Cognitive Neuroscience
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers at academic institutions conducting basic cognitive neuroscience research. Universities, colleges, and research centers can apply. The program funds projects investigating neural mechanisms underlying human cognition and behavior through rigorous experimentation and analysis. Proposals must clearly link physiological measures to behavior and test specific theoretical predictions. Clinical populations and non-human animal research without clear human relevance will not be reviewed.
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Program description
The Cognitive Neuroscience (CogNeuro) program seeks to fund proposals that can advance our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying human cognition and behavior. Funded proposals typically relate precise and rich quantifications of physiological responses and behavior in ways that advance theory (Intellectual Merit). Funded proposal also typically strengthen the field through, for example, outreach, mentoring the next generation of diverse cognitive neuroscientists, and/or increasing awareness and utilization of the research the field produces (Broader Impacts).
Intellectual Merit
In general, successful proposals provide a theoretical motivation and consist of a series of experiments/analyses that test the differential predictions of that theory; they go beyond quantifying physiology during certain tasks and behaviors. Research topics considered for funding include but are not limited to: perception, recognition, categorization, implicit and explicit memory, working memory, attention, language, decision-making, and social reasoning. Commensurate with the inherently multidisciplinary nature of the field and the limitations of any single technique, a wide variety of physiological methods are considered, including but not limited to: neuroimaging (e.g., fMRI, EEG, MEG), non-invasive stimulation (e.g. TMS, tDCS), lesion analysis, intracranial recording, optogenetics, genetics, optical imaging, computational modeling, and pharmacological interventions in both human and non-human primates and other animal models. The program is particularly interested in proposals that achieve or enable convergence across multiple techniques.
Critically, proposals will be returned without review if they are focused on: 1) either behavior or physiology and lack a specific link between them, 2) understanding clinical populations, 3) non-human animals without a clear benefit to our understanding of humans.
Broader Impacts
In general, successful proposals make impacts beyond traditional academic routes, such as publishing research or teaching undergraduate courses. Strong broader impacts can be quite varied but will typically involve specific efforts strengthening the field and/or increasing its visibility that leverage the characteristics of the institution, department, and/or researcher. Consider the following non-exhaustive examples: 1) STEM education and outreach, particularly in underserved communities, 2) directly involving undergraduates and high-school students in research, 3) making tools and applications for the general public, 4) science journalism or advocacy. These efforts can, but need not, directly relate to the proposed research. It is also encouraged to include budget for these efforts if warranted.
Mentoring Plans
Strong mentoring plans generally go beyond inclusion in standard lab activities and incorporate specific ideas for forwarding the careers of young scientists and trainees that leverage the setting and content of the proposed research.
General Directions
Prior to the development of a full proposal, investigators are strongly encouraged to submit a one-page summary of the proposed research to a program director to evaluate its appropriateness for the CogNeuro program. Please contact the director early enough to allow for revisions and incorporation what may be extensive feedback. The summary should include an overview of your research and statements of intellectual merit and broader impacts, the two NSF review criteria.
See the Merit Review Fact Sheet for more important facts about the NSF merit review process. Please read the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) carefully, as it will be strictly adhered to even if other directives or communications appear to contradict it.
Currently, the average standard/CAREER award size is $175,000-$225,000 per year for 3-5 years. Awards in excess of $1.0 million are exceptionally rare and almost always multidisciplinary. Please be judicious in your requests, understanding the realities of the limited funding available for all proposals. See the Listing of Active Cognitive Neuroscience Awards for additional award information.
Declined proposals are ineligible for resubmission until a minimum of one year has passed since the due date of their initial submission, unless specifically allowed by the PO in the feedback received during the decline process. This moratorium allows investigators the time required to digest the results of the merit review and revise their proposal accordingly. A proposal that has not been substantially revised will be returned without review as per the PAPPG.
PIs are strongly encouraged to submit the Single Copy Document titled “List of Suggested Reviewers” with their full proposal. Sharing of data and other materials is an expectation for funded research. Please consult the NSF Dear Colleague Letter: Effective Practices for Data for more details.
Interested in talking with a program director? Send a one-page description of the proposed research to sbe-cogneuro@nsf.gov.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- One-page research summary (submit to program director before full proposal)
- Project narrative with intellectual merit and broader impacts sections
- Mentoring plan
- Budget and budget justification
- CV of principal investigator
- References and letters of support (if applicable)
- Compliance documents per NSF PAPPG
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
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$38,357,018
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$18,499,999
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$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 grant?
Researchers at academic institutions, universities, and research centers can apply. Individual researchers should verify their institution has grant administration capacity through NSF.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is August 17, 2026. NSF recommends submitting early to allow time for revisions before the final deadline.
What research topics are funded?
The program funds studies of perception, memory, attention, language, decision-making, and social reasoning. Proposals must link physiological measures (fMRI, EEG, optogenetics, etc.) to specific behavioral outcomes.
What makes an application competitive?
Strong proposals include clear theoretical motivation, well-designed experiments testing specific predictions, evidence of broader impacts, and mentoring plans for trainees. Multi-technique approaches are particularly valued.
How much can I request?
Specific award amounts are not stated in the program description. Contact NSF program directors for typical funding ranges and project duration expectations.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Submit a one-page summary to the NSF program director before writing your full proposal. Early feedback can strengthen your application significantly.
- Design experiments that test differential theoretical predictions, not just measure physiological activity. Describe why your specific approach matters.
- Plan concrete broader impacts activities. Mentoring young scientists, STEM outreach, or public tools are valued beyond traditional publications.
- Use multiple physiological techniques if possible. Convergence across methods (fMRI plus EEG, for example) strengthens proposals considerably.
- Clearly explain the human relevance of your work. Avoid focusing only on animal models or clinical populations without strong theoretical justification.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals that measure physiology or behavior in isolation without linking them together are desk-rejected. Ensure every experiment connects neural measures to specific behavioral outcomes. Applications focused solely on clinical populations or animal models without clear human cognitive benefits will not be reviewed. Proposals lacking clear theoretical predictions that experiments test often score poorly on intellectual merit.
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