NSF proposal and previous research

[unlikely]

I realize that it is obscenely late to be asking this question, but does anyone have a sense whether successful NSF applicants usually submit research proposals that build off their earlier work? Many of the successful example proposals I've seen online are essentially continuations of the applicants' past research...

[HopefulFutureEcon]

Well, it would very much help if you had done some preliminary research on the topic you are proposing to study. It would not only show that you are serious but it also cross-references your essays.

I don't think anyone in serious contention for the NSF wouldn't have already done some small amount of work on the topic they are proposing to research. Even if it was just a one-off policy 5 pager from an undergrad class that stuck with you, having a base if better than not.