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Federal Policy Impacts for Researchers Coming January 2023

November 15, 2022

A new year brings new requirements and noticeable changes for researchers who apply for funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF). These include:

  • New certification requirements and disclosure forms for NSF proposals.
  • Required data management and sharing plans for NIH proposals.
  • Elimination of the cost sharing requirement in two NSF programs, including the major research instrumentation (MRI) program.

Significant Changes to NSF Proposal Preparation with Revised PAPPG (NSF 23-1)

As previously announced, the National Science Foundation (NSF) issued the revised Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 23-1), which will be effective for proposals submitted or due on or after January 30, 2023. NSF provides a full summary of changes, the most significant of which affect proposal preparation:

  • A new certification requirement that senior personnel certify that the information provided in their Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support documents are accurate, current, and complete. (Chapter II.D.1.e)
  • Biographical Sketches and Current and Pending (Other) Support have been revised to increase standardization with the common forms developed in compliance with NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance. In addition, biosketches must be prepared using SciENcv. (Chapter II.D.2.h(i-ii))
  • Plan for Safe and Inclusive Working Environments for Off-Campus or Off-Site Research: As per NSF policy (see Chapter XI.A.1.g.) to foster safe and harassment-free environments wherever science is conducted, each proposal that proposes to conduct research off-campus or off site must have research prior to departure. (Chapter II.E.9) 

A related change that affects proposal preparation is that Research.gov will be required for the preparation and submission of all new proposals when the PAPPG (NSF 23-1) goes into effect. The last day to submit new proposals in Fastlane will be January 27, 2023. 

NIH Policy on Data Management and Sharing Effective January 2023

The implementation date for the Final NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing (NOT-OD-21-013) is two months away. When this policy goes into effect, researchers will be required to include a data management and sharing (DMS) plan in funding applications submitted to the NIH on or after January 25, 2023. DMS plans must 1) outline how scientific data and related metadata will be managed and shared and 2) address oversight of data management and sharing. The Final DMS Policy applies to all NIH-funded research that results in the generation of scientific data, including competing grant applications, but does not apply to research and other activities that do not generate scientific data, such as training and infrastructure development. Read more about the DMS Policy on the Sponsored Research website and take advantage of the resources on the NIH’s Scientific Data Sharing Website.

CHIPS Yields Additional Funding and Security Requirements for Research Institutions

On August 9, 2022, President Biden signed into law the bipartisan CHIPS (Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors) and Science Act (P.L. 117-167). The CHIPS and Science Act has two main parts:

  • The appropriation of funds for activities to promote the domestic manufacture of semiconductors and the development of open-architecture telecommunications models and
  • The authorization of funds for investment in public research and development activities sponsored by several Federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy (DOE).

The public research funding includes support for institutions of higher education to build capacity for technology commercialization as well as a provision recently reported on in Science that eliminates the cost sharing requirement for the next five years in two NSF programs, including the major research instrumentation (MRI) program.

To learn more about CHIPS, including a summary of key research security provisions, visit the COGR September 2022 Membership Update and COGR Science and Security Resource Page.