1. Logon to Fastlane starting with:
http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/
and clicking on "Proposals, Awards, & Status" (upper left corner)
or going directly to:
https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/jsp/homepage/proposals.jsp

2. Select "Proposal Functions" then "Proposal Preparation"

3. Review your personal data: make sure the institution is "University of Michigan-Dearborn" and that your e-mail address is correct; these are the two most important items. If corrections are needed, select "Edit PI Information."

4. Select "Prepare Proposal"

5. This screen, the "Proposal Actions" screen, allows you to:
--Select "Create a Blank Proposal"
--Once created, assign a "Proposal PIN": send me an e-mail message with both the temporary proposal number and the proposal PIN; that allows the Dearborn Research Office staff to view the proposal and assist you along the way.
--"Edit" the proposal
--and later, "Allow SRO Access" (releases the proposal to DRDA who will then release to NSF)

6. Select the proposal you are working on (if there are more than one in your "Temporary Proposal List) and then select "Edit"

7. Go directly to "Cover Sheet" and complete this information first:
--In most cases, you need to change the first item, "Awardee Organization," to "University of Michigan-Ann Arbor"
--Select the correct "Program Announcement Number" and "NSF Unit Consideration"
--Complete as much of the "Remainder of the Cover Sheet" as you can, including Title, Requested Start Date, NSF Deadline Date, and enter the social security numbers of all co-Project Directors/Principal Investigators (4 maximum).
--LEAVE THE "AMOUNT REQUESTED" BLANK: this is populated from the budget.

That's enough to get started!