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

Archived (no current deadlines)

$300,000–$600,000 per award | $5,000,000 total program funding (estimate) | ~25 awards expected

Supports transformative basic research to advance the science of learning across biological, cognitive, behavioral, and social domains.

This opportunity is archived; see program page for updates and successor solicitations.

--- ## Description The Science of Learning program aimed to support potentially transformative basic research that advances the fundamental understanding of learning. The program encouraged both integrative/interdisciplinary and single-discipline projects that addressed basic scientific questions about learning principles, processes, and constraints. Research supported by this program could address learning at multiple levels of analysis, including: - Molecular and cellular mechanisms - Brain systems - Cognitive, affective, and behavioral processes - Social and cultural influences The program welcomed a variety of research methods, such as experiments, field studies, surveys, secondary data analysis, and modeling. Broader impacts, such as connections to scientific, technological, educational, and workforce challenges, were considered valuable but not central to the intellectual merit. ### Example research questions included: - How does learning transfer or generalize across contexts or domains? - What mechanisms underlie robust, resilient learning and memory consolidation? - How do features of the learning environment (e.g., timing, context, engagement style) affect learning? - How can insights from biological learners inform computational systems and vice versa? - What can integration across biological, non-biological, and social systems reveal about learning? --- ## Due Dates - **Archived:** This funding opportunity is no longer accepting applications. - For current or future solicitations, check the [NSF Science of Learning program page](http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5567). --- ## Funding Amount - **Award Range:** $300,000–$600,000 per award - **Estimated Total Program Funding:** $5,000,000 - **Expected Number of Awards:** 25 --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible Applicants:** Unrestricted (open to all types of organizations and individuals, subject to any additional NSF requirements) - No cost sharing or matching requirement. --- ## Application Process - This opportunity is archived and not accepting new applications. - For reference, proposals were required to follow the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1). - Submissions were made via [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov) or NSF’s FastLane system. - Applicants are encouraged to check the [program page](http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5567) for updates and new solicitations. --- ## Additional Information - This program is administered by the NSF Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE), Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences. - The archived solicitation may have a successor; see [PD 19-127Y](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/science-learning-augmented-intelligence/pd19-127y) for the latest version. - Projects must contribute to basic scientific understanding; broader impacts are encouraged but not required for intellectual merit. --- ## External Links - [NSF Science of Learning Program Page](http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5567) - [Archived Solicitation Details (NSF)](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/sl-science-learning/5567/pd16-004y) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359432) - [NSF PAPPG (Current Guide)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) - [Successor Solicitation PD 19-127Y](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/science-learning-augmented-intelligence/pd19-127y) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Organization | |-----------------------------|------------------------------------|---------------|---------------| | NSF Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | — | NSF | | Soo-Siang Lim, Program Dir. | [slim@nsf.gov](mailto:slim@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-7878 | SBE/BCS | | Cori Jacildone, Specialist | [cjacildo@nsf.gov](mailto:cjacildo@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8740 | SBE/BCS |

Science of Learning

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