FastLane

The National Science Foundation (NSF) uses an interactive real-time system (FastLane) to conduct business over the Internet. FastLane is the official system of NSF and use of the FastLane system is required for the exchange of information such as submitting and reviewing proposals, the submission of annual and final project reports, and all other post-award notifications and requests.

As a Stanford PI or Research Administrator, you may need some help getting started with FastLane. Check the menu below for the information you need (for example, you must have a password to access the site and you need to know which administrator at Stanford can provide that to you). If you need help once you are in FastLane, NSF has developed several help sites for things like basic instructions, PDF, and help with the system itself; we have built links to that information for you.If you would like some hands-on help, ORA delivers a FastLane lab approximately once per quarter - you can register for the next session in Forsythe by typing "Prism Sel Training Reg". The class number is FIN.690 - FastLane Training. Contact one of the Stanford representatives, or the FastLane User Support Number (1-800-673-6188 8 am to 6 pm EST M-F) if you have questions about proposals and reports. If you prefer email, send to fastlane@nsf.gov; they strive for a same day or 24-hour turn-around on these messages.

If you have had trouble linking to FastLane, check this site for important information about your browser, or call the FastLane Availability (Recording): 1-800-437-7408. The FastLane User Support Number (1-800-673-6188 7 am to 9 pm EST M-F).

Special Instructions to Prepare and Submit a Proposal to NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences
Effective 10/01/00

Preparation and submission of an unsolicited proposal to the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) is now identical to the proposal submission procedures contained in the Instructions for Preparing and Submitting a Standard NSF Proposal via FastLane, with the following exception:

If you are submitting an unsolicited proposal and designated an organizational unit in the Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO), as your first (or only) choice among the NSF organizational units you wish to consider your proposal, you must complete the Proposal Classification Form (PCF). This form provides data for accelerated processing of the proposal and for use in generating reports about the research reviewed by the Directorate. This Form is available only in FastLane.

Please direct any procedural questions about these special instructions to the Information and Automation Resources Unit, Directorate for Biological Sciences (biofl@nsf.gov). Direct inquiries about the substance of the proposal and the scientific review to the program officers in the relevant programs. Further information about the Directorate for Biological Sciences, staff and related programs is located on the BIO Website.