NSF pending proposal

[Vid]

Hello all,

I have a pending proposal that I submitted on May 11, 2020 (it is 4.5 months I have submitted this proposal). I emailed the POs on Monday (Sep. 21) and shared some info about the proposal that we discussed in our zoom meeting (it is a re-submission). But after that both the date and the PO of my proposal have changed. Do you guys have any ideas about it? I feel nervous!

Thank you.

[aspiring.academic]

A PO change would update the date. It's probably not a sign of anything other than the PO change.

[Vid]

I see, thank you. But why they changed the PO after 4.5 months? any clue?

[research_prof]

I see, thank you. But why they changed the PO after 4.5 months? any clue?

Yes. Do not take it personally, but NSF does not care about your proposal (in the same way that they do not care about my proposals either). They are falling severely behind at this point, so they just try to keep the ball rolling. You will be extremely lucky if you get a response 6 months after your proposal submission.

[Vid]

Great direction. Thank you, folks.

[aspiring.academic]

I see, thank you. But why they changed the PO after 4.5 months? any clue?

Any number of reasons.
- The PO may not have been the best fit for the proposal
- The previous PO retired, was rotational, or is in the process of leaving the NSF
- The PO is training another PO and would like for their name to be on the proposals

There are many, many reasons for a PO change. Sadly, it's not to be communicated to the submitter.

[Vid]

Thank you very much. Very informative. Best.