National Science Foundation (NSF)
Disclosure Requirements
The National Science Foundation (NSF) requires investigators and recipient institutions to disclose information regarding professional appointments and affiliations, research support, collaborations, and other activities necessary to promote transparency, protect research integrity, and safeguard federally funded research.
NSF disclosure requirements support the Foundation's broader research security framework and apply throughout the proposal and award lifecycle. Investigators are responsible for ensuring that information provided to NSF is complete, accurate, current, and consistent with NSF requirements and their University Disclosure Profile.
NSF places particular emphasis on complete and accurate disclosures regarding appointments and affiliations, Current and Pending (Other) Support, Collaborators and Other Affiliations, research security certifications, and participation in Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs.
University Disclosure Requirements
Before preparing an NSF proposal, investigators should ensure that their University Disclosure Profile is complete, accurate, and current.
Maintaining an accurate University Disclosure Profile promotes consistency across sponsor submissions and supports the University's administration of disclosure, conflict of interest, conflict of commitment, research security, export control, and Foreign Talent Recruitment Program compliance requirements.
Related University Guidance
| Reference Guide | Description |
|---|---|
| Disclosure of External Interests & Commitments | University requirements for disclosing external interests, professional activities, appointments, and affiliations. |
| Conflict of Interest | Guidance regarding financial conflicts of interest in research. |
| Conflict of Commitment | Guidance regarding outside professional activities and commitments. |
| Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs | Guidance regarding federal restrictions and sponsor requirements applicable to Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs. |
NSF Proposal & Award Disclosures
NSF requires disclosure of certain information during proposal preparation and, when applicable, throughout the award period. Disclosure requirements vary depending on the Proposal & Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG), the applicable funding opportunity, and proposal instructions.
| Disclosure Topic | Purpose | Typical Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Biographical Sketch | Documents an individual's professional preparation, appointments, products, and qualifications. | Proposal submission |
| Current and Pending (Other) Support | Identifies research support, appointments, in-kind contributions, and other resources available in support of research activities. | Proposal submission and updates, when required |
| Collaborators and Other Affiliations (COA) | Supports NSF's merit review process by identifying relationships used to manage reviewer selection and avoid conflicts of interest. | Proposal submission |
| Research Security Certifications | Senior/Key Personnel and proposing organizations must complete certifications required under NSF research security policies. | Proposal submission |
| Post-Award Notifications | Certain changes involving Senior/Key Personnel, project activities, or other reportable matters may require sponsor notification or prior approval. | Throughout the award period, as required |
NSF Disclosure Documents
NSF collects disclosure information through several proposal documents, each serving a different purpose in the merit review and award process.
Biographical Sketch
The NSF Biographical Sketch provides standardized information regarding an individual's professional preparation, appointments, products, and other qualifications relevant to the proposed project.
Current and Pending (Other) Support
Current and Pending (Other) Support enables NSF to evaluate investigator capacity, available resources, potential overlap, and research commitments while supporting the Foundation's research security objectives.
Depending on the proposal, investigators may be required to disclose:
- Current and pending research support
- In-kind contributions
- Research appointments
- Research resources available in support of research activities
- Other information required by the PAPPG
Collaborators and Other Affiliations (COA)
The Collaborators and Other Affiliations document identifies individuals and organizations with whom Senior/Key Personnel have professional relationships.
NSF uses this information to assist with reviewer selection and to avoid conflicts of interest during the merit review process. It is not used to evaluate scientific merit or investigator qualifications.
Research Security Training
NSF requires covered individuals identified as Senior/Key Personnel to complete research security training and certify completion in accordance with NSF policy. Organizations must also certify compliance as part of proposal submission.
Stony Brook University provides institution-specific Research Security Training that satisfies applicable federal requirements while addressing University policies, disclosure obligations, international collaborations, conflict of commitment, conflict of interest, research information protection, export controls, cybersecurity, and other research security best practices.
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Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs
NSF prohibits Senior/Key Personnel from participating in a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program (MFTRP).
Senior/Key Personnel must certify that they are not party to a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program as part of proposal submission, and certain investigators must complete annual certifications as required by NSF policy. Organizations must also certify compliance with these requirements.
Investigators who have questions regarding foreign appointments, affiliations, talent recruitment programs, or other international activities should consult the Office of Research Security before proposal submission or before accepting an external appointment or participation agreement.
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Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs
Important Post-Award Considerations
Investigators are responsible for ensuring that NSF disclosures remain complete, accurate, and current throughout the life of an award.
Changes involving appointments, affiliations, Current and Pending (Other) Support, international collaborations, Senior/Key Personnel, or other reportable matters may require updated institutional disclosures, sponsor notification, or prior approval.
Investigators should promptly notify the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) and the Office of Research Security (ORS) whenever circumstances change that may affect NSF disclosures or award requirements.
NSF also requires recipient institutions to maintain supporting documentation for information reported in Current and Pending (Other) Support and certain foreign appointments and agreements, and to provide that documentation upon request.
Official NSF Resources
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) | NSF proposal preparation and award administration requirements. |
| Biographical Sketch Guidance | NSF instructions for preparing the Biographical Sketch. |
| Current and Pending (Other) Support Guidance | NSF guidance for preparing Current and Pending (Other) Support disclosures. |
| Collaborators and Other Affiliations Guidance | NSF guidance for preparing the COA document. |
| SciENcv | Federal system used to prepare disclosure documents where applicable. |
Need Assistance?
Questions regarding NSF disclosure requirements should be raised as early as possible during proposal development or whenever circumstances change during an active award.
The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) provides assistance with proposal preparation, PAPPG requirements, award administration, proposal documents, and sponsor prior approvals.
The Office of Research Security (ORS) provides assistance with research security requirements, disclosure obligations, Current and Pending (Other) Support, Collaborators and Other Affiliations, international collaborations, foreign affiliations, Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs, export controls, and other NSF research security compliance matters.