Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for NSF 17-086, Removal of Deadlines for the Marine Geology and Geophysics Program in the Division of Ocean Sciences in the Directorate for Geosciences

What does "no deadline" mean?

Starting July 1, 2017, the Marine Geology and Geophysics Program will accept proposals at any time. There will no longer be any restriction on when a proposal can be submitted. Proposals requesting ship time will still need to allow for at least 18 months of lead time for those projects requiring Academic Research Fleet Global- or Ocean-Class vessels and at least 12 months for all other ship requests.

Why is this change being made?

This action is being taken to enable greater flexibility for the community, and reduce the burden on investigators, reviewers, and submitting institutions. By accepting proposals at any time, investigators will have more time to prepare proposals and build strong collaborations; think more creatively without the pressure of a deadline; and if desired propose more complex, interdisciplinary projects that have the potential to dramatically advance science.

Will proposals still be panel and mail reviewed?

All proposals will be sent out for mail review, as is the present practice. Proposals also will be considered by a panel of experts.

How will this work?

Program Officers will schedule panels as needed depending on the submissions received.

Will the community be told the dates of panels?

No, as is normal under NSF policy.

Will it take longer to receive a decision on my proposal?

No change in average time to decision and release of reviews is expected with this change.

How will this affect proposals that are to be co-reviewed with core Programs that still have deadlines?

If deadlines exist for other Programs, the Marine Geology and Geophysics Program will work with them to co-review in the same manner as is currently done for proposals that are shared between Programs. If a proposal is submitted for co-consideration with another Program that operates with deadlines, PIs are encouraged to consult with MGG and the other Program to seek guidance on the best time to submit the proposal. This should help avoid delays in review.

Can I resubmit a declined proposal right away or do I have to wait a certain period of time to resubmit it?

Any declined proposal is subject to a 12 month moratorium period from its submission date. Any proposal on the same topic with the same or similar goals is also subject to this moratorium period.

If there is a strong science timeliness reason for a rapid resubmission of a declined proposal, can there be an exception to the moratorium rule?

Exceptions to the moratorium are at the discretion of the Program, but will only be allowed if the Program finds a compelling scientific timeliness reason. Reasons related to personnel or facility availability are not generally considered compelling reasons to grant an exception.

How will this change affect proposals requesting the use of UNOLS assets?

The scheduling of UNOLS assets is not affected by this change. PIs should follow the current guidelines, as noted above, with respect to lead time for ship and asset scheduling.

Is there a limit to how many proposals I can have pending as lead PI at the same time?

There is no limit to the number of proposals a PI can have pending in the Marine Geology and Geophysics Program at any given time.

Does the change to no deadlines also apply to special programs such as GeoPRISMS or Paleo Perspectives on Climate Change (P2C2)?

No. The GeoPRISMS and P2C2 Programs will continue to accept proposals once a year, by the deadlines stated in the solicitations. Proposals that address the goals of these or future special programs must be submitted to those programs and not to the MGG Core. Proposals that are submitted to the wrong Program will be returned without review. Any questions about where a proposal belongs should be addressed to the MGG Program Director(s) prior to submission.

Do I need to alert the Program if I intend to submit or when I submit a proposal?

No, there is no requirement, although as is currently the case, PIs should contact a Program Officer if they have questions or are proposing a large or complex proposal that may need special consideration.