Document Formatting Notes

Instructions pulled from NSF PAPPG (rule book)

Main Formatting rules in PAPPG - Part 1 - Chapter II - Section D.2¶

Sections of the Proposals (PAPPG page 46 - II-8)¶

1. Cover Sheet
2. Project Summary
3. Table of Contents
4. Project Description
5. References Cited
6. Budget and Budget Justification
7. Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources
8. Senior/Key Personnel Documents
   1. Biographical Sketch(es)
   2. Current and Pending (Other) Support
   3. Collaborators and Other Affiliations (see also Chapter II.D.1 for additional information on submission of single copy documents
   4. Synergistic Activities
   5. Special Information and Supplementary Documentation
   6. Mentoring Plan (if applicable)
   7. Data Management and Sharing Plan

• Additional proposal specific instructions

Project Description Details¶

The Project Description should provide:

• A clear statement of the work to be undertaken and must include:
  • the objectives for the period of the proposed work and
  • expected significance;
  • the relationship of this work to the present state of knowledge in the field
  • as well as to work in progress by the PI under other support.

The Project Description should:

• outline the general plan of work, including:
  • the broad design of activities to be undertaken
    • address what they want to do,
    • why they want to do it,
    • how they plan to do it,
    • how they will know if they succeed, and
    • what benefits could accrue if the project is successful.
  • The project activities may be based on previously established and/or innovative methods and approaches, but in either case must be well justified.
  • These issues apply to both the technical aspects of the proposal and the way in which the project may make broader contributions.

The Project Description also must contain, as a sparate section within the narrative, a section labeled “Broader Impacts”, and “Broader Impacts” must appear as a heading on its own line. This section should provide:

• a discussion of the broader impacts of the proposed activities.
• Broader impacts may be accomplished through:
  • the research itself,
  • the activities that are directly related to specific research projects, or
  • through activities that are supported by, but are complementary to the project.
• NSF values the advancement of scientific knowledge and activities that contribute to the achievement of societally relevant outcomes. Such outcomes include, but are not limited to:
  • full participation of women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM);
  • improved STEM education and educator development at any level;
  • increased public scientific literacy and public engagement with science and technology;
  • improved well-being of individuals in society;
  • development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce;
  • increased partnerships between academia, industry, and others; improved national security;
  • increased economic competitiveness of the U.S.;
  • use of science and technology to inform public policy;
  • enhanced infrastructure for research and education. These examples of societally relevant outcomes should not be considered either comprehensive or prescriptive. Proposers may include appropriate outcomes not covered by these examples.