Law & Science

The Law & Science (LS) Program of the National Science Foundation supports interdisciplinary research that investigates the interplay between law and human behavior or explores how scientific and technological developments are applied in legal contexts. As part of the Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) and housed in the Division of Social and Economic Sciences (SES), LS prioritizes studies that offer empirical, theoretical, and methodological contributions to understanding legal systems, institutions, and behaviors. The program invites proposals that analyze law as a dynamic construct interacting with various societal sectors and scientific disciplines. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, crime and policing, cyber law, forensic science, environmental and economic regulation, evidentiary practices, legal decision-making, biotechnology regulation, and the role of technology in legal processes. These investigations often cross traditional disciplinary boundaries, integrating perspectives from the behavioral sciences, computer science, engineering, and STEM education. The LS program funds multiple types of proposals, including standard research projects, collaborative research efforts, and conference awards. Additionally, LS participates in cross-cutting NSF opportunities such as the CAREER Program, RAPID, EAGER, REU, and RUI grants. These supplementary mechanisms offer expanded pathways for researchers at various career stages and institutional contexts to engage in law and science inquiries. Proposals must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov, adhering to the guidelines established in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Applicants are responsible for ensuring compliance with the solicitation-specific and general NSF submission rules. Full proposals are accepted at any time, and no pre-application steps such as letters of intent or concept papers are required. NSF staff listed as points of contact for the LS program include Jan E. Leighley (jleighle@nsf.gov, 703-292-2496) and James I. Walsh (jwalsh@nsf.gov, 703-292-4689). The program currently does not list an application deadline but operates on an ongoing submission basis, with proposals evaluated upon receipt. Given the open-ended nature of the cycle, it is essential for proposers to track updates and refer to the PAPPG in effect at the time of submission. The LS program does not specify a performance period, matching requirement, or funding amount ceilings, and such details may vary by proposal. However, funded projects are expected to adhere to NSF award terms updated as of October 1, 2024, in alignment with revised federal financial assistance regulations. This grant is ideal for researchers seeking to explore legal phenomena through a scientific lens and contribute meaningfully to both theoretical and applied legal knowledge.