Chapter I.A, NSF Proposal Preparation and Submission, has been revised to describe, at the beginning of the chapter, proposal preparation and submission via FastLane and Grants.gov.

Chapter I.G.3, Requirements Relating to Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Numbers and Registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), has been updated to include language that SAM will become the NSF system of record for organizational financial information as of October 1, 2014. The section also emphasizes that organizations are responsible for updating SAM registration information as it changes.

Chapter II.B, Format of the Proposal, has been revised to add instructions that, upon entering the proposal preparation module in FastLane, the PI will be prompted to select whether or not the proposal is a collaborative proposal and the type of proposal being developed.

Chapter II.C.1.e, Proposal Certifications, includes an addition to the Certification Regarding Conflict of Interest. The language states that if research proceeds without the imposition of conditions or restrictions when a conflict of interest exists, this must be disclosed to NSF via use of the Notifications and Requests Module in FastLane.

Chapter II.C.2, Sections of the Proposal, has been augmented to include a list of required sections for a full proposal submitted via FastLane. The section also clarifies that, if the submission instructions do not require a section to be provided, the proposer should insert text or upload a document in that section of the proposal that states, "Not Applicable."

Chapter II.C.2.b, Project Summary, clarifies that a Project Summary containing special characters that is submitted as a PDF file in the Supplementary Documentation section must be formatted with separate headings for the overview, statement on intellectual merit, and statement on broader impacts.

Chapter II.C.2.d(iii), Results from Prior NSF Support, has been amended to make clear that in the summary of results of the completed work, the accomplishments related to Intellectual Merit and Broader Impact activities must be separately described under two distinct headings.

Chapter II.C.2.d(iv), Unfunded Collaborations, has been revised to explain that any substantial collaboration with individuals not included in the budget should be described in the Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources section of the proposal and documented in a letter of commitment from each collaborator.

Chapter II.C.2.f(i), Biographical Sketches, has been updated to state that inclusion of information beyond that specified may result in the proposal being returned without review.

Chapter II.C.2.f(i)(c), Products, has been supplemented with language stating that, if only publications are included, the heading “Publications” may be used for this section of the Biographical Sketch.

Chapter II.C.2.g(v), Participant Support, has been revised to emphasize that indirect costs are not allowed on participant support costs.

Chapter II.C.2.g(vi)(f), Other, has been updated to include guidance on the allowability of visa costs on an NSF proposal.

Chapter II.C.2.g(viii), Indirect Costs, has been expanded to make clear that NSF formally negotiates indirect cost rates for the organizations for which NSF has rate cognizance. NSF does not negotiate rates for organizations that are not direct recipients of NSF funding (e.g., subrecipients). The prime recipient is responsible for ensuring that proposed subrecipient costs, including indirect costs, are reasonable and appropriate.

Chapter II.C.2.g(xi), Cost Sharing, has been amended to state that, for purposes of budget preparation, the cumulative cost sharing amount must be entered on Line M of the first year’s budget. Should an award be made, the organization’s cost sharing commitment, as specified on the first year’s approved budget, must be met prior to award expiration.

Chapter II.C.2.j, Special Information and Supplementary Documentation, has been revised to move language regarding letters of support to be co-located with information on letters of commitment. The section also was modified to clarify that, in order for NSF to comply with federal environmental statutes (including, but not limited to, the National Environmental Policy Act [42 U.S.C. §§ 4321, et seq.], the National Historic Preservation Act [16 U.S.C. § 470, et seq.], and the Endangered Species Act [16 U.S.C. §§ 1531, et seq.]), the proposer may be requested to submit supplemental post-proposal submission information to NSF in order that a reasonable and accurate assessment of environmental impacts by NSF may be made. NSF intends to pursue the pilot use of a new Institution/Organization Environmental Impacts Checklist in a small number of programs, prior to implementation Foundation-wide.

Chapter II.D.1, Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID), has been updated to indicate that the "RAPID" proposal type must be selected in the proposal preparation module in FastLane.

Chapter II.D.2, EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER), has been updated to indicate that the "EAGER" proposal type must be selected in the proposal preparation module in FastLane.

Chapter II.D.4.b, Submission of a collaborative proposal from multiple organizations, has been supplemented to clarify required sections of the proposal for lead organizations versus non-lead organizations.

Chapter II.D.5, Proposals for Equipment, has been revised to explain what information should be included in different sections of the proposal.

Chapter II.D.8, Proposals for Conferences, Symposia and Workshops, has been augmented to explain that such proposals should include a description of plans to identify resources for child care and other types of family care at the conference site to allow individuals with family care responsibilities to attend.

Chapter II.D.13, Projects Requiring High-Performance Computing Resources, Large Amount of Data Storage, or Advanced Visualization Resources, has been updated to describe NSF-supported resources at University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign, and National Center for Atmospheric Research, which are in addition to XSEDE.

Clarifications and Other Changes to the GPG

Chapter II.C.2.d(iii), Results from Prior NSF Support, has been amended to clarify that in cases where the PI or co-PI has received more than one award (excluding amendments) they need only report on the one award most closely related to the proposal.

Chapter II.C.2.f(i), Biographical Sketch(es), has been modified to add that, if a biographical sketch(es) is not required, the proposer should insert text or upload a document in this section of the proposal that states, "Not Applicable." In FastLane, if biographical sketches for all senior personnel are uploaded in a single PDF file associated with the PI, the proposer should insert text or upload a document that states, "Not Applicable" for any co-PI or Senior Person.

Chapter II.C.2.g, Budget, has been modified to include “Budget Justification” in the section heading. The language has been amended to clarify that, if a program solicitation does not require a budget, and there is no budgetary information to justify, the proposer should insert text or upload a document in the budget justification section that states, "Not Applicable."

Chapter II.C.2.h, Current and Pending Support, has been modified to add that, if Current and Pending Support information is not required, the proposer should insert text or upload a document in this section of the proposal that states, “Not Applicable.” In FastLane, if Current and Pending Support information for all senior personnel are uploaded in a single PDF file associated with the PI, the proposer should insert text or upload a document that states, “Not Applicable” for any co-PI or Senior Person.

Chapter II.D.8, Proposals for Conferences, Symposia and Workshops, and Chapter II.D.9, Proposals to Support International Travel, have been amended to state that, if any section is not required, the proposer should insert text or upload a document in that section of the proposal that states, "Not Applicable."

Exhibit II-1, Proposal Preparation Checklist, has been updated to conform to the Grant Proposal Guide revisions.

Chapter IV.B, Proposal Not Accepted or Returned Without Review, has been revised to include references to relevant sections of the Grant Proposal Guide and to clarify the language.