Agency web site: www.fastlane.nsf.gov

All National Science Foundation proposals are required to be submitted electronically, using NSF's FastLane system. The following gives a quick overview of the FastLane proposal submission process for principal investigators (PIs), including the steps the PI is responsible for and the steps ORDA is responsible for. In addition, FastLane has a demonstration site for the orientation of new users.

1.  To use FastLane, you must have an NSF ID and a password. (NSF no longer uses social security numbers in its system.) Send an e-mail to Debbie Fields or Wendy Preece, ORDA, with the following information:

Name
Highest Degree and Year Conferred
Present Institution
Department
Street Address
City, State, Zip
E-mail Address
Business Phone
Fax Number

You will be given a temporary password and an NSF ID.

2.  Access the FastLane home page to prepare a proposal. Click the "Proposals, Awards and Status" button and log in by typing in your last name, NSF ID, and password. You will be prompted to change your password to one of your own choosing.

3.  After you log in, the next page will say "What Do You Want to Work On?" Click Proposal Functions. On the next page, click Proposal Preparation (or "Letters of Intent" if the NSF program requires a letter of intent first). On the next page, headed "Principal Investigator Information," check to make sure that all of your personal information is correct. If so, click the button that says Prepare Proposal. On the next page, click Create Blank Proposal under the "Create New Proposal" section.

4.  You should now be on a page called "Form Preparation." This page enables you to access all proposal forms (sections) required by the particular program to which you are applying. Be sure that you complete everything required, including the budget forms. If needed, ORDA can assist you with budget details.

5.  Prepare and sign the SIUC Proposal/Award Checklist. Get signatures from any co-PIs and the relevant chairs and deans.

6.  Give ORDA access to the proposal by clicking on the Allow SRO Access button on the "Proposal Actions" screen. The "Sponsored Research Office Access Control" screen will display with various options. If you give ORDA permission to view the proposal, we can check it for errors. ORDA cannot submit the proposal until you click the last option on this page, "Allow SRO to view, edit and submit proposal."

7.  Check the proposal and all forms, ensuring that the information is correct.

8.  Print the entire proposal, including all forms. Bring this material and the signed Proposal/Award Checklist to ORDA.

9.  ORDA obtains the institutional signature on page 2 of the NSF cover pages and on the Proposal/Award Checklist.

10.  ORDA submits the electronic proposal to NSF.