Guidance Regarding NSF Current and Pending Support

Published March 16, 2020

The National Science Foundation (NSF) released an updated Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) in January 2020. The new PAPPG is effective June 1, 2020.

NSF will now require the use of an NSF-approved format for submission of Current and Pending Support information for proposals submitted or due on or after June 1, 2020. There are currently two approved formats: (1) SciEncv and (2) NSF fillable PDF. See here for the Approved Formats.

Helpful Links

NSF 20-1 PAPPG, Current and Pending Support Requirement

Current and pending support information must be separately provided through use of an NSF-approved format, for each individual designated as senior personnel on the proposal. Current and pending support includes all resources made available to an individual in support of and/or related to all of his/her research efforts, regardless of whether or not they have monetary value. Current and pending support also includes in-kind contributions (such as office/laboratory space, equipment, supplies, employees, students26. In-kind contributions not intended for use on the project/proposal being proposed also must be reported27.

Current and pending support information must be provided for this project, for ongoing projects, and for any proposals currently under consideration from whatever source28, irrespective of whether such support is provided through the proposing organization or is provided directly to the individual.

The total award amount for the entire award period covered (including indirect costs) must be provided, as well as the number of person-months (or partial person-months) per year to be devoted to the project by the individual.

Concurrent submission of a proposal to other organizations will not prejudice its review by NSF, if disclosed.29 If the project (or any part of the project) now being submitted has been funded previously by a source other than NSF, information must be provided regarding the last period of funding.

26 If the in-kind contributions are intended for use on the project being proposed to NSF, the information must be included as part of the Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources section of the proposal and need not be replicated in the individual’s current and pending support submission.
27 If the time commitment or dollar value is not readily ascertainable, reasonable estimates should be provided.
28 For example, Federal, State, local, foreign, public or private foundations, non-profit organizations, industrial or other commercial organizations or internal funds allocated toward specific projects.

29  The Biological Sciences Directorate exception to this policy is delineated in Chapter II.D.2.

Guidance for Reporting in-kind Contributions

If the in-kind contribution is:

NOT used in the project/proposal being proposed to NSF and there is NO associated time commitment for the Senior Personnel, THEN it does NOT have to be reported.

NOT used in the project/proposal being proposed to NSF and there IS associated time commitment for the Senior Personnel, THEN it should be reported in Current and Pending.

IS USED in the project/proposal being proposed to NSF and there is NO associated time commitment for the Senior Personnel, THEN it should be reported in Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources section.

IS USED in the project/proposal being proposed to NSF and there IS associated time commitment for the Senior Personnel, THEN it should be reported in Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources AND the Current and Pending sections.