ELIGIBILITY

1. How do I know if my organization and/or ideas are appropriate for a STEM Ed OPRF proposal?
2. Is there a limit on how many awards an organization can hold?

PROPOSAL BUDGETS

3. With a maximum budget of $1,250,000 and institutional indirect costs, my institution can't support four postdocs. What can I do?
4. Does the budget limit include both direct and indirect costs?
5. What if my institution does not have a negotiated indirect cost rate?
6. Does NSF have a limit or cap on the indirect cost rate for institutions?
7. Can PI, co-PI, or senior personnel salary support be requested?
8. Can I submit a proposal to the STEM Ed OPRF program if my institution has never had an NSF award?
9. The solicitation states that separately submitted collaborative proposals are not allowed. Is it acceptable to include a subaward in our budget?

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ELIGIBILITY

1. How do I know if my organization and/or ideas are appropriate for a STEM Ed OPRF proposal?

   Questions about ideas for possible proposals to the STEM Ed OPRF program may be addressed to the program email alias. Proposers should send a one-page outline of their project ideas including an overview of the institutional or organizational environment to the STEM Ed OPRF at STEMEdPRF@nsf.gov. Advice and guidance from the program may be provided via return email or through a scheduled telephone or video conversation.

2. Is there a limit on how many awards an organization can hold?

   There is no limit to the number of STEM Ed OPRF awards an organization may have at any one time. However, prior awards to an organization may be considered by NSF during its portfolio balancing process.

PROPOSAL BUDGETS

3. With a maximum budget of $1,250,000 and institutional indirect costs, my institution can't support four postdocs. What can I do?

   Consider structuring the budget in two phases:

   Phase 1 (Year 1) could focus on laying the foundation to support the research and professional development of the postdoctoral fellows, including recruitment and selection and solidifying partnerships and collaborations. The budget should include justifiable costs associated with implementing this phase.

   Phase 2 (Years 2 & 3) could focus on supporting a cohort of two to four postdoctoral fellows for 24 months. The budget must include a $70,000 annual salary for each fellow, salaries for senior and other project personnel, fringe benefits, costs associated with the professional development of each fellow and their research projects, an evaluation plan, and indirect costs. The cost estimates should align with the project implementation plan and strategy and must be fully justifiable. The roles and responsibilities of project personnel should be delineated and described clearly.

4. Does the budget limit include both direct and indirect costs?

   Yes, both direct and indirect costs are included in the budget limit. Proposals that exceed the budget limit for a competition are subject to return without review.

5. What if my institution does not have a negotiated indirect cost rate?

   Institutions that do not have a current US federally negotiated indirect cost rate(s) may use a de minimus indirect cost recovery rate of 10% of modified total direct costs. See PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.f(viii) for additional information.

6. Does NSF have a limit or cap on the indirect cost rate for institutions?

   Except where identified in an NSF program solicitation, institutions must use their applicable US federally negotiated indirect cost rate(s) for a proposal. See PAPPG Chapter II.D.2.f(viii) for additional information. Indirect cost rates are not subject to negotiation with the National Science Foundation.

7. Can PI, co-PI, or senior personnel salary support be requested?

   Yes, reasonable and justified costs for PI, co-PI, and senior personnel support may be included in the budget request.

8. Can I submit a proposal to the STEM Ed OPRF program if my institution has never had an NSF award?

   Yes, the STEM Ed OPRF program welcomes proposals from institutions with no prior history of NSF awards.

9. The solicitation states that separately submitted collaborative proposals are not allowed. Is it acceptable to include a subaward in our budget?

   Yes, you may include subawards in your budget so long as the total requested amount of the proposal does not exceed $1,250,000.

PRIOR AWARDS

During the fiscal year 2022 which was the inaugural year of the program, the following awards were made. The initial solicitation contained tracks for institutional and individual awards.