Biological Anthropology Program Senior Research Awards

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences and Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, offers the Biological Anthropology Program Senior Research Awards (BA-SR). These awards are intended to support advanced research by scholars with a Ph.D. or equivalent experience in biological anthropology. The program aims to deepen the scientific understanding of biological diversity in both living and fossil humans, as well as other primates. This initiative is grounded in core biological anthropological and evolutionary theories and supports interdisciplinary research in fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and computational modeling. The program supports work that spans multiple levels of analysis, such as molecular, organismal, population, and ecosystem levels, and considers short- and long-term evolutionary timescales. In addition to promoting rigorous scientific inquiry, the program places a strong emphasis on ethical considerations and societal impacts. Broader impacts, such as enhancing public scientific literacy, increasing STEM participation among underrepresented groups, and strengthening research capacity in diverse institutions, are integral to the program’s goals. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based institutions of higher education (including two-year colleges), non-profit non-academic organizations such as museums and research labs, and Tribal Nations. Principal Investigators (PIs) must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent qualification. Students may participate in the research but cannot serve as PIs, co-PIs, or senior key personnel. Each PI or co-PI is limited to one proposal per submission window. Proposals previously declined must wait a full year before resubmission and must show substantive revision. The funding amount ranges typically from $200,000 to $600,000 per project over a three-year period, with an estimated 20 to 40 awards given annually based on available funding. The total annual program funding is estimated between $4,000,000 and $5,000,000. Award types may include standard or continuing grants, depending on project structure and NSF review outcomes. Cost sharing is not permitted, and indirect costs must adhere to standard NSF policies. Proposals must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov in compliance with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Required documents include a two-page ethics statement, a data management plan, a project personnel list submitted via email, and other standard NSF proposal components. Submission windows occur biannually: January 20–31 and July 20–30. The program operates on an annual recurring basis, with the next expected cycle in January 2026. For assistance or questions, applicants may contact Marta P. Alfonso-Durruty (malfonso@nsf.gov, 703-292-7811), Rebecca Ferrell (rferrell@nsf.gov, 703-292-7850), or Angelica Brewer (abrewer@nsf.gov, 703-292-4636). Additional information and required documentation templates can be found on the NSF website under program solicitation NSF 23-503. All applicants are encouraged to review the full solicitation text and consult with program officers if unsure whether their research falls within the scope of the program.

Consult program officer if unsure about program fit; ethics statement required; no resubmission within a year without revision.