Working With NSF

NSF-specific policies

Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Plans

Effective April 27, 2026, NSF launched a new integrated tool within Research.gov to streamline the creation and submission of DMS plans. See NSF PAPPG 24-1, Supplement 2 for additional information. 

NSF Public Access Plan 2.0

The NSF Public Access Plan 2.0 is a policy requiring that all peer-reviewed scholarly publications and associated scientific data resulting from NSF-funded research be made publicly available upon publication, with no embargo period. Learn more about NSF Public Access Plan 2.0.

NSF Safe and Harassment-free Fieldwork Plans

NSF requires proposers to certify that they have a plan for creating and maintaining Safe and Harassment-free Fieldwork (SAHF) for projects that include off-campus or off-site research. NSF recognizes that community effort is essential to eliminate sexual and other forms of harassment in science and to build inclusive scientific climates where people can learn, grow and thrive. U-M’s Standard Practice Guide (SPG) supports these goals.

SAHF plans are project-specific, two-page documents that apply only to proposals with off-campus or off-site research. Only certain notices of funding opportunities will include a requirement to submit the SAHF plan to NSF. Proposers should follow the solicitation guidance on if/when a copy of the SAHF plan must be submitted to NSF.

U-M template for NSF plan

ORSP has developed a Safe and Harassment-free Fieldwork Plan Template for such projects.

• For NSF BIO and GEO Directorates: Several solicitations from the BIO and GEO directorates now require the submission of this plan (using the template above), which will be considered as part of the Broader Impacts criteria during the review process. The plan should be uploaded as a Supplementary Document, unless otherwise noted in the solicitation.
• For other NSF Directorates: The principal investigator (PI) and project team do not need to submit the plan to NSF for review in the proposal, but they must create the plan (using the template above).

What the plan should address

For all NSF proposals that include off-site or off-campus research, the administrative home (school/college/institute/center) must attest there is a plan in place for that proposal. The plan must describe how the following types of behavior will be addressed: 

• Abuse of any person, including, but not limited to, harassment, stalking, bullying or hazing of any kind, whether the behavior is carried out verbally, physically, electronically or in written form
• Conduct that is unwelcome, offensive, indecent, obscene or disorderly

For these sections, reference the U-M SPGs on Discrimination and Harassment (SPG 201.89-1) and Safety, Health and Environmental Policy (SPG 605.01).

The plan must also include:

• A brief description of the field setting and unique challenges for the team. 
• Steps the proposing PIs/project team will take to nurture a harassment-free off-campus or off-site working environment, including processes to establish shared team definitions of roles, responsibilities and culture, e.g., codes of conduct, trainings, mentor/mentee mechanisms and field support that might include regular check-ins, and/or developmental events.
• Communications processes within the off-site team and to the organization(s) that minimize singular points within the communications pathway (e.g., there should not be a single person overseeing access to a single satellite phone).
• The mechanisms the team will use during field excursions to respond to issues of harassment if they arise, including those involving individuals who are not affiliated with the primary institution (e.g., beyond oversight from your institution’s Title IX Office).

eResearch Proposal Management (eRPM) help related to NSF policy

• When “Off-Campus Research” is used for PAF question 1.8 Proposal Type/Class Code, new system validation requires that PAF question 4.4 Will U-M employees be working off U-M property? must be answered “Yes.”
  • If 4.4 is answered “Yes,” then additional instructional text will appear below question 4.4.1 Identify location(s), reminding project teams to have a documented Safe and Harassment-free Fieldwork (SAHF) Plan.
• New attestation text for Unit Approvers (Administrative Home Department Approvers) to sign off that a plan has been prepared and will be disseminated if awarded.

Managing NSF awards

• NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG): NSF PAPPG 24-1, effective for proposals submitted or due on or after May 20, 2024, is the definitive manual for information about proposals and awards at NSF. The guide is split into two sections: Part 1: Proposal Preparation and Submission Guidelines and Part 2: Award, Administration and Monitoring of NSF Assistance Awards. 
  • NSF has issued supplemental policy notices to the NSF PAPPG 24-1. The notices supplement the 2024 Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG 24-1) to implement time-sensitive statutes and practices.
    • NSF 26-200 awarded by the agency on or after Dec. 8, 2025
    • NSF 26-202, awarded by the agency on or afterJan. 22, 2026.
• Manage Your Award: The NSF Manage Your Award page highlights key resources you should review when you receive a new award from NSF.

FY25 Federal Agency Reports

U-M reported a record $1.25 billion in federally sponsored research expenditures during Fiscal Year 2025, which accounts for more than half of the university’s total annual research volume. Learn more about federally sponsored research at U-M.