Archaeometry

The Archaeometry (AMTRY) grant program, managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences, specifically within the Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, is an annual funding opportunity designed to support innovative research that advances anthropological methodologies and archaeological infrastructure. This program is part of NSF’s broader commitment to fostering fundamental research that enhances scientific understanding of human behavior, cultural and biological diversity, and human development throughout history. The AMTRY program supports projects under two core categories: the development or refinement of anthropologically significant archaeometric techniques, and the support of laboratories offering relevant services. Projects in the first category may include the creation of novel methods to identify organic residues on ceramics or the development of portable field-based analytical tools. The second category may fund laboratories providing services such as trace element dating, isotopic analysis, dendrochronology, and the maintenance of essential data archives. Projects that primarily use standard archaeometric tools to answer archaeological questions should apply to the Archaeology Senior Research Awards competition instead. Applications are reviewed by a combination of ad hoc reviewers and a panel comprised of experts with both archaeological and archaeometric knowledge. The NSF emphasizes thoughtful integration of ethical considerations, societal impact, and broader impacts, such as increasing participation in STEM and building institutional capacity, especially at Emerging Research Institutions. Collaborations with international partners and U.S. student involvement are encouraged, although direct funding to foreign organizations is rare. Any international work must be justified and should include plans for collaboration, data/sample sharing, and compliance with local regulations. Eligible applicants include researchers with a Ph.D. or equivalent experience who are capable of conducting independent research. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome as participants but cannot serve as PI, co-PI, or senior personnel. Proposals must be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov, adhering to the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). No letters of intent or preliminary proposals are required. The project description must include ethical considerations, a robust data management plan, and, if applicable, a resubmission summary. Proposals are due by December 1 each year. Awards will be in the form of standard or continuing grants. The program anticipates approximately four awards per cycle, with a total funding range of $600,000 to $700,000, subject to the availability of funds. Cost sharing is prohibited. Successful applicants will be required to report on the progress of their broader impacts, data archiving, and ethical compliance annually. All data must be made publicly accessible, with appropriate metadata, within two years of final data collection unless there are ethical constraints. This structured approach ensures transparency and enhances the broader utility of the funded research. Key contacts for this program are Program Director John E. Yellen ([email protected]) and Business Operations Analyst Don Rimon ([email protected]). The solicitation page encourages potential applicants to contact program officers with a one-page summary to confirm fit before submission. Awards are administered according to NSF’s general conditions, and final decisions are made based on rigorous merit review criteria emphasizing both intellectual merit and broader societal impact. This program reflects NSF’s strategic objectives to lead in discovery, broaden participation, and deliver benefits to society through science.

Include a strong broader impacts plan and discuss ethical considerations directly in the project description.