This is a re-post of Dr. Blackman’s email on May 6th. Please note that the referenced attachment is hyperlinked in this post.
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Colleagues:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released their revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 20-1). Effective June 1, 2020 there are two significant changes to NSF proposal submissions: Biographical Sketches must conform to a new format and Current and Pending Support forms must conform to NSF-compliant versions of the form.
Background
On July 11, NSF’s Director, Dr. France Córdova, issued a “Dear Colleague Letter” which highlights renewed efforts to ensure existing requirements to disclose current and pending support information are known, understood, and followed. The PAPPG includes clarifications for reporting requirements for both current and pending support:
- Information must be provided for all current and pending support irrespective of whether such support is provided through the proposing organization or directly to the individual.
- Examples of current and pending support have been expanded to include non-profit organizations and consulting agreements.
- All projects and activities that require a time commitment must be reported (no minimum has been established), even if the support received is only in-kind.
- NSF does not consider these clarifications to be changes in policy.
- Clarification that for biographical sketches “appointments” should include any titled academic, professional, or institutional position whether or not remuneration is received.
As a reminder, applicants are required to indicate whether a grant project includes “international activity” in the proposal. If international activity is contemplated after award, NSF prior approval is required.
Information:
Biographical Sketches must conform to a new format:
NSF has partnered with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to use SciENcv: Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae as an NSF-approved format for preparation of biographical sketches.
To assist the Boise State University community, Albertsons Library, Office of Sponsored Programs, and Research Development have provided instructions for setting up a SciENcv profile, linking it to ORCID, and building an NSF Biosketch (attached). Research Development will work with faculty as they get their information into the new platform.
Current and Pending Support forms must conform to NSF-compliant versions of the form:
NSF is also using the SciENcv platform to produce an NSF-compliant PDF version of the current & pending support format.
The new C&P guidance includes the need to declare all time commitments of the Investigator regardless of agency or individual award. This is to truly assess the capacity of an individual investigator and any potential overlap or duplication of effort regarding funding.
Current and Pending Support as described in the PAPPG: Current and pending support information must be separately provided through use of an NSF-approved format, for each individual designated as senior personnel on the proposal. Current and pending support includes all resources made available to an individual in support of and/or related to all of his/her research efforts, regardless of whether or not they have monetary value. Current and pending support also includes in-kind contributions (such as office/laboratory space, equipment, supplies, employees, students). In-kind contributions not intended for use on the project/proposal being proposed also must be reported.
Current and pending support information must be provided for this project, for ongoing projects, and for any proposals currently under consideration from whatever source, irrespective of whether such support is provided through the proposing organization or is provided directly to the individual.
Next steps:
Start NOW to create your new Biosketch. Use the attached instructions to get started and contact Research Development Coordinators, Casey Urban caseyurban@boisestate.edu or Jessie Roth jessieroth@boisestate.edu if you need assistance.
OSP will continue to provide reports to assist faculty as they are populating their SciENcv form for Current and Pending. This will be done as you engage with Preaward on specific submissions to update your information. However, Principal Investigators (PIs) will be responsible for the accuracy of the information listed in the Current and Pending Support form and ensuring that the correct format is used. PIs can check that they are using an NSF-approved format by entering in the new information and printing it directly from SciENcv.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Do not use non-approved formats. Proposals that do not use the NSF-approved formats will be blocked from submission. It may be too late to correct this issue at the time of proposal submission. Please start early to ensure compliance and avoid proposal rejections.
For C&P In-Kind Declarations: If the in-kind contributions are intended for use on the project being proposed to NSF, the information must be included as part of the Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources section of the proposal and need not be replicated in the individual’s current and pending support submission.
Best,
Harold
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Harold Blackman, PhD
Interim Vice President for Research and Economic Development
Boise State University
(208) 426-5732
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