NSF Policy Notice: Implementation of policy changes to Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) 24-1, Supplement 1
In early December, NSF issued a supplemental policy notice which included several revisions to the PAPPG with the potential to impact Duke researchers. Here are a few highlights that you should be aware of, but please follow the links below for more detailed information.
Proposer Limitations - Confucius Institutes
PAPPG 24-1 implements Important Notice No. 149: Updates to NSF Research Security Policies: Updated Nov. 24, 2025.
Under the provisions of Notice No. 149, no NSF funds can be awarded to an institution of higher education that has an agreement with a Confucious Institute. This notice also serves as a reminder that Duke researchers who are senior/key personnel on proposals being prepared for submission, at time of award, or at annual progress reporting, are required to take Research Security and Disclosure Training no more than one year prior. Additionally, Duke is required to certify that such training has been successfully completed.
Find more information regarding Research Security requirements please visit myRESEARCHpath. To access the training please click here.
Data Management and Sharing Plans:
Per the tenets of reproducibility and transparency of Gold Standard Science, publications and supporting data are to be made publicly and freely available at the time of publication. A justification must be provided if there are any access limitations for supporting data. As a reminder, data management and sharing requirements and plans specific to the directorate or other NSF unit relevant to a proposal are available at www.nsf.gov/public-access.
Proposal Specific Revision Thresholds:
NSF has revised upwards the funding thresholds for three types of proposals.
- Planning Proposals: Funding thresholds have moved from $100,000 to $200,000,
- Rapid Response Research Proposals (RAPID): Funding thresholds have moved from $200,000 to $300,000, and
- Early-Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) proposals: Funding thresholds have moved from $300,000 to $400,000.
Equipment-Related Thresholds:
Don’t forget that the Equipment threshold has been increased from $5,000 to $10,000. This change aligns NSF guidance with the Uniform Guidance revision, effective July 1, 2025.
Research Misconduct:
With this notice, NSF has revised their definition of research misconduct to incorporate the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools. The definition now states that fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism, whether committed by an individual directly or through the use or assistance of other persons, entities, or tools, including artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools, in proposing, performing, reviewing, submitting or reporting on NSF proposals and grants is strictly prohibited. This definition is incorporated in the updated Duke University Policies and Procedures Governing Misconduct in Research.
From Office of Research Support