Upcoming NSF changes that may impact grant submissions

The National Science Foundation (NSF) have announced recently some upcoming changes that may impact grant submission.

First, a reminder to all faculty that plan to submit grant proposals to NSF, you must complete research security training modules before submitting a proposal. The Research Security Training is designed to create awareness of, and protect against, external threats and risks to U.S. funded research that support the research at Mason. To complete this, all proposal key personnel must complete the Research Security Training (Condensed) module in Mason LEAPS, before the proposal is submitted to OSP in compliance with the 4-day deadline. This training will need to be completed annually and can take 60 minutes.

Second, in lieu of a 2026 Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), NSF has released a supplement (24-1) published December 8, 2025.  Below are some of the key changes that may impact proposal development are:

  1. Chapter II.D - NSF has included language in their unallowable costs to include, “(1) procure unmanned aircraft systems (drones) that are manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity; or (2) in connection with the operation of such a drone or unmanned aircraft systems.”
  2. Chapter II.D - The DMSP will now require that award recipients share all data supporting NSF funded publications at the time of publication. If exempt, the exceptions should be described and justified within the DMSP.
  3. Chapter II.F - The award thresholds for Planning, RAPID, and EAGER proposals has been increased:
    1. Planning: $200,000 per year including indirect costs and for up to two years in duration
    2. RAPID: A total of $300,000 including indirect costs and for up to one year in duration
    3. EAGER: A total of $400,000, including indirect costs, and up to two years in duration.
  4. Chapter IX.C- Covers the new research security requirements mentioned above.

More details on the new PAPPG-24-1 will be published on the CHSS Research Listserv.

As always if you have any questions, please contact the CHSS Pre-Award Team!

January 09, 2026