National Science Foundation

Program Overview

The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds research in science and engineering (S&E) through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. The agency's goal is to keep the United States at the forefront of discovery in various scientific fields, including astronomy, biology, geology, and zoology. In addition to supporting traditional academic areas, NSF backs innovative ideas and projects. The Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) was created to make intentional investments in S&E research and capacity-building in states and territories receiving a smaller share of NSF funds, such as South Carolina.

 

NSF accounts for approximately one-fourth of federal support to academic institutions for basic research. NSF receives over 40,000 proposals annually, and around 12,000 new awards are granted, with an average duration of three years, to fund specific research proposals that have been deemed the most promising through a rigorous and objective merit-review process. Most of these awards are given to individuals or small groups of investigators, while others fund research centers, instruments, and facilities that enable scientists, engineers, and students to work at the forefront of knowledge.

 

Strategies for Success (Merit Review Process Webinar)

 

• The NSF motto is “ask early, ask often” don’t wait until the last minute, Program Officers (PO) assist investigators with how best to prepare a proposal to receive funding. NSF tips to consider as you prepare to work with your PO.
• Read the Program Solicitation (PS) and ask the program officer for clarifications if needed; address all the proposal review criteria, understand the NSF merit review criteria, avoid omissions and mistakes, and check your proposal to verify that it is complete.
• Guiding principles include 1) your proposal has the potential to advance, if not transform, the frontiers of knowledge, 2) contribute more broadly to achieving societal goals, 3) meaningful assessment and evaluation (correlation between the effect of broader impacts and the resources provided to implement projects.)
• NSF by the numbers provides statistical and funding information for awards, NSF-funded institutions, funding rate, and more. Did you know that NSF has an overall funding rate of 29%? 

• NSF program officers aim for portfolio balance, it is beneficial to indicate if a researcher is a new PI and/or from an EPSCoR state. South Carolina is an EPSCoR state.

  

 

Investigator Resources

• Explore the NSF research areas and open funding opportunities.
• Review the key guidance as you prepare your proposal.
• Review the step-by-step webinar geared for MUSC investigators to secure NSF funding.
• Prepare your NSF Biosketch using the Approved Formats; Webinar.
• Learn more about the NSF proposal and award process by reviewing the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide.
• Understanding the NSF Merit Review Process; watch the Merit Review Process.
• Visit the NSF Resource Center for the latest webcasts, videos and presentations to learn more about the agency’s purpose and programs.
• Utilize Cayuse 424, MUSC’s platform-independent software solution for submission of error-free NSF grant applications. Notify your department grant administrator and ORSP representative of your submission timeline.

  

 

ORD Proposal Writing Support

 

• Explore the Grant Writing Toolkit. It contains templates, timelines, and guidance available to assist in developing your grant proposal.
• Utilize the Proposal Library to gain insights from a range of successful MUSC applications.
• Gather information about MUSC's Scientific Environment as a guide for faculty to develop the resources and facilities portion of their proposal.