Contact ORS with your questions or if you just need help finding information on the NSF website or FastLane. You cannot submit a grant proposal to NSF until you have a FastLane account.
Faculty can now initiate their own FastLane/Research.gov accounts. Accounts can now have the mobility to move from institution to institution and be affiliated with multiple institutions at the same time. Here are the instructions for how to initiate this.
Start with your program announcement and then use the documents and publications below to prepare your proposal.
NSF Program Announcements and Funding Opportunities
Here you can find, and subscribe, to NSF announcements.
NSF Grant Proposal Guide (PDF)
This guide provide details on how to format your proposal and apply for NSF grants.
Broader Impacts Guidance (PDF)
This is a PowerPoint presentation that was presented by Susan Renoe on September 22, 2015.
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
The following statement is to be included in all NSF applications:
The University of Missouri System has a plan to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to undergraduates, graduates, graduate student and postdoctoral researchers who will be supported by the National Science Foundation to conduct research.
Data Management Plan
The National Science Foundation has released a new requirement for proposal submissions regarding the management of data generated using NSF support. Full proposals submitted, or due, to NSF on or after January 18, 2011 must include a data management plan (DMP). See the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) Chapter II.C.2.j for a description of the full policy implementation.
For additional support for your data management plan, contact Brenda Dingley, Director of Scholarly Communication at dingleyb@umkc.edu or 816-235-2226.
NSF Publications
The grant proposal guide and all other NSF announcements and publications are available here.
NSF Guide to Proposal Writing (PDF)
Although it’s outdated for grant submissions, this guide is an excellent resource for learning how to write a good research proposal.
NSF proposals cannot be submitted by the PI: they must be submitted by ORS.
Upload your completed NSF proposals into FastLane. Submit the signed PeopleSoft pages, detailed budget, abstract, and sponsor's guidelines to our office no less than 5 business days prior to the deadline. Finalize your proposal in FastLane for us to submit 2 business days prior to the deadline. Please view the policy memo for these deadlines here (PDF).
What is FastLane?
FastLane is the electronic grant system of the National Science Foundation.
FastLane Help (PDF) provides guidance on all aspects of proposal preparation, submission, review, and awards.
Request a FastLane Account (PDF) in order to submit proposals to NSF.
2011 NSF Grant Proposal Guide provides the most detailed award administration information. This is the main source that divisional or university administrators should consult with questions regarding an award.
The NSF website also clearly spells out conditions and policies to manage NSF awards.
Links to EPSCoR materials: