Skip to main content

No-cost extension

Before you attempt to extend your project, please review the following information. Please note that you (as an awardee) can’t grant yourself a no-cost extension.

Requirements for a no-cost extension

Here are the requirements for a no-cost extension, excerpted from the NSF’s Grant Proposal Guide:

  • You must submit your request to NSF at least 45 days prior to your award’s expiration date. Your request must explain why you need the extension and include an estimate of the unobligated funds remaining and a plan for how you’ll use them. Having unobligated funds when your award expires isn’t in itself a sufficient justification for an extension.
  • Your plan must follow the previously approved objectives of the project. Any NSF-approved no-cost extension will be issued by an NSF Grants Officer in the form of an amendment to your award and will specify a new expiration date. Please do not make new commitments or incur new expenses after your award’s expiration date in anticipation of a no-cost extension.
  • A company may submit a Phase II proposal anytime between six (6) months and two years (24 months) after the start date of the relevant Phase I award. The start date can be found on your Phase I award letter. A no-cost extension will not extend your window to submit a Phase II proposal.
  • Please note: A No-cost extension does not extend the eligibility period for supplements.

Instructions for requesting a no-cost extension

  1. From the Research.gov homepage, navigate to the Awards & Reporting column and select the Notifications & Requests option.
  2. Enter your login information (last name, NSF ID, and password) and select log in.
  3. On the Notifications & Requests screen, select Prepare New from the top of the page.
  4. On the next screen, select the No-Cost Extensions radio button in Step 1. In Step 2, select No-Cost Extension from the drop-down menu.
  5. On the next screen, enter information in the following fields:
    • Revised end date drop-down menu
    • Remaining funds text field
    • Justification for NSF-approved no-cost extension text field
    • Plan for use of unobligated funds text field
      If applicable, please also fill in the Explanation for late request text field.
  6. Click the Save & Submit to NSF button at the bottom of the page.