This page outlines how to prepare for your U.S. National Science Foundation panel, site visit or committee of visitors meeting.
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Learn moreBefore your meeting
1. View the conflict-of-interest briefing
You are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may impact or arise during your service. You are also required to maintain the confidentiality of all proposals and applicant identities.
View the short video below on understanding NSF's conflict-of-interest rules and your responsibilities as an NSF panelist.
2. Complete/update your reviewer profile information in Research.gov.
If you haven't registered with Research.gov before, register an account. Once signed in, click on the "Provide Reviewer Profile Information" link under "Reviews & Meetings" on the Research.gov homepage. You will be prompted to enter a unique invitation code, which you should have received by email, or you can enter the email address NSF program staff used to email you about your meeting. Follow the five-step instructions to provide your reviewer profile information. A walk-through of steps is in the Register for a New NSF Account and Provide Reviewer Profile Information video tutorials.
If you already have an existing account in Research.gov, sign in using your existing credentials and complete your Reviewer Profile or update your existing profile as needed.
3. Access the "Reviews, Panels, and Other Meetings" page in Research.gov.
Click on the "Reviews, Panels, and Other Meetings" link under "Reviews & Meetings" on the Research.gov homepage and then click the "Panels and Meetings" tab. You must be signed into Research.gov to complete these steps and have completed your Reviewer Profile.
4. Open the "Meeting Details" page.
Click the meeting ID to open the "Meeting Details" page for the panel or meeting you have been invited to participate in by NSF program staff. Read and accept the legal notices to continue.
Use the "Meeting Details" page to register or check in for the meeting, prepare your reviews or submit information for travel or reimbursement. Meetings are listed for one year following the meeting.
5. Complete the Conflicts-of-Interests and Confidentiality Statement.
After reviewing the conflict-of-interest briefing, click the "Conflicts of Interest Form 1230P" link in the "Prior to the Meeting" section of the "Meeting Details" page.
Print, read and sign the "NSF Conflicts-of-Interests and Confidentiality Statement for NSF Panelists." Once completed and signed, email your statement to the meeting coordinator who invited you to be a panelist.
6. Register for your meeting using the "Travel and Reimbursement" link on the "Meeting Details" page.
Before the day of your panel, you must enter or update your personal data and banking information to ensure NSF can reimburse/compensate you for your service. You must register in the system even if you are attending your panel meeting virtually.
Click on the "Travel and Reimbursement" link in the "Prior to the Meeting" section of the "Meeting Details" page. Follow the instructions outlined in the Travel and Reimbursement System how-to guide to register for your meeting and (if appropriate) to plan your travel. Remember that airline and train tickets must be purchased by the NSF travel agency.
7. Watch the merit reviewer orientation video.
NSF's 20-minute video provides instructions on how to write panel reviews. You must watch the briefing if you have not viewed it within the last 12 months.
8. If you are a panelist, prepare your reviews.
You will prepare your reviews using the Proposal Evaluation System. Click on the Proposal Evaluation System link in the "Day of the Meeting and Following" section of the "Meeting Details" page.
View the Quick Start Instructions for Panelists Using the Proposal Evaluation System (PES) (coming soon) for step-by-step guidance on how to view proposals and prepare reviews. A video tutorial and FAQs are available on the Research.gov About Proposal Evaluation System page.
9. If you are a committee of visitors (COV) participant, log into the COV module.
COV participants will require a password provided by NSF program staff via email to log into the COV module.
If attending virtually
Review the Tips for Virtual Meetings page to learn how to test your computer setup and review meeting etiquette to ensure a successful meeting.
If attending in person
Review the Visit NSF webpage for information about how to get to NSF, how to access the NSF building, NSF's computer security policy and other important visitor information.
Day of your meeting
If attending virtually
The meeting link will be provided by program staff (most likely via email). View the How to Join a Zoom Meeting fact sheet for guidance.
If attending in person
Please plan to arrive at NSF at least 30 minutes before your scheduled meeting to allow time to pass through security and obtain your visitor pass.
After obtaining your pass, proceed to the designated meeting room in the NSF Panel Conference Center located on the second and third floor.
1. Record your meeting attendance.
You must record your attendance each day of your panel using "Meeting Attendance Check-in" and "Travel and Reimbursement" to receive reimbursement/compensation from NSF.
Click on the "Meeting Attendance Check-in" link in the "Day of the Meeting and Following" section of the "Meeting Details" page. View the Meeting Sign-in how-to guide for step-by-step guidance.
2. Access the Proposal Evaluation System.
On the day of your panel, you will use the Proposal Evaluation System to access reviews and proposals and write, edit, comment on and approve panel summaries.
View the Quick Start Instructions for Panelists Using the Proposal Evaluation System (PES) (coming soon) for step-by-step guidance. A video tutorial and FAQs are available on the Research.gov About Proposal Evaluation System page.