Science Secrets: NSF Hides Proposal Reviews All Year
Published Date: 8/6/2025
Notice
Summary
The National Science Foundation (NSF) will hold secret meetings all year to review and decide which research proposals get funding. These meetings protect private info and won’t be open to the public, but you can check the NSF website for schedules and updates. If you’re a researcher or involved in proposals, keep an eye out—these reviews shape who gets money and when.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
NSF Will Hold Closed Proposal Reviews
The National Science Foundation will hold proposal review meetings throughout the year to review and evaluate grant proposals and the progress of awarded proposals. These meetings will be closed to the public because they include proprietary technical information, financial data (such as salaries), and personal information, and are exempt under 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4) and (6). Meetings will primarily take place at NSF headquarters, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314.
NSF Will Post Panel Schedules Online Quarterly
NSF will not announce individual closed proposal review meetings in the Federal Register; instead it intends to publish a similar notice quarterly and provide an advance listing on its website at https://nsf.gov/events/proposal-review-panels with panel names, time, date, place, and any changes. You can also request this information by calling 703/292-8687.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-15778, Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the National Science Foundation
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF or Foundation) is revising its regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI). NSF is taking this action to align the conduct prohibited by NSF's regulations with Title VI's text, avoid constitutional concerns, reduce compliance costs, serve the public interest, ensure consistency with the final rule recently issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ), and implement the direction outlined in Executive Order (E.O.) 14281.
2026-14006, Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is starting a new program to check its benefit records against the Department of the Treasury’s Do Not Pay list. This helps stop wrong payments before they happen and recover any money already paid by mistake. The program kicks off on August 12, 2026, and runs through September 10, 2029, affecting anyone involved with NSF benefits programs.
2026-12725, Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; National Science Foundation Proposal/Award Information-NSF Guidance on Financial Assistance
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is updating how it collects info about its financial help for research projects. They want your thoughts on the new rules by August 24, 2026, before making changes official for up to three years. This affects researchers and organizations applying for NSF funding and aims to make the process clearer and easier to follow.
2026-11764, Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Grantee Reporting Requirements for the Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation Program
The National Science Foundation wants to update how researchers funded by the Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation program report their progress. This change affects grantees who will need to follow new reporting rules, helping NSF track exciting new science better. Comments on these updates are open for 30 days, and no extra costs are expected.
2026-11527, Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
The National Science Foundation wants your thoughts on new rules to keep their data super safe. If you work with or access their confidential info, these changes might affect you. You’ve got until July 9, 2026, to share your ideas—no cost, just your voice to help make things better and easier!
2026-10817, Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance
This new rule updates how federal financial help is given and managed across many government agencies. It affects anyone who gets federal grants or aid, making the process clearer, fairer, and easier to follow. Changes kick in soon and could impact how money flows and how quickly folks get support.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-14906, Notice of Termination of Receiverships
The FDIC has officially closed the receivership for Independent Bankers' Bank in Springfield, IL, as of August 1, 2025. This means all assets were handled, and all money owed was paid out. From now on, the bank’s legal affairs are fully wrapped up, so no more actions or claims will happen.
Next: 2025-14909, Agency Information Collection Activities; Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf for Minerals Other Than Oil, Gas, and Sulfur
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management wants to keep collecting info from companies working on minerals (not oil, gas, or sulfur) out in the ocean. This helps make sure everyone follows the rules while exploring and mining safely. If you’re involved, get ready for some paperwork updates, but no big cost changes are expected anytime soon!