SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Abstract: NSF made the draft NSF GFA available for review by the public between June 24 and August 23, 2026. NSF received 3,277 responses in response to the Federal Register notice at 91 FR 38030. NSF publicly posted 3,075 comments that it determined were relevant to the draft GFA. Any comments not publicly posted were either out of scope with the content of the notice or duplicates. All in-scope comments have been considered in the development of the proposed version. A summary of the significant changes and clarifications to the GFA has been incorporated into the document.

The primary purpose of this revision is to update NSF policies through the development of the U.S. NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG), now to be renamed the NSF Guidance on Financial Assistance (GFA), to incorporate plain language, clarify language, separate policies from procedures, remove policies no longer relevant, incorporate mandated statutory, regulatory, executive order, and policy-related changes. The GFA directs users to originating statutes, guidance, and regulations, where practicable.

Title of Collection: “ U.S. National Science Foundation Proposal/Award Information—NSF Guidance on Financial Assistance”

OMB Approval Number: 3145-0058.

Type of Request: NSF intends to seek approval to extend with revision an information collection for three years.

Background: The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) was established by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (Pub. L. 81-507), as amended, to “promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense.” The Act authorizes NSF to initiate and support fundamental research, strengthen scientific and engineering research capabilities, advance science and engineering education, and undertake other activities consistent with its statutory mission.

Use of the Information: The regular submission of proposals to NSF is part of the collection of information and is used to help the agency fulfill this responsibility by initiating and supporting merit-selected research and education projects in all the scientific and engineering disciplines. NSF receives more than 43,000 proposals annually for new projects and makes approximately 8,300 financial assistance awards, including grants and cooperative agreements. NSF funding is primarily made through issuance of grants and cooperative agreements awarded to approximately 3,000 institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, tribal nations, for-profit organizations, and state and local governments. The awards are based primarily on the merit review of proposals submitted to the Foundation.

Burden on the Public: NSF estimates that a range of between 120 to 360 hours are expended for each proposal submitted depending on proposal complexity. An estimated 43,000 proposals are expected to be received during the course of one year for around 5.16 to 15.48 million public burden hours annually.

Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) feedback on the new design and display of information for users. Comments, including attachments to regulations.gov, will be posted publicly to the docket unchanged. Commenters are encouraged to provide clarity as to the guide number and section that each comment is referencing by beginning each comment with the relevant section number in brackets. For example; if the comment is on Guide 2, Section A. Term and Definition 2. Dear Colleague Letters (DCLs), include the following before the comment [G2.A.Term 2].

91 FR 67875