Critical Component Series: Results from Prior NSF Support

A critical component of a successful NSF proposal is the section of the Project Description that discusses Results from Prior NSF Support.  This section allows investigators to highlight prior research and how it supports the current proposal. 

Why Is This Document Critical?
If any PI or co-PI identified on the project has received NSF funding (including any current funding) in the past five years, information on the award(s) is required, irrespective of whether the support was directly related to the proposal or not. In cases where the PI or co-PI has received more than one award (excluding amendments), they need only report on the one award most closely related to the proposal. Funding includes not just salary support, but any funding awarded by NSF.

Besides being required, this section is important because it serves a critical purpose.  From this section, reviewers will evaluate your track record; thoughtful responses in this section allow PIs and Co-PIs to build a strong case for future funding.

Where Do I Upload This Document?
The Results from Prior NSF Support section is a part of the 15 page Project Description. 
 
What Tools and Resources are Available to Help Me Create This Document?
The Office of Sponsored Programs at the University of Alabama at Huntsville has put together a nice template for the Results from Prior NSF Support. It is a fillable PDF, 5 pages, and ensures that you will have all the required information for this section! 


  Required Results from Prior NSF Support components:

          a. the NSF award number, amount and period of support;
          b. the title of the project;
          c. a summary of the results of the completed work, including accomplishments, described
          in two separate sections, related to the Intellectual Merit and Broader Impact activities
          supported by the award;
          d. publications resulting from the NSF award;
          e. evidence of research products and their availability, including, but not limited to: data,
          publications, samples, physical collections, software, and models, as described in any
          Data Management Plan; and
          f. if the proposal is for renewed support, a description of the relation of the completed
          work to the proposed work.

What about Collaborative Submissions?
In collaborative submissions, whether from a single organization and multiple organization, should include this section for EACH PI and Co-PI.  If they have not received support in the last 5 years from the NSF, the section should still be included, indicating such.  Failure to include this section for required personnel can result in a proposal being rejected without review.

What Else Does the NSF Say about This Document?
Reviewers will be asked to comment on the quality of the prior work described in this section of the proposal.  Please note that the proposal may contain up to five pages to describe the results. Results may be summarized in fewer than five pages, which would give the balance of the 15 pages for the Project Description.