Stacy L ChinFounder, KeepYourEquity · I get the government to write you checks

NSF Grants: Founders Plan Ahead with Flexible Submission Windows! #shorts

26 Aug 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:39

In this YouTube short, Stacy L. Chin explains the new NSF solicitation schedule introduced after the Reauthorization Act. NSF will now operate on a permanent annual calendar with three mission windows—March, July, and November—allowing founders to plan months or years ahead without waiting for ad‑hoc deadlines. Additionally, Phase 2 proposals no longer have a fixed deadline; instead, the submission window is linked to the recipient’s Phase 1 award, typically giving 6–24 months to prepare a Phase 2 application. The changes are presented as a more flexible system that gives companies greater control over timing and commercialization readiness.

Chapters

Under the new NSF solicitation after the launch of the Reauthorization Act, they're creating a permanent schedule with 3 occurring mission windows every year. One's going to be in March, one's going to be into July, and one also in November. That means founders can now plan even months or years in advance without waiting for NSF to release the new deadlines. Also, for all you lucky Phase 1 awardees, Phase 2 no longer has a fixed deadline at all. Instead, your submission window is tied to your Phase 1 award, which means once you receive your Phase 1 award, you'll generally have between 6 and 24 months to submit your Phase 2 proposal. And the NSF thinks this is a much more flexible system, offering companies greater control over timing and commercialization readiness.