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

August 1, 2026 | August 3, 2026 | February 1, 2027

Estimated total program funding: $7,300,000 annually; ~35 awards per year; typical project duration is 1–3 years.

Supports theoretically motivated research to advance understanding of human perception, action, and cognition and their interactions.

--- ## Description This program supports empirically grounded, theoretically engaged, and methodologically sophisticated research in a wide range of topic areas related to human perceptual, motor, and cognitive processes and their interactions. The funder welcomes diverse perspectives and methodologies, including computational modeling if the aim is to expand explanatory theories of human perception, action, or cognition. Projects that examine human behavior in realistic scenarios and include varied subject populations are especially encouraged. The knowledge gained from funded projects is expected to have a clear and direct path toward societal benefit. Proposals primarily focused on (1) structure/function mappings between PAC processes and neural activity, (2) clinical populations per se, or (3) non-human animal behavior without clear relevance to human perception, action, or cognition may be returned without review. --- ## Due Dates - August 1, 2026: Annual full proposal deadline (August 1 proposal window for research proposals) - August 3, 2026: Current closing date for the opportunity - February 1, 2027: Annual full proposal deadline (February 1 proposal window for research proposals) --- ## Funding Amount - Estimated total program funding: $7,300,000 per year - Approximately 35 awards made annually - Typical project duration: 1–3 years - No cost sharing or matching required --- ## Eligibility - Eligibility is unrestricted: open to any type of entity, including higher education institutions, non-profits, for-profits, and government organizations. - Principal Investigators are encouraged to confirm the appropriateness of their research by emailing a one-page summary to the program contact prior to submission. --- ## Application Process - Proposals must be submitted via [NSF FastLane](https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov), [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/), or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/45817). - Proposals must comply with the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg). - Include a "List of Suggested Reviewers" as a Single Copy Document. - Sharing of data and other materials is expected for funded research. - Before submission, investigators are encouraged to email [sbe-pac@nsf.gov](mailto:sbe-pac@nsf.gov) with a one-page summary of the proposed research to confirm program fit. --- ## Additional Information - Proposals may be co-reviewed with other programs in the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Directorate or across NSF directorates. - Projects must have a clear and direct impact on understanding human perception, action, or cognition. - For data sharing expectations, see the [Dear Colleague Letter: Effective Practices for Data](https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2019/nsf19069/nsf19069.jsp). - For updates to NSF research security policies, see the [Important Notice No. 149](https://www.nsf.gov/notices/important/important-notice-no-149-updates-nsf-research-security/in149). --- ## External Links - [Program Description & Details](http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5686) - [NSF PAC Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/pac-perception-action-cognition) - [Apply via Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/45817) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg) - [Browse projects funded by this program](http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/progSearch.do?SearchType=progSearch&page=2&QueryText=&ProgOrganization=BCS&ProgOfficer=&ProgEleCode=7252%2C%201180&BooleanElement=true&ProgRefCode=&BooleanRef=true&ProgProgram=&ProgFoaCode=&RestrictActive=on&Search=Search#resu) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | |------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------| | PAC Program Director | [sbe-pac@nsf.gov](mailto:sbe-pac@nsf.gov) | (703) 292-8740 | | NSF Grants.gov Support | [grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov](mailto:grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov) | | | General NSF Inquiries | [info@nsf.gov](mailto:info@nsf.gov) | 1-703-292-5111 | ---

Perception, Action & Cognition

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