National Science Foundation (NSF)

[Anonymous]

Hi Mike,

When you receive your summary statement, you will know if you are being considered for an award. There is a period of due diligence during which your PD will connect with the PI and the team and request the PI to provide certain certifications and additional information. This doesn’t happen if you are not considered for funding, so you may receive your summary statements and a rejection together.

It’s a bit of a convoluted process and we have noticed the NSF is taking longer to make funding decisions than in previous years. Feel free to touch base with us once you get your summary statement and we can help you determine next steps.

Best,
Stacey

[Shoba]

Hello
How particular is NSF on a PI having a Ph.D.?
For instance, NIH policy states the SBIR does not need to have a PhD but the reality is that the reviewers absolutely want to see a PI with a PhD.

Similarly, though NSF says the SBIR PI does not need to have a PhD – will the NSF reviewers have the same NIH-reviewers type of expectation of a PI with a Ph.D. ?

Thanks

[nitesh@EGC]

Hi Shoba,

If the PI has extensive experience in the relevant area that can be clearly described, then this will typically be considered as sufficient. Specific successful outcomes achieved by the PI in the relevant area will be seen as a big positive even in the absence of a PhD.

Best,
Nitesh.

[Shoba]

Hello
Does NSF Phase I SBIR have TABA funds?
Thanks

[lindsay@EGC]

Hi Shoba,

No, NSF only offers TABA for active Phase II SBIR/STTR awards at this time (see item #3 here for details).

Please let us know if you have any additional questions!

Best,
Lindsay

[Anonymous]

Hello,
I am a team member of an NSF SBIR project(Phase II). We have gone through a due diligence, got an award recommendation, and then finished the CAP financial/administrative review.

Still, we’re waiting for the decision.
An award recommendation from our program director has been handed over to the division, and it’s been 3 months.
Is this a bad sign? I’d like to know if it’s common to get a rejection of the award even at this last stage.

Best
Yousuf

[Stephen@EGC]

Hi Yousuf,

The NSF has no set timeline from recommendation to award and it is common for this part of the process to take a few months so this is not a bad sign. I recommend sending an email to get an update and determine if any additional information is needed.

Best,

Stephen

[Anonymous]

What is the due diligence process like for NSF Phase I? We received feedback from our PM that we’ve been reviewed highly, but they now want to conduct some due diligence before making any award. Just wondering what to expect/prepare for. Thank you

[Lu@EGC]

Hi Kentucky1987, it’s great news that your proposal was reviewed highly. Your NSF Program Director (PD) will reach out and provide very detailed instructions on what information/materials he/she needs from you. Different companies may receive different requests. Usually, the requests can be 1) response to action items from review panel; 2) response to additional action items from PD; 3) SBIR/STTR funding agreement (a fillable form); 4) SBIR/STTR administrative questions (a fillable form); 5) budget modification/clarification; 6) Project Abstract for public release (standard format will be provided). Upon receiving the requests, please acknowledge the receipt of the email and provide the requested information within the suggested timeline. Let us know if you have additional questions! -Lu

[Anonymous]

Hi, I have two main questions:

1) What is an appropriate annual salary range for a PI for an engineering-related project? Also, would it be appropriate to use the occupational code for an engineering manager for this role?
2) How does one go about switching PI’s prior to an award during the due diligence phase? It was a long review process and the original PI would like to switch with a cofounder who is qualified but also able to work full-time.

Thanks

[Wout@EGC]

Hi!

To your first question for wages, it is always advisable to benchmark wages against the average wages reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as you already suggest to be doing. Of course, PI is not a reported code, so a management position most closely related to the expertise of the PI is often the best approach. The 11-9041 SOC for Engineering Managers seems to be a good fit and within an acceptable range for PI salary.

To your second question of switching PI’s: contact the cognizant NSF Program Director as soon as possible of this change. They will likely request additional information if the new PI is not included in the original proposal, as well as some form of justification for this change. Changing PI’s is not all that uncommon, but it is best to start this discussing as soon as possible with the Program Director.

Let me know if there are any other questions!

Best,
Wout

[Anonymous]

Hi, we initially applied in December of 2020 and finally heard in July of 2021 that we were highly reviewed and must go through the due diligence process. After a lot of work trying to get ahold of our PM, he finally asked us to respond to a series of due diligence questions. We did this in October and it is been pretty much radio silence since then. We’ve emailed and called our PM and left messages at the main line and info emails. Is there any way to expedite the process and/or get in touch with some decision maker? It has become very difficult for us as a business to make plans without clarity on this opportunity.

[lindsay@EGC]

Hello, nebr384, and thank you for reaching out with your question. We can appreciate how difficult this must be! We suggest reaching out to other Program Directors at NSF to inquire about the status of your proposal. You could do so tactfully, stating that you are concerned that you haven’t heard anything and wanted to make sure everything is okay with the PD.

We’d also like to note that we have had clients experience similar delays, and with continued follow-up to the PD, ultimately receive their award. However, in some cases this has taken 12 months from time of submission. We wish you luck and hope you receive a response soon!

[MikeinMN]

Hello –

We submitted our SBIR phase 1 proposal at the September 2021 deadline and recently received a set of questions from the panel review, a set of questions from the PD and some reference to the compliance issue (e.g. budget). We addressed the questions from the panel and PD and also answered the compliance issues via email – but didn’t get to modify our budget. It has been almost 4 weeks and when I asked the PD on timeline, I received a fairly general answer with no timeline (that if the proposal passes the merit review, then there are other reviews and each may take time). Anyone else has received funding decision from the Sep 2021 deadline yet? Any general feedback on how long it is taking for the process these days?

Thanks,
M

[Lu@EGC]

Hi MikeinMN, the processing speed varies among applicants and different topic areas. In your case, please double-check whether you need to update the budget under Fastlane (check the email instructions again). You can check in with the PD once a month to see anything else they will need from you. Thanks! -Lu

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