Q: I was looking at the IOS core programs solicitation (NSF 17-508) and it says it is archived, does that mean I can’t submit a preproposal?

Q: I did a web search for the program/cluster that I usually apply to and the web page said, “program archived.” What does that mean; has the program been ended?

A: Program/cluster web pages are generated by the same software that creates the solicitation for the program. When a solicitation changes, the old one is “archived” and the associated web page is labeled “program archived.” A change in personnel for a program can also cause the old we page to be archived. The picture below shows an “archived” solicitation and an “archived” program page.

The most recent IOS solicitation, NSF 17-508, was archived when the Dear Colleague Letter announcing the end of the use of preliminary proposals (and a move to a no deadline review process in the middle of 2018) was released earlier this month.  Subsequently, no submissions can be made to NSF 17-508 and there will not be a round of preliminary proposals in January 2018. FAQs about this change can be found here. Also see an previous post on this blog, and those of the other divisions for more context.

How to Get the Most Up-to-Date Information

A web search may return an old page because it will have more “hits” than a newer, more up-to-date one. To make sure that you have the most up-to-date information when searching on the web, go the National Science Foundation home page, then select the “Research Areas” menu from the ribbon at the top. Choose “Biological Sciences (BIO)” and then “Integrative Organismal Systems” from the menu along the right-hand side. Select “Programs” and you will see the cluster and programs list, and can click on the cluster/program you are interested in for more information.

 

To get the newest solicitations, DCLs and other information as soon as they are announced, sign up for NSF updates. You can find a link on the BIO home page.

As always if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact a program director.