Security and Preparedness

The Security and Preparedness (SAP) Program of the National Science Foundation (NSF) supports fundamental scientific research that advances knowledge and understanding of issues related to global and national security. This includes topics such as international conflict, dispute resolution, domestic political instability, civil war, and the security implications of natural hazards and other stressors. The program operates within the Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences, specifically through the Division of Social and Economic Sciences. The purpose of the SAP Program is to fund theoretically motivated and empirically oriented research that is conceptually precise and methodologically rigorous. The program emphasizes basic scientific inquiry rather than applied research. It is designed to improve foundational understanding of significant security and preparedness issues, with the aim of enhancing scholarly knowledge and informing the broader field of social and behavioral sciences. Funding may be used to support research experiences for undergraduate students and to promote research infrastructure through methodological innovation. However, the program strictly excludes applied research. SAP proposals are assessed according to their intellectual merit and broader impacts, in line with NSF evaluation standards. Eligible applicants must submit full proposals through Research.gov or Grants.gov. The guidelines for submission are dictated by the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) for Research.gov submissions and by the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide for those using Grants.gov. Proposals must comply with all stated requirements, and early submission does not exempt applicants from following the correct guidelines. The program sets a target deadline of August 15 annually for proposal submissions, with the next submission opportunity falling on August 15, 2025. These proposals should be submitted under program solicitation PD 19-118Y. This annual target allows recurring opportunities for applicants to propose new research aligned with the SAP focus. Program directors James I. Walsh and Lee D. Walker serve as primary contacts for applicants and can provide guidance and clarification. Proposers are also encouraged to consult related NSF programs, such as the Accountable Institutions and Behavior (AIB), Law and Science (LS), and Research Infrastructure in the Social and Behavioral Sciences (RISBS), to identify complementary funding opportunities or research alignment.