As mentioned in our blog policies, this site contains informal discussions and cannot accept official comments to the agency but, “[w]hen appropriate, opportunities to provide responses to official information requests occurring external to this blog (such as Federal Register notices and OMB-approved surveys) may be hyperlinked from this blog.  Information responding to such official requests will not be collected through this blog.”

This is one of those opportunities.

By way of the NSF Division of Institution and Award Support (DIAS) Policy Office:

NSF is currently preparing for issuance of the fall 2013 publication of the revised Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) in October 2013, with an anticipated effective date of January 2014.  The Foundation formally announced our intention to revise the PAPPG in the Federal Register on May 30, 2013 and is soliciting public comment as part of this process.  NSF is accepting comments from the external community until COB June 28, 2013.

The upcoming release contains revisions across a broad range of topics, such as clarifications on proposal preparation and submission; information on environmental compliance; and updates on reporting requirements and financial payments.  A detailed summary of significant proposed changes is included at the beginning of the draft document.

The PAPPG is the overarching NSF document that spells out the many ways in which proposals can be solicited, received, and reviewed and then the rules for award management and reporting.

Per the Federal Register notice, comments…

…should be addressed to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for National ScienceFoundation, 725 17th Street NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send email to splimpto@nsf.gov.

The draft PAPPG revision can be found here: http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/papp/papp14_1/draftpappg_june2013.pdf

Please direct any questions about the notice to the DIAS Policy Office.