Research Toolkit

Office of Research

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing stress on proposers, the research community has not been able to adequately prepare and train their staff to implement the new NSF requirements to use NSF-approved formats for the biographical sketch and current and pending support sections of NSF proposals. Therefore, the effective date for those requirements has been changed to October 5, 2020.

NSF will continue to implement all other changes to the PAPPG beginning June 1, 2020.

Research Toolkit

The research toolkit provides samples and templates for common proposal components, as well as information on the core facilities available at Tennessee Tech. This page is a work in progress, so please let us know if you think of something to be added.

Biosketches

Effective October 5, 2020, NSF will only accept biosketch and Current & Pending Support PDFs that are generated through use of an NSF-Approved format (i.e. either SciENcv or NSF fillable PDF).
Latest Information about Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support (Please see note above also in terms of effective date change to Oct. 5)
NSF Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support Fillable PDF Document FAQs
Using SciENcv [for preparation of biographical sketches] Frequently Asked Questions
SciENcv Tutorial (YouTube Video)
2020 NSF Biosketch Instructions
NSF Clarification on Synergistic Activities
NSF Webinar on Approved Formats for Biosketches and Current/Pending Support Sections of Proposals

Blueprint for Pre-Award Assistance

OneNote Blueprint file (requires TTU username and password to access) | PDF (of the information contained in the OneNote file)
Grant Budget-Development Worksheet (Excel file, requires TTU username and password to access)

Budgets and Budget Justifications

Budget Calculator: The Office of Research has prepared an Excel spreadsheet to assist
in preparing budgets. This is a macro-enabled workbook, so you may need to adjust
security settings in your spreadsheet program. You must log into the SharePoint site
using your Tennessee Tech username and password to access the calculator.
Budget and Budget Justification
1. Budget Justification Template (Word)
2.  Further Budget Justification Information (PDF file)
3.  UC Berkeley Sample Budget Justification
   4. Why are Budget Justifications Important? (Blog from the University of Texas at Dallas)
5. Preparing the Budget (Blog from the University of Texas at Dallas)
Budget Information from the TN Department of Finance and Administration
1.  Department of Finance and Administration Policy
2.  Department of Finance and Administration Grant Budget (PDF file)
3.  Department of Finance and Administration Grant Budget (with Grantee Match)
(Word file)