Geography and Spatial Sciences Program

Geography and Spatial Sciences Program is sponsored by U.S. National Science Foundation. Promotes scientific research in geography and spatial sciences to advance theory and address societal challenges.

NSF 17-566: Geography and Spatial Sciences Program (GSS) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation Archived funding opportunity This solicitation is archived. Important information for proposers and award recipients All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in the funding opportunity and in the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and its supplements .

All NSF grants and cooperative agreements are subject to the applicable set of NSF award terms and conditions . NSF has updated its research security policies for NSF funded projects. NSF 17-566: Geography and Spatial Sciences Program (GSS) Download the solicitation (PDF, 0.

9mb) National Science Foundation Directorate for Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p. m.

submitter's local time): First Thursday in September, Annually Thereafter Proposal submission deadline Important Information And Revision Notes This solicitation provides instructions for submission of proposals to the Geography and Spatial Sciences (GSS) Program for the following kinds of awards: regular research awards; awards for conferences, group travel, and research community-development activities; research coordination network (RCN) awards; and rapid-response research (RAPID) awards.

This solicitation also provides guidance with respect to the preparation of faculty early-career development (CAREER) award proposals to GSS, although CAREER proposals are submitted under the terms of the NSF-wide CAREER solicitation.

GSS continues to conduct one annual competition for new proposals for regular research project awards; awards for conferences, group travel, and research community-development activities; and research coordination networks. The deadline for submission of these kinds of proposals is the first Thursday of September, as specified in this solicitation.

GSS conducts one annual competition for CAREER proposals in accordance with the proposal-submission deadline date specified in the CAREER solicitation. GSS can consider RAPID proposals at any time, although investigators must discuss the rationale for submitting a RAPID proposal with GSS program directors, and they must receive permission from a GSS program director to submit a formal RAPID proposal.

A different solicitation includes instructions for preparation of proposals of Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement (DDRI) proposals to be submitted to GSS ( https://www. nsf. gov/funding/pgm_summ.

jsp? pims_id=503621 ). In accordance with the new GSS-DDRI solicitation, DDRI proposals may be submitted to GSS at any time after July 1, 2017.

Only DDRI proposals can be submitted to GSS at any time and without any prior contact between the investigators and GSS program directors. This solicitation notes special review criteria that GSS asks reviewers and panel members to address regarding the expected larger-scope, longer-term significance of a project as well as its likelihood of success.

Although the wording of these criteria is slightly different than in the previous GSS solicitation, their substance remains the same. This solicitation provides clarification regarding proposal preparation for submission to the Geography and Spatial Sciences Program.

If a project is being undertaken by researchers at multiple organizations, a single organization must be identified as the prime, and a single proposal describing the entire project must be submitted by that organization, with funds distributed among partner organizations via subawards from the prime organization. Direct submission of linked collaborative sets of proposals by multiple organizations is not permitted.

Any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation should be submitted in accordance with the revised NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) ( NSF 19-1 ), which is effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after February 25, 2019.

Summary Of Program Requirements Geography and Spatial Sciences Program (GSS) Basic scientific research in geography and spatial science that advances theory, fundamental understanding, and scientific approaches and addresses the challenges facing society. The education and training of geographers and spatial scientists in order to enhance the capabilities of current and future generations of researchers.

The involvement of geographers and spatial scientists in interdisciplinary research. The Geography and Spatial Sciences Program supports basic research about the geographic distributions and interactions of human, physical, and biotic systems on Earth. Investigators are encouraged to propose plans for research about the nature, causes, and consequences of human activity and natural environmental processes across a range of scales.

Projects about a broad range of topics may be appropriate for support if they offer promise of enhancing fundamental geographical knowledge, concepts, theories, methods, and their application to societal problems and concerns.

GSS provides support through a number of different funding mechanisms: Doctoral dissertation research improvement (DDRI) awards Faculty early-career development (CAREER) awards Awards for conferences, group travel, and community-development activities Research coordination network (RCN) awards Rapid-response research (RAPID) awards.

In rare and unusual cases, GSS may support early-concept grants for exploratory research (EAGER), research advanced by interdisciplinary science and engineering (RAISE) awards, and other special kinds of award mechanisms established by NSF. Investigators must discuss the rationale for submitting any of these kinds of proposals with GSS program directors prior to the submission of a proposal.

These types of proposals are permitted by GSS only in rare and unusual cases because GSS strives to be open to ideas and approaches in early stages of development, and GSS emphasizes the potential longer-term significance of new lines of inquiry as part of its merit evaluation of all types of proposals, including regular research proposals.

There are two different solicitations that provide information about proposals to be submitted for consideration by GSS: This solicitation provides instructions for submission of proposals for regular research awards; proposals for awards for conferences, group travel, and community-development activities; proposals for research coordination network (RCN) awards; and proposals for rapid-response research (RAPID) awards.

A different solicitation provides instructions for proposals for doctoral dissertation research improvement (DDRI) awards. That solicitation is accessible at https://www. nsf.

gov/funding/pgm_summ. jsp? pims_id=503621 .

Proposals for faculty early-career development (CAREER) awards should be prepared in accordance with the CAREER solicitation, although investigators submitting CAREER proposals to GSS should also consult this solicitation for more information about GSS and to be aware of the GSS special review criteria, which are used for the evaluation of CAREER proposals.

More information about CAREER awards and a link to the CAREER solicitation is accessible at https://www. nsf. gov/funding/pgm_summ.

jsp? pims_id=503214 . Cognizant Program Officer(s): Please note that the following information is current at the time of publishing.

See program website for any updates to the points of contact. Jacqueline Vadjunec-Program Director, Scott M.

Freundschuh-Program Director, Cori Jacildone-Program Specialist, Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s): --- Social Behavioral and Economic Sciences Anticipated Type of Award: Standard Grant or Continuing Grant Estimated Number of Awards: Depending on the availability of funding during a fiscal year, GSS expects to recommend (either on its own or through co-funding with one or more other NSF programs) a total of 25 to 30 regular research project awards, 1 to 3 faculty early-career development (CAREER) awards, and 2 to 4 awards to support conferences, group travel, and/or other community-development activities.

Depending on circumstances and the quality of proposals submitted to GSS, 0 to 3 research coordination network (RCN) awards, RAPID awards, EAGER awards, RAISE awards, and/or other kinds of special awards may be recommended. Anticipated Funding Amount: pending availability of funds. Project budgets should be developed at scales appropriate for the work to be conducted.

Regular research awards supported by GSS generally range from between $40,000 to $400,000. CAREER awards must be for a minimum of $400,000; CAREER awards supported by GSS rarely exceed $550,000. Awards to support conferences, group travel, or other community-development activities generally range between $20,000 and $200,000.

Research coordination network (RCN) awards generally range between $300,000 and $500,000. RAPID awards generally range between $20,000 and $60,000. All figures in the preceding sentences are totals that include both direct and indirect costs for the entire duration of the award.

Somewhat larger funding amounts may be possible if other NSF programs participate in co-funding of a project with GSS. Who May Submit Proposals: The categories of proposers eligible to submit proposals to the National Science Foundation are identified in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), Chapter I.E. Unaffiliated individuals are not eligible to submit proposals in response to this solicitation.

There are no restrictions or limits. Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: There are no restrictions or limits. Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI: There are no restrictions or limits.

Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions A. Proposal Preparation Instructions Letters of Intent: Not required Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not required Full Proposals submitted via FastLane: NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) guidelines apply. The complete text of the PAPPG is available electronically on the NSF website at: https://www.

nsf. gov/publications/pub_summ. jsp?

ods_key=pappg . Full Proposals submitted via Research. gov: NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) guidelines apply.

The complete text of the PAPPG is available electronically on the NSF website at: https://www. nsf. gov/publications/pub_summ.

jsp? ods_key=pappg . Full Proposals submitted via Grants.

gov: NSF Grants. gov Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Applications via Grants. gov guidelines apply (Note: The NSF Grants.

gov Application Guide is available on the Grants. gov website and on the NSF website at: https://www. nsf.

gov/publications/pub_summ. jsp? ods_key=grantsgovguide ).

Cost Sharing Requirements: Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited. Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations: Other Budgetary Limitations: Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p. m. submitter's local time): First Thursday in September, Annually Thereafter Proposal submission deadline Proposal Review Information Criteria National Science Board approved criteria.

Additional merit review considerations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. Award Administration Information Standard NSF award conditions apply.

Standard NSF reporting requirements apply. Basic scientific research in geography and spatial science that advances theory, fundamental understanding, and scientific approaches and addresses the challenges facing society. The education and training of geographers and spatial scientists in order to enhance the capabilities of current and future generations of researchers.

The involvement of geographers and spatial scientists in interdisciplinary research. The Geography and Spatial Sciences Program supports basic research about the geographic distributions and interactions of human, physical, and biotic systems on Earth. Investigators are encouraged to propose plans for research about the nature, causes, and consequences of human activity and natural environmental processes across a range of scales.

Projects about a broad range of topics may be appropriate for support if they offer promise of enhancing fundamental geographical knowledge, concepts, theories, methods, and their application to societal problems and concerns.

GSS provides support through the following kinds of funding mechanisms: Doctoral dissertation research improvement (DDRI) awards (Note that there is a separate solicitation for DDRI proposals to be submitted to GSS.)

Faculty early-career development (CAREER) awards Awards for conferences, group travel, and community-development activities Research coordination network (RCN) awards Rapid-response research (RAPID) awards In rare and unusual cases, GSS may support early-concept grants for exploratory research (EAGER), research advanced by interdisciplinary science and engineering (RAISE) awards, and other special kinds of award mechanisms established by NSF.

Investigators must discuss the rationale for submitting any of these kinds of proposals with GSS program directors prior to the submission of a proposal.

These types of proposals are permitted by GSS only in rare and unusual cases because GSS strives to be open to ideas and approaches in early stages of development, and GSS emphasizes the potential longer-term significance of new lines of inquiry as part of its merit evaluation of all types of proposals, including regular research proposals.

A proposal submitted for consideration by the Geography and Spatial Sciences Program at NSF will be most competitive (a) if the research is grounded in relevant geographical and/or spatial scientific theory; (b) if it focuses on one or a few core questions grounded in the theoretical framework that has been established; (c) if it articulates how scientifically sound methods will be used to explore the validity of answers to the core questions; and (d) if the results are likely to contribute not only specific answers to those specific questions but also to the enhancement of broader geographic and/or spatial scientific theory.

The project also can draw on and contribute to theory in other fields, but to obtain at least some funding from GSS, efforts should be made to enhance fundamental geographic and/or spatial scientific theory. The investigators should plan to disseminate their results through presentations and publications for geographers and spatial scientists as well as other relevant communities.

GSS supports research that involves development of methods and techniques to advance geographic and spatial scientific research.

Proposals to develop and advance methods generally are most competitive when they also address substantive questions that are grounded in broader theoretical contexts, because the development of new methods is most compelling when their wider-ranging utility is complemented with convincing demonstrations of their practical utility to address substantive problems.

GSS frequently engages in co-review of regular research proposals with other NSF programs. Such co-review entails multiple programs coordinating the review of a single project proposal submitted to NSF.

Efforts are made to enable co-review to provide "double opportunity" rather than "double jeopardy," because a single program can provide support for the project it finds meritorious even if other programs are not as enthusiastic about the proposed work.

Investigators who believe that their work might be appropriate for co-review are encouraged to contact program officers for all programs they think might have interest in their work well in advance of proposal-submission deadlines. Early pre-proposal contact often includes transmission of a project prospectus by email to all program officers of programs that might have an interest in the project.

The prospectus should be one page or so in length and can include summaries of the theoretical foundations of the project, the core questions on which the investigators plan to focus, the research plan they will use, and the expected intellectual and broader significance of the project.

By sharing the prospectus and other questions they have with program officers from multiple programs, investigators can obtain feedback that will enable them to assess whether co-review may be a viable option and to write their proposal accordingly. GSS provides support for projects using a set of different funding mechanisms: Regular research awards .

These awards provide support for individual researchers or teams of researchers for time periods ranging from one to five years to conduct investigations of specific research projects. Project budgets should be developed at scales appropriate for the work to be conducted. Regular research awards supported by GSS generally range from between $40,000 to $400,000.

(These totals include both direct and indirect costs for the entire duration of the award. Somewhat larger funding amounts may be possible if other NSF programs participate in co-funding of a project with GSS.) Proposals for regular research project awards must be submitted by the proposal-submission deadline specified in this solicitation.

Doctoral dissertation research improvement (DDRI) awards . These awards provide support for doctoral students for time periods ranging from one to two years to conduct investigations of specific research projects associated with doctoral dissertations (or, in some graduate programs, in publications that substitute for dissertations). (Note that there is a separate solicitation for DDRI proposals to be submitted to GSS.

That solicitation may be accessed from https://www. nsf. gov/funding/pgm_summ.

jsp? pims_id=503621 .) Faculty early-career development (CAREER) awards.

These awards provide support for five years for individual researchers at early stages in their careers to enable them to conduct research programs consisting of multiple research projects and a well-integrated educational program. Project budgets should be developed at scales appropriate for the work to be conducted. CAREER awards must be a minimum of $400,000, with CAREER awards supported by GSS rarely exceeding $550,000.

(These totals include both direct and indirect costs for the entire duration of the award. Somewhat larger funding amounts may be possible if other NSF programs participate in co-funding of a project with GSS.) CAREER proposals must be prepared and submitted in accordance with specifications in the CAREER solicitation.

(More information about CAREER awards and a link to the CAREER solicitation is accessible at https://www. nsf. gov/funding/pgm_summ.

jsp? pims_id=503214 .) Awards for conferences, group travel, and community-development activities.

These awards provide funding for groups of researchers for one to five years to support activities that show strong prospects for enhancing current and future research and related activity within and beyond geography and the spatial sciences. Project budgets should be developed at scales appropriate for the work to be conducted. These awards generally range between $20,000 and $200,000.

(These totals include both direct and indirect costs for the entire duration of the award.) Proposals for any of these kinds of awards must be submitted by the proposal-submission deadline specified in this solicitation. (Additional information about the preparation of conference proposals is available in Chapter II.

E. 7 of the PAPPG. Additional information about the preparation of group travel proposals is available in Chapter II.

E. 9 of the PAPPG.) Research coordination network (RCNs) awards .

These awards provide support for groups of researchers for three to five years to facilitate and broaden interactions within and beyond geographic and spatial science research communities in ways that will enhance basic research activities in the future. Project budgets should be developed at scales appropriate for the work to be conducted. RCN awards generally range between $300,000 and $500,000.

(These totals include both direct and indirect costs for the entire duration of the award.) Additional information about RCN proposals is available at https://www. nsf.

gov/funding/pgm_summ. jsp? pims_id=11691 .

RCN proposals submitted to GSS must be submitted by the proposal-submission deadline specified in this solicitation and must be submitted in response to this solicitation rather than in response to the RCN solicitation. Rapid-response research (RAPID) awards .

These awards provide support for individuals or teams of researchers for one year to capture ephemeral data that are critical for the conduct of specific, well-formulated research projects.

Although project plans may be initiated in response to sudden, unexpected events or circumstances, proposals must show the same theoretical grounding, focus on specific questions, and use of scientifically sound procedures that is expected of regular research proposals. Proposals seeking to gather data quickly and later determine how the data will be used will not be competitive.

Project budgets should be developed at scales appropriate for the work to be conducted and generally should focus on activities related to the collection of ephemeral data, not to follow-up analysis and dissemination. RAPID awards generally range between $20,000 and $60,000. (These totals include both direct and indirect costs for the entire duration of the award.

Somewhat larger funding amounts may be possible if other NSF programs participate in co-funding of a project with GSS.) GSS program directors must be contacted and prior written approval must be obtained from a GSS program director before a formal RAPID proposal is submitted to GSS. Note that authorization to submit a RAPID proposal to GSS does not imply that the proposal will result in an award.

(Additional information about the preparation of a RAPID proposal is available in Chapter II. E. 1 of the PAPPG .

) GSS employs an evaluation system known as "One-Plus." GSS permits the submission of new proposals for regular research awards; awards for conferences, group travel, and community-development activities; and research coordination network awards only one time each year, with a proposal-submission deadline on the first Thursday of September.

These proposals are evaluated during the following months, with funding decisions made in the early months of the following calendar year. To facilitate lines of inquiry with high potential significance, the GSS program directors will invite PIs whose proposals were declined but who had especially promising regular research proposals to revise and resubmit their proposals prior to the next proposal-submission deadline.

These PIs will have six to eight weeks to revise and resubmit proposals if they wish to do so. Their new proposals will undergo a new round of merit review to determine whether the proposed work maintains a high level of potential significance while increasing confidence in its likelihood of success.

This system permits GSS to recommend more awards early in the calendar year that previously had been possible while also permitting some additional projects that have great potential larger-scope, longer-term significance to be supported sooner than would otherwise be the case.

Anticipated Type of Award: Continuing Grant or Standard Grant Estimated Number of Awards: 30 to 40 Depending on the availability of funding during a fiscal year, GSS expects to recommend (either on its own or through co-funding with one or more other NSF programs) a total of 25 to 30 regular research project awards, 1 to 3 faculty early-career development (CAREER) awards, and 2 to 4 awards to support conferences, group travel, and/or other community-development activities.

Depending on circumstances and the quality of proposals submitted to GSS, 0 to 3 research coordination network (RCN) awards, RAPID awards, EAGER awards, RAISE awards, and/or other kinds of special awards may be recommended. Anticipated Funding Amount: $5,000,000 to $6,000,000 pending availability of funds. Project budgets should be developed at scales appropriate for the work to be conducted.

Regular research awards supported by GSS generally range from between $40,000 to $400,000. CAREER awards must be for a minimum of $400,000; CAREER awards supported by GSS rarely exceed $550,000. Awards to support conferences, group travel, or other community-development activities generally range between $20,000 and $200,000.

Research coordination network (RCN) awards generally range between $300,000 and $500,000. RAPID awards generally range between $20,000 and $60,000. All figures in the preceding sentences are totals that include both direct and indirect costs for the entire duration of the award.

Somewhat larger funding amounts may be possible if other NSF programs participate in co-funding of a project with GSS. IV.

Eligibility Information Who May Submit Proposals: The categories of proposers eligible to submit proposals to the National Science Foundation are identified in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), Chapter I.E. Unaffiliated individuals are not eligible to submit proposals in response to this solicitation. There are no restrictions or limits.

Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: There are no restrictions or limits. Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or Co-PI: There are no restrictions or limits. V.

Proposal Preparation And Submission Instructions A. Proposal Preparation Instructions Full Proposal Preparation Instructions : Proposers may opt to submit proposals in response to this Program Solicitation via Grants. gov or via the NSF FastLane system.

Full proposals submitted via FastLane: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the general guidelines contained in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). The complete text of the PAPPG is available electronically on the NSF website at: https://www. nsf.

gov/publications/pub_summ. jsp? ods_key=pappg .

Paper copies of the PAPPG may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf. gov . Proposers are reminded to identify this program solicitation number in the program solicitation block on the NSF Cover Sheet For Proposal to the National Science Foundation.

Compliance with this requirement is critical to determining the relevant proposal processing guidelines. Failure to submit this information may delay processing. Full proposals submitted via Grants.

gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation via Grants. gov should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the NSF Grants. gov Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Applications via Grants.

gov . The complete text of the NSF Grants. gov Application Guide is available on the Grants.

gov website and on the NSF website at: ( https://www. nsf. gov/publications/pub_summ.

jsp? ods_key=grantsgovguide ). To obtain copies of the Application Guide and Application Forms Package, click on the Apply tab on the Grants.

gov site, then click on the Apply Step 1: Download a Grant Application Package and Application Instructions link and enter the funding opportunity number, (the program solicitation number without the NSF prefix) and press the Download Package button. Paper copies of the Grants. gov Application Guide also may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-7827 or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf.

gov . See PAPPG Chapter II. C.

2 for guidance on the required sections of a full research proposal submitted to NSF. Please note that the proposal preparation instructions provided in this program solicitation may deviate from the PAPPG instructions. Proposals not in conformance with the proposal-preparation requirements of the PAPPG or NSF Grants.

gov Application Guide may be returned without review. Proposers should be sure to note explicit formatting requirements regarding proposal pagination, fonts, margins, line spacing, and page formatting. Proposers must adhere to these requirements in order to ensure the readability of proposals and to ensure that the proposers are not seen as trying to gain an unfair advantage over other proposers in the same competition.

For some sections of a proposal to be submitted to GSS, guidance provided below takes precedent over the requirements specified in the PAPPG and NSF Grants. gov Application Guide . Proposers should carefully review all of these instructions so that they can prepare their proposal properly before it is submitted to NSF.

If proposers have specific questions about these instructions, they should contact the GSS program directors a week or more before the relevant proposal-submission deadline. Failure to comply with GSS solicitation-specific instructions may result in a proposal being returned without review . Different individuals may play different roles in the conduct of a project.

Use the following definitions to determine which personnel fall into which category. Principal Investigators -- Individuals who will assume administrative responsibility for an award resulting from this competition, will help manage the award, and are listed on the cover sheet of the proposal.

Senior Personnel -- All principal investigators, any other named senior personnel who will receive salary support, and any non-salaried senior investigators who will play lead roles in the conduct of the project. This group may include active participants in the research team from outside the U.S. (For RCN proposals, all members of the proposed steering committee are considered to be senior personnel.)

Project Participants -- Every person involved with the research project, including students. Proposal Sections to Be Prepared as Directed in the PAPPG and the NSF Grants. gov Application Guide The following sections of the proposal are mandatory and should be prepared in accordance with instructions regarding those sections in the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide ( PAPPG ) or the NSF Grants.

gov Application Guide : References Cited (Note that this is a separate section of the proposal and that it immediately follows the Project Description.) Biographical Sketches (Note that biographical sketches for the PI, co-PIs, and other senior personnel should include all required sections and that there are a maximum number of items that may be listed for some categories.

Note that lists of collaborators and other affiliations must not be included in biographical sketches.) Budgets (Note that a narrative with budget justification should follow the budget forms, with explanations for all costs being as detailed as possible within the three-page limit for each organization's budget.

Separate budgets for all subawardee organizations must be attached along with budget narratives for each of the subaward budgets.) Current and Pending Support (Note that this proposal is considered a pending activity and should be listed on the form for the PI, co-PIs, and all other senior personnel.)

Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources (Note that descriptions of other resources that may assist in the conduct of the project may be identified, but these descriptions should be narrative in nature and must not include any quantifiable financial information.

These descriptions must be general in character and must not provide specifics regarding how facilities, equipment, and other resources will be used within this specific project. If there are no facilities, equipment, or other resources to describe, a statement to that effect must be included in the section.) Collaborators and Other Affiliations Information .

(Note that a single-copy document that accompanies the proposal but technically is not part of the proposal must be submitted to provide information about the collaborators and other affiliations of all individuals serving as a PI, co-PI, or senior personnel. This information should be prepared in accordance with the PAPPG Chapter II. C.

1. For additional information about the submission of information about collaborators and other affiliations, refer to https://nsf. gov/bfa/dias/policy/coa.

jsp .) Proposal Sections with Special Instructions for Proposals Submitted in Response to This Solicitation The following sections of the proposal are mandatory and should be prepared in accordance to the following supplementary instructions as well as to guidance in the PAPPG or the NSF Grants. gov Application Guide .

The solicitation number for this solicitation should be specified as the program solicitation number unless the proposal is for a CAREER award . Proposers should not use the number for the GSS Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement solicitation or the number of the PAPPG. For the NSF organizational unit to consider the proposal, select BCS-Geography and Spatial Sciences.

You may select additional programs if you would like those programs to consider co-review of your proposal with GSS. (Investigators who would like another program to manage your proposal but have GSS engage in co-review should select that program first and then select BCS-Geography and Spatial Sciences.

Note in such cases that the proposal must be submitted prior to the due date for the lead program and must be prepared in accordance with the proposal-preparation guidelines for the solicitation or program description for that program.) The title of the proposal should describe the project in concise, informative language so that a scientifically or technically literate reader could understand what the project is about.

The title should emphasize the scientific work to be undertaken. Proposers should not use cute or attention-grabbing subtitles, because such phrases will lead reviewers to question the intellectual significance of the project. Personnel Listed on the Cover Sheet.

Provide complete information requested on the cover sheet for the PI and for up to four co-PIs. Note the following special requirement: For RCN proposals , the network coordinator must be listed as the PI and up to four members of the RCN steering committee may be listed as co-PIs. All other members of the RCN steering committee should be entered into FastLane as senior personnel.

As specified in the PAPPG and the NSF Grants. gov Application Guide , the Project Summary must not exceed one page in length