NSF Proposal Preparation Resources

The NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) and Grants.gov Application Guide provide guidance for the preparation and submission of proposals to NSF, whether by the NSF Fastlane System or Grants.gov. The NSF program soliciation will indicate whether the propsal should be submitted via Fastlane or Grants.gov. Some NSF programs have program solicitations that modify the general provisions of these Guides, and, in such cases, the guidelines provided in the solicitation must be followed.

It is important that proposers use the appropriate guidelines when preparing proposals for submission to NSF. When preparing proposals via FastLane, the guidelines contained in the Grant Proposal Guide must be used. When preparing proposals via Grants.gov, the guidelines contained in the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide must be used.

NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG)
NSF Grants.gov Application Guide

Grants.gov Resources

Some federal agencies require the grant proposal to be submitted via the Grants.gov website. The Grants.gov Reference Guide has information to help P.I.'s complete the Grants.gov proposal package, in addition to helpful tips for NIH grant proposals.

Grants.gov Reference Guide (pdf)

Code of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Resources

According to the CFDA a successful grant proposal is one that is well-prepared, thoughtfully planned, and concisely packaged. Applicants should become familiar with all of the pertinent program criteria related to the Catalog program from which assistance is sought. Refer to the information contact person listed in the Catalog program description before developing a proposal to obtain information such as whether funding is available, when applicable deadlines occur, and the process used by the grantor agency for accepting applications.

Applicants should remember that the basic requirements, application forms, information and procedures vary with the Federal agency making the grant award.

For information about developing a federal grant proposal amd writing a grant proposal, please visit the topics below on the CFDA website:

Developing a Grant Proposal
Writing the Grant Proposal

External Agency Websites

eRA Commons
Grants.gov
NIH
NSF
NSF Fastlane