Cover Sheet

The Cover Sheet is an online form you’ll complete through Research.gov.

1 page

Online form in Research.gov

Table of contents

Your Table of Contents will be created automatically as you upload the other documents. However, you will still need to add page numbers to each of your uploaded documents (Research.gov does not automatically paginate for you).

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Auto-generated, see Module 9 for further information

Project Summary

Your Project Summary will be one-page in length (approx. 4,500 characters) and consists of an overview, a statement on intellectual merit, and a statement on broader impacts. The first sentence of the overview must indicate the type of ITEST project being submitted (e.g. ETD, DTI, SEI). 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 longer than 15 pages in length. There are nine essential elements of the Project Description:

• Project Overview, Rationale, and Importance
• Results from prior NSF support
• High-Quality Research Plan
• Project Evaluation
• Dissemination
• Expertise and Management
• Intellectual Merit
• Broader Impacts
• ITEST Pillars
• Solicitation Specific Review Criteria

It's 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 and 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. To see a pdf sample budget click [here], or download a fillable template [here].

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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. Example [here]

2 pages

On your own

Postdoctoral Researcher Mentoring Plan (if applicable)

This section will describe the mentoring that will be provided to postdoctoral researchers supported by the project (if applicable). 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. NSF provides a template for these letters, and they are uploaded in document format through Research.gov.

1 page each (per collaborator)

Module 2

Biographical Sketches

Biographical Sketches are required for all senior personnel listed in your proposal. Be sure to review the current version of the PAPPG for information about acceptable formats, as NSF is shifting to Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (SciENcv).

Biosketches for Senior Personnel (PIs, co-PIs, and other key personnel) are uploaded under “Senior Personnel Documents.” All others are uploaded under “Other Personnel Biographical Information.”

3 pages per staff member

On your own

Current and Pending Support

Each staff member on your team (PI, Co PI, senior staff) must complete one of these forms in order to identify all sources of funding for his/her work . Be sure to review the current version of the PAPPG for information regarding acceptable formats. You will upload one pdf per staff member through Research.gov. See NSF Guidance for additional information.

1 form per staff member

On your own

Collaborators and Other Affiliations

Each staff member on your team (PI, Co PI, senior staff) must complete this form in order to identify possible conflicts of interest to ensure the NSF reviewers of your proposal are impartial and unaffiliated. Have each staff complete the “Collaborators and Other Affiliations” form (template). Each file will then be uploaded through Research.gov.

1 form per staff member

On your own