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Updates on NSF Priorities
This page provides updated guidance on the priorities of the U.S. National Science Foundation.
If you are looking for information about recent executive orders, please visit the NSF Implementation of Recent Executive Orders（https://www.nsf.gov/executive-orders） page.
On this page
Media inquiries: Please email media@nsf.gov or call (703) 292-7090.
Statement of NSF priorities
April 18, 2025
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) was established in 1950 to promote the progress of science, advance the national health, prosperity and welfare, and secure the national defense. It does this by investing in the most promising ideas and people across all fields of science and engineering (S&E). NSF priorities are grounded in the mission of the agency and modulated by statutory directives and administration priorities.
NSF uses two statutory criteria to ensure that every award has the potential to advance new knowledge (Intellectual Merit) with maximum impact on the Nation and its people (Broader Impacts). NSF investments unleash groundbreaking discoveries, translational solutions and expand participation in STEM. These efforts strengthen our domestic workforce to fuel economic prosperity, national security, and global S&E competitiveness.
The principles of merit, competition, equal opportunity, and excellence are the bedrock of the NSF mission. NSF continues to review all projects using Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts criteria.
NSF's broadening participation activities, including activities undertaken in fulfillment of the Broader Impacts criterion, and research on broadening participation, must aim to create opportunities for all Americans everywhere.
These efforts should not preference some groups at the expense of others, or directly/indirectly exclude individuals or groups. Research projects with more narrow impact limited to subgroups of people based on protected class or characteristics do not effectuate NSF priorities.
NSF will continue to support research with the goal of understanding or addressing participation in STEM, in accordance with all applicable statutes and mandates, with the core goal of creating opportunities for all Americans.
NSF will continue to support basic and use-inspired research in S&E fields that focus on protected characteristics when doing so is intrinsic to the research question and is aligned with Agency priorities.
Sethuraman Panchanathan Director, U.S. National Science Foundation
Several common questions about closeout costs and reports for terminated awards are found below on this page. If your question on one of these topics is not addressed below, please direct it to dgafinalcosts@nsf.gov.
Find contact information for questions about proposals and specific funding opportunities on the NSF executive orders page（https://www.nsf.gov/executive-orders#information-for-proposers-611）.
Frequently asked questions
NSF priorities
Are the funding programs listed on NSF's website still accepting proposals? Is it worth spending time to write a new proposal?
Is NSF continuing to form new partnerships?
Why is NSF changing its priorities?
Does the agency plan to focus its funding only in areas of artificial intelligence, quantum information science, biotechnology and translational science?
Are you still funding research on misinformation/disinformation?
Is there a list of words I should be avoiding?
Can I still propose broadening participation activities (e.g., outreach) in fulfillment of the Broader Impacts criterion?
What are the protected and non-protected characteristics?
How can I learn more about the protected civil rights characteristics referenced in NSF's updated priorities?
Will NSF consider proposals directed to a legally mandated NSF program/funding opportunity?
What about the court order that says you cannot withhold funding due to the Executive Orders (EOs)? Isn't NSF in violation of that?
There are still gaps in the achievements of certain groups of people. Can we still research those?
Can I research individuals or groups based on protected characteristics in other areas of S&E?
Can I still work with Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs)?
Are centers impacted? What about facilities that have DEI plans, will those be impacted?
May I withdraw my proposal if it does not align with the updated priorities?
Will institutions be required to submit a certification statement or a compliance report to comply with No. 35 of NSF's Grant General Conditions Recipients regarding all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws material to the government's payment decisions for purposes of 31 U.S.C. § 3729(b)(4)?
Return Without Review
Why was my proposal Returned Without Review, referencing changes to NSF priorities?
My proposal was Returned Without Review. Why do I see written reviews and a panel summary in Research.gov?
What will happen to my proposal if it is not Returned Without Review?
Indirect cost rate policy
NEW : Does the new 15% IDC term apply to awards issued before May 5, 2025?
What indirect cost rate (IDC) is NSF using in making new awards to institutions for higher education (IHEs)?
UPDATED : Is NSF changing its policy regarding the indirect cost rate associated with NSF awards?
Since NSF is not implementing the new 15% IDC policy, what rate should proposers use in developing their proposal budget?
How will NSF handle IHE pending proposals already submitted under the new 15% indirect cost rate if NSF is not currently implementing the policy?
Is there an expectation of cost share if the IDC policy in NSF Policy Notice NSF 25-034 is implemented later?
UPDATED : Will the new IDC policy for IHEs apply to subawards if implemented?
Terminated awards
Did NSF recently reinstate previously terminated awards?
What does the June 23, 2025 preliminary injunction by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California mean for terminated awards?
Will the end date for those awards that were reinstated by the June 23, 2025 preliminary injunction be extended to restore time lost during from the time of termination to reinstatement?
The PI on an award that was reinstated by the June 23, 2025 preliminary injunction has left the institution. How should we proceed?
An award that was reinstated by the June 23, 2025 preliminary injunction has experienced significant project delays because of the termination. How should we proceed?
Did NSF terminate every award that no longer effectuates priorities, or are more still being identified?
Is there a publicly available list of the awards NSF has terminated?
Why is NSF terminating awards?
What types of awards are being terminated?
How will we find out if our grants are terminated?
My award was terminated on the basis that it "no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities." Can I appeal or seek alternative dispute resolution?
My award cancellation letter indicates that I am not eligible to appeal. Should I send an appeal request to NSF anyway?
What are the reporting requirements for awards that have been terminated?
What needs to be included on the requested itemized accounting of allowable costs per the termination letter? Is there a template for closeout costs?
How long will it take NSF to pay final closeout costs for terminated awards once submitted in ACM$?
Can costs be reimbursed prior to the award termination date?
NSF priorities
Why is NSF changing its priorities?
NSF is continuing to prioritize cutting-edge discovery science and engineering (S&E) research, advancing technology and innovation, and creating opportunities for all Americans in every region of the Nation. NSF has always established priorities within the policy context set forth by Congress, the Administration and the Director of NSF, and it continues to do so.
Does the agency plan to focus its funding only in areas of artificial intelligence, quantum information science, biotechnology and translational science?
While NSF will continue to focus on Administration priorities such as artificial intelligence, quantum information science, biotechnology and translational science, we remain committed to awarding grants and funding all areas of science and engineering to promote the progress of science, advance the national health, prosperity and welfare and secure the national defense.
Are you still funding research on misinformation/disinformation?
Per the Presidential Action（https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/restoring-freedom-of-speech-and-ending-federal-censorship/） announced January 20, 2025, NSF will not prioritize research proposals that engage in or facilitate any conduct that would unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen. NSF will not support research with the goal of combating "misinformation," "disinformation," and "malinformation" that could be used to infringe on the constitutionally protected speech rights of American citizens across the United States in a manner that advances a preferred narrative about significant matters of public debate.
Is there a list of words I should be avoiding?
There is not a list of words. Investigators should focus on Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts for proposals in a way that is consistent with NSF priorities.
Can I still propose broadening participation activities (e.g., outreach) in fulfillment of the Broader Impacts criterion?
Investigators should prioritize the first six broader impacts goals as defined by the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010（https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:1862p-14%20edition:prelim)）. Investigators wishing to address goal seven — expanding participation in STEM for women and underrepresented groups — must ensure that all outreach, recruitment, or participatory activities in NSF projects are open and available to all Americans. Investigators may conduct these types of engagement activities to individuals, institutions, groups, or communities based on protected characteristics only as part of broad engagement activities. Investigators may also expand participation in STEM based on non-protected characteristics, including but not limited to institutional type, geography, socioeconomic status, and career stage. However, engagement activities aimed at these characteristics cannot indirectly preference or exclude individuals or groups based on protected characteristics.
What are the protected and non-protected characteristics?
Protected characteristics are those contained in relevant laws, such as but not limited to, the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
How can I learn more about the protected civil rights characteristics referenced in NSF's updated priorities?
We encourage you to contact your institution’s Sponsored Research Office or legal counsel for further information.
Will NSF consider proposals directed to a legally mandated NSF program/funding opportunity?
NSF will continue to operate programs that contain elements of broadening participation for individuals based on protected characteristics that are explicitly established in law and prioritized in NSF appropriations language. The research and broader impacts activities proposed in response to these programs should align with the relevant statutory language and aim to generate knowledge broadly impactful to Americans from all backgrounds and regions in the country.
Projects submitted to legally mandated broadening participation programs must not directly or indirectly preference or exclude any Americans on the basis of protected characteristics. Projects that have limited impact or rely on DEI frameworks or advocacy do not effectuate NSF priorities.
What about the court order that says you cannot withhold funding due to the Executive Orders (EOs)? Isn't NSF in violation of that?
No. NSF has continued to fund new awards and support existing awards that are in alignment with NSF priorities.
There are still gaps in the achievements of certain groups of people. Can we still research those?
NSF will continue to fund projects that rate highly using our Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts review criteria in high priority S&E areas. Projects that aim to create more opportunities for more people in every region of the country to participate in science and technology remain an important part of NSF's mission.
NSF will continue to operate legally mandated programs that aim to expand participation in STEM for individuals of protected characteristics so long as the projects submitted to these programs do not preference or limit participation based on these protected characteristics.
Can I research individuals or groups based on protected characteristics in other areas of S&E?
Yes. Researchers may recruit or study individuals based on protected characteristics when doing so is (1) intrinsic to the research question (e.g., research on human physiology), (2) not focused on broadening participation in STEM on the basis of protected characteristics, and (3) aimed to fill an important gap in S&E knowledge. For example, research on technology to assist individuals with disabilities may be supported even when the research subject recruitment is limited to those with disabilities.
Can I still work with Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs)?
Yes. Collaboration and partnerships between and among various types of institutions of higher education (IHEs) as well as cross-sector partnerships involving government, academia, and the private sector remain a top priority.
Are centers impacted? What about facilities that have DEI plans, will those be impacted?
The NSF guidance on broadening participation applies to all current and future NSF awards.
May I withdraw my proposal if it does not align with the updated priorities?
Proposals may be withdrawn at any time before a funding recommendation is made by the cognizant NSF Program Officer, as described in the PAPPG（https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1/ch-4-non-award-decisions-transactions#a-proposal-withdrawal-a8a）.
Will institutions be required to submit a certification statement or a compliance report to comply with No. 35 of NSF’s Grant General Conditions Recipients regarding all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of 31 U.S.C. § 3729(b)(4)?
Organizations are not required to submit a certification statement or a compliance report. By accepting the grant award, the recipient certifies that it will comply with its terms and conditions. Consult your institutional legal counsel about organizational approaches to monitoring and compliance within your institution.
Is NSF continuing to form new partnerships?
NSF continues to actively engage in new partnerships with government agencies, non-profit organizations, philanthropic foundations, international entities, and industry collaborators in areas of mutual interest.