Federal Agencies Outline Varied Policies for ChatGPT Use in Grant Writing
Federal agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and NASA's Science Mission Directorate have issued diverse guidelines regarding the use of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools in grant applications. While generally permitted as an assistant, each agency sets specific limits on AI's role and disclosure requirements. For instance, NIH restricts AI-developed content, stating that applications substantially created by AI will not be considered original ideas. NASA's Science Mission Directorate mandates citation for AI use, while DOE and NEH require disclosure. NSF encourages disclosure, emphasizing that applicants remain responsible for the accuracy and authenticity of their proposals. Funders like Wellcome and the Spencer Foundation also require disclosure for substantive AI use beyond basic editing. These policies highlight a common concern across agencies: maintaining human author...