Archived NSF announcements

Starting Dec. 2, 2025, new NSF requirements will take effect. 

What you need to know:

• Proposals submitted before Dec. 2, including those submitted during the recent lapse in appropriations, are not subject to requirements originally set to take effect Oct. 10.
• As of Dec. 2, new certifications are required at the time of proposal submission within the cover sheet, biographical sketch and current and pending (other) support forms, including:
  • Completion of research security training by all senior/key personnel.
  • An institution's status regarding contracts or agreements with any Confucius Institute.
• Organizations are required to provide supporting documentation, including copies of grants, contracts and agreements, upon request by NSF.
• Consult NSF's frequently asked questions webpage for more information about these new requirements, certification procedures and timelines.

Read notice

Beginning Oct. 10, 2025, NSF will require principal investigators, co-investigators and other key personnel to complete annual research security training within the 12 months preceding the date a grant application is submitted.

See more details and instructions.

A federal district court has ruled that NSF’s 15% indirect cost cap on research grants is invalid.

Read memo

NSF has agreed to continue the pause of the implementation of the 15% indirect cost cap until June 20, 2025. MU will continue submitting proposals and accepting awards with our federally negotiated rate. 

See court docket.

Check this resource regularly for updates on priorities and executive orders.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) informed organizations of a new annual certification requirement for principal investigators (PIs) and co-principal investigators (co-PIs) regarding malign foreign talent recruitment programs (MFTRP).

Starting on June 7, 2025, in accordance with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) Chapter II.D.1.e(ii), all PIs or co-PIs named on an NSF award made on or after May 20, 2024, must certify annually in Research.gov that they are not party to an MFTRP. Individuals who are currently a party to an MFTRP are not eligible to serve as senior/key personnel on an NSF proposal or on any NSF award made on or after May 20, 2024. NSF is providing notification of this new requirement to impacted PIs and co-PIs. 

What you need to know:

• There is no organizational certification requirement, the certification requirement is for PIs and co-PIs.
• Impacted PIs and co-PIs will be prompted to complete the MFTRP certification after signing into Research.gov with their login credentials.
• PIs and co-PIs with more than one active award made on or after May 20, 2024, are only required to certify once, annually.
• Once completed, PIs and co-PIs can view their MFTRP certification response under the Academic/Professional Information section of their profile.
• NSF plans to extend this requirement to all senior/key personnel in the future. Additionally, NSF is working to provide organizations with access to the annual certifications.
• Please see PAPPG Chapter II.D.1.d(ix) for information about Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) responsibilities regarding senior/key personnel MFTRP certifications.
• Frequently asked questions and MFTRP contract examples will be available soon on the MFTRP section of the Office of the Chief of Research Security Strategy and Policy website. 

Need help?

• For additional guidance about this requirement, contact researchsecurity@nsf.gov.
• Technical issues should be directed to the NSF IT service desk at 1-800-381-1532 (7 a.m.-9 p.m. ET Monday-Friday except federal holidays) or rgov@nsf.gov.

NSF has agreed to pause the implementation of the 15% indirect cost cap to avoid a potential preliminary injunction. The cause is now set for a summary judgement on June 13. MU will continue submitting proposals and accepting awards with our federally negotiated rate. 

Read notice.

On May 2, 2025, NSF distributed a new policy limiting indirect costs to 15% (Mizzou’s current indirect rate for on-campus research is 56.5%). NIH and the Department of Energy also proposed similar caps, which were challenged in court and are currently restrained. A lawsuit of 18 parties has been filed to challenge this new policy. At this time, we will continue to utilize our federally negotiated rate for NSF proposals.

Read policy.