As of March 26, 2018, NSF uses an account management system that allows users to create and self-manage accounts, including personal information and role requests. Each user has a single profile and unique identifier (NSF ID) for signing in to FastLane and Research.gov for proposal and award activities. New users register directly with NSF.

The PI, all co-PIs, and the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) listed on a Grants.gov proposal must all be registered with NSF prior to proposal submission. NSF IDs for the PI, all co-PIs, and the AOR listed will need to be included in the proposal submission.

When a proposal is submitted to NSF, the NSF system will cross-check the DUNS number and organization name. If there is no match to the DUNS number and/or organization name, the proposal will be rejected and the PI/AOR listed on the proposal submission will receive an email notifying that the proposal submission was not accepted by NSF.

• Step 1: Confirm you do not have an existing NSF account
• Access the NSF ID Lookup page to search for an existing NSF account.
• If you forgot your password for an established NSF account, click here to retrieve it. Note that your email address can only be associated with one NSF account.
• If you do have an existing NSF account and you know your password, you can edit your account profile information by selecting the “My Profile” option located on the top right of Research.gov homepage.
• For more information, see About Account Management on Research.gov.

If you do not have an existing NSF account, proceed to Step 2.

• Step 2: Access the Account Registration page
• Open Research.gov
• Click “Register” located at the top of the screen.
• Step 3: Create a new NSF account
• Input the requested account registration information
• Important Note: Your primary email address will be used for NSF account notifications including password resets. Please make sure you have ongoing access to this email account (e.g., Google email). It is critical that you have continued access to this email account, even if you were to ever change organizations.
• Check the boxes to confirm you are not a robot and that you are at least 13 years of age.
• Click “Save & Preview.”
• Verify that your account registration information is correct on the Preview Account Registration screen and then click “Submit.”
• You will receive an Account Registration Confirmation on the screen.
• Check the primary email account that you just used for two messages: one containing your new NSF ID and another containing your temporary password.
• Click “Sign In” on Research.gov and enter your new NSF ID and temporary password.
• Follow the instructions to change your temporary password.
• You have successfully registered for a new NSF account!
• Step 4: Add a New Role
• Now that you have an NSF account, you can add roles to your account profile. Click here for detailed instructions.

RSP is the Organization Administrator to view the organization’s pending role requests and manage user tables. Via this dashboard, RSP is able to approve or disapprove role requests, add or remove current user roles, add current NSF users to the organization.

Below is the user role table.

• Begin early! It still makes a difference because of possible system delays.
• PI can initiate the proposal process or can contact their proposal administrator to have him/her begin the process.
• Initiate the cover sheet, and then "Allow SRO Access" to "view/edit" so that the SRO may assist you with questions or problems that may arise as you work on your proposal. Remember that when you are completely done with the proposal you need to go back and "Allow SRO Access" to "view/edit/submit" so that the SRO can now submit your proposal to NSF.
• Route WISPER record, budget, and NSF cover/certification pages through campus for proper approvals. (Check with your Chair and/or Dean's Office to see what other documents will be required to obtain necessary submission approval).

• Review and approve all budgets.
• Check that all required sections have been completed and are ready for submission.
• Once all approvals have been obtained, the SRO will submit the electronic proposal prepared by the PI/Co-PI(s) via FastLane.

When preparing other FastLane documents such as Project Reports, Revised Budgets, Supplemental Requests, Notifications and Requests, and many more, make sure that all of the necessary institutional approvals and processes have been met before submitting to NSF. Again, contact your Dean's office for questions or assistance.