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

Proposals accepted anytime

Up to $20,000 in direct costs per award (plus indirect costs); up to 50 awards annually; project duration up to 36 months.

Supports doctoral dissertation research in anthropologically relevant archaeology, including fieldwork, materials analysis, and methodological innovation.

--- ## Description This program supports doctoral dissertation research improvement (DDRI) grants in archaeological research that is anthropologically relevant. The goal is to enhance and improve dissertation projects conducted by doctoral students enrolled in U.S. universities, focusing on basic scientific knowledge in archaeology. The program imposes no restrictions on geographic region, time period, or theoretical orientation, and encourages innovative research, whether in fieldwork, analytical methods, or methodological development relevant to archaeology. Projects may include field research, laboratory analysis, archival research, or the development of new analytic techniques. The program is open to any dissertation project that can be justified within an anthropological context and has the potential to contribute to anthropological knowledge. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals are accepted at any time; there is no fixed deadline. --- ## Funding Amount - Awards provide up to $20,000 in allowable direct costs for the entire duration of the project. - Indirect costs are in addition to the $20,000 direct cost limit and are subject to the awardee institution’s federally negotiated rate. - The maximum project duration is 36 months. - Approximately 50 awards are made annually, with a total program budget of $1,200,000 per year. --- ## Eligibility - **Who May Apply:** Only U.S. Ph.D.-granting universities and colleges accredited in, and having a campus located in, the United States may submit proposals on behalf of their faculty members. - **Project Team:** Each proposal must have a Principal Investigator (PI) (the doctoral advisor or another faculty member) and a co-Principal Investigator (co-PI), who must be the dissertation student. - **Student Limit:** Each doctoral student may submit no more than two DDRI proposals to this program over their lifetime. - **Field of Study:** Enrollment in an anthropology or archaeology program is not required, but the proposed research must be anthropologically relevant. - **Other:** There are no restrictions on the number of proposals an advisor/faculty PI may submit. --- ## Application Process - Proposals can be submitted via [NSF FastLane](https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/) or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/). - Required documents include: - Project Summary and Project Description (limited to 10 single-spaced pages of text plus up to 5 pages of figures). - Biographical sketches for both student and advisor. - Budget and justification. - Data Management Plan (max 2 pages). - Signed statement from PI affirming the student’s readiness to undertake the proposed research. - Letters of collaboration/commitment if applicable. - Letters of recommendation and transcripts are not permitted. - Proposals must follow the guidelines in the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1). --- ## Additional Information - DDRI awards are intended to cover research costs not normally covered by the student's university, such as travel to field sites, equipment, materials, and analytical costs. - Stipends, tuition, or salaries for the student or advisor are not allowed. - Reviewers evaluate proposals on both intellectual merit and broader impacts, including societal benefits and the advancement of knowledge. - The program supports projects that may have a significant impact on archaeological theory, method, or knowledge. --- ## External Links - [Program Solicitation and Details (NSF)](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf14566) - [Official Grants.gov Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359430) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) - [FastLane Submission Portal](https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/) - [Grants.gov Submission Portal](https://www.grants.gov/) - [Program Page (NSF Archaeology DDRI)](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/arch-ddrig-archaeology-program-doctoral-dissertation-research) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | |-----------------------|--------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------| | John E. Yellen | Program Director | [jyellen@nsf.gov](mailto:jyellen@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8759 | | Tyeshia Roberson | Program Assistant | [tmrobers@nsf.gov](mailto:tmrobers@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8177 | | NSF Grants.gov Support| Technical Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | | | NSF Information Center| General Information| | (703) 292-5111 | ---

Archaeology Program - Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants

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