Science of Science: Discovery, Communication and Impact

The Science of Science: Discovery, Communication and Impact (SoS:DCI) program is offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), specifically under its Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) and the Division of Social and Economic Sciences (SBE/SES). NSF is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education in all non-medical fields of science and engineering. The SoS:DCI initiative represents NSF’s ongoing commitment to supporting the science of science, which includes understanding how science is conducted, communicated, and leveraged for societal benefit. This grant opportunity is designed to advance empirical and theoretical research concerning the social science of scientific discovery. The program welcomes proposals that address three core domains: the mechanisms of scientific discovery, frameworks and tools for understanding scientific communication, and the pathways through which science contributes to public value and evidence-based policymaking. It encourages a variety of perspectives and methodologies, including interdisciplinary, micro to macro-level analyses, and system-level inquiries. Eligible applicants are encouraged to submit proposals for standard research projects, collaborative research efforts, or conference grants. A special area of interest under the SoS:DCI umbrella includes research focused on biomedical science innovation, referred to as SoS:BIO. The program is explicitly structured to support proposals that build models, data, and analytical tools aimed at transformative insights rather than incremental progress. Key criteria include theoretical advancement, methodological rigor, potential for public impact, and contribution to open science practices. Broader societal impacts are a significant consideration in evaluating proposals. Applicants are urged to describe how their work will contribute to social, educational, and policy outcomes. Proposals that promote inclusivity in the sciences and submissions from early-career researchers or historically underrepresented groups and regions are particularly encouraged. The program aims to support the development of strategies for a more robust and competitive national scientific enterprise. Proposals must adhere to the current NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) at the time of submission. Applications can be submitted either via Research.gov or Grants.gov following the respective platform's guidelines. There is no fixed deadline; full proposals are accepted anytime, which indicates an open and rolling submission structure. However, applicants must ensure that they meet all formal proposal requirements as specified by NSF guidelines. For further details or guidance, applicants may contact the program director, Dr. Thomas S. Woodson, via email at tswoodso@nsf.gov or phone at (703) 292-8760. Past engagement opportunities include virtual office hours, held several times throughout the year. While no award ceilings or funding totals are specified, the scope of supported research spans diverse methodologies and interdisciplinary reach, emphasizing significant, measurable societal value.

Proposals should articulate broader societal impacts and transformative potential.