Linguistics
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers conducting basic science investigations of human language and linguistics. Eligible applicants include scholars with PhDs or equivalent degrees, doctoral students applying for dissertation research improvement awards, and early-career faculty seeking career development support. The program supports projects across syntax, semantics, morphology, phonetics, phonology, and interdisciplinary research bridging language science with psychology, computation, neurobiology, and social factors.
The program does not fund research with primary goals of clinical practice improvement, applied policy development, or pedagogical tool assessment. Conference proposals are also eligible if submitted according to NSF procedures. Some research areas are supported through special partnerships, including endangered language documentation through the Dynamic Language Infrastructure program.
Program description
The Linguistics Program supports basic science in the domain of human language, encompassing investigations of the grammatical properties of individual human languages, and of natural language in general. Research areas include syntax, semantics, morphology, phonetics and phonology.
The program encourages projects that are interdisciplinary in methodological or theoretical perspective, and that address questions that cross disciplinary boundaries, such as (but not limited to):
- What are the psychological processes involved in the production, perception, and comprehension of language?
- What are the computational properties of language and/or the language processor that make fluent production, incremental comprehension or rapid learning possible?
- How do the acoustic and physiological properties of speech inform our theories of natural language and/or language processing?
- What role does human neurobiology play in shaping the various grammatical properties of language?
- How does language develop in natural learning contexts across the life-span?
- What social and cultural factors underlie language variation and change?
Because NSF’s mandate is to support basic research, the Linguistics Program does not fund research that takes as its primary goal improved clinical practice or applied policy, nor does it support work to develop or assess pedagogical methods or tools for language instruction.
The Linguistics Program accepts proposals for a variety of project types: research proposals from scholars with PhDs or equivalent degrees, proposals for Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement (LING-DDRI) awards, and CAREER proposals. We will also consider proposals for conferences. Funding requests for conference support should be submitted in accordance with the Conference Proposals section of Chapter II of NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG).
NSF’s Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (BCS), in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities and in collaboration with programs in other NSF Directorates, supports efforts to develop and advance knowledge and infrastructure that will enable the analysis of languages that are both understudied and at risk of falling out of use. In recognition of the critical relevance of these languages to understanding the range and limits of human linguistic and cultural variation, BCS accepts research and dissertation proposals in response to solicitations NSF Dynamic Language Infrastructure – NEH Documenting Endangered Languages (DLI-DEL) and Dynamic Language Infrastructure – Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DLI-DDRI).
For more information about Multidisciplinary Research and Training Opportunities, please visit the SBE Office of Multidisciplinary Activities web site.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF PAPPG-required forms (SF-424, cover sheet, data management plan)
- Project narrative/proposal
- Budget and budget justification
- References and biographical sketches
- Current and pending support statement
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 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 Linguistics Program grants?
PhD holders, doctoral students pursuing dissertation research, and early-career faculty are eligible. Applicants must propose basic science research, not applied clinical or pedagogical work.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is July 15, 2026 (fixed). Check NSF's website for any updates to this date.
What research areas does the program support?
The program funds investigations of grammatical properties, syntax, semantics, morphology, phonetics, and phonology. It also supports interdisciplinary work bridging language science with psychology, computation, neurobiology, and social factors.
What types of projects are not funded?
The program does not fund research primarily aimed at improving clinical practice, developing applied policy, or assessing language instruction methods or tools.
Are there special programs for other researchers?
Yes, doctoral dissertation research improvement (DDRI) and endangered language documentation are available through specific solicitations like DLI-DEL and DLI-DDRI.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly frame your research as basic science, not applied practice. NSF will reject proposals focused on clinical improvement or pedagogy.
- Show interdisciplinary connections if possible. The program favors projects bridging linguistics with psychology, computation, neurobiology, or social science.
- For doctoral students, check whether your topic qualifies for the DDRI program, which has separate application procedures and funding tracks.
- Demonstrate how your work addresses fundamental questions about language structure, processing, or variation rather than developing tools or methods.
- If studying endangered or under-resourced languages, explore the Dynamic Language Infrastructure partnerships with NEH for additional support.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting applications focused on clinical practice improvement, language pedagogy, or tool development—NSF explicitly excludes applied work. Failing to demonstrate basic science merit or disciplinary innovation. Misaligning application type (standard research, DDRI, CAREER, or conference) with your project goals.
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