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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.