Funder: National Science Foundation
Due Dates: November 5, 2025 (Full Proposal) | First Wednesday in November, annually thereafter
Funding Amounts: Up to $160,000–$170,000 total per fellowship (2 years; $80,000/year: $65,000 stipend + $15,000 allowance)
Summary: Supports early-career researchers in the social, behavioral, and economic sciences to pursue independent research and training through two fellowship tracks.
Key Information: Proposals must be submitted by individuals (not institutions); award is made directly to the fellow.
Description
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) offers postdoctoral research fellowships to foster independence early in a researcher's career. The program supports research and training plans that address significant scientific questions within the SBE sciences. Fellows may apply under one of two tracks:
- Fundamental Research in the SBE Sciences (SPRF-FR): For research that advances fundamental knowledge in human behavior, social and economic systems, organizations, and institutions.
- Broadening Participation in the SBE Sciences (SPRF-BP): For research and training that broadens the participation of underrepresented groups in the SBE sciences, or studies the science of broadening participation.
Fellowships are intended to provide recent doctoral graduates with opportunities for advanced training, research experience, and career development under the mentorship of a sponsoring scientist at a U.S. host institution.
Due Dates
- Next deadline: November 5, 2025 (First Wednesday in November)
- Future cycles: Annually, first Wednesday in November
Funding Amount
- Award amount: Up to $160,000–$170,000 total per fellowship (2 years)
- $65,000 annual stipend (paid directly to the fellow)
- $15,000 annual research and training allowance (for research expenses, travel, fringe benefits, etc.)
- Number of awards: Approximately 15–20 fellowships per year, subject to availability of funds
Eligibility
- Who may apply:
- U.S. citizens, nationals, or legally admitted permanent residents as of the proposal deadline
- Must have obtained a doctoral degree in an SBE field within 3 years prior to the deadline, or will obtain the degree within 12 months after the deadline but before the fellowship start date
- Cannot already hold a full-time tenure-track faculty appointment
- Cannot submit the same research to another NSF program
- Submission: Proposals must be submitted by the individual applicant, not by the host institution
- Host institution: Must be a U.S.-based accredited institution of higher education (including community colleges) or a nonprofit, non-academic organization (e.g., museums, research labs, professional societies)
- Sponsoring scientist: Each applicant must identify a sponsoring scientist at the host institution (who will serve as co-PI)
- Other notes: It is expected that the fellowship will be held at an institution other than the applicant’s doctoral or current postdoctoral institution, unless a strong justification is provided
Application Process
- Submission platforms: Research.gov (strongly encouraged) or Grants.gov
- Proposal components:
- Project summary and description (including a section on either fundamental research or broadening participation, as appropriate)
- Justification for host institution and mentor
- Timetable and career development plan
- Budget and budget justification (for the $15,000 annual allowance)
- Data Management Plan (max 2 pages)
- Letters of collaboration (if applicable)
- Ph.D. abstract (max 1 page)
- Host institution letter (signed by sponsoring scientist)
- Biographical sketches and current/pending support for both applicant and sponsor
- Registration: Applicants must register as individuals in Research.gov (and Grants.gov, if using that system)
- Proposal limit: One proposal per individual per year
Additional Information
- Award is made directly to the individual fellow, not the host institution
- No cost-sharing or indirect costs allowed
- Fellowships may be supplemented by non-federal funds, provided no additional responsibilities are imposed
- Fellowship tenure: Up to 24 months; no renewals, but a no-cost extension may be requested to complete the project (no additional funds provided)
- Paid leave: Up to 2 months of paid leave (including parental/family leave) may be used within the fellowship period
- Reporting: Annual and final project reports required via Research.gov
External Links
Contact Information