The National Science Foundation (NSF) has recently released a revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) [NSF 10-1].   The new PAPP Guide will be effective for proposals submitted on or after January 4, 2010 and is available on the NSF website at: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf101 . Significant changes are:

Chapter II.E.3, Project Outcomes Report for the General Public, is an entirely new section which describes the project outcomes report PIs will need to produce and which is to be written for and will be accessible by the general public. Within 90 days following expiration of the grant, a project outcomes report must be submitted electronically via Research.gov. This report serves as a brief summary, prepared specifically for the public, of the nature and outcomes of the project. Information about the content of the report and what is to be included are contained in this section.

Chapter IV.B, Responsible Conduct of Research, is another new section that provides NSF’s implementation of Section 7009 of the America COMPETES Act regarding responsible conduct of research (RCR). Institutions must have a plan in place to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers who will be supported by NSF to conduct research. Institutions must designate one or more persons to oversee compliance with the RCR training requirement and must verify that appropriate training was provided.