[U.S. National Science Foundation](https://www.nsf.gov/)

December 1, 2025 | July 1, 2026 (Annually thereafter)

Estimated program budget $6,000,000; typical awards $200,000–$350,000 for 2–3 years; ~30 awards expected

Supports anthropologically relevant archaeological research to advance understanding of past human behaviors.

--- ## Description The U.S. National Science Foundation’s Archaeology Program Senior Research Awards support basic research in archaeology that is anthropologically relevant and aims to increase understanding of past human behaviors. The program welcomes proposals addressing any geographic region or time period and is open to a wide range of theoretical orientations and research questions. Most awards fund field research or the analysis of archaeological materials using diverse approaches. Projects may be conducted by single investigators or collaborative teams. The program encourages the integration of undergraduate and graduate students in research activities, although students cannot serve as PI, co-PI, or other senior/key personnel on senior research proposals. The program also supports a broad array of supplemental and special funding mechanisms (see Additional Information). --- ## Due Dates - **Full Proposal Deadlines:** - December 1, 2025 - July 1, 2026 - Annually recurring on these dates --- ## Funding Amount - **Estimated Program Budget:** $6,000,000 per year (subject to availability of funds) - **Expected Number of Awards:** Approximately 30 per cycle - **Typical Award Size:** $200,000–$350,000 total (including indirect costs) for 2–3 years - **Award Types:** Standard or Continuing Grants - **No cost-sharing or matching required** --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible Applicants:** See the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) for full details. Generally, U.S. academic institutions, non-profits, and certain other organizations are eligible. Unaffiliated individuals are not eligible. - **Principal Investigator Requirements:** - Must have a Ph.D. or equivalent education and experience sufficient to conduct independent basic research. - Undergraduate and graduate students may participate in research but cannot serve as PI, co-PI, or senior/key personnel. - **No limits** on the number of proposals per organization or per PI/co-PI. --- ## Application Process - **Submission Platforms:** - [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/) - [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/) - **Proposal Preparation:** - Follow the current [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg). - Letters of intent and preliminary proposals are **not required**. - Key requirements include a project summary, project description (with resubmission summary if applicable), data management and sharing plan, and supplementary documentation as needed. - **Data Management:** - Data, samples, and other research products are expected to be shared (barring ethical limitations) within two years of final data collection. - **Review Criteria:** - Proposals are evaluated on intellectual merit and broader impacts using NSF’s standard merit review process. - **Additional Guidance:** - Prospective applicants are encouraged to email a one-page project summary to program officers if uncertain about program fit. --- ## Additional Information - **Broader Impacts:** - Proposals should include well-integrated, evidence-based broader impact activities (e.g., outreach, education, diversity, community engagement). - **Ethical Considerations:** - Discuss ethical implications and community engagement in the project description. - **International Collaboration:** - NSF rarely funds foreign organizations directly; U.S. investigators should justify and document the necessity of foreign collaborations. - **Supplemental and Special Funding Opportunities:** - Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) supplements (up to $6,000 per student, max two students/year) - Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) proposals - Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) and Research Opportunity Awards (ROA) - High-Risk Research in Biological Anthropology and Archaeology (HRRBAA) - Rapid Response Research (RAPID) and EArly-Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) - **Related Programs:** - Separate solicitations exist for Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIG) and Archaeometry Awards. --- ## External Links - [NSF Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/arch-sr-archaeology-program-senior-research-awards/nsf23-566/solicitation) - [Full Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/358689) - [NSF Publication 23-566 (Solicitation)](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf23566) - [NSF PAPPG Guide](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role/Title | Email | Phone | |---------------------------|-----------------------------|-------------------------------|-----------------| | John E. Yellen | Program Director | [jyellen@nsf.gov](mailto:jyellen@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8759 | | Don Rimon | Business Operations Analyst | [drimon@nsf.gov](mailto:drimon@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-2960 | | NSF Grants.gov Support | Technical Assistance | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | | | NSF Information Center | General Information | | (703) 292-5111 | For technical questions about Research.gov, contact the Research.gov Help Desk at 1-800-673-6188 or [rgov@nsf.gov](mailto:rgov@nsf.gov). ---

Archaeology Program Senior Research Awards

Sign in to see full grant listing