NSF CAREER Proposal Template 2020 - NSF Merit Review Criteria and Cover Sheet Requirements

Sep 2, 2026

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NSF CAREER proposal template guidance outlining how reviewers evaluate Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, including the expectations for advancing knowledge, assessing creative or potentially transformative concepts, and ensuring plans are well reasoned, organized, and based on sound rationale. It specifies how reviewers consider qualifications and available resources for the PI and how broader impacts may be achieved through research and related complementary activities. It also provides cover sheet and project summary requirements, including fastlane due dates and formatting constraints.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatDOCX

Pages14

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Merit Review Criteria Information

Intellectual Merit

Broader Impacts

Elements Reviewed for Both Criteria

A. Cover Sheet

Proposal Due Date

Cover Sheet Requirements

B. Project Summary (One Page Limit)

Writing Requirements

Overview

Intellectual Merit

Broader Impacts

C. Table of Contents

D. Project Description (15 Page Limit)

READ THE RFP: HYPERLINK "https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20525/nsf20525.htm" https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20525/nsf20525.htm MERIT REVIEW CRITERIA INFORMATION When evaluating NSF proposals, reviewers will be asked to consider what the proposers want to do, why they want to do it, how they plan to do it, how they will know if they succeed, and what benefits could accrue if the project is successful. These issues apply both to the technical aspects of the proposal and the way in which the project may make broader contributions. To that end, reviewers will be asked to evaluate all proposals against two criteria: Intellectual Merit: The Intellectual Merit criterion encompasses the potential to advance knowledge; and Broader Impacts: The Broader Impacts criterion encompasses the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes. The following elements should be considered in the review for both criteria: What is the potential for the proposed activity to: Advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields (Intellectual Merit); and Benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)? To what extent do the proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts? Is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned, well-organized, and based on a sound rationale? Does the plan incorporate a mechanism to assess success? How well qualified is the individual, team, or organization to conduct the proposed activities? Are there adequate resources available to the PI (either at the home organization or through collaborations) to carry out the proposed activities? Broader impacts may be accomplished through the research itself, through the activities that are directly related to specific research projects, or through activities that are supported by, but are complementary to, the project. NSF values the advancement of scientific knowledge and activities that contribute to achievement of societally relevant outcomes. Such outcomes include, but are not limited to: full participation of women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); improved STEM education and educator development at any level; increased public scientific literacy and public engagement with science and technology; improved well-being of individuals in society; development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce; increased partnerships between academia, industry, and others; improved national security; increased economic competitiveness of the United States; and enhanced infrastructure for research and education. A. COVER SHEET AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED IN FASTLANE Proposal due date: July 27, 2020 for all directorates. The Cover Sheet Requirements: Program Solicitation Number. FastLane users: Select the CAREER program solicitation number shown at the beginning of this solicitation from the drop-down menu. Research.gov Users: Select the CAREER program solicitation number in Step 1 of the Prepare New Proposal Wizard (Funding Opportunity). Grants.gov users: The program solicitation will be pre-populated by Grants.gov on the NSF Grant Application Cover Page. NSF Unit of Consideration. Select at least one specific core program from the drop-down list in FastLane as the NSF program(s) to consider the proposal. Research.gov users: Select at least one specific core program in Step 2 of the Prepare New Proposal Wizard (Where to Apply). Grants.gov users should refer to Section VI.1.2. of the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide for specific instructions on how to designate the NSF Unit of Consideration. For assistance in determining which program(s) to choose, refer to the NSF HYPERLINK "https://www.nsf.gov/funding/browse_all_funding.jsp" Guide to Programs, which provides descriptions of NSF research-supporting programs. Project Titl

FAQs

What does the NSF CAREER review assess under Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts?

Intellectual Merit evaluates potential to advance knowledge, while Broader Impacts evaluates potential to benefit society and contribute to desired societal outcomes.

Which questions should be addressed when evaluating both review criteria?

Reviewers consider potential to advance knowledge and provide societal benefits, the extent of creative/original or transformative concepts, whether the plan is well-reasoned and organized, how success is assessed, PI and team qualifications, and whether adequate resources are available.

What are the key Cover Sheet requirements and deadlines stated in the template?

The cover sheet must use the CAREER program solicitation number, select the NSF Unit of Consideration, set the Project Title to begin with "CAREER:", and state that no co-PIs are permitted. The proposal due date is July 27, 2020 for all directorates.

Sep 2, 2026

Upload by Ophelia