NSF Seeks Comments on Routine Funding Paperwork Update
Published Date: 6/24/2026
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Large Time Burden per Proposal
If you submit an NSF proposal, NSF estimates you spend an average of 120 hours preparing each proposal. NSF expects about 43,000 proposals and a total of 5,160,000 public burden hours annually.
High Competition for NSF Awards
If you apply to NSF, note that NSF receives more than 43,000 proposals each year but makes about 8,300 financial assistance awards. That means many applicants will not receive funding.
NSF Guidance Revised for Clarity
NSF is revising its Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide and renaming it the NSF Guidance on Financial Assistance (GFA). The new GFA will use plain language, clarify wording, separate policies from procedures, remove policies no longer relevant, and incorporate mandated statutory, regulatory, and Executive Order changes to make the process clearer for applicants.
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