NSF 22-621: NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF) is a grant from the NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences that funds postdoctoral research and education in astronomy and astrophysics. The program supports recent doctoral scientists who wish to carry out an integrated research and education program, combining cutting-edge astronomical research with innovative approaches to education and public outreach.

Annual awards consist of a $75,000 stipend plus a $35,000 fellowship allowance, totaling $110,000 per year. Proposals must clearly demonstrate astronomical context and will not be funded for work at NASA centers or in direct support of NASA instruments or missions. The submission window opens August 15 annually.

Eligible applicants are recent doctoral scientists in astronomy and astrophysics.

NSF 22-621: NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation Active funding opportunity This document is the current version. NSF 22-621: NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF) Download the solicitation (PDF, 1.

3mb) National Science Foundation Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences Division of Astronomical Sciences Submission Window Date(s) (due by 5 p. m.

submitting organization’s local time): August 15, 2022 - October 24, 2022 August 15, 2023 - October 16, 2023 August 15 - October 15, Annually Thereafter Important Information And Revision Notes The annual award amount has been increased from $100,000 to $110,000, which consists of an annual $75,000 stipend and a $35,000 annual fellowship allowance. The proposal preparation instructions have been revised significantly.

Please read them carefully as some requirements have changed. The following language has been added to the Program Description: "In all cases, proposals must demonstrate the astronomical context of the work. Proposals that do not adequately demonstrate the astronomical context shall be returned without review.

Proposals that fund work at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) centers or sites or have a work effort that is directly in support of NASA instruments or missions shall be returned without review. It is expected that proposals which predominantly exploit NASA data or resources will be submitted to NASA.

AAPF proposals with extensive work to model or analyze data from NASA missions must include a section describing how this uniquely advances the science goals of the proposal, and synergies with data or methods beyond NASA. Please contact a cognizant NSF program officer if you have any questions about the suitability of your proposal for the AAPF Program."

Innovating and migrating proposal preparation and submission capabilities from FastLane to Research. gov is part of the ongoing NSF information technology modernization efforts, as described in Important Notice No. 147 . In support of these efforts, proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation must be prepared and submitted via Research.

gov or via Grants. gov and may not be prepared or submitted via FastLane. Proposal preparation and submission through Research.

gov is strongly encouraged because these Fellowships contain unique requirements. Any proposal submitted in response to this solicitation should be submitted in accordance with the revised NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) ( NSF 22-1 ), which is effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after October 4, 2021.

Summary Of Program Requirements NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF) NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships provide an opportunity for highly qualified, recent doctoral scientists to carry out an integrated program of independent research and education.

Fellows may engage in observational, instrumental, theoretical, laboratory or archival data research in any area of astronomy or astrophysics, in combination with a coherent educational plan for the duration of the fellowship. The program supports researchers for a period of up to three years with fellowships that may be taken to eligible host institutions of their choice.

The program is intended to recognize early-career investigators of significant potential and to provide them with experience in research and education that will establish them in positions of distinction and leadership in the scientific community. 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.

Louise O. Edwards, telephone: (703) 292-7597, email: loedward@nsf. gov Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s): 47.

049 --- Mathematical and Physical Sciences Anticipated Type of Award: Fellowship Estimated Number of Awards: 8 to 9 Anticipated Funding Amount: $880,000 to $990,000 in FY2023, subject to the availability of funds.

Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships are awards to individuals; proposals are submitted directly by the fellowship candidate to NSF. Each proposer must identify one or more scientific mentor(s) and host institution(s) at the time of proposal submission.

Prospective Fellows may propose to hold the fellowship at: U.S. institutions of higher education, NSF-funded centers, facilities, or institutes, U.S. non-profit organizations with research and educational missions, or International sites that are operated by U.S. organizations eligible for NSF funding, such as the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, Cerro Tololo InterAmerican Observatory, or Gemini South.

National centers, facilities, sites, or institutes funded by other federal agencies, such as NASA or the U.S. Department of Energy, are ineligible as host institutions for the NSF AAPF Program. Fellowships are awarded to individuals. The fellowship candidate submits their proposal directly to NSF.

An individual is eligible to submit a proposal to the NSF AAPF Program if all of the following criteria are met: The proposer is a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident (Green Card Holder) of the United States.

The proposer has earned the doctoral degree in an appropriate scientific field within five (5) years prior to the proposal submission deadline or will complete the doctoral degree by 1 October following the proposal deadline. By signing and submitting the proposal, the fellowship candidate is certifying that they meet the eligibility criteria specified in this program solicitation.

Willful provision of false information in this request and its supporting documents or in reports required under an ensuing award is a criminal offense (U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001). Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: There is no limit on the number of candidates or fellows that an organization may host.

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: Each proposer may submit only one AAPF proposal per annual competition. In addition, a proposer may not participate in more than two AAPF competitions. Proposals that are not reviewed (i.e., withdrawn before review or returned without review) do not count toward the two-competition limit.

Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions A. Proposal Preparation Instructions Letters of Intent: Not required Preliminary Proposal Submission: Not required 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.

Submission Window Date(s) (due by 5 p. m. submitting organization’s local time): August 15, 2022 - October 24, 2022 August 15, 2023 - October 16, 2023 August 15 - October 15, Annually Thereafter Proposal Review Information Criteria National Science Board approved criteria.

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

Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information. Standard NSF reporting requirements apply. NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships (AAPF) provide an opportunity for highly qualified, recent doctoral scientists to carry out an integrated program of independent research and education.

Fellows may engage in observational, instrumental, theoretical, laboratory or archival data research in any area of astronomy or astrophysics, in combination with a coherent educational plan for the duration of the fellowship. The program supports researchers for a period of up to three years with fellowships that may be taken to eligible host institutions of their choice.

The program is intended to recognize early-career investigators of significant potential and to provide them with experience in research and education that will establish them in positions of distinction and leadership in the scientific community.

Proposers are encouraged to approach the fellowships as opportunities to broaden their experience with research that moves beyond their previous research focus and that takes a broad view of integrating disciplines, extending technical approaches to problems, or expanding collaborations.

Research that highlights the creative use of or is clearly related to NSF-funded facilities, institutes, or projects is particularly encouraged but not required.

We encourage proposers to consider programs that focus on areas of research that are particularly facilitated or enabled by new ground-based capabilities in radio, optical/infrared, or solar astrophysics, including the development of theory that guides their use or the interpretation of resulting data. In all cases, proposals must demonstrate the astronomical context of the work.

Proposals that do not adequately demonstrate the astronomical context shall be returned without review. Proposals that fund work at NASA centers or sites or have a work effort that is directly in support of NASA instruments or missions shall be returned without review. It is expected that proposals which predominantly exploit NASA data or resources will be submitted to NASA.

AAPF proposals with extensive work to model or analyze data from NASA missions must include a section describing how this uniquely advances the science goals of the proposal, and synergies with data or methods beyond NASA. Please contact a cognizant NSF program officer if you have any questions about the suitability of your proposal for the AAPF Program.

Proposers are expected to include educational activities in their fellowship plans, and they must present a substantive, coherent program of educational activities as part of the proposal.

Examples of such activities include teaching or co-teaching one course each year at the host institution or an academic institution with ties to their host institution, developing educational materials, or engaging in a significant program of outreach or public education.

As a rough guideline, Fellows should plan to dedicate no less than 10% and no more than 25% of their time towards their educational activities; proposers should identify the anticipated time commitment for their proposed activities.

Proposers are encouraged to discuss the proposed educational activities with their prospective host institution prior to proposal submission to ensure that their educational plan is consistent with opportunities and plans at the institution.

Candidates may propose to hold the fellowship at U.S. institutions of higher education, NSF-funded centers, facilities, institutes, or U.S. non-profit organizations with research and educational missions.

Fellowship tenure is also allowed at international sites that are operated by U.S. organizations eligible for NSF funding, such as the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, Cerro Tololo InterAmerican Observatory, or Gemini South. Fellows are expected to be fully integrated into the research and educational activities of their host institution.

National centers, sites, facilities, or institutes primarily funded by other federal agencies, such as NASA or the U.S. Department of Energy, are ineligible as host institutions for the NSF AAPF Program. The fellowship candidate must present a coherent research and educational plan throughout the proposed duration of the fellowship. However, the candidate may propose to take the fellowship to more than one host institution.

Changes of institution may be sequential, which permits moving from one institution to another during the duration of the fellowship. Holding the fellowship at two institutions simultaneously, for example at an NSF-funded national center and a nearby university, is also possible. In the event of proposing to hold the fellowship at more than one institution simultaneously, the proposer must identify a primary host institution.

In any case, the justification of the choice of institution(s) must be made clearly and compellingly as related to the proposed research and education plans, the professional development of the Fellow, and the activities of the host institution(s). NSF anticipates awarding approximately 8-9 fellowships annually, depending on the quality of submissions and subject to the availability of funds.

Support may be requested for up to 36 months at a level of $110,000 per year. Interruptions in tenure of up to 12 months or extensions without additional cost to NSF require approval of the cognizant NSF Program Officer. A no-cost extension may be requested to extend the Fellowship award in order to complete the goals of the Fellowship plans, but no supplemental funds will be provided for this purpose.

Within the fellowship period, up to two months of the fellowship duration may be used for paid leave, including parental or family leave. The paid leave cannot be used to increase the level of the Fellow's salary support beyond 36 months. NSF enables career-life balance through a variety of mechanisms.

For more information, please see https://www. nsf. gov/career-life-balance/ .

The total duration of the fellowship may not exceed 48 months. Fellowships cannot be renewed. Successful proposers will be notified on or about 1 February following the proposal submission deadline.

Those proposers selected to receive fellowships will be contacted by NSF and asked to provide additional information, such as completing acceptance forms and starting certificates, before starting their fellowship tenure. Successful proposers who have not completed the PhD at the time of application must provide certification of the completion of all PhD degree requirements before receiving funds from their fellowship award.

Fellowship tenure must begin on or before 1 October following the proposal submission deadline. Normally fellowships will be held at institutions specified in the proposal, but under certain circumstances and with suitable justification, Fellows may transfer during the tenure of the fellowship to a new institution upon approval by NSF. B.

Stipend and Allowances The annual fellowship amount of $110,000 consists of two types of payments: An annual stipend of $75,000, paid directly to the Fellow on a monthly schedule.

An annual fellowship allowance of $35,000, paid directly to the Fellow and intended to cover costs of the fellowship, including: expenses directly related to the conduct of the proposed research and education activities, including but not limited to materials and supplies, equipment, computing resources, access to databases, travel, publication charges, and subscription fees; expenses in support of the Fellow, such as office space, general purpose supplies, and use of equipment, facilities, and other institutional resources; and expenses in support of fringe benefits, including but not limited to individual or family health insurance provided through a group or individual plan, dental and/or vision insurance, disability insurance, retirement savings, dependent care, and moving expenses.

No additional appointment or fellowship may be held during the period of the fellowship. No other remuneration from any source may be accepted during the period of the fellowship without permission from the cognizant NSF Program Officer. IV.

Eligibility Information Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships are awards to individuals; proposals are submitted directly by the fellowship candidate to NSF. Each proposer must identify one or more scientific mentor(s) and host institution(s) at the time of proposal submission.

Prospective Fellows may propose to hold the fellowship at: U.S. institutions of higher education, NSF-funded centers, facilities, or institutes, U.S. non-profit organizations with research and educational missions, or International sites that are operated by U.S. organizations eligible for NSF funding, such as the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, Cerro Tololo InterAmerican Observatory, or Gemini South.

National centers, facilities, sites, or institutes funded by other federal agencies, such as NASA or the U.S. Department of Energy, are ineligible as host institutions for the NSF AAPF Program. Fellowships are awarded to individuals. The fellowship candidate submits their proposal directly to NSF.

An individual is eligible to submit a proposal to the NSF AAPF Program if all of the following criteria are met: The proposer is a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident (Green Card Holder) of the United States.

The proposer has earned the doctoral degree in an appropriate scientific field within five (5) years prior to the proposal submission deadline or will complete the doctoral degree by 1 October following the proposal deadline. By signing and submitting the proposal, the fellowship candidate is certifying that they meet the eligibility criteria specified in this program solicitation.

Willful provision of false information in this request and its supporting documents or in reports required under an ensuing award is a criminal offense (U.S. Code, Title 18, Section 1001). Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization: There is no limit on the number of candidates or fellows that an organization may host.

Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI: Each proposer may submit only one AAPF proposal per annual competition. In addition, a proposer may not participate in more than two AAPF competitions. Proposals that are not reviewed (i.e., withdrawn before review or returned without review) do not count toward the two-competition limit.

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 Research.

gov or Grants. gov. Full Proposals submitted via Research. gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the general guidelines contained in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and 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) 292-8134 or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf.

gov . The Prepare New Proposal setup will prompt you for the program solicitation number. 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) 292-8134 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 submitted to the NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowships program must be submitted electronically through either Research.

gov or Grants. gov. Only one proposal is permitted per individual per year. A full proposal consists of many parts and requires input from the fellowship candidate, the proposed scientific mentor, and the proposed host institution(s).

Proposers are advised to begin the proposal well in advance of the submission deadline and to submit as early as possible. Partially completed proposals may be saved for future completion and submission. The submission of incomplete or late proposals is not permitted.

Proposal preparation and submission through Research. gov is strongly encouraged because these Fellowships contain unique requirements. If the proposer elects to submit through Grants.

gov, confirmation that ALL required documents have been successfully uploaded into NSF systems by the deadline date is recommended. Otherwise, the proposal will be considered incomplete or late and will be returned without review. Before starting proposal preparation, the proposer must be registered as an individual.

To register as a new individual in Research. gov, access the Research. gov New Account Management System .

To register as a new individual in Grants. gov, access Grants. gov Applicant Registration .

Please note that if submitting via Grants. gov, you must also obtain an NSF ID in Research. gov. Fellowship proposals must be submitted by the Fellowship candidate, not by the Fellowship candidate's current or proposed organizational Sponsored Projects Office (SPO).

The Fellowship candidate serves as his/her own SPO and Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) for the purposes of any research administration functions in Research. gov or Grants. gov. Proposals must include all of the required sections of a full research proposal submitted to NSF as specified in Chapter II.

C. 2 of the PAPPG. In cases where requirements given in this document supplement or deviate from the instructions provided in the PAPPG or the NSF Grants.

gov Application Guide, this solicitation takes precedence. All page limitations include pictures, figures, tables, graphics, etc. Proposers are urged to take special care to strictly adhere to page limitations. Proposals that do not conform to the requirements will not be accepted or will be returned without review.

Proposal Set-Up : Select "Prepare New Full Proposal" in Research. gov. The Postdoctoral Scholar/PI must select the "I am a Postdoctoral Scholar (Postdoctoral Fellowship Proposals)" option to initiate a postdoctoral fellowship proposal. Search for and select this solicitation title in Step 1 of the Full Proposal wizard.

The information in Steps 2 and 3 is pre-populated by the system. In Step 4, add a descriptive title of the research following the prepended text "Postdoctoral Fellowship: AAPF:" Personnel Documents: The Postdoctoral Scholar is automatically designated as the PI in Research. gov. Please note that when completing Table 4 on the Collaborators & Other Affiliations Information template you may list only the first three (3) co-authors.

Instructions for Tables 1, 2, 3 and 5 are unchanged from the PAPPG. The scientific mentor must be identified on the proposal. If using Research.

gov, this is done by going to the Personnel Documents section, clicking on the "Add Mentor/Advisor" tab and entering the individual's NSF ID or Email or Personnel name and Organization. Neither the Biographical Sketch nor the Collaborators and Other Affiliations Information are required for the scientific mentor as part of an AAPF proposal, so please do not include these documents.

The following instructions supplement or deviate from the guidance in the NSF PAPPG or the NSF Grants. gov Application Guide : Cover Sheet : A requested start date must be entered. The proposed duration for a postdoctoral fellowship proposal is pre-populated, read-only (i.e., not editable), and aligns with the program solicitation selected when initiating the proposal in Research.

gov. In the Primary Place of Performance section enter host institution information. Complete any other sections as appropriate/applicable. Grants.

gov Users: The program solicitation number will be pre-populated by Grants. gov on the NSF Grant Proposer Cover Sheet. The title must start with "Postdoctoral Fellowship: AAPF:" followed by the descriptive title of the research.

Project Summary: This section must be no more than one page in length, describing the proposer's research and education plan. The Overview section of the Project Summary must also identify the proposed scientific mentor(s) and the proposed host institution(s).

Project Description: Please note this section must include a separate section header labeled Broader Impacts and the heading must be on its own line with no other text on that line.

The Project Description must be no more than ten (10) single-spaced pages in length, and it must include: a coherent plan for research and education articulated to a level of detail suitable for an NSF grant proposal; a detailed justification for the choice of host institution(s) that identifies collaborating scientist(s) and educational mentor(s), relates the proposed work to current research and educational efforts at the host institution(s), and describes available facilities and resources and the suitability of the host institution(s); and a description of the proposer's long term career goals and role of this postdoctoral experience in achieving them.

Budget : In Research. gov, the budget section includes the pre-populated stipend and fellowship allowance based on the requirements of this solicitation. The budget section does not display on the proposal main page after the proposal has been created but can be viewed by clicking Print Proposal.

When the Postdoctoral Scholar/PI submits the proposal, the budget will display as read-only and will be accessible from the proposal main page. The budget section is editable during a proposal file update/budget revision. Grants.

gov users: The stipend and fellowship allowance should be entered in Participant Support Costs (enter the $75,000 stipend on line E. 2 and the $35,000 fellowship allowance on line E. 5).

Enter (1) as the total number of participants. No other budget lines should be used for fellowship proposals. An annual budget must be submitted for each of the three years of the fellowship support and the budgets must be identical.

Upload a document that states "A Budget Justification is not required for an AAPF proposal" in the Budget Justification section of the proposal. A Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan is not applicable to an AAPF proposal and should not be included. The following documents indicated as "MAY BE REQUIRED" in Research.

gov are required components of an AAPF proposal: Host Institution Letter and Letters of Collaboration. Please do not include other documents indicated as "MAY BE REQUIRED." Host institution letter(s): The Fellowship candidate must include a host institution letter from each prospective host institution, signed by both the department chair (or equivalent) and the proposed scientific mentor.

Should the candidate propose to hold the fellowship concurrently or sequentially at more than one institution during the three-year tenure, host institution letters must be provided for all institutions involved.

The letter(s) should affirm that: the candidate's proposal has been read and approved by the proposed scientific mentor(s); adequate facilities and support will be provided for the candidate to accommodate the proposed research and/or education activities; the candidate's plan for teaching and/or education is aligned with the institution's educational plans and goals, including a description of how any proposed course or seminar will complement existing curricula; and the prospective Fellow will be fully integrated into the educational and research activities of the host institution.

The letter(s) should also discuss: the role the proposed scientific and/or educational mentor(s) will play in the professional development of the prospective Fellow; and the opportunities for training and research at the host institution that will be of particular benefit to the prospective Fellow. Letters of support will not be considered.

A host institution letter should not reflect a letter of support and should make no subjective statements regarding either the proposer or the proposed research and education plan. Letters of collaboration: Letters of collaboration are required from major institutional partners such as educational centers or programs that are critical for conducting the proposed educational activities.

The letter(s) should affirm that the candidate's proposal has been read and approved by the proposed educational mentor or collaborator, that the proposed education plan is aligned with the plans and goals of the partner institution, and that adequate facilities and support will be provided for the candidate to conduct the educational component of the program.

The letter(s) should be signed by both the educational mentor or collaborator and the director (or equivalent) of the educational partner institution. Letters of collaboration should not reflect letters of support and should make no subjective statements regarding the candidate or the proposed plan. Any other Letters of Collaboration should follow the format specified in PAPPG Chapter II.

C. 2. Only the following documents indicated as "OPTIONAL" in Research.

gov should be included for AAPF proposals: List of Suggested Reviewers and List of Reviewers not to Include. Please do not include any other documents indicated as "OPTIONAL." Inclusion of voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited.

Other Budgetary Limitations: Award amounts are $110,000 annually. Submission Window Date(s) (due by 5 p. m.

submitting organization’s local time): August 15, 2022 - October 24, 2022 August 15, 2023 - October 16, 2023 August 15 - October 15, Annually Thereafter D. Research. gov/Grants.

gov Requirements For Proposals Submitted Via Research. gov: Before starting proposal preparation, the proposer must be registered as an individual. To register as a new individual in Research.

gov, access the Research. gov New Account Management System . To prepare and submit a proposal via Research.

gov, see detailed technical instructions available at: https://www. research. gov/research-portal/appmanager/base/desktop?

_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=research_node_display&_nodePath=/researchGov/Service/Desktop/ProposalPreparationandSubmission. html . For Research.

gov user support, call the Research. gov Help Desk at 1-800-673-6188 or e-mail rgov@nsf. gov .

The Research. gov Help Desk answers general technical questions related to the use of the Research. gov system.

Specific questions related to this program solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this funding opportunity. Submitting the Proposal: Fellowship proposals must be submitted by the Fellowship candidate, not by the Fellowship candidate's current or proposed organizational Sponsored Projects Office (SPO).

The Fellowship candidate serves as his/her own SPO and Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) for the purposes of any research administration functions in Research. gov. As such, the Fellowship candidate, serving as the SPO/AOR must electronically sign and submit the proposal using the Sign and Submit button in Research.

gov. The Fellowship candidate is signing on his/her own behalf and by signing the proposal NSF is in no way inferring that the proposer has assumed organizational status. Further instructions regarding this process are available on the Research. gov website: https://www.

research. gov/research-web/ . For Proposals Submitted Via Grants.

gov: Before starting proposal preparation, the proposer must register as a new individual in Research. gov and Grants. gov. To register as a new individual in Research.

gov go to: https://www. research. gov/accountmgmt/assets/welcomeunaffiliated.

html and to register in Grants. gov go to: https://www. grants.

gov/web/grants/applicants/registration. html . Once registered, the proposer can then apply for grant opportunities which indicate "Individual" eligibility on the Grants.

gov website. Comprehensive information about using Grants. gov is available on the Grants.

gov Applicant Resources webpage: https://www. grants. gov/web/grants/applicants.

html . In addition, the NSF Grants. gov Application Guide provides additional technical guidance regarding preparation of proposals via Grants.

gov. For Grants. gov user support, contact the Grants. gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 or by email: support@grants.

gov . The Grants. gov Contact Center answers general technical questions related to the use of Grants.

gov. Specific questions related to this program solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this solicitation. Submitting the Proposal: Fellowship proposals must be submitted by the Fellowship applicant, not by the applicant's current or proposed organizational Sponsored Projects Office (SPO). Once all documents have been completed, the applicant must submit the application to Grants.

gov and verify the desired funding opportunity and agency to which the application is submitted. The applicant must then sign and submit the application to Grants. gov. The completed application will be transferred to the NSF FastLane system for further processing.

VI. NSF Proposal Processing And Review Procedures Proposals received by NSF are assigned to the appropriate NSF program for acknowledgement and, if they meet NSF requirements, for review. All proposals are carefully reviewed by a scientist, engineer, or educator serving as an NSF Program Officer, and usually by three to ten other persons outside NSF either as ad hoc reviewers, panelists, or both, who are experts