Science of Science: Discovery, Communication and Impact
Funds research advancing the science of science by studying scientific discovery, communication, and impact to improve policy and societal benefits.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: Proposals accepted anytime
Funding Amounts: No minimum or maximum specified; award size and duration vary by project type; no cost sharing required.
Summary: Supports research advancing theory and knowledge about scientific discovery, communication, and the societal impacts of science.
Key Information: Open to all applicant types; encourages early-career and underrepresented researchers.
Description
The Science of Science: Discovery, Communication and Impact (SoS:DCI) program funds research that advances theoretical and empirical understanding of how science is discovered, communicated, and impacts society. The program welcomes proposals employing rigorous empirical research methods to study:
- Social and structural mechanisms of scientific discovery
- Theories, frameworks, models, and data improving scientific communication and outcomes
- Societal benefits of scientific activity, including how science informs evidence-based policy and creates public value
Projects may address individual, organizational, or institutional levels, and can span micro to macro scales, including complex systems. The program encourages interdisciplinary and convergent research, as well as innovative methodological approaches. Proposals should aim for transformative advances, not incremental change, and must include robust data management plans to advance open science.
Priority is given to proposals with potential to strengthen U.S. global leadership in science, expand the scientific workforce, and cultivate high-impact discovery across sectors. Broader impacts—such as societal benefit and policy relevance—are a key review criterion.
SoS:DCI supports:
- Standard Research Grants
- Collaborative Research Grants
- Conference Grants
- Specialized opportunities, including biomedical research innovation (SoS:BIO)
The program is particularly interested in broadening participation in the sciences, encouraging submissions from early-career researchers and those from historically underrepresented groups or regions.
