Foundations
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 22, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions, universities, and individual researchers seeking support for foundational scientific research across NSF's disciplinary divisions. Eligible applicants typically include accredited colleges and universities, nonprofit research institutions, for-profit organizations engaged in research, state and local government agencies, and in some cases individual researchers. Activities supported include basic and applied research, research training, curriculum development, and infrastructure projects that advance knowledge in STEM fields. Most NSF grants require the applicant organization to have an active NSF registration and comply with federal cost accounting standards. Geographic scope is U.S.-based organizations, though some programs support international collaboration.
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Program description
The program in Foundations supports research in mathematical logic and the foundations of mathematics, including proof theory, recursion theory, model theory, set theory, and infinitary combinatorics.
Conferences
Principal Investigators should carefully read the program solicitation "Conferences and Workshops in the Mathematical Sciences" (link below) to obtain important information regarding the substance of proposals for conferences, workshops, summer/winter schools, and similar activities. Conference and workshop proposals should be submitted eight months before the requested start date.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NSF Form 1207 (or SF-424 equivalent) with project summary
- Project narrative/technical description (typically 15 pages max, but varies by program)
- Detailed budget and budget justification
- Biographical sketches for all senior personnel (limit 2 pages each)
- Current and pending support documentation for all key personnel
- Institutional facilities and resources statement
- Letters of collaboration (if applicable)
- Data management plan (now required for most NSF programs)
- References cited
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.049 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$570,618,065
-
$497,001,346
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$434,119,438
-
$236,459,999
-
$190,969,692
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$181,482,100
-
$156,947,247
-
$145,000,000
-
$144,261,921
-
$116,471,167
Top States by Funding
- VA 5 awards $1,019.4M
- DC 3 awards $639.8M
- CA 13 awards $623.8M
- AZ 8 awards $620.8M
- NY 7 awards $325.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.049). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,539,910,000 | |
| 2025 | $1,537,650,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $512,280,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for NSF Foundations grants?
Eligibility varies by specific program, but typically includes universities, colleges, nonprofit research institutions, for-profit organizations engaged in research, state and local government agencies, and sometimes individual researchers. Your organization must be registered in the NSF system.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline for this grant is September 22, 2026. However, NSF programs often have rolling deadlines or multiple submission windows. Check the specific program solicitation for your target funding area's exact deadline.
What types of activities and projects are supported?
NSF Foundations typically support basic research, applied research, research training, educational activities, and infrastructure development in STEM disciplines. Projects should advance scientific knowledge and may include workforce development components.
How competitive is this grant?
NSF grants are highly competitive. Success rates typically range from 20-30% depending on the specific program. Applications must demonstrate scientific merit and broader impacts.
What is the typical funding range?
Funding amounts vary significantly by program area, ranging from $50,000 for smaller research projects to $5 million or more for large collaborative initiatives. Check your specific program's solicitation for target funding levels.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Carefully read the specific program solicitation for your research area (Computer Science, Engineering, Biological Sciences, etc.) as "Foundations" encompasses multiple NSF divisions with different expectations and review criteria.
- Clearly articulate both scientific merit and broader impacts. NSF evaluates all proposals on these two criteria—show how your research advances the field AND benefits society.
- Build relationships with NSF program officers in your discipline before submitting. A pre-proposal meeting can clarify expectations and improve your chances significantly.
- Include detailed budget justification and narrative. NSF reviewers scrutinize budgets carefully; every expense must be justified and reasonable.
- Allow sufficient time for institutional approvals (IRB, biosafety, compliance review) before the deadline. Many institutions require 2-4 weeks for internal processing.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because researchers underestimate the importance of broader impacts or describe it superficially. NSF wants to see genuine, realistic plans for how research benefits the public or advances STEM education. Additionally, applications frequently lack sufficient detail in methodology and evaluation plans, making it hard for reviewers to assess feasibility. Finally, budgets that seem inflated or poorly justified are red flags to NSF evaluators.
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