NSF staff will review how and when to prepare a proposal, including discussion of what constitutes a project and a proposal of high quality. Presenters will discuss do’s and don’ts, recent procedural changes, as well as the various sources of NSF programmatic opportunities.

Speakers
Jean Feldman, Head, Policy Office, Division of Institution and Award Support; Office of Budget, Finance and Award Management
Randy Phelps, Staff Associate, Office of Integrative Activities; Office of the Director
Jennifer Wade, Program Director, Division of Earth Sciences; Directorate for Geosciences

NSF Program Officers will discuss the philosophy of merit review and how it works, as well as ad hoc and multi-tiered reviews. Presenters will also cover the role of the Program Officer, timing of proposal submissions, reviewer selection, release of reviewer comments, and conflict-of-interest issues related to merit review.

Speakers
Kelsey Cook, Program Director, Division of Chemistry; Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Nigel Sharp, Program Director, Division of Astronomical Sciences; Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Karen Santoro, Assistant General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel; Office of the Director
Cynthia Suchman, Program Director, Division of Ocean Sciences; Directorate for Geosciences

This session will address award requirements and conditions and will outline the responsibilities of those involved in the award process–principal investigators, grantee institutions, Program Officers, research administrators, and agency grants officials.

Speakers
Meghan Benson, Lead Analyst - Indirect Cost Rate Negotiations, Division of Institution and Award Support; Office of Budget, Finance and Award Management
Khoren Claiborne, Grants Management Specialist, Division of Grants and Agreements; Office of Budget, Finance and Award Management
Lynda Kummelt, Grants Management Specialist, Division of Grants and Agreements; Office of Budget, Finance and Award Management
Angela Turner, Team Lead (Acting), Division of Grants and Agreements; Office of Budget, Finance and Award Management
Jeffery Vieceli, Head, Systems Office, Division of Institution and Award Support; Office of Budget, Finance and Award Management

Staff from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) will discuss the roles and responsibilities of the OIG, as well as how it serves the NSF customer communities. Issues arising from current audits and investigations will also be covered.

Speakers
Sarah Adams, Program Specialist, Office of the Inspector General
Elisabeth Christensen, Investigative Attorney, Office of the Inspector General
Michael Collins, Criminal Investigator, Office of the Inspector General
Aliza Sacknovitz, Senior Investigative Scientist, Office of the Inspector General

This session will provide a deeper look into NSF’s post-award monitoring process and oversight activities. This session will cover common non-compliances, cost allowability issues, and best practices for preventing compliance issues and cost disallowances.  This session also will cover NSF’s expectations, and how NSF provides business assistance to help awardees be successful.

Speakers
Cindy Galyen, Grant and Contract Analyst, Division of Institution and Award Support; Office of Budget, Finance and Award Management
Victor Velez, Lead Analyst (Advanced Monitoring), Division of Institution and Award Support; Office of Budget, Finance and Award Management
Meghan Benson, Lead Analyst - Indirect Cost Rate Negotiations, Division of Institution and Award Support; Office of Budget, Finance and Award Management

NSF’s Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic (SBE) Sciences supports basic research on people and society. The SBE sciences focus on human behavior and social organizations and how social, economic, political, cultural, and environmental forces affect the lives of people from birth to old age and how people in turn shape those forces. SBE scientists develop and employ rigorous methods to discover fundamental principles of human behavior at levels ranging from cells to society, from neurons to neighborhoods, and across space and time. Such fundamental principles help us understand patterns of stability and change at the individual, group, organizational, and societal levels that can be applied to promote the progress of science and to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare. Through its various core disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs, as well as contributions to cross-directorate NSF investments, SBE supports approximately 5,000 scientists, educators, and students in a typical year. Understanding human behavior individually and in groups has far-reaching impacts from optimizing child development to safeguarding our troops; from exploring the origins of our species to finding our way with GPS; from understanding the state of the science and engineering enterprise to securing cyberspace.

Speaker
Naomi Hall-Byers, Program Director, Division of Social and Economic Sciences

NSF’s newest directorate, “TIP,” Technology, Innovation and Partnerships — creates breakthrough technologies; meets societal and economic needs; leads to new, high-wage jobs; and empowers all Americans to participate in the U.S. research and innovation enterprise. TIP is a unique opportunity that engages the nation’s diverse talent in strengthening and scaling the use-inspired and translational research that will drive tomorrow’s technologies and solutions. TIP brings together teams of researchers, practitioners, and users to shape research directions, catalyze iterative co-design and co-creation, develop game changing technologies and solutions to address the nation’s societal and economic challenges, and grow the future workforce.

Speaker
Thyaga Nandagopal, Division Director, Division of Innovation and Technology Ecosystems

The mission of EDU (formerly EHR) is to achieve excellence in U.S. science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at all levels and in all settings (both formal and informal) to support the development of a diverse and well-prepared workforce of scientists, technicians, engineers, mathematicians, and educators and a well-informed citizenry that have access to the ideas and tools of science and engineering. The purpose of these activities is to enhance the quality of life of all citizens and the health, prosperity, welfare, and security of the nation.

Speaker
Elsa Gonzalez, Program Director, Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM

Research funded by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Directorate for Engineering (ENG) has enriched the understanding of natural systems, enhanced electronics, fortified the nation's infrastructure and introduced the exciting possibilities of engineering to the next generation. Investments in engineering research and education are critical building blocks for the nation's future prosperity. Engineering breakthroughs address national challenges, such as smart manufacturing, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable energy systems. Engineering also brings about new opportunities in areas ranging from advanced photonics to prosthetic devices.

Speaker
Prakash Balan, Program Director, Division of Engineering Education and Centers

GEO supports basic research that advances the frontiers of knowledge and drives technological innovation while improving our understanding of the many processes that affect the global environment. These processes include the role of the atmosphere and oceans in climate, the planetary water cycle, and ocean acidification. Support is provided for interdisciplinary studies that contribute directly to national research priorities such as: understanding, adapting to, and mitigating the impacts of global change; developing and deploying integrated ocean observing capabilities to support ecosystem-based management; and understanding future availability of fresh water. Lives are saved and property is preserved through better prediction and understanding of natural environmental hazards such as earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, drought, and solar storms. Basic research supported by GEO enables preparation for and subsequent mitigation of, or adaptation to, the effects of these and other disruptive natural events. GEO provides about 64 percent of the federal funding for basic research at academic institutions in the geosciences.

Speaker
Jennifer Wade, Program Director, Division of Earth Sciences

The mission of MPS is to harness the collective efforts of the mathematical and physical sciences communities to address the most compelling scientific questions, educate the future advanced high-tech workforce, and promote discoveries to meet the needs of the Nation. The NSF Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences consists of the Divisions of Astronomical Sciences, Chemistry, Materials Research, Mathematical Sciences, and Physics, as well as the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities. These organizations comprise the basic structure for MPS support of research and education. The MPS Divisions support both disciplinary and interdisciplinary activities and partner with each other and with other NSF Directorates to effectively encourage basic research across the scientific disciplines.

Speaker
Matthew Douglass, Program Director, Division of Mathematical Sciences

The mission of the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) is to enable the U.S. to uphold its leadership in computing, communications, and information science and engineering; promote understanding of the principles and uses of advanced computing, communications, and information systems in service to society; support advanced cyberinfrastructure that enables and accelerates discovery and innovation across all science and engineering disciplines; and contribute to universal, transparent, and affordable participation in an information-based society. To achieve this mission, CISE supports investigator-initiated research and education in all areas of computer and information science and engineering, fosters broad interdisciplinary collaboration, helps develop and maintain cutting-edge national cyberinfrastructure for research and education, and contributes to the development of a computer and information technology workforce with skills necessary for success in the increasingly competitive global market.

Speaker
Sorin Draghici, Program Director, Division of Information and Intelligent Systems

The mission of the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) is to enable discoveries for understanding life. BIO-supported research advances the frontiers of biological knowledge, increases our understanding of complex systems, and provides a theoretical basis for original research in many other scientific disciplines.

Speaker
Betsy Von Holle, Program Director, Division of Environmental Biology

NSF’s Payment and Analytics Branch, within the Division of Financial Management, will provide an overview of their financial management practices and operations, as well as new initiatives within the branch. Topics covered include awardee financial reporting and reimbursement responsibilities, best practices and frequently asked questions, recurring monitoring activities, critical fiscal year timelines, as well as new innovations in grant monitoring. This session will be helpful to both new and current NSF awardees to learn more about post-award financial activities at NSF.

Speakers
Tia Davidson, Financial Management Specialist, Division of Financial Management; Office of Budget, Finance and Award Management
​Sehrish Shah, Financial Analyst, Division of Financial Management; Office of Budget, Finance and Award Management
​Lorraine Parker, Integrative Activities Specialist, Division of Information and Intelligent Systems
​Justin Poll, Section Chief, Division of Financial Management; Office of Budget, Finance and Award Management

NSF is committed to combatting sexual assault and sexual harassment anywhere science or education is conducted, including research stations, vessels, field sites, and NSF-funded programs. The SAHPR Office serves as NSF’s central point of contact for reporting sexual assault and sexual harassment matters and is responsible for overseeing comprehensive prevention policies and practices. Topics to be covered during this presentation include Information about the SAHPR Office's purpose and mission; the agency’s development of strategies for responding to and preventing sexual violence and sexual misconduct in the Antarctic community as well as enterprise wide; information about support resources currently in place for victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment, including victim advocacy services; and NSF’s work to create field safety plans. The presentation will conclude with a community engagement session with participants on emerging issues, current priorities, and promising practices for addressing SAHPR across various research environments.

Speakers
Sarah Williams, Branch Chief, Office of Equity and Civil Rights, Office of the Director
Anita Molina, SAHPR Program Manager, Office of Equity and Civil Rights, Office of the Director

This session will provide an update to NSF policies and procedures that affect proposal preparation, merit review, and award administration.

Speaker
Jean Feldman, Head, Policy Office, Division of Institution and Award Support; Office of Budget, Finance and Award Management