SBE Programs

The majority of funding in the Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) is awarded through core research programs housed in its divisions and offices. Contact the program director(s) listed on any program webpage to ask questions or get feedback on whether the program is a good fit for your research.

You can also visit the Funding at NSF page to learn more about opportunities aimed at students and researchers based on career stage and information about preparing and submitting a proposal. Visit the Funding Search page to explore all NSF funding opportunities.

Proposals are evaluated through the merit review process outlined in the Proposal Award Policies and Procedures Guide.

SBE-wide and multidisciplinary programs

Program
Next Required Due Date: January 23, 2025
Posted September 5, 2024
Program
Next Required Due Date: November 5, 2025
Posted October 7, 2022
Program
Next Required Due Date: Proposals Accepted Anytime
Posted December 11, 2018

BCS core programs

Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences

Program
Next Required Due Date: July 1, 2025
Posted March 6, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: December 1, 2025
Posted April 4, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 31, 2025
Posted October 11, 2022
Program
Next Required Due Date: February 3, 2025
Supports groundbreaking proposals that utilize brain-based assessments to improve our knowledge of the neural circuits that regulate cognitive processes.
Posted October 11, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 15, 2025
Posted October 7, 2024
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 30, 2025
Posted February 14, 2024
Program
Next Required Due Date: February 18, 2025
Posted July 15, 2022
Program
Next Required Due Date: Proposals Accepted Anytime
Posted March 22, 2019
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 9, 2025
Posted March 13, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: February 3, 2025
Posted November 1, 2024
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 15, 2025
Posted September 30, 2002
Program
Next Required Due Date: February 3, 2025
Supports research on the basic principles of human motor control and coordination or sensory and cognitive processes that could impact the optimal development of rehabilitation interventions.
Posted September 30, 2002
Program
Next Required Due Date: February 12, 2025
Supports research on learning in humans, animals and machines. It also focuses on augmented intelligence, which enhances human cognitive function through interactions with others, through contextual variations and through technology.
Posted September 18, 2019
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 15, 2025
Posted September 30, 2002

SES core programs

Division of Social and Economic Sciences

Program
Next Required Due Date: January 15, 2025
Posted August 29, 2019
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 21, 2025
Posted May 10, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 21, 2025
Posted May 16, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 15, 2025
Posted October 14, 2020
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 30, 2025
Posted April 9, 2019
Program
Next Required Due Date: February 3, 2025
Posted August 8, 2011
Program
Next Required Due Date: February 10, 2025
Posted September 20, 2019
Program
Next Required Due Date: February 10, 2025
Posted March 20, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: February 3, 2025
Posted August 24, 2022
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 15, 2025
Posted August 29, 2019
Program
Next Required Due Date: Proposals Accepted Anytime
Posted September 30, 2002

Research Infrastructure in the Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Research Infrastructure in the Social and Behavioral Sciences (RISBS) program supports projects that create computational tools and data to facilitate basic research in the social and behavioral sciences. The program includes three key longitudinal surveys and panel studies that are administered through separate solicitations

Prospective PIs may also be interested in the Human Networks and Data Science Program — Infrastructure (HNDS-I).

Doctoral dissertation research grants

The following SBE programs offer awards to support dissertation research.

Program
Next Required Due Date: Proposals Accepted Anytime
Posted December 13, 2022
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 31, 2025
Posted October 11, 2022
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 15, 2025
Posted September 11, 2024
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 21, 2025
Posted August 24, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: February 18, 2025
Posted July 15, 2022
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 21, 2025
Posted May 16, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: Proposals Accepted Anytime
Posted September 14, 2021
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 15, 2025
Posted January 10, 2020
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 30, 2025
Posted April 9, 2019
Program
Next Required Due Date: February 3, 2025
Posted August 24, 2022

Externally administered dissertation grants

In addition to the NSF-administered programs listed above, some SBE programs support doctoral dissertation research through programs administered by professional organizations or institutions:

NCSES surveys and programs

The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) conducts periodic surveys to assess trends in the science and engineering enterprise in areas that include:

  • Government funding for science and engineering
  • Higher education research and development
  • Research and development
  • Science and engineering workforce
  • STEM education

See all NCSES surveys.

Program
Next Required Due Date: January 21, 2025
Posted June 28, 2024
Program
Posted February 7, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: April 24, 2025
Posted March 6, 2020
Program
Next Required Due Date: November 12, 2025
Promotes collaboration to enhance understanding of the structure and function of the nervous system, mechanisms that lead to nervous system disorders and the computational strategies used by the nervous system.
Posted December 7, 2023
Program
Posted March 22, 2024
Program
Next Required Due Date: November 19, 2025
Posted July 29, 2024
Program
Next Required Due Date: March 10, 2025
Posted October 13, 2022
Program
Posted March 11, 2024
Program
Next Required Due Date: February 10, 2025
Posted January 12, 2024
Program
Next Required Due Date: July 10, 2025
Posted June 7, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: December 11, 2024
Posted May 4, 2020
Program
Next Required Due Date: March 6, 2025
Posted December 14, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: November 14, 2025
Posted November 21, 2022
Program
Next Required Due Date: January 14, 2025
Posted September 13, 2024
Program
Next Required Due Date: Proposals Accepted Anytime
Posted December 12, 2022
Program
Next Required Due Date: November 4, 2025
Posted September 26, 2023
Program
Next Required Due Date: September 29, 2025
Posted December 5, 2024
Program
Next Required Due Date: Proposals Accepted Anytime
Posted December 1, 2021
Program
Posted December 13, 2023

Programs that fund international collaboration

Program
Posted March 30, 2022
Program
Posted March 31, 2021
Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted January 27, 2023

Dear Colleague Letters (DCLs)

DCLs are used to announce certain funding opportunities and to provide guidance related to existing opportunities. The following list includes some DCLs that may be of interest to the SBE community.

Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted March 18, 2021
Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted October 13, 2023
Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted March 28, 2024
Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted September 26, 2023
Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted August 24, 2023
Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
NSF-NIH INTERN supports non-academic research internships for graduate students in forensic science and criminal justice contexts.
Posted September 11, 2023
Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted May 17, 2023
Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted September 12, 2023
Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted September 28, 2023
Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted May 10, 2023
Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted June 2, 2022
Dear Colleague Letter
Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Posted January 26, 2024