This week was DER’s biggest week of the year as Monday was the NSF Career Proposal deadline. On these high-volume days, sponsor websites and systems frequently experience unforeseen technical challenges such as long delays and even systems crashes. This year, FastLane fell victim to this same overload/overburden on their system, and as a result of the high volume, went down repeatedly. This rendered many users unable to build and/or submit their FastLane proposal packages by the original deadline. Although NSF recognized this technical challenge and extended the deadline by 48 hours to provide an opportunity for users to complete and submit proposal packages, we don’t often receive this grace from the sponsor. They are not necessarily required to extend deadlines or make other accommodations. This was a great reminder to submit your proposals early in order to prevent unnecessary stress caused by unmanageable system issues and technical glitches.
As a reminder, DER works in alignment with OSP’s Proposal Deadline Policy to help reduce any unforeseen glitches resulting in last minute proposal submissions. Please be sure to review the helpful DER timeline information below. This information (deadline dates specific to your proposal submission deadline) is included in the response email you receive from DER after your proposal has been assigned to a DER Research Administrator.
Deadline table:
Business days before sponsor deadline
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Action required as part of the deadline
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7 business days before by 5:00 p.m.
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Final budget, budget justification, SOW to DER for preview/preapproval
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5 business days before by 5:00 p.m.
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All FINAL non-technical documents to DER (including signed Subaward documents)
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3 business days before by 12:00 noon.
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Final Proposal (PD) Routed by DER for Submission to avoid LATE status
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1 business day before by 12:00 noon.
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Final Proposal (PD) Routed by DER for Submission to avoid AT RISK status
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If you have questions regarding other helpful tips to promote success with submitting your proposal, please send an email toproposals@egr.msu.edu.
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