Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for early-career researchers holding a recent doctoral degree in social, behavioral, or economic sciences who want to conduct independent research. Applicants must have earned their PhD within five years of the application deadline. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals with valid work visas are eligible. The fellowship supports research conducted at U.S. institutions, including universities, research centers, and nonprofit research organizations. Postdoctoral researchers design and conduct their own research projects with mentorship from faculty sponsors.
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Program description
The Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) offers Postdoctoral Research Fellowships to encourageindependence earlyin the fellow’scareerby supporting his or herresearch and training goals.The research and training plan of each fellowship must address important scientific questions within thescope of the SBE directorate and the specific guidelines in this solicitation. The SPRF program offers two tracks: (I) Fundamental Research in the SBE Sciences (SPRF-FR) and (II) Broadening Participation in the SBE Sciences (SPRF-BP). See the full text of the solicitation for a detailed description of these tracks.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NSF PAPPG cover page
- Project Narrative (research plan)
- Budget Justification
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Support from Faculty Mentor
- Institutional Certification
- Bibliography/References
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.075 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$38,357,018
-
$18,499,999
-
$13,999,656
-
$10,999,998
-
$8,043,354
-
$7,998,747
-
$5,500,000
-
$5,237,549
-
$5,200,000
-
$5,047,151
Top States by Funding
- MI 9 awards $94.1M
- DC 6 awards $20.0M
- AZ 7 awards $19.6M
- NY 9 awards $17.0M
- IL 4 awards $16.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.075). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $292,390,000 | |
| 2025 | $219,410,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $92,200,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this fellowship?
You must have a PhD in a social, behavioral, or economic science field. Your degree must be earned within five years of the application deadline.
Can I apply if I'm not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and holders of valid work visas are all eligible to apply.
What should my research project focus on?
Your proposal should present original, independent research in your field. Work with your faculty mentor to develop a competitive project plan.
What makes an application competitive?
Strong applications show novelty, methodological rigor, and significance to the field. Clear mentoring plans and institutional support strengthen competitiveness.
How much funding is available?
NSF postdoctoral fellowships typically provide annual stipends for salary, research expenses, and professional development costs over 12-24 months.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start with a faculty mentor early. Their letter of support and research environment matter significantly for competitiveness.
- Clearly articulate your independent research vision. Show how your project advances your field beyond your dissertation.
- Highlight intellectual merit and broader impacts. Explain both the research value and potential societal contributions.
- Budget carefully for research expenses, not just salary. NSF funds must support actual project activities.
- Apply well before the deadline. NSF submissions often experience heavy traffic on final days.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when the research plan is too incremental or clearly dependent on the mentor's work rather than independent. Weak mentoring letters or unclear institutional commitments reduce competitiveness. Poor alignment with NSF SBE program priorities wastes effort.
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