National Science Foundation (NSF) Resources

RAS has compiled a set of guidelines, templates, and tools to facilitate the development of NSF proposals. The templates have been reviewed and updated, if necessary, to reflect changes and clarifications described in NSF 24-1, the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), effective for proposals submitted on or due on or after May 20, 2024.

To view the full 24-1 PAPPG, click the link in the Related Links section.

NSF Resources

Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant Checklist

A sample planning checklist for the preparation of a NSF Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (DDRIG).

Using SciENcv for NSF Biosketches and Current and Pending Support - Frequently Asked Questions

A guidance and resource document that outlines how to access SciENcv, create and manage documents, and delegate access to someone assisting a PI with a proposal.

NSF Current and Pending Support

Current and Pending Support information is required for each individual designated as Senior Project Personnel on a NSF proposal. Click the link above for content guidelines and the new format requirements for this section effective May 20, 2024.

Facilities and Resources - Sample Language for Describing Core Facilities

Provides information on core facilities in Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences Science Division to help researchers complete the Facilities and Resources section of NSF and NIH grant applications.

NSF Collaborators and Other Affiliations

NSF requires the use of an Excel template (click here for a copy) for reporting the Collaborators and Other Affiliations (COA) information of all Senior Personnel identified in proposal submissions. The Excel template has been developed to be fillable, however, the content and format requirements must not be altered by as this will create printing and viewing errors.

NSF Biographical Sketch

A biographical sketch is required for each individual identified as Senior Personnel on a NSF proposal. Click the link above for content guidelines and the new format requirements for this section effective May 20, 2024.

NSF Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources Template

Proposers must include a description of the internal and external resources (both physical and personnel) that the organization and its collaborators will provide to the project, should it be funded.

NSF Results from Prior NSF Support Template

If any PI or co-PI identified on the project has received NSF funding in the past five years, information on the award(s) is required. Each PI and co-PI who has received more than one award (excluding amendments) must report on the award most closely related to the proposal.

NSF Mentoring Plan Template

Each NSF proposal that requests funding to support postdoctoral researchers and/or graduate students must include, as a supplementary document, a description of the mentoring activities that will be provided for such individuals.

Standard NSF Grant Checklist

A sample planning checklist for the preparation of a NSF research grant.

Sample Proposal Library

This proposal library contains recently successful grant proposals from FAS and SEAS applicants available for use by request from FAS and SEAS faculty and principal investigators.

Broader Impacts Resources

This resource provides information on programs and resources in and around Harvard that FAS and SEAS faculty can leverage to demonstrate the potential for a project to benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes.

NSF Data Management Plan

NSF Guide and template for creating a data management plan