National Science Foundation (NSF) - Specific Requirements & Advice
Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), (NSF 22-1)
This guide is effective for proposals submitted for deadlines on or after October 4, 2021
- Updated fillable PDF formats are available for download from the NSF biographical sketch and current and pending support websites.
- Updated SciENcv formats are available on the SciENcv Create a New Document screen.

On March 15, 2022 NSF issued an update re: requirements to use Research.gov and the phase-out of Fastlane Details
Career-Life Balance (CLB) Supplemental Funding Requests
CLB supplemental funding requests must be prepared and submitted in FastLane.
Refer to PAPPG Chapter II.E.8. for CLB supplemental funding request requirements.
A Guide to Proposal Writing
NSF Abstracts and Titles
The Art and Science of Reviewing Proposals (19-minute video)
Broader Impacts
PAPPG Description of Broader Impacts Requirements
NSF Examples of Broader Impacts:
- Broader Impacts - Improving Society
- Discoveries
- Transforming the World Through Science, 2nd edition (NSF 18-800)
- Transforming the World Through Science (NSF 17-800)
- Perspectives on Broader Impacts (NSF 15-008)
- Unlocking the Secrets of Science (NSF 13-079)
Data Management
Data Management Plan Requirements by Directorate, Office, Division Program or other NSF Unit
Evaluation
2010 Handbook for Project Evaluation
Evaluation Tools --- NSF Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate
STEM Education
Common Guidelines for Education Research and Development and FAQs
A report from the Institute of Educational Sciences/US ED and the National Science Foundation
- Guidance on building the evidence base in STEM learning
- Provides guidelines for six types of education “research” projects
- Overview of the nature, justification, evidence generation and so on for each project type
Companion Guidelines on Repliication and Reproducibility in Education Research (November, 2018)
A Supplement to the Common Guidelines for Education Research and Development
UNH-developed NSF Proposal Development Tools and Resources
RD Digital Library: NSF -- National Science Foundation
- Deconstructions for proposals: Research Project, CAREER, select others
- Templates – cover letter, collaboration letter
- Tips & Hints for creating the most effective proposal components
and more...