Statistics

The Statistics Program from the National Science Foundation (NSF) supports research in statistical theory and methodology, with an emphasis on applications that advance science and engineering across a broad spectrum of domains. The program is housed within the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, specifically in the Division of Mathematical Sciences. The goal of the program is to fund research that contributes to the theoretical underpinnings of statistics as well as applied work that uses statistical methods for modeling, data collection, data interpretation, and uncertainty quantification in a range of scientific and engineering contexts. The program explicitly encourages proposals that span a variety of project scales, from single-investigator research to collaborative interdisciplinary team-based work. This inclusive approach seeks to foster innovation across both fundamental statistical theory and applied methodology, thereby expanding the reach and utility of statistical science. Proposals should aim to push the boundaries of current knowledge in statistics, promote methodological advancements, and demonstrate relevance to broader scientific and engineering inquiries. Funding from this program may support a variety of research activities, including but not limited to the development of new statistical theories, creation of methodologies for analyzing complex data, or innovations in computational techniques. There is no publicly stated minimum or maximum award size, nor is there a total program funding cap noted in the current program description. The NSF maintains flexibility to support diverse projects based on their merit, budget justification, and alignment with program objectives. Matching funds are not required under this opportunity. Eligibility is broadly inclusive, allowing proposals from institutions of higher education, nonprofits, and other research organizations based in the United States. There is no mention of restrictions based on geographic regions within the U.S., indicating a national reach. The program does not appear to restrict participation based on applicant type beyond standard NSF guidelines. Applications must be submitted through either Research.gov or Grants.gov. Proposals must adhere strictly to the guidelines set forth in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) applicable to the date of submission. For the current cycle, the full proposal submission window is from December 1 through December 15, 2026, and will recur annually within the same date range. Submissions must be completed by 5:00 p.m. local time of the submitting organization. Proposals submitted outside the window will be returned without review. Evaluation criteria will follow NSF's standard merit review process, which emphasizes intellectual merit and broader impacts. While specific application components are not detailed in the provided summary, applicants should prepare standard NSF materials, including project descriptions, biosketches, budget justifications, and data management plans. Questions about the program can be directed to program directors Yong Zeng, John E. Kolassa, Tapabrata Maiti, or Jun Zhu, whose contact details are provided on the NSF program page. No PDF solicitation document was found in the source materials.