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

August 15, 2025 (Full proposals)

No specified ceiling; typical NSF social science awards range from $100,000–$500,000 over 1–3 years.

Supports basic research advancing knowledge of global and national security, emphasizing theoretical, methodological, and empirical rigor.

Applied research is not funded; proposals must align with NSF’s intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria.

--- ## Description The Security and Preparedness (SAP) Program from the National Science Foundation (NSF) funds basic scientific research that advances understanding of issues broadly related to global and national security. The program is designed to support theoretically motivated, conceptually precise, methodologically rigorous, and empirically oriented research. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: - Conflict and dispute resolution - International and comparative political economy - Domestic political instability and conflict processes - Security implications of natural hazards and stressors The program also supports research experiences for undergraduate students and infrastructural activities, including methodological innovations. Applied research is not eligible for funding under this program. Researchers are encouraged to review related NSF programs, such as Accountable Institutions and Behavior (AIB), Law and Science (LS), and Research Infrastructure in the Social and Behavioral Sciences (RISBS). --- ## Due Dates - **Full Proposal Deadline:** August 15, 2025 Proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements in the current [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg). --- ## Funding Amount - **Award Size:** No explicit maximum or minimum; typical NSF social science awards are in the range of $100,000–$500,000 total costs. - **Award Duration:** Usually 1–3 years. - **Cost Sharing:** Not required. Funding is subject to the availability of funds and the quality of proposals. --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible Applicants:** Unrestricted; open to all categories of proposers, including universities, colleges, non-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations, subject to NSF’s general eligibility requirements. - **Eligible Projects:** Must be basic research (not applied), theoretically motivated, and methodologically rigorous. - **Student Involvement:** Proposals supporting undergraduate research experiences are encouraged. --- ## Application Process - **Submission Portal:** Proposals must be submitted via [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/) or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/320087). - **Required Documents:** Follow the [NSF PAPPG](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg) for formatting and content requirements. - **Review Criteria:** Proposals are evaluated on intellectual merit and broader impacts. - **Award Conditions:** Awards made on or after October 1, 2024, are subject to updated NSF award conditions ([details here](https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/award_conditions.jsp?org=NSF)). --- ## Additional Information - The program does **not** fund applied research. - Proposals must clearly articulate their theoretical motivation, conceptual precision, methodological rigor, and empirical orientation. - Researchers are encouraged to explore related NSF programs for potential fit or collaboration. - NSF will stop accepting proposals via the FastLane website; use Research.gov or Grants.gov for submissions. --- ## External Links - [NSF SAP Program Page (full details and FAQ)](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/sap-security-preparedness) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg) - [Apply via Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/320087) - [Browse projects funded by this program](https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearchResult?ProgEleCode=118Y00&BooleanElement=Any&BooleanRef=Any&ActiveAwards=true#results) - [NSF Award Conditions](https://www.nsf.gov/awards/managing/award_conditions.jsp?org=NSF) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Organization | |---------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------|--------------| | James I. Walsh | [jwalsh@nsf.gov](mailto:jwalsh@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-4689 | SBE/SES | | Lee D. Walker | [lwalker@nsf.gov](mailto:lwalker@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-7174 | SBE/SES | | NSF Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | — | NSF | For general NSF inquiries: - [NSF Contact Page](https://www.nsf.gov/about/contact-us) - Email: info@nsf.gov - Phone: 1-703-292-5111 ---

Security and Preparedness

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