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

January 15, 2026 | July 15, 2026 (annually)

Estimated total program funding: $6,000,000 annually; award sizes and durations vary by project type.

Supports basic research on human language, including its structure, processing, development, and social/cultural context.

--- ## Description The NSF Linguistics Program funds foundational research in the science of human language. It supports investigations into the grammatical properties of individual languages and natural language in general, with research areas including syntax, semantics, morphology, phonetics, and phonology. The program encourages interdisciplinary and theoretically innovative projects, and welcomes proposals that address questions crossing disciplinary boundaries, such as: - Psychological processes in language production, perception, and comprehension - Computational aspects of language and language processing - Acoustic and physiological properties of speech and their theoretical implications - Neurobiological underpinnings of language - Language development across the lifespan - Social and cultural factors influencing language variation and change The program does **not** fund proposals whose primary goal is applied practice (e.g., clinical applications, policy, or pedagogical tool development). Project types supported include standard research proposals, Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement (LING-DDRI) awards, CAREER proposals, and conference proposals. There is also special emphasis on research and documentation of understudied and endangered languages, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities. --- ## Due Dates - January 15, 2026 (Full Proposal) - July 15, 2026 (Full Proposal) - These deadlines recur annually. --- ## Funding Amount - Estimated total program funding: $6,000,000 per year. - Award size and duration vary by project type and scope. - No cost-sharing or matching requirement. --- ## Eligibility - Open to all types of applicants ("Unrestricted"), including: - Universities and colleges - Nonprofit and for-profit organizations - Individuals (with PhD or equivalent for research proposals) - Doctoral students (for LING-DDRI awards) - See the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg) for specific eligibility requirements. --- ## Application Process - Proposals must be submitted via [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/45812) or [NSF Research.gov](https://www.research.gov). - All proposals must adhere to the requirements in the current [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg). - For conference proposals, follow the guidance in Chapter II of the PAPPG. - For Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement (LING-DDRI) awards, see [program details](https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/linguistics-program-doctoral-dissertation-research). - Related programs for endangered languages: [DLI-DEL](https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/nsf-dynamic-language-infrastructure-neh) and [DLI-DDRI](https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/dynamic-language-infrastructure-doctoral). --- ## Additional Information - The program strongly encourages interdisciplinary projects and those addressing theoretical and methodological innovation. - Proposals focused on applied outcomes (e.g., clinical, policy, or pedagogical tools) are not eligible. - NSF's Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences partners with other directorates and the NEH to support research on endangered languages. - For information on research security requirements, see [NSF Important Notice No. 149](https://www.nsf.gov/notices/important/important-notice-no-149-updates-nsf-research-security/in149). --- ## External Links - [NSF Linguistics Program Information](http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5408) - [NSF Linguistics Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/linguistics) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/45812) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg) - [Browse Recent Awards](https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearchResult?ProgEleCode=131100&BooleanElement=Any&BooleanRef=Any&ActiveAwards=true#results) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Role/Notes | |-------------------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------|-------------------| | Rachel M. Theodore | [rtheodor@nsf.gov](mailto:rtheodor@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-4770 | Program Director | | Wilson de Lima Silva | [widelima@nsf.gov](mailto:widelima@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-7096 | Program Director | | Jorge Valdes Kroff | [jvaldesk@nsf.gov](mailto:jvaldesk@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-7920 | Program Director | | Kenyatta Johnson | [kenjohns@nsf.gov](mailto:kenjohns@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-4850 | Program Specialist| | NSF Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | | Application issues| ---

Linguistics

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