The National Science Foundation (NSF) awards grants to doctoral students to improve the quality of dissertation research. These grants allow doctoral students to undertake significant data-gathering projects and to conduct field research in settings away from their campus which would not otherwise be possible. Proposals are judged on the basis of their scientific merit, including the theoretical importance of the research question and the appropriateness of the proposed data and methodology to be used in addressing the question.
Many programs in the seven NSF directorates accept doctoral dissertation improvement grant proposals. Requirements vary across programs, so applicants are advised to consult the relevant program's solicitation and instructions.
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- Start the process early.
- Read the entire solicitation very carefully and repeatedly.
- Ask questions of their your advisor (PI), University grant specialists, and NSF program officer.
- Demonstrate review criteria in application materials.
- Write clearly, concisely, confidently, and truthfully.
- Draw on accomplishments more than aspirations.
- Write multiple drafts and show them to others for review. Draw on accomplishments more than promises.
- Ensure the proposal addresses all proposal requirements
- Check for spelling, grammar, and required formatting.
- Verify material is materials are uploaded correctly in the appropriate placeplaces in the application system.
- Press the “Submit” button and meet the deadline.
- Regularly check application status.
- Be ready to submit your application before the deadline day to allow for any unexpected technical issues or system errors.
Planning Time Required for an NSF DDRIG
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- You must work with the SU Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) to submit the application.
- In the Maxwell School, your contact person for assistance and submission is Caroline McMullin (cmcmulli@syr.edu), Research Administrator in the SU Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). Depending on your academic department, the departmental administrator or budget manager might also be able to help.
- Both you and your advisor will need NSF IDs in order to access the FastLane system (see Registering for an NSF ID).
Proposal Development Timeline
- The PI (your advisor) is the applicant in FastLane; if you change the PI after starting the application, all details will be deleted and you will need to start over.
Timeline
| STAGE | DUE DATES | CHECKLIST | |
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| 1 | Proposal Development | 4 WEEKS (or more) before application deadline |
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| 2 | Application Review and Submission | 10 BUSINESS DAYS before the application deadline |
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10 - 0 BUSINESS DAYS before the application deadline |
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Proposal Development Steps
- Review the DDRIG solicitation from the applicable NSF program. If you are not sure which NSF program you should apply to, talk with your advisor.
- Review recent awards using the "What Has Been Funded (Recent Awards Made Through This Program, with Abstracts)" link on the program page.
- Leverage your network to find successful proposal and/or peers who have been through the application process (whether successful or not).
- Prepare a 1-page summary of your project to send by email to the NSF program officer(s) listed in the DDRIG solicitation for your chosen program. Request a phone call to discuss your project, including its fit with the program, or feedback by email.
- Read carefully pertinent sections of the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Highlight or otherwise take note of important information.
- Draft your Project Description, Budget Justification, and other components of your application, carefully following the content and format requirements as described in the DDRIG solicitation and PAPPG.
- Obtain written documentation from hosting institution, collaborators, or other auxiliary resources, if applicable.
- Request required documents/information from your advisor (PI),* and mark your calendar to follow up to ensure you receive all documents/information well in advance of the submission deadline.
- Finalize and submit your proposal and all necessary paperwork to Caroline in OSP well in advance of the deadline. Caroline will review, work with you to revise as needed, and submit the application to the NSF.
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- Biographical Sketch
- Current and Pending Support
- Collaborators and Other Affiliations Information
- PI letter (see solicitation for template language and/or other requirements)
- Confirmation of the PI's up-to-date FCOI Significant Financial Interest Disclosure
- Each section uploaded as a file must be individually paginated prior to being uploaded into Fastlane
- Formatting:
- Times New Roman, Arial, Helvetica, Courier New, or Palatino Lintoype, at font size 10 or larger
- Font size of less than 10 may be used for formulas, equations, etc.
- At least 1 inch margins
Human Research
If you are conducting human research, work with your advisor (PI) to seek and obtain approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) if human subjects are involved and possibly IRB exemption otherwise.
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Contact the Office of Research Integrity and Protections for guidance.
The Process (Part 2)
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- Times New Roman, Arial, Helvetica, Courier New, or Palatino Lintoype, at font size 10 or larger
- Font size of less than 10 may be used for formulas, equations, etc.
- At least 1 inch margins
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Adapted from: https://www.miriamgolden.com/how-to-write-an-nsf-ddrig
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