Opportunity Information: Apply for 12 509
Apply for 12 509
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Science, Technology, and Society" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.075 Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 12, 2014 and posted on Nov 2, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 1, 2014 Full Proposal Deadline(s) February 1, Annually Thereafter August 01, 2012 August 1, Annually Thereafter. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $7,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $180,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Organization Limit Proposals may only be submitted by the following Organization limit varies by the mode of support ulliStandard Research Grants and Grants for Collaborative ResearchUS Academic Institutions and Non Profit Non Academic Organizations. /liliScholars Awards and Postdoctoral Fellowships US Academic Institutions and Independent Scholars. /liliDoctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants US Academic Institutions. /liliConference and Workshop Support No limitations (see the GPG for categories of proposers eligible to submit proposals to NSF)./li/ul See Section II. Program Description for detailed information about each mode of support. PI Limit PI eligibility limit varies by the mode of support. See Section II. Program Description for detailed information about each mode of support.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Science, Technology, and Society (STS) program (Funding Opportunity Number 12-509) supports research that examines how science and engineering, or technology, interact with society. The core idea is to fund studies that do more than describe a single case in isolation. Strong proposals are expected to produce findings that are transferable, meaning the results should generate insights that can be applied to other scientific or technological settings that are meaningfully similar. In practice, this often means research that identifies general patterns, mechanisms, concepts, or frameworks that help explain recurring issues at the boundary between technical work and social life.
STS is explicitly interdisciplinary in both topic and method. The program welcomes projects that use social science approaches (for example, qualitative interviews, surveys, ethnography, organizational analysis, political science methods, or economics), as well as historical and philosophical approaches (such as archival research, intellectual history, philosophy of science, and ethics). What ties these methods together is the emphasis on producing rigorous research about real problems at the science-technology-society interface. Common themes include how scientific and technical practices operate in the real world, the assumptions and values embedded in research and design choices, ethical and social implications of innovation, questions of governance and accountability, and the role of policy in shaping and responding to scientific and technological change.
The program offers multiple "modes of support," which affects who can apply and what kind of project is appropriate. Standard Research Grants and Collaborative Research Grants can be submitted by U.S. academic institutions and by non-profit, non-academic organizations. Scholar Awards and Postdoctoral Fellowships are available through U.S. academic institutions and independent scholars, reflecting the program's interest in supporting both institutional and individual research trajectories. Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIGs) must be submitted by U.S. academic institutions and are meant to strengthen dissertation research; NSF points applicants to a specific Doctoral Dissertation Preparation Checklist for program-specific expectations. Conference and Workshop Support has no special limitations beyond the categories of eligible proposers described in NSF's general proposal policies (the Grant Proposal Guide), making it a pathway for convenings that can advance STS scholarship or build research communities.
In terms of funding size and scale, the opportunity lists an estimated total program funding level of about $7,000,000 and an expectation of roughly 40 awards. Individual award amounts range widely, with a floor of $3,000 and a ceiling of $180,000. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which is important for applicants planning budgets because it means the proposal is not dependent on securing additional committed funds as a condition of eligibility.
Timing and review are relatively predictable. The STS review process typically takes around six months and includes two layers of evaluation: ad hoc peer reviewers selected for relevant expertise, followed by consideration from an advisory panel that meets twice each year. NSF uses two annual submission deadlines. Proposals due February 1 are positioned for funding decisions that can support awards as early as July, while proposals due August 1 are positioned for funding in or after January. These windows matter for planning research starts, staffing, student support, or event timing, since the decision cycle is not immediate.
For applicants looking to improve fit and competitiveness, NSF highlights several resources and points of contact. The STS FAQs document is referenced for proposal preparation and practical guidance, and DDRIG applicants are directed to the dedicated dissertation checklist for requirements that may differ from other STS submissions. The program also encourages prospective investigators to contact STS program officers when unsure whether a project aligns with program goals, which is often useful when a proposal sits near the boundary between STS and other NSF programs. For technical problems accessing the announcement through Grants.gov, the notice points to NSF Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
Overall, this opportunity is best understood as NSF support for high-quality research that explains and clarifies the societal dimensions of science and technology, with an emphasis on insights that travel beyond a single case. Competitive proposals will clearly define an STS-relevant problem, use well-justified methods drawn from appropriate disciplines, and show how the results will inform broader understanding of ethics, values, governance, policy, or the everyday practices that shape scientific and technological work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the NSF Science, Technology, and Society (STS) program?
The NSF STS program (Funding Opportunity Number 12-509) supports research that examines how science and engineering, or technology, interact with society. The focus is on rigorous studies of real problems at the science-technology-society interface.
What kinds of research questions does STS want to fund?
STS funds projects that explain and clarify the societal dimensions of science and technology. Common themes include how scientific and technical practices operate in the real world, the assumptions and values embedded in research and design choices, ethical and social implications of innovation, governance and accountability, and the role of policy in shaping and responding to scientific and technological change.
Does STS fund single case studies?
Proposals are expected to do more than describe a single case in isolation. Strong proposals should produce findings that are transferable, meaning they generate insights that can be applied to other scientific or technological settings that are meaningfully similar.
What does NSF mean by "transferable" findings in this program?
Transferable findings are results that travel beyond one specific example. In practice, this often means identifying general patterns, mechanisms, concepts, or frameworks that help explain recurring issues where technical work and social life intersect.
Is the STS program interdisciplinary?
Yes. STS is explicitly interdisciplinary in both topic and method, and it welcomes a range of approaches as long as the work is rigorous and focused on science-technology-society questions.
What methods and disciplines are welcomed by STS?
The program welcomes social science approaches (for example, qualitative interviews, surveys, ethnography, organizational analysis, political science methods, or economics) as well as historical and philosophical approaches (such as archival research, intellectual history, philosophy of science, and ethics).
What are the main "modes of support" available under this opportunity?
The opportunity includes multiple modes of support: Standard Research Grants, Collaborative Research Grants, Scholar Awards, Postdoctoral Fellowships, Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIGs), and Conference and Workshop Support.
Who can submit Standard Research Grants and Collaborative Research Grants?
Standard Research Grants and Collaborative Research Grants can be submitted by U.S. academic institutions and by non-profit, non-academic organizations.
Who can apply for Scholar Awards and Postdoctoral Fellowships?
Scholar Awards and Postdoctoral Fellowships are available through U.S. academic institutions and independent scholars, reflecting the program's interest in supporting both institutional and individual research trajectories.
Who can submit a Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (DDRIG)?
DDRIG proposals must be submitted by U.S. academic institutions and are intended to strengthen dissertation research.
Are there special preparation requirements for DDRIG applications?
Yes. DDRIG applicants are directed to a specific Doctoral Dissertation Preparation Checklist for program-specific expectations and requirements that may differ from other STS submissions.
What is Conference and Workshop Support meant to fund?
Conference and Workshop Support is a pathway for convenings that can advance STS scholarship or build research communities.
Are there special eligibility limitations for Conference and Workshop Support?
No special limitations are noted beyond the categories of eligible proposers described in NSF's general proposal policies in the Grant Proposal Guide.
How much funding is available through this STS opportunity overall?
The opportunity lists an estimated total program funding level of about $7,000,000, with an expectation of roughly 40 awards.
What is the typical range for individual award amounts?
Individual award amounts range from $3,000 to $180,000, depending on the project type and scope.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, so proposals are not dependent on securing additional committed funds as a condition of eligibility.
How long does the STS review process typically take?
The STS review process typically takes around six months.
How are STS proposals reviewed?
STS proposals generally undergo two layers of evaluation: ad hoc peer reviewers selected for relevant expertise, followed by consideration from an advisory panel that meets twice each year.
When are proposals due?
NSF uses two annual submission deadlines for this program: February 1 and August 1.
If I submit by February 1, when might funding decisions support an award start?
Proposals due February 1 are positioned for funding decisions that can support awards as early as July.
If I submit by August 1, when might funding decisions support an award start?
Proposals due August 1 are positioned for funding in or after January.
How should applicants use the timing information for planning?
The decision cycle is not immediate, so these windows matter for planning research starts, staffing, student support, or event timing.
What resources does NSF point applicants to for proposal preparation?
NSF references an STS FAQs document for proposal preparation and practical guidance, and directs DDRIG applicants to a dedicated dissertation checklist for program-specific requirements.
Should I contact a program officer if I am unsure about fit?
Yes. Prospective investigators are encouraged to contact STS program officers when unsure whether a project aligns with program goals, especially when the work sits near the boundary between STS and other NSF programs.
Who should I contact for technical problems accessing the announcement through Grants.gov?
For technical problems accessing the announcement through Grants.gov, the notice points to NSF Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
What makes a proposal competitive for STS, based on the program description?
Competitive proposals clearly define an STS-relevant problem, use well-justified methods drawn from appropriate disciplines, and explain how results will inform broader understanding of ethics, values, governance, policy, or the everyday practices that shape scientific and technological work. They also emphasize insights that extend beyond a single case.
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