August 28, 1998

Dear Colleagues:

We have published an updated version of the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) (NSF 99-2) and Proposal Forms Kit (NSF 99-3). This document supersedes the prior version of the GPG (NSF 98-2) and the Proposal Forms Kit (NSF 98-3).

This revision has been necessitated by and is consistent with the:

• need to incorporate additional references throughout the document to the NSF FastLane ProjectFastLane system as well as access to other electronic sources of information, where appropriate;

• desire of some NSF Directorates to require use of FastLane in proposal preparation for all proposals – including unsolicited proposals. As a result, proposers must now check the FastLane Web site(see note 1) prior to proposal preparation and submission to verify whether use of FastLane is required in preparation of all or part of a proposal;

• need to further protect the privacy of PIs by removing the Social Security Number (SSN) from Page 1 of the Proposal Cover Sheet (the SSN will now be collected on Page 2 of the Cover Sheet which is submitted as a single copy document);
• implementation of revised OMB guidelines on race and ethnicity standards (NSF Form 1225);
• desire to incorporate suggestions for clarifications made by the various NSF customer communities and NSF staff since the last revision of the GPG in October 1997; and
• implementation of the NSF electronic Project Reporting System. This new electronic reporting capability has been added as a new component of FastLane and will permit electronic submission and updating of reports on each of a PI's NSF project(s). As designed, PIs will not need to re-enter information previously provided, either with the proposal or in earlier updates using the electronic system. Effective October 1, 1998, PIs are required to use the new reporting format for preparation of annual and final project reports.

Other sections have been revised, as appropriate, for clarity as well as to make the Guide consistent with current NSF policies, practices and procedures. A summary of significant changes is included on pages iii and iv of the GPG.

The GPG (including all forms) is available on the NSF Web site at https://www.nsf.gov in HTML, Microsoft Word, ASCII text and Portable Document Format (PDF).

Please address any questions or comments about the GPG to the Division of Contracts, Policy & Oversight, Policy Office, on 703-306-1243 or by e-mail to policy@nsf.gov.

Joseph L. Kull
Chief Financial Officer