Prof. X is preparing a proposal to NSF, with appropriate identification
of confidential information, and is currently in the process of filing a
provisional patent application.  Prof. X called today and asked if he
should request that an NSF program officer sign a confidential
disclosure agreement prior to discussing his proposal submission.

So, does anyone know if it would be considered an enabling disclosure if
a faculty discussed the IP with a federal program officer prior to the
submission of a proposal?  And what if the proposal were never
submitted?  Would the verbal disclosure still be held with the same
confidence as the disclosure in a proposal?

Thanks for the enlightenment!

Craig