Unless a waiver has been granted by NSF, a reviewer cannot review a proposal if:
- the reviewer, the reviewer's spouse, minor child, or business partner;
- an organization where the reviewer is employed, serves as a consultant, has an arrangement for future employment or is negotiating for employment; or
- the organization where the reviewer is an officer, director, trustee, or partner;
has a financial interest in the outcome of the proposal.
Unless a waiver has been granted by NSF, a potential reviewer also may be barred from reviewing a proposal, if it involves individuals with whom the potential reviewer has a personal relationship, such as a close relative, current or former collaborator, or former Ph.D. student/advisor.
Unless a waiver has been granted by NSF, a disqualifying conflict may exist, if a proposal involves an organization or other entity with which the potential reviewer has a connection. Such potentially disqualifying connections include:
- a reviewer's recent former employer;
- an organization in which the reviewer is an active participant;
- an institution at which the reviewer or a member of the reviewer's household is currently enrolled as a student, or at which the reviewer serves as a visiting committee member; or
- an entity with which the reviewer has or seeks some other business or financial relationship (including receipt of an honorarium).