Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics

The National Science Foundation, through its Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences, administers the Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics (MMS) Program. This program is an interdisciplinary initiative designed to strengthen the development of innovative analytical and statistical methods that support social, behavioral, and economic sciences. The MMS Program also works closely with a consortium of federal statistical agencies to advance the production and use of official statistics, thereby enhancing the quality and reliability of federal data used for policymaking and research. The program offers several types of support mechanisms including regular research awards, awards for conferences and community development activities, Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement (DDRI) grants, and Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) supplements. Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) awards are also supported. Each type of award is structured to serve different levels of the academic and research community, from doctoral students to established faculty, and to support both research projects and the broader research infrastructure. The program encourages projects that are methodologically innovative, grounded in theory, and capable of contributing to multiple disciplines within the social sciences. Funding levels vary depending on the award type. The program anticipates making between 15 and 35 awards annually with approximately $3.76 million available each year, contingent upon federal appropriations. DDRI grants are capped at $18,000 per award, while REU supplements may provide up to $8,000 per student for a maximum of two students. Project budgets are expected to be scaled appropriately to the scope of work. Voluntary committed cost-sharing is prohibited, and applicants must follow NSF budgetary rules, including policies on participant support costs and indirect costs. For some awards, travel may be necessary, such as participation in meetings in Washington, DC for grantees funded in partnership with federal statistical agencies. Eligibility to apply is open to categories of proposers as defined in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide. This includes institutions of higher education, nonprofits, and certain other entities, but not unaffiliated individuals. For DDRI proposals, applications must be submitted by a U.S. institution on behalf of a doctoral student. The faculty advisor serves as the principal investigator and the student as the co-principal investigator. For REU supplements, student participants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. No limits are placed on the number of proposals per institution or per investigator. Applications must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov. Deadlines occur twice annually: on the last Thursday in August and the last Thursday in January. These deadlines repeat annually. The next upcoming deadline is January 29, 2026, and the subsequent August cycle is expected to open later in 2026. Full proposals must adhere to the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide and include specific supplementary documents, such as a data management plan. DDRI proposals require a signed statement from the faculty advisor affirming the student’s readiness to conduct the proposed research. Evaluation of proposals follows NSF’s two merit review criteria: intellectual merit and broader impacts. Reviewers consider the potential to advance knowledge, the soundness of the proposed plan, the qualifications of the investigators, and the potential to benefit society through broader impacts such as education, public engagement, and diversity in STEM. Proposals may undergo ad hoc and panel review. Notification of awards is made by NSF’s Division of Grants and Agreements, with all award conditions and reporting requirements detailed in the NSF award notice and the Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide. Annual and final project reports are required, as well as a project outcomes report prepared for the public. The primary program contact is Nicholas N. Nagle, who can be reached at nnagle@nsf.gov or by phone at (703) 292-4490. Additional support is available from the Research.gov Help Desk and the Grants.gov Contact Center for technical issues related to submissions. The program is headquartered at NSF’s main office at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA. With its broad scope and interdisciplinary focus, the MMS Program remains a central funding opportunity for advancing methodology and statistical practices in the social, behavioral, and economic sciences.