Updated NSF Proposal and Award Policies & Procedures Guide

Effective for Proposals On or After January 30, 2023

NSF issued a revised version of the Proposal and Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). The new PAPPG is effective for proposals submitted or due on or after January 30, 2023. Attend the NSF Grants Conference on Thursday, November 17th for additional details on the changes made.

Significant changes include: 

  • Revisions to incorporate Research.gov as the replacement for FastLane for proposal preparation and submission.
  • Information about the use of Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) and the BAA Management System (BAAM).
  • Revisions to the certification for Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR) for proposals submitted on or after July 31, 2023, which expands the training to faculty and other senior personnel as well as requires specific training mandated by the America COMPETES Act, as amended.
  • Use of Concept Outlines as a submission type and the Program Suitability and Proposal Concept Tool (ProSPCT).
  • Requirement for proposers to provide a certification regarding Safe and Inclusive Working Environments for Off-Campus and Off-Site Research.
  • Revisions to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support formats to include certifications from the individual (as required by the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, Section 223) regarding information being accurate, current, and complete. 
  • Requirement for NSF program officers to request updated Current and Pending Support information prior to making a funding recommendation, in accordance with the NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance.
  • Requirements for use of SciENcv for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support documents.
  • Implementation of Build America, Buy America statutes.
  • New sections on Research Security and Scientific Integrity.

You are encouraged to review the by-chapter summary of changes provided in the Introduction section of the PAPPG.

While this version of the PAPPG becomes effective on January 30, 2023, in the interim, the guidelines contained in the current PAPPG (NSF 22-1) continue to apply.  

If you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact the DIAS/Policy Office at policy@nsf.gov.