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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NSF Economics program funding opportunity?

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Economics program (Funding Opportunity Number PD 98-1320; CFDA 47.075, Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences) funds research that deepens understanding of how the U.S. economy works and how it fits into the broader global economic system. It supports work that improves economic knowledge and strengthens the rigor of the tools economists use, including empirical, theoretical, and methodological advances.

What kinds of research topics are eligible under this program?

The program is open to a wide range of topics across economics, including econometrics, economic history, environmental and resource economics, finance, industrial organization, international economics, labor economics, macroeconomics, mathematical economics, and public finance. The overarching focus is on research that advances understanding of economic behavior, markets, and institutions.

Does the program support both theoretical and empirical research?

Yes. The program supports empirical, theoretical, and methodological advances, as long as the work strengthens research on economic behavior, markets, and institutions and improves either the substance of economic knowledge or the rigor of economic tools (or both).

Are single-investigator proposals allowed, or do projects need multiple investigators?

Both are supported. NSF invites proposals for single-investigator and multi-investigator research projects.

Beyond traditional research projects, what activities can be funded?

The opportunity is designed to be flexible and can support field-building and research infrastructure activities such as conferences, workshops, symposia, experimental research (including lab and field experiments), data collection and dissemination efforts, and requests for specialized computer equipment or other instrumentation necessary to carry out the proposed work.

Can the program fund experimental economics work?

Yes. The program explicitly includes experimental research among the supported activities, including both laboratory and field experiments.

Can applicants request funding for data collection and dissemination?

Yes. Data collection and dissemination efforts are specifically mentioned as eligible activities the program can support.

Can NSF Economics funds be used to purchase specialized equipment?

Yes, requests for specialized computer equipment or other instrumentation are supported when the items are necessary to carry out the proposed work.

Does this program support undergraduate research experiences?

Yes. The program supports research experiences for undergraduates as part of NSF's goal of developing the next generation of researchers and expanding hands-on training opportunities in economics.

How important is interdisciplinary research for this opportunity?

Interdisciplinary work is explicitly prioritized. Projects that connect economics to other social and behavioral sciences, and to mathematics and statistics, are encouraged. Applicants are urged to submit proposals that are jointly relevant to the Economics program and other NSF programs or cross-cutting NSF initiative areas.

What does it mean to submit a proposal that is jointly relevant to Economics and other NSF programs?

It means proposing research that fits the Economics program priorities while also aligning with another NSF program or cross-cutting NSF initiative area. The opportunity encourages work at the intersection of fields, including projects that use economic approaches to answer interdisciplinary questions or that bring in methods from adjacent disciplines to advance economic science.

Does the program encourage applications from underrepresented groups?

Yes. The program places strong emphasis on broadening participation in economics research and encourages submissions from junior faculty, women, and other underrepresented groups.

Are certain institution types specifically encouraged to apply?

Yes. Submissions are encouraged from Research Undergraduate Institutions and from institutions in EPSCoR jurisdictions.

What is a Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (DDRIG) in this program?

The DDRIG mechanism is a prominent component of this opportunity and is designed specifically to improve the quality of doctoral dissertation research. Competitive DDRIG proposals explain how the dissertation will create new knowledge that advances economic science, not simply fulfill a degree requirement.

What kinds of costs can DDRIG funding cover?

DDRIG funding is intended to cover research costs that are not typically available through a student's university. Examples listed include substantial data collection, fieldwork at locations away from campus, travel necessary for research, specialized equipment, and participation fees.

What DDRIG costs are not allowed under this opportunity?

DDRIGs do not pay for cost of living, stipends, or tuition.

Who should be listed as PI and Co-PI on an economics DDRIG proposal?

For economics DDRIG applications, the dissertation advisor must be listed as the Principal Investigator (PI) and the student as the Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI). The proposal should make it clear that the student is the primary author of the proposal and will conduct the research.

Is there special submission guidance for economics DDRIG proposals?

Yes. NSF provides specific submission guidance for economics DDRIG applications in addition to the general NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) rules.

Should the dissertation advisor contact NSF before submitting a DDRIG proposal?

Yes. Advisors are strongly encouraged to contact an Economics Program Director by email before preparing the DDRIG proposal to confirm that the topic is a good fit for the Economics program.

How should applicants write DDRIG proposals to match NSF review expectations?

Applicants are instructed to use a clear, jargon-free writing style because review panels may include economists from many specialties and may not include a narrow subject-matter expert in the dissertation's specific subfield.

What do reviewers look for in DDRIG proposals besides the idea itself?

Reviewers will evaluate, among other criteria, the student's capability to execute the project. Proposals benefit from concrete evidence of preparation, skills, and feasibility.

Is cost-sharing required for this grant opportunity?

No. The opportunity is described as having no cost-sharing requirement.

What type of grant is this from an administrative standpoint?

It is described as a discretionary grant opportunity.

Who is eligible to apply?

The eligible applicant category is described as unrestricted, subject to any clarifications in the full solicitation text. Applicants should confirm eligibility details in the official NSF solicitation and the Grant Proposal Guide (GPG).

How many awards does the program expect to make, and what funding level is listed?

Historically, the program anticipated around 110 awards and listed an estimated total funding level of $220,000 in the provided record.

When are proposals due?

The solicitation listed full proposal target dates of January 18 and August 18 each year. The record also referenced older posting and closing dates and an archive date of September 17, 2024. Applicants should verify current deadlines and instructions in the official NSF listing and the GPG.

Where should applicants go for the official, current instructions?

Applicants are advised to verify the current status, deadlines, and submission instructions in the official NSF listing and the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG).

Who should applicants contact with content questions about fit or scope?

Applicants with content questions are encouraged to contact the Economics Program Directors. For DDRIGs, advisors are specifically encouraged to email a Program Director before preparing the proposal to confirm fit.

What should applicants do if they have technical access issues related to Grants.gov?

NSF directs users to Grants.gov support for access issues.