) capabilities that enable individuals with hearing impairments to communicate with the Foundation about NSF programs, employment or general information. TDD may be accessed at (703) 292-5090, FIRS at (800) 877-8339. The National Science Foundation Information Center may be reached at (703) 292-5111.

All NSF publications should be clear and understandable. If you have suggestions on how NSF can improve this or other NSF publications, please email plainlanguage@nsf.gov.