| Major Management Challenges | Specific Performance Goals |
| NSF’s review system is and needs to remain a model of best practice for the evaluation of research proposals. |
At least 90 percent of NSF funds will be allocated to project reviewed by appropriate peers external to NSF and selected through a merit-based competitive process, maintaining the FY 1998 baseline and fiscal year 1999 goal of 90 percent.
NSF’s performance in implementation of the new merit review criteria will be successful when reviewers address the elements of both generic review criteria appropriate to the proposal at hand and when program officers take the information provided into account in their decisions on awards; performance will be minimally effective when reviewers consistently use only a few of the suggested elements of the generic review criteria, although others might be applicable. |
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NSF needs to capitalize on its strengths when responding to increased expectations. |
None. |
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NSF should use the Government Performance and Results Act as a tool to manage NSF and ensure that the process is not unduly burdensome. |
None. |
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NSF received a "qualified" opinion on its fiscal year 1997 financial statements because it was unable to offer adequate information for some areas. |
None. |
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Implementing "FastLane": NSF needs to effectively convert to its new electronic system to process proposal and award information. |
NSF will receive at least 35 percent of full proposal submissions electronically through FastLane, improving on fiscal year 1998 baseline of 17 percent.
By the end of fiscal year 2000, NSF will have the technological capability of taking competitive proposals submitted electronically through the entire proposal and award/declination process without generating paper within NSF.
By the end of fiscal year 2000, all relevant staff will receive preliminary training on use of electronic proposal/award jackets. |
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Managing the Antarctic program is an ongoing challenge. |
None. |
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NSF must focus on sustaining its academic integrity and standards. |
None. |
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Spending funds effectively and efficiently is a concern. |
NSF management working with the IG, but no specific goals or measures in the plan. |
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NSF needs to find an effective system for cost sharing. |
None. |
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The management of salaries and administrative resources is weak. |
None. |
