Welcome
This Funder Tool Kit specifically highlights the National Science Foundation (NSF). It includes news, priorities, funding opportunities, and award history, as well as proposal guidance and resources. The Funder Tool Kits are a collaborative effort between the UCF Libraries and OR Research Development Team.
LIBRARY RESOURCES
eBooks
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Having Success with NSF: A Practical Guide by This book is designed to help researchers achieve success in funding their National Science Foundation (NSF) research proposals. The book discusses aspects of the proposal submission and review process that are not typically communicated to the research community. Written by authors with successful track records in grant writing and years of experience as NSF Program Directors, this book provides an insider's view of successful grantsmanship. Written in a practical approach, this book offers tips that will not be found in official paperwork and provides answers to questions frequently asked of NSF Program Directors. The purpose of the book is to improve your NSF grant-writing skills and improve your chances of funding.Publication Date: 2013 -
Successful Grant Proposals in Science, Technology, and Medicine by There are many resources on grant writing in science, technology and medicine, but most do not provide the practical advice needed to write the narratives of grant proposals. Designed to help novice and experienced investigators write compelling narratives and acquire research funding, this is a detailed guide to the content, organisation, layout, phrasing, and scientific argumentation of narratives. The authors draw on more than twenty years of research and analysis of grant proposals, having worked extensively with investigators at different levels, from pre-doctoral students to senior scientists. They have used this experience to design a framework for scientific writing that you can apply directly to narratives. The guidelines and advice offered are applicable across many funding agencies, including the NIH and NSF. Featuring many real-life examples, the book covers a range of topics, from organisational alternatives to best practices in grammar and editing, overview visuals, and working with contributors.Publication Date: 2015 -
Undergraduate Research Experiences for STEM Students by Undergraduate research has a rich history, and many practicing researchers point to undergraduate research experiences (UREs) as crucial to their own career success. There are many ongoing efforts to improve undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education that focus on increasing the active engagement of students and decreasing traditional lecture-based teaching, and UREs have been proposed as a solution to these efforts and may be a key strategy for broadening participation in STEM. In light of the proposals questions have been asked about what is known about student participation in UREs, best practices in UREs design, and evidence of beneficial outcomes from UREs. Undergraduate Research Experiences for STEM Students provides a comprehensive overview of and insights about the current and rapidly evolving types of UREs, in an effort to improve understanding of the complexity of UREs in terms of their content, their surrounding context, the diversity of the student participants, and the opportunities for learning provided by a research experience. This study analyzes UREs by considering them as part of a learning system that is shaped by forces related to national policy, institutional leadership, and departmental culture, as well as by the interactions among faculty, other mentors, and students. The report provides a set of questions to be considered by those implementing UREs as well as an agenda for future research that can help answer questions about how UREs work and which aspects of the experiences are most powerful.
Publication Date: 2017 -
Winning Large NSF Proposals by Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition.Publication Date: 2016
Books
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New Research Opportunities in the Earth Sciences by The 2001 National Research Council (NRC) report Basic Research Opportunities in Earth Science (BROES) described how basic research in the Earth sciences serves five national imperatives: (1) discovery, use, and conservation of natural resources; (2) characterization and mitigation of natural hazards; (3) geotechnical support of commercial and infrastructure development; (4) stewardship of the environment; and (5) terrestrial surveillance for global security and national defense. This perspective is even more pressing today, and will persist into the future, with ever-growing emphasis. Today's world-with headlines dominated by issues involving fossil fuel and water resources, earthquake and tsunami disasters claiming hundreds of thousands of lives and causing hundreds of billions of dollars in damages, profound environmental changes associated with the evolving climate system, and nuclear weapons proliferation and testing-has many urgent societal issues that need to be informed by sound understanding of the Earth sciences. A national strategy to sustain basic research and training of expertise across the full spectrum of the Earth sciences is motivated by these national imperatives. New Research Opportunities in the Earth Sciences identifies new and emerging research opportunities in the Earth sciences over the next decade, including surface and deep Earth processes and interdisciplinary research with fields such as ocean and atmospheric sciences, biology, engineering, computer science, and social and behavioral sciences. The report also identifies key instrumentation and facilities needed to support these new and emerging research opportunities. The report describes opportunities for increased cooperation in these new and emerging areas between EAR and other government agency programs, industry, and international programs, and suggests new ways that EAR can help train the next generation of Earth scientists, support young investigators, and increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the field.Publication Date: 2012 -
Writing Successful Grant Proposals from the Top down and Bottom Up by This text provides comprehensive advice on how to build a successful grant proposal, from the top down and from the bottom up. Editor Robert J. Sternberg gathers editorial expertise from distinguished members of associations in the Federation of Associations of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, which includes some of the most successful grant applicants and grant givers in the field of brain and behavioral sciences. The chapter authors offer readers practical advice on planning, executing, submitting, and revising grant proposals in order to maximize their chances of success. Exploring both grant writers' and grant providers' perspectives, Writing Successful Grant Proposals from the Top Down and Bottom Up provides valuable insight into general strategies on how to write and submit proposals, as well as detailed information on the various types of proposals needed to reach particular research and teaching goals.Publication Date: 2013
Use Primo Search to Find More!
Primo is an easy way to search almost all the content UCF can access, including the catalog, books, e-books, videos, articles, STARS Collections, and more.
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PROPOSAL PREPARATION
FIND INFORMATION: News, Funding Opportunities, and Past Awards
NSF Grants Conferences - past and upcoming conference information
Understanding NSF Research Areas
Building the Future: Investing in Discovery and Innovation - NSF Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2018 – 2022.
10 Big Ideas for Future NSF Investments - These are meant to define a set of cutting-edge research agendas and processes that are uniquely suited for NSF’s broad portfolio of investments, and will require collaborations with industry, private foundations, other agencies, science academies and societies, and universities.
NSF's Toolkit - information about the impact of NSF's investments in science and engineering research and education
Intro to NSF (presentation slides and video recording) - an "inside scoop" on NSF from Dr. John Weishampel, former NSF program manager and UCF professor
Pivot database (NSF saved search) - find, track and share current/anticipated funding opportunities
NSF Collaborations With Federal Agencies and Others
Crosscutting and NSF-wide Active Funding Opportunities
Grants.gov (NSF search) - Browse current/forecasted NSF funding opportunities
NSF Supplemental Funding - for New/Renewal Proposals and Active awards
Upcoming Deadlines (RSS Feed):
Award Search - Active UCF Awards, All UCF Awards, or Create New Search
- For CAREER and EAGER award information, please see those tabs below.
DIA2 Guide - NSF Database Search Tool. Search by ORG structure, program, topic, and more.
NSF Budget Info System - Statistical and Funding History Reports and NSF Funding to UCF.
FOIA Request Information (NSF)
The OR Research Development team maintains a library of internal/external submitted proposals and can assist with securing a sample and submitting FOIA requests. Contact Research Development for more information.
PLAN YOUR PROPOSAL: Guidance and Resources
NSF Advice to Proposal Writers
NSF Grants.gov Application Guide
FAQs on Proposal Preparation & Award Administration - Guide from NSF
NSF Review information:
- NSF Timeline for Agency Review
- Merit Review Facts - Important facts about the NSF merit review process
- Merit Review Orientation Resources - From NSF Office of Integrative Activities
- NSF Reviewer Guidance Video: "The Art and Science of Reviewing Proposals"
Introduction to Interdisciplinary Research - Guide for investigators submitting an unsolicited interdisciplinary proposal for which there may not be a natural "home" in one of the existing NSF programs
Introduction to Transformative Research - Brief introduction to potentially transformative research and its support at NSF
Project Management for Research (from OSU)
NSF - Common Guidelines for Education Research and Development
NSF Handbook for Project Evaluation - Resource for project directors and principal investigators who will be evaluating NSF’s educational projects
Broader Impacts information:
- Broader Impacts Resources (includes Broader Impacts Wizard, STEM Outreach Collaboration Toolbox, Knowledge and Impact Research Toolkit, Broader Impacts Project Evaluation and more)
- Guidelines on the required Broader Impacts section in NSF proposals
- Dear Colleague Letter: Broader Impacts Review Criterion
- Merit Review: Broader Impacts Criterion - Representative activities
- Broader Impacts: Improving Society - Examples and tips
- Perspectives on Broader Impacts - 2014 NSF Special Report
- Addressing NSF Broader Impacts - Office of Research presentation (UCF sign-in required to access)
NSF Proposal Template (general) - based on PAPPG 22-1 guidelines
Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER)
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CAREER Information
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CAREER Program Information - from NSF
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NSF CAREER Contacts by Directorate and Division
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FAQs for CAREER Program for Submission in Years 2020-2025 - from NSF
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View all CAREER awards (any institution, sortable by directorate)
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CAREER Resources
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CAREER Proposal Template (based on PAPPG 22-1 guidelines)
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Template for Departmental Letter - includes additional resources/tips
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Samples - Contact Research Development for next steps!
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CAREER Presentations
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The Research Development team in the UCF Office of Research coordinates a series of workshops specifically on aspects of NSF CAREER. Past awardees and specialist speakers provide insights on planning, development, and review of CAREER proposals. For more information, visit the CAREER workshops webpage.
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Rapid Response Research (RAPID)
In addition to standard research proposals, NSF also has the Rapid Response Research (RAPID) proposal type. This type of proposal is used when there is a severe urgency with regard to availability of, or access to, data, facilities or specialized equipment, including quick-response research on natural or anthropogenic disasters and similar unanticipated events. See PAPPG Chapter II.E.2 for additional information on RAPID proposals.
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RAPID proposals are NOT for: (1) Projects appropriate for submission as regular NSF proposals. (2) Events that are unanticipated due to lack of awareness of timelines; or (3) Collection of only non-perishable data.
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Prior communication with NSF Program Manager is required with email documentation confirming approval to submit a RAPID proposal - THIS IS THE FIRST STEP.
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Submit a 1-2 page pre-proposal (and/or any questions) to a PM managing the program where the research is aligned. All questions about COVID19-related research should be addressed directly to a cognizant NSF Program Officer for the NSF program with which the research would be most closely aligned.
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RAPID proposals may be submitted to existing NSF funding opportunities
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Once invited to submit a full RAPID proposal:
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Title of the proposal must begin with the prefix "RAPID:"
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$200K max amount for up to one year
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Project Description is limited to 5 pages
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NSF RAPID grants must follow standard proposal preparation instructions in the NSF PAPPG except for the RAPID-specific requirements, unless explicitly noted in a specific RFP or directed by an NSF program manager.
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RAPID Full Proposal Template - based on NSF PAPPG 22-1 guidelines
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View RAPID Awards - NSF Advanced Award Search
Data Management Plans - Proposals submitted to NSF must include a supplementary document (2 pages max) labeled "Data Management Plan"
- See PAPPG 22-1 for more details.
- Additional Data management requirements and plans specific to the Directorate, Office, Division, Program, or other NSF units
Public Access
- Public Access to Results of NSF-funded Research - NSF has developed a plan outlining a framework for activities to increase public access to scientific publications and digital scientific data resulting from research the foundation funds.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Public Access (NSF 18-041)
Revision of NSF-Specific Requirements to Research Terms and Conditions (effective 3/1/2018) - Note Article 35 regarding procedures if breach of Personally Identifiable Information occurs.
UCF Library Support - The UCF library maintains a Data Management Research Guide. You can schedule a consultation to meet with a librarian for an in-depth one on one consultation specific to your research topic.
- Crafting the Data Management Plan - led by Lee Dotson
- DMP Tool - Create, review, and share DMPs that meet institutional and funder requirements. The DMP Tool Blog and Webinar Series provide helpful guidance.
- STARS - UCF researchers are eligible to submit materials to STARS, a university-wide digital repository hosted on the Digital Commons platform (a comprehensive hosted solution for storing, managing, and sharing data). Click here to visit the researcher portion of the FAQs for STARS.
- re3data.org - The Registry of Research Data Repositories is a tool for helping identify and locate online repositories of research data.
EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER)
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The EAGER funding mechanism may be used to support exploratory work in its early stages on untested, but potentially transformative, research ideas or approaches. This work may be considered especially "high risk-high payoff" in the sense that it, for example, involves radically different approaches, applies new expertise, or engages novel disciplinary or interdisciplinary perspectives.
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These exploratory proposals may also be submitted directly to an NSF program, but the EAGER mechanism should not be used for projects that are appropriate for submission as “regular” (i.e., non-EAGER) NSF proposals.
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Requirements as stated in PAPPG 22-1
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EAGER Proposal Template - based on 2021 guidelines
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View EAGER Awards - NSF Advanced Award Search
DRAFT YOUR PROPOSAL: Section Instructions and Templates
This guide provides quick-reference information and templates for specific sections required in NSF proposals (refer to RFP for special requirements).
Content is based on NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) 22-1 (effective 10/4/2021).
Note: Separate instructions and templates specifically for CAREER and EAGER proposals are included in the section tabs above.
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Significant Changes and Clarifications to the NSF PAPPG 22-1
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Formatting Requirements (font, spacing, margins, pagination)
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Project Summary (1 page max)
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Page limits and use of URLs/hyperlinks in the Project Description
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NOTE: A separate "Intellectual Merit" section in the PD has not been required as of PAPPG 20-1 onward, but refer to the specific RFP to see if that solicitation continues to require an Intellectual Merit section in the PD.
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Broader Impacts (required section)
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Results from Prior NSF Support (required if applicable, only allowed for PIs/CoPIs. Include required subheadings and information)
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Biographical Sketch (now extended to 3 pages max)
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(NOTE: THE BIOSKETCH MUST USE ONE OF THE TWO TEMPLATES APPROVED BY NSF (Note: Edited PDF files and any Biosketches made using other methods will be returned without review - see Policy Notice from NSF)
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(NOTE: THE C&P DOCUMENT MUST USE ONE OF THE TWO TEMPLATES APPROVED BY NSF (Note: Edited PDF files and any C&Ps made using other methods will be returned without review - see Policy Notice from NSF)
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Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan (if applicable)
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Data Management Plan (2 pages max) - (see the "Data Mgmt" tab above for additional resources)
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NSF Policy on Public Access:
The OR Research Development Team can provide support with proposal coordination, templates, samples, supplemental documents, reviews, and more. Visit our website for more information.
POINTS OF CONTACT
NSF Point of Contact at UCF
This point of contact is very familiar with NSF priorities/processes and can give helpful advice to increase the competitiveness of your proposal.
Saiful Khondaker, PhD
Professor of Nanoscience, Physics, Electrical Engineering
Office of Research Faculty Fellow
University of Central Florida
407-864-5054
Saiful@ucf.edu
Additionally, information on Office of Research points of contact related to contracts, proposal submission, compliance, tech transfer, IRB, and IACUC is available at research.ucf.edu
Support from UCF Librarians
General Proposal Support from Research Development Team
Now that you have found the perfect funding opportunity, let us help you build the perfect proposal. The OR Research Development team can help with planning, preparation assistance, draft review feedback, informational resources, and more! Visit our website for next steps information.
Large Proposal Support from Research Development Team
A unique approach to supporting large, complex proposal submissions.
Find Potential Collaborators
Find potential collaborators via the PIVOT Database - Run a search or View tutorials
Find scholarship resulting from NSF Awards by using the Web of Science - View tutorial or Search now
See UCF awardees with the NSF Award Database - Active Awards or All Awards
The OR Research Development Team would be happy to help search for potential collaborators at UCF. Visit our website for more information.