Compliance in Proposal Preparation

Proposers should not use AI services to generate proposal content; AI services may be used to improve the readability of the proposal's text. In such cases, proposers shall declare that AI services were used during the proposal preparation in their Science Justification. Proposers are responsible for the content of their proposals and must properly reference materials to prevent plagiarism. Proposals are required to be original and free of plagiarized material. 

Proposals that are not in compliance with Observatory policies may be rejected or be reduced in scheduling priority. The following is a non-exhaustive review of common cases of non-compliance.

  • A Regular proposal that is determined to be incorrectly submitted as a Triggered proposal.

  • A Triggered proposal that is incorrectly submitted as a Regular proposal.

  • A Scientific Justification that is not compliant with the formatting requirements described above.

  • Relevant information is missing from the Technical Justification. This includes the additional materials such as the output of the sensitivity calculator or mapping calculator.

  • The information in the output of the sensitivity calculator, mapping calculator, spectral line configuration, etc. is incomplete or incorrect.

  • Proposals that intentionally propose for inaccurate source coordinates with the purpose of obscuring the true positions of the sources.

  • A Large proposal that fails to provide a data management and data release plan.

Connect with NRAO

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."

AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.