Science of Science: Discovery, Communication and Impact
🏛 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 seeking to advance theory and empirical knowledge about the science of science. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, and individual researchers capable of conducting rigorous social science research. The program welcomes proposals at individual, organizational, and institutional levels, with particular interest in early-career researchers and underrepresented groups in STEM. Activities include studying scientific discovery mechanisms, communication outcomes, and societal benefits of science; developing models and analytical tools; and conducting policy-relevant research.
The program supports standard research grants, collaborative research projects, and conference grants. Proposals must employ rigorous empirical methods and contribute to evidence-based policy making. No cost-sharing is required. Proposals from diverse disciplinary and methodological perspectives are encouraged.
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Program description
The Science of Science:Discovery, Communication and Impact (SoS:DCI) program is designed to advance theory and knowledge about increasing the public value of scientific activity. Science of Science draws from multiple disciplinary and field perspectives to advance theory and research about scientific discovery, communication and impact. SoS:DCI welcomes proposals applying rigorous empirical research methods to advance theory and knowledge on:
- The social and structural mechanisms of scientific discovery.
- Theories, frameworks, models and data that improve our understanding of scientific communication and outcomes.
- The societal benefits of scientific activity and how science advances evidence-based policy making and the creation of public value.
The SoS:DCI program, which expands upon the formerScience of Science and Innovation Policy (SciSIP)program, funds research that builds theoretical and empirical understanding of the social science of science. SoS:DCI welcomes proposals to conduct research at the individual, organizational and institutional levels or from micro, meso and macro scales and complex system levels. SoS:DCI encourages multiple disciplinary perspectives, interdisciplinary research and diverse methodological approaches in the pursuit of new knowledge to advance the science of science and evidence-based policy making. With these goals in mind, proposals should:
- Draw from and advance theory, knowledge and frameworks on the science of science.
- Develop models, data, indicators and associated analytical tools that constitute and enable transformative advances rather than incremental change.
- Provide credible rigorous assessments of the proposed project’s impact and social and policy implications.
- Include robust data management plans with the goal of advancing open science and increasing public access to usable, valid and reliable scientific materials.
Of particular interest are proposals with the potential to strengthen America’s global leadership in science and increase national competitiveness across a broad range of domains. These include proposals that analyze strategies for strengthening and expanding the scientific workforce, as well as ways to cultivate high-impact discovery across sectors.The program strongly encourages convergent research and collaboration.
In addition to intellectual merit, the program strongly encourages potential PIs to carefully consider the broader impacts of their work. The broader impacts criterion encompasses the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired policy outcomes.The Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate has released additional guidance on broader impacts for SBE proposals.
The SoS:DCI program places a high priority on broadening participation in the sciences. It encourages proposals from early-career researchers and from researchers who represent groups and regions that have historically participated at disproportionately low rates in science, mathematics, and engineering.
SoS:DCI supports the following types of proposals:
- Standard Research Grants and Grants for Collaborative Research
- A Science of Science Approach to Analyzing and Innovating the Biomedical Research Enterprise (SoS:BIO)
- Conference Grants
SoS:DCI also participates in certain specialized funding opportunities through NSF’s cross-cutting and cross-directorate activities.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Research proposal/narrative
- Budget and budget justification
- Data management plan
- Broader impacts statement
- CV or biographical sketches of key personnel
- Letters of collaboration (if applicable)
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 can apply for this grant?
Universities, research institutions, and individual researchers are eligible. The program especially welcomes early-career researchers and researchers from underrepresented groups in STEM.
What types of projects are funded?
Funded projects include research on scientific discovery mechanisms, scientific communication and outcomes, and societal benefits of science. The program also funds conference grants and collaborative research.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for this program.
What makes a proposal competitive?
Strong proposals develop new theoretical frameworks, employ rigorous empirical methods, include robust data management plans for open science, and clearly articulate broader societal impacts. Convergent and collaborative research is encouraged.
What are the key evaluation criteria?
NSF evaluates intellectual merit and broader impacts. Intellectual merit focuses on advancing theory and knowledge; broader impacts emphasize societal benefits and policy implications.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Ground your research in existing science of science theory and frameworks. Propose work that advances theory, not just incremental empirical studies.
- Develop robust data management plans early. Emphasize open science principles and public access to research materials and datasets.
- Clearly articulate broader impacts and policy relevance. Explain how your work informs evidence-based policy making and strengthens national competitiveness.
- Consider proposing interdisciplinary and convergent research. NSF prioritizes diverse methodological approaches and collaboration across disciplines.
- Highlight recruitment of underrepresented groups and early-career involvement. The program prioritizes broadening participation in science.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals focusing on incremental empirical findings without advancing theory or frameworks. Weak or vague data management plans that fail to commit to open science principles and public data access. Insufficient articulation of broader impacts and policy relevance to societal challenges.
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