Science and Technology Studies

The Science and Technology Studies (STS) Program, administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences, supports interdisciplinary research that investigates the conceptual foundations, historical developments, and social contexts of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines, including medical science. The STS program encourages the use of historical, philosophical, and social scientific methods to study STEM theory and practice, focusing on the intellectual, material, or social aspects of science and technology. This program is designed to advance scholarship in the field of STS and to explore complex socio-technical issues through collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches. The STS program funds a broad range of research proposals, including those that rely on empirical or conceptual methods. Researchers in this field use data from fieldwork, archives, and surveys or apply conceptual analysis to study science and technology. Applicants may come from disciplines such as anthropology, philosophy, history, political science, and sociology, among others. STS proposals should aim to enhance understanding of how scientific knowledge is produced, validated, and disseminated; how technologies are created and adopted; and how cultural values and societal norms intersect with technological development. Topics of interest include emerging technologies like machine learning or quantum computing, environmental sustainability, ethical considerations in science, and large-scale societal transformations involving STEM. The STS program offers several grant types, including Standard Research Grants, Collaborative Research Grants, Scholars Awards, Research Community Development Grants, Conference Grants, and Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIGs). Funding amounts vary by type, with ceilings ranging from $25,000 for DDRIGs to $750,000 for Standard Research and Collaborative Grants. Most awards span one to three years. Proposals must adhere to the NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and are evaluated on intellectual merit and broader societal impacts. The proposal must demonstrate methodological rigor, clearly stated research questions, a feasible research plan, and a strategy for achieving broader impacts. All proposals must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov. Letters of Intent and preliminary proposals are not required. Submission deadlines occur twice a year: February 2 (for all grant types except DDRIGs) and August 3 (for all grant types, including DDRIGs), annually thereafter. There are no restrictions on the number of proposals submitted per institution or principal investigator. Applications must be submitted by U.S. institutions of higher education or U.S. non-profit, non-academic organizations. Only institutions of higher education may apply for DDRIGs. Individual eligibility requirements vary by grant type. The STS program strongly encourages collaboration between STS researchers and those from other STEM fields. Proposals should articulate how research outcomes will benefit both the STS community and society at large. The evaluation process includes review by disciplinary and interdisciplinary experts. Projects that engage underrepresented groups or promote diversity in STEM are encouraged. Applicants uncertain about their proposal’s fit are invited to submit a one-page prospectus to STS Program Directors for feedback. Administrative and policy requirements include compliance with NSF reporting standards, including annual and final reports through Research.gov. Awards will follow NSF’s standard or continuing grant mechanisms. For questions, applicants may contact the STS program via email at [email protected]. The program’s recurring deadlines and support for multiple grant types make it a consistent and strategic funding source for researchers interested in the societal dimensions of science and technology.

Address both intellectual merit and broader impacts in detail; demonstrate methodological rigor; align with STS subfields and collaborative norms.