Module 0 - Orientation to the Course
Overview | FAQ | Sneak Peak | Proposal Steps
Sneak Peek
You’re going to absorb a lot of new information as you work toward the goal of submitting an ITEST proposal for your project. A high-level outline of the proposal can be found below. Some of the proposal components are more nuanced and are covered extensively within the course. Others are more straightforward and will not be covered in the course, as you will work through these largely on your own. As you go through this course, do not lose sight of the “on your own” components—we will circle back to these in Module 8.
You can think of each of the sections below as a “tab” in your virtual proposal binder. Your ultimate product will be submitted to NSF through Research.gov, and each of the sections will be uploaded separately. In order to present a cohesive product that will be easy to read and understand by your NSF proposal reviewers, you’ll want to remember that each of your sections is part of the larger proposal submission. You may want to refer back to this outline periodically as you work through the course to better understand the broader context for each of the modules.
Outline and Description of Proposal Sections
| Proposal Component | Brief Description | Length | You develop this ... |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cover Sheet |
The Cover Sheet is an online form you’ll complete through Research.gov. You can download (and print) a PDF version of your cover sheet to review the components beforehand. To see a sample Cover Sheet, click [here]. |
1 page |
On your own |
|
Table of Contents |
Your Table of Contents will be created automatically as you upload the other documents. However, you will still have to add page numbers to each of your uploaded documents. (Research.gov does not automatically paginate for you.) |
n/a |
Auto-generated; |
|
Project Summary |
Your Project Summary will be one page in length (approximately 4,500 characters) and consists of an overview, a statement on intellectual merit, and a statement on broader impacts. The contents of your summary is submitted via text box through Research.gov. |
1 page |
In Module 8 (Coming up in Tab 4) |
|
Project Description |
The Project Description is the cornerstone of your proposal and can be no more than 15 pages in length. There are nine essential elements of the Project Description:
The Project Description is uploaded in document format through Research.gov. The page limit does not apply to bibliographic citations, which are to be included in your References Cited section. |
15 pages |
In Modules 3, 4, 5, 6, & 8 |
|
References Cited |
References Cited contains the bibliographic citations from your Project Description. There is no page minimum or maximum for this section, which is uploaded in document format through Research.gov. |
No limit |
Module 3 |
|
Facilities Equipment, and Other |
This section of the proposal is where you describe the resources you will use to implement your proposed program (i.e. the elements described in your Project Description). There is no page minimum or maximum for this section and is uploaded in document format through Research.gov. |
No limit |
On your own |
|
Budget |
This section contains budget information for each year of the proposed project. The information will be submitted through the Budget Form in Research.gov. You can download (and print) a PDF version of your budget to review the components beforehand. A PDF copy of the budget form is available [here], or you can download a fillable template [here]. |
n/a |
Module 7 |
|
Budget Justification |
This is a narrative justifying each of the line items in your budget. Your Budget Justification cannot exceed 5 pages in length and is uploaded in document format through Research.gov. |
5 pages |
Module 7 |
|
Data Management Plan |
This section outlines the standards and policies for collecting and disseminating the research results for your proposed program. Your Data Management Plan cannot exceed 2 pages in length and is uploaded in document format through Research.gov. |
2 pages |
On your own |
|
Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan (if applicable) |
This section will describe the mentoring that will be provided to any postdoctoral researchers supported by the project. Your Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan cannot exceed 1 page in length and is uploaded in document format through Research.gov. |
1 page |
On your own |
|
Letters of Collaboration from Project Partners |
These letters will be collected from your project partners (advisors, consultants, evaluator, schools, etc.) stating their intent to collaborate. Note that this is not the same as a letter of support. NSF provides the specific format these letters must follow in the PAPPG: [https://beta.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/23-1/ch-2-proposal-preparation#2D2i-iv]. The letters are uploaded in document format through Research.gov. |
1 page each (per collaborator) |
Module 2 |
|
Biographical Sketches of Non-Co PI Senior Personnel |
NSF requires all biosketches to use one NSF-approved format, the SciENcv. Visit the NSF website for more information: https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/biosketch.jsp |
No Limit |
On your own |
|
Current and Pending Support |
Each PI, Co PI, or senior staff named in your proposal must complete one of these forms in order to identify all sources of funding for his/her work. This includes the proposed project, any award currently being funded, and any pending applications. Information about the preparation of C&P Support documents can be found at https://new.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1/ch-2-proposal-preparation#ch2D2hii |
1 form per staff member |
On your own |
|
Collaborators and Other Affiliations |
Each PI, Co PI, or senior staff named in your proposal must complete this form in order to identify possible conflicts of interest and to ensure that the reviewers of your proposal are impartial and unaffiliated. Have each staff member complete the “Collaborators and Other Affiliations” (COA) form available [here]. Each file will then be uploaded through Research.gov. |
1 form per staff member |
On your own |