Cultural Anthropology Program Senior Research Awards

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Description

The National Science Foundation's Cultural Anthropology Program provides funding for fundamental, systematic research and training in cultural anthropology. The program aims to increase understanding of the causes, consequences, and complexities of human social and cultural variability. Proposals are welcomed from all sub-fields of cultural anthropology and may address research at any temporal or spatial scale.

Supported methodologies include, but are not limited to, ethnographic fieldwork, surveys, remote sensing, biomarker collection, experimental research, archival analysis, computational modeling, and other appropriate research tools. The program emphasizes projects that produce empirically grounded, generalizable findings and contribute to building a robust anthropological science of human society and culture.

The program does not support research whose primary objective is improved clinical practice, applied policy, or other immediate application. Proposals must clearly center on advancing or testing anthropological theory.

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Due Dates

• Full Proposal Target Dates:
  • August 15, 2025
  • January 15, 2026
  • August 15, 2026
  • (Annually on January 15 and August 15 thereafter)
• REG/REU Supplemental Funding Requests: Optimal submission by March 1 annually; other times possible with prior program officer contact.

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Funding Amount

• Senior Research Awards: Rarely exceed $120,000 per year, up to 36 months.
• CAREER Awards: Minimum $400,000, up to 5 years (see CAREER solicitation).
• TREES (Trans-disciplinary REsearch in Environmental Social Science): Typically $200,000–$250,000 per year, for 3–4 years.
• Scholars Awards: Up to $75,000, max 36 months (for post-Ph.D. methodological training).
• Conference Proposals: Typically $20,000–$40,000.
• REG/REU Supplements: Up to $6,000 per student.
• Post-Baccalaureate Supplements: Up to $8,000 per individual.
• Total Program Budget: Approximately $4,000,000 annually (30–40 awards per year).

Budgets must be commensurate with project scope and directly support research objectives.

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Eligibility

• Eligible Institutions:
  • U.S. accredited two- and four-year institutions of higher education (including community colleges), acting on behalf of their faculty.
  • U.S.-based non-profit, non-academic organizations (e.g., museums, research labs, professional societies) directly associated with research or education.
  • Federally recognized Tribal Nations.
• Principal Investigator (PI): No restrictions on who may serve as PI.
• Number of Proposals: No limits per organization or PI/co-PI.
• International Branch Campuses: Must justify why activities cannot be performed at the U.S. campus.

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Application Process

• Submission Platforms: Research.gov or Grants.gov.
• Letters of Intent/Preliminary Proposals: Not required.
• Proposal Requirements:
  • Project description must address intellectual merit, broader impacts, prior NSF support (if applicable), and ethical considerations.
  • Data Management and Sharing Plan (max 2 pages) required.
  • Budget and justification, biographical sketches, and supplementary documents as needed.
• Special Proposal Types: CAREER, TREES, EAGER, RAPID, Scholars, Conference, Community-Engaged Research, RUI/ROA, and supplemental funding for REU/REG/Post-Baccalaureate.
• Review Criteria: NSF’s standard criteria—intellectual merit and broader impacts.

Tip: If unsure about fit, email a one-page project summary to a program officer before submission.

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Additional Information

• Broader Impacts: Strongly encouraged, including outreach, diversity, and capacity-building activities.
• Community Engagement: Proposals with community or international partnerships should include clear plans and appropriate documentation.
• Human Subjects: IRB approval not required at submission but must be obtained before award.
• Cost Sharing: Not allowed.
• Indirect Costs: No special limitations beyond standard NSF policy.

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External Links

• NSF Program Solicitation & Details
• NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)
• Recent Award Sizes
• CAREER Program Information
• TREES Guidance
• Data Management Plan Guidance
• Broader Impacts Framework

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Contact Information

For technical support with Research.gov: rgov@nsf.gov | 1-800-381-1532
For Grants.gov support: support@grants.gov | 1-800-518-4726

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