The National Science Foundation (NSF) has posted a revised version of its Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) that will be effective for proposals received on or after January 5, 2009.
In this revision, NSF has addressed the COGR/AAU request for greater flexibility in charging salary by changing its compensation policy to no more than two months of [senior project personnel] regular salary in any one year. The prior limitation to summer salary has been eliminated. If additional time is needed, NSF requires that any compensation in excess of two months must be disclosed in the proposal budget, justified in the budget justification, and must be specifically approved by NSF in the award notice.
In addition to the changes in compensation, NSF begins implementing the requirements outlined in the America COMPETES Act by describing a new section of the project description concerning the mentoring of post-doctoral fellows. Proposals requesting support for a postdoctoral fellow must include, as a separate section within the 15-page Project Description, a description of the mentoring activities that will be provided for such individuals. The mentoring activities will be assessed in the merit review as a part of the broader impacts criteria and proposals that include a post-doc but that do not include a separate section on mentoring activities within the Project Description will be returned without review.
A Summary of Significant Changes is posted with the GPG. To view, please visit the link below:
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappguide/nsf09_1/gpg_index.jsp