Science of Science and Innovation Policy Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (SciSIP-DDRIG)

The Science of Science & Innovation Policy (SciSIP) program supports research designed to advance the scientific basis of science and innovation policy. The program funds research to develop models, analytical tools, data and metrics that can be applied in the science policy decision making process and concern the use and allocation of scarce scientific resources. For example, research proposals may develop behavioral and analytical conceptualizations, frameworks or models that have applications across the broad array of science and innovation policy challenges. Proposals may also develop methodologies to analyze science, technology and innovation data, and to usefully convey that information to a variety of audiences. Proposals that create and improve science, engineering and innovation data, including the design of new metrics and indicators, particularly proposals that demonstrate the viability of collecting and analyzing data on knowledge generation and innovation in organizations, are encouraged.

The SciSIP program welcomes proposals from individual or multi-investigator research projects, doctoral dissertation improvement awards, experimental research, and data collection and dissemination. The SciSIP program places a high priority on interdisciplinary research as well as on broadening participation and encourages proposals from junior faculty, women, other underrepresented minorities, Research Undergraduate Institutions, and EPSCoR states. The program also supports small grants that are time-critical and small grants that are high-risk and of a potentially transformative nature (see Chapter II.E of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (https://nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=papp) for guidance on submitting Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID) and EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER)).

The SciSIP program funds conferences and interdisciplinary research activities that strengthen research topic ideation and dissemination among the social and behavioral sciences, policy community and the larger scientific community.

The Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants funding opportunity is designed to improve the quality of dissertation research. DDRIG awards provide funds for items not normally available through the student's university such as enabling doctoral students to undertake significant data-gathering projects and to conduct field research in settings away from their campus. DDRIGs do not provide cost-of-living or other stipends or tuition. Outstanding DDRIG proposals specify how the knowledge to be created advances science and innovation policy.

For program specific guidelines on submitting SciSIP regular Research proposals, please review the SciSIP Program Description which may be accessed via the SciSIP Program Website.

If you have additional questions, please contact the program director listed above.