National Science Foundation (NSF) Proposals

NSF proposals contain several components. Below are FAQs and templates you can use to help you draft certain sections of your NSF proposal. Please note that some program solicitations have specific requirements that may differ from these templates; please make sure to carefully review the program guidelines.

NSF FAQs

These FAQs focus on the Proposal Preparation and Award Administration related to NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 23-1).

NSF Budget Template

Please download this template and save to your computer.

NSF Budget Justification Template

Please make a copy to edit this template.

NSF Collaborators & Other Affiliations Template 

Please keep this document in the Excel format when editing and saving.

NSF Biographical Sketch Template

NSF offers two options for completing the Biosketch, the SciENcv and the NSF Fillable PDF.  We have provided brief explanations of each, and you can review each to determine which you prefer to use.

Option #1: SciENcv

SciENcv Template – Updated January 13, 2023
This format will be required beginning October 23, 2023. NSF has partnered with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to use SciENcv: Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae as an NSF-approved format for use in preparation of the biographical sketch section of an NSF proposal. Adoption of a single, common researcher profile system for Federal grants reduces administrative burden for researchers. SciENcv will produce an NSF-compliant PDF version of the biographical sketch. Proposers must save these documents and submit them as part of their proposals via Research.gov or Grants.gov.

Other SciENcv Biographical Sketch Resources

Option #2: NSF Fillable PDF

NSF Fillable PDF Template – Updated January 13, 2023
This format will be available through October 22, 2023. Beginning October 23, 2023, use of SciENcv only will be required. NSF is providing a fillable PDF for use in preparation of the biographical sketch. Proposers should download and save the blank PDF document prior to adding content. NSF recommends both Mac and Windows users open and fill in the blank PDF document using Adobe Acrobat Reader for an optimized experience. The completed and saved PDF can then be uploaded via Research.gov or Grants.gov.

Other NSF Fillable PDF Biographical Sketch Resources

NSF Current & Pending Support Template

NSF offers two options for completing the Current & Pending Support document, the SciENcv and the NSF Fillable PDF.  We have provided brief explanations of each, and you can review each to determine which you prefer to use.

Option #1: SciENcv

SciENcv Template – Updated January 13, 2023
This format will be required beginning October 23, 2023. NSF has partnered with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to use SciENcv: Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae as an NSF-approved format for use in preparation of the current and pending support section of an NSF proposal. Adoption of a single, common researcher profile system for Federal grants reduces administrative burden for researchers. SciENcv will produce NSF-compliant PDF versions of the current & pending support format. Proposers must save these documents and submit them as part of their proposals via Research.gov or Grants.gov.

Other SciENcv Current & Pending Support Resources

Option #2: NSF Fillable PDF

NSF Fillable PDF Template – January 13, 2023
This format will be available through October 22, 2023. Beginning October 23, 2023, use of SciENcv only will be required. NSF is providing a fillable PDF for use in preparation of the current and pending support document. Proposers should download and save the blank PDF document prior to adding content. NSF recommends both Mac and Windows users open and fill in the blank PDF document using Adobe Acrobat Reader for an optimized experience. The completed and saved PDF can then be uploaded via Research.gov, or Grants.gov.

Current and Pending Support fillable PDFs uploaded in Research.gov and Grants.gov are trimmed of any pages which do not contain data entered by users (i.e., blank pages). The trimming service only applies to the NSF-approved Current and Pending Support fillable PDFs and not to any other uploaded PDFs. When viewing the updated PDF after the trimming process, please note that only blank pages are removed, and the remaining pages will not be re-numbered.

Other NSF Current & Pending Support Resources

Tips to Keep in Mind

  • The NSF Pre-award and Post-award Disclosures Relating to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support table provides helpful reference information regarding pre-award and post-award disclosure information in the biographical sketch and current and pending support proposal sections. The table identifies where these disclosures must be provided in proposals as well as in project reports.
  • The NSF program officer can provide more details about how best to present your case in the proposal.
  • Faculty planning to apply to NSF should thoroughly review the NSF program solicitation, along with the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). In cases where the specific program solicitation offers different guidance from the PAPPG, the solicitation trumps the PAPPG.
  • Please submit drafts of your complete narrative and budget to the Office of Foundation & Corporate Relations (FCR) at least two weeks before the proposal deadline.
  • Remember, the more assistance you need, the further in advance the FCR office needs to know about your project!