MENTORING PLANS
NSF has expanded their mentoring plan requirement to include any graduate students supported on the project in addition to postdocs. The page limitation for the mentoring plan remains one page.

Learn more about the new mentoring plan requirements >>
Watch a webinar on mentoring plan best practices >>

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
NSF will now implement use of the biographical sketch common form. A few things to note:

• It is required that applicants use SciENcv to develop their biosketch
• There is no longer a page limit for biosketches, but there are limits regarding the types of information and number of examples that can be included
• Senior/Key Personnel are now required to disclose participation in foreign government programs, including foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs.
• The new form does not include synergistic activities. Synergistic Activities must now be submitted as a separate senior personnel document.

Learn more about the new biosketch format >>
Watch a video on using SciENcv>>
Watch a webinar on the new format>>

SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITIES
Synergistic Activities are no longer included as part of the biographical sketch. Instead, Synergistic Activities must now be submitted as a separate senior personnel document. Applicants are still limited to five (5) specific, distinct examples.

Learn about the new Synergistic Activities document >>

FOREIGN TALENT RECRUITMENT PROGRAMS
NSF now requires that senior/key personnel provide a certification on participation in Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs, which is part of the biographical sketch certification. 

• Applicants are required to disclose participation in Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs
• Applicants must certify they are not a party to a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program

Learn more about the new biosketch certification >>
More information on Foreign Talent Recruitment programs and what makes a FTRP malign is available on the Research Security website.

CURRENT AND PENDING SUPPORT
NSF will now implement use of the current and pending support common form. It is required that applicants use SciENcv to develop their current and pending support form.

Learn more about the new current and pending support format >>
Watch a video on using SciENcv>>
Watch a webinar on the new format>>

TRIBAL NATION APPROVAL FOR PROPOSALS THAT IMPACT TRIBAL RESOURCES OR INTERESTS
NSF will now require written approval from the official(s) designated by the relevant Tribal Nation(s). For projects that may impact Tribal resources or interests, applicants must include with their application one of the following:

1. a copy of the written request to the relevant Tribe(s) to carry out any proposed activity/activities that may require prior approval from the Tribal Nation(s);
2. written confirmation from the Tribal Nation(s) that review and approval is not required; or
3. a copy of a document from the relevant Tribal Nation(s) that provides the requisite approval.

Note that if only (i) is provided, the proposer will still be required to submit either (ii) or (iii) as a just-in-time document before NSF will make an award decision.

What is research that impacts Tribal Nations?

Examples of such activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• research or projects that involve Tribal Nation members and would invoke the Tribal Nation in any way (including but not limited to referencing a Tribal Nation in materials, public forums, or publications);
• carrying out studies or research on Tribal Nation reservations, territories, and other locations where Tribal Nations have legally protected rights to resources or to engage in activities; and
• using Tribal Nation-controlled information or data in research

Learn more about this new approval requirement >>