Developmental Sciences
Can you apply?
This grant is for basic developmental science research conducted by researchers at academic institutions and qualified non-profit research organizations.
Institutions of higher education can apply, including 2- and 4-year colleges, community colleges, and universities accredited in the US. Non-profit research organizations like independent museums, laboratories, and professional societies may also submit proposals if directly involved in research activities.
For-profit organizations and foreign organizations can propose collaborative projects; funding for foreign partners covers only the US portion of collaborative work. Other federal agencies and federally funded research centers are eligible under specific NSF guidelines.
Research must focus on basic developmental processes—perception, cognition, language, social-emotional, or motor development across the lifespan. Clinical trials and research focused primarily on health outcomes are not supported.
This grant is for basic developmental science research conducted by researchers at academic institutions and qualified non-profit research organizations.
Institutions of higher education can apply, including 2- and 4-year colleges, community colleges, and universities accredited in the US. Non-profit research organizations like independent museums, laboratories, and professional societies may also submit proposals if directly involved in research activities.
For-profit organizations and foreign organizations can propose collaborative projects; funding for foreign partners covers only the US portion of collaborative work. Other federal agencies and federally funded research centers are eligible under specific NSF guidelines.
Research must focus on basic developmental processes—perception, cognition, language, social-emotional, or motor development across the lifespan. Clinical trials and research focused primarily on health outcomes are not supported.
Program description
Developmental Sciences supports basic research that increases our understanding of perceptual, cognitive, linguistic, social, cultural, and biological processes related to human development across the lifespan. Research supported by this program will add to our knowledge of the underlying developmental processes that support social, cognitive, and behavioral functioning, thereby illuminating ways for individuals to live productive lives as members of society.
The Developmental Sciences program supports research that addresses developmental processes within the domains of perceptual, cognitive, social, emotional, language, and motor development across the lifespan by working with any appropriate populations for the topics of interest including infants, children, adolescents, adults (including aging populations), and non-human animals. The program also supports research investigating factors that affect developmental change, including family, peers, school, community, culture, media, physical, genetic, and epigenetic influences. The program funds research that incorporates multidisciplinary, multi-method, and/or longitudinal approaches; develops new methods, models, and theories for studying development; and integrates different processes (e.g., memory, emotion, perception, cognition), levels of analysis (e.g., behavioral, social, neural) and time scales. The program funds basic research that advances our understanding of developmental processes and mechanisms; the program does not fund clinical trials and research focused primarily on health outcomes.
The budgets and durations of supported projects vary widely and are greatly influenced by the nature of the project. Investigators should focus on innovative, potentially transformative research plans and then develop a budget to support those activities, rather than starting with a budget number and working up to that value.
While there are no specific rules about budget limitations, a typical project funded through the Developmental Sciences program is approximately three years in duration with a total cost budget, including both direct and indirect costs, between $100,000 and $200,000 per year. Interested proposers are urged to explore the NSF awards database for the Developmental Sciences program to review examples of awards that have been made. Proposals that contain budgets significantly beyond this range may be returned without review.
The Developmental Sciences program also considers proposals for workshops and small conferences on a case-by-case basis. These typically have total cost budgets, including direct and indirect costs, of approximately $35,000. Conference proposals may only be submitted following an invitation from the Program Directors.
In addition to consulting the NSF awards database, it is often useful for interested proposers to submit (via email) a summary of no more than one page so that a program director can advise the investigator on the fit of the project for DS before the preparation of a full proposal. New investigators are encouraged to solicit assistance in the preparation of their project proposals via consultation with senior researchers in their area, pre-submission review by colleagues, and attendance at symposia and events at professional conferences geared towards educating investigators seeking federal funding.
The Developmental Sciences Program is always interested in identifying new reviewers. Potential reviewers should have a Ph.D. in psychology or a related field and have a demonstrated area of expertise relevant to developmental science. Individuals interested in reviewing for the program should complete an expression of interest form.
SBE/BCS welcomes the submission of proposals to this funding opportunity that include the participation of the full spectrum of diverse talent in STEM,e.g., as PI, co-PI, senior/key personnel, postdoctoral scholars, graduate or undergraduate students, or trainees. This includes historically under-represented or underserved populations, diverse institutions including Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs), and two-year colleges, as well as major research institutions. Proposals from EPSCoR jurisdictions are especially encouraged.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for basic developmental science research conducted by researchers at academic institutions and qualified non-profit research organizations.
Institutions of higher education can apply, including 2- and 4-year colleges, community colleges, and universities accredited in the US. Non-profit research organizations like independent museums, laboratories, and professional societies may also submit proposals if directly involved in research activities.
For-profit organizations and foreign organizations can propose collaborative projects; funding for foreign partners covers only the US portion of collaborative work. Other federal agencies and federally funded research centers are eligible under specific NSF guidelines.
Research must focus on basic developmental processes—perception, cognition, language, social-emotional, or motor development across the lifespan. Clinical trials and research focused primarily on health outcomes are not supported.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Proposal narrative (research plan)
- Budget and budget justification
- Curriculum vitae(s) of key personnel
- Project summary/abstract
- References cited
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 8 awards $92.7M
- DC 6 awards $20.0M
- AZ 7 awards $19.6M
- NY 8 awards $15.4M
- IL 3 awards $15.1M
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 can apply for Developmental Sciences funding?
Colleges, universities, non-profit research organizations, and some for-profit firms with strong research capabilities. Foreign applicants may collaborate if the US portion is clearly budgeted separately.
What is the typical award amount and project duration?
Most projects run 3 years with budgets of $100,000–$200,000 per year total (direct and indirect costs). Budgets significantly beyond this range may be returned without review.
What types of research does this program fund?
Basic research on developmental processes including perception, cognition, language, social-emotional, and motor development. Multidisciplinary and longitudinal approaches are encouraged; clinical trials and health-outcome-focused research are not funded.
When is the deadline and how often can I apply?
The deadline is July 30, 2026. You may contact a program director before submitting to discuss project fit.
Should I reach out to NSF before submitting a full proposal?
Yes, a 1-page pre-submission summary sent to program directors is encouraged. It helps ensure your project aligns with program priorities and can improve your chances of success.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact a program director with a 1-page project summary before writing your full proposal. Early feedback reduces wasted effort and improves alignment.
- Focus on innovation and transformative research ideas first. Build your budget around the science, not the other way around.
- Use the NSF awards database to review funded projects in developmental sciences. Studying past awards shows competitive scope and approach.
- Embrace multidisciplinary, multi-method, or longitudinal designs. The program prioritizes approaches that integrate different processes and levels of analysis.
- Keep budgets within the typical $100K–$200K per year range for 3-year projects. Significantly higher budgets risk return without review.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting health-outcome or clinical-trial proposals, which fall outside program scope. Starting with a budget target instead of designing innovative science first. Failing to consult program directors or past awards before investing in a full proposal.
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