Welcoming Remarks

Dr. France A. Córdova, NSF Director, with introduction by Dr. Robert Groves, Georgetown University Provost

Introduction & NSF Overview

This session will cover the National Science Foundation’s purpose, mandate, organizational structure, program and budget highlights (including current budget status), trends, areas of special emphasis, and other special initiatives.

Presenter: Martha Rubenstein, Chief Financial Officer & Office Head; Office of Budget, Finance & Award Management

Proposal Preparation

NSF Program Officers 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.

Presenters: Jean Feldman, Head, Policy Office; Office of Budget, Finance & Award Management; Division of Institution & Award Support
Peter McCartney, Program Director; Directorate for Biological Sciences; Division of Biological Infrastructure
Julie Palais, Program Director; Directorate for Geosciences; Division of Polar Programs
Randy Phelps, Staff Associate; Office of the Director; Office of Integrative Activities

Merit Review Process

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.

Presenters: David Campbell, Program Director; Directorate for Education & Human Resources; Division of Research on Learning in Formal & Informal Settings
Cheryl Eavey, Program Director; Directorate for Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences; Division of Social & Economic Sciences
Peggy Hoyle, Deputy General Counsel; Office of the Director; Office of the General Counsel
Mary Toney, Program Director; Directorate for Engineering; Division of Civil, Mechanical & Manufacturing Innovation

Post Award Monitoring & Compliance

Representatives from the Cost Analysis & Audit Resolution Branch of DIAS will cover the oversight and monitoring of Federal awards. Topics will include the overall Federal context for oversight, stewardship of Federal funds, the “NSF Gold Standard” model for award portfolio monitoring and business assistance, compliance issues, and other common areas of concern.

Presenters: Beatriz Azor, Cost Analyst; Office of Budget, Finance & Award Management; Division of Institution & Award Support
Jonathan Braxton, Financial Review & Cost Analyst; Office of Budget, Finance & Award Management; Division of Institution & Award Support

Award Management

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.

Presenter: Jamie French, Division Director (Acting); Office of Budget, Finance & Award Management; Division of Grants & Agreements

NSF Policy Update

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

Office of the Inspector General

James Kroll, Director, Research Integrity; Office of the Inspector General

Funding Mechanism Overview

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

Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program

Henry Warchall, Senior Advisor; Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences; Division of Mathematical Sciences & CAREER Coordinating Committee Chair