Science and Technology Studies

The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Science and Technology Studies (STS) program, administered by the Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences through its Division of Social and Economic Sciences, supports interdisciplinary research on the foundations, development, and societal impacts of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including medicine. STS encompasses historical, philosophical, and social scientific approaches to understanding STEM knowledge production, its dissemination, and its interactions with societal norms and institutions. The STS program invites a broad range of research proposals, including empirical studies based on archival, field, or quantitative data; conceptual work exploring theoretical or ethical issues; and interdisciplinary projects integrating STS with other STEM domains. Researchers from various disciplines—including history, philosophy, anthropology, political science, and the natural sciences—are eligible to apply. The program places strong emphasis on complex socio-technical issues and encourages collaborative research across disciplinary lines. It supports work that addresses topics such as the governance of emerging technologies, integration of social values in technological design, and transparency in scientific innovation. This funding opportunity includes several grant types: Standard Research Grants, Collaborative Research Grants, Scholars Awards, Research Community Development Grants, Conference Grants, and Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIGs). Each grant type has specific eligibility and budgetary guidelines. For instance, Scholars Awards can provide up to $350,000 in support over a typical one-year period, while DDRIGs offer up to $25,000 for doctoral students' research expenses. The program no longer supports Professional Development Grants. Newer emphases include alignment with NSF-wide initiatives such as Ethical and Responsible Research and the Science of Broadening Participation. Proposals must be submitted through either Research.gov or Grants.gov in accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Letters of Intent and Preliminary Proposals are not required. Applicants must submit full proposals by either February 2 or August 3 annually, depending on the grant type. DDRIGs are only accepted for the August 3 deadline. The anticipated total program funding is $6.2 million for approximately 40 awards. The application must address both intellectual merit and broader impacts. It should clearly state research questions, theoretical frameworks, methodological plans, and detailed timelines. Broader impacts must include plans for dissemination to various audiences. Potential applicants unsure of the fit between their project and STS goals are encouraged to submit a one-page prospectus to program directors for feedback. Key contacts for the program are Program Directors Wenda Bauchspies (wbauchsp@nsf.gov, 703-292-5034) and Christine Leuenberger (cleuenbe@nsf.gov, 703-292-7563). Full details, including technical assistance for electronic submission and budgetary limits for each grant type, are available in the official solicitation and through NSF’s online systems.