National Science Foundation Report on Efficiency of Grant Size and Duration: Principal Investigator FY 2001 Grant Award Survey and Institutional Survey.

The National Science Foundation is charged with supporting and strengthening our nation's science and engineering workforce. NSF research awards play a key role in this process by sustaining the nation's academic research enterprise and providing educational and training opportunities for the next generation of scientists and engineers. This survey of principal investigators and institutions receiving grants examined their views on changes that could be made to the budget or duration of awards to improve their ability to support the NSF mission. The findings suggest that awards of longer duration will enhance continuity and avert disruptions in graduate student education.