High-Risk Research in Biological Anthropology and Archaeology
This funding opportunity supports researchers in biological anthropology and archaeology to conduct high-risk, exploratory studies that could lead to significant advancements in their fields, particularly in challenging or remote locations.
The NSF's High-Risk Research in Biological Anthropology and Archaeology (HRRBAA) program, under solicitation NSF 19-570, aims to support exploratory and high-risk research that can significantly advance knowledge in these fields. This program provides small grants to researchers for pilot studies or preliminary work to assess the feasibility of high-impact anthropological and archaeological projects. Projects should involve significant risk and potential to develop into larger, more fully developed research initiatives if successful. It emphasizes support for research in challenging or remote locations where uncertainties in data collection, site access, or other logistical issues may prevent other funding sources from supporting similar work. This solicitation outlines a funding opportunity for 2 to 5 awards annually, contingent on available resources, with an anticipated funding range of $100,000 to $150,000. Individual project awards are capped at $35,000, with a maximum duration of one year. Researchers are required to justify the high-risk nature of their proposed work and explain how preliminary results from the award would enable the development of a broader, more extensive study. Eligible applicants include organizations that meet the National Science Foundation’s general requirements, as outlined in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). There are no specific limitations on who may serve as a Principal Investigator (PI), nor restrictions on the number of proposals submitted per organization or individual PI. This program does not allow voluntary committed cost-sharing, and indirect cost limitations do not apply. Applicants must contact a program officer before submission to confirm that their research concept aligns with the HRRBAA’s criteria for high-risk research. Proposals can be submitted anytime through either Research.gov or Grants.gov. The proposal process does not require letters of intent or preliminary submissions, but applications must follow standard NSF submission guidelines, including the recently revised page limits—5 pages for the project description and up to 5 pages for figures. Proposals are reviewed primarily on two NSF merit criteria: intellectual merit and broader impacts. The review process does not require a full review panel, which allows for an expedited decision compared to standard NSF grants. For successful applications, awards are subject to standard NSF conditions, and the PI must submit annual and final reports through NSF's electronic systems, which detail project progress, outcomes, and contributions to the scientific community. Additionally, NSF's guidelines emphasize the integration of research and education, particularly by promoting diversity in STEM fields, which can enhance the societal impact of funded research. For more information, potential applicants are encouraged to contact the designated program officers: Rebecca Ferrell, John E. Yellen, or Cori J. Jacildone.
Award Range
Not specified - $35,000
Total Program Funding
$150,000
Number of Awards
5
Matching Requirement
No
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
NSF welcomes proposals on behalf of all qualified scientists, engineers, and educators. The Foundation strongly encourages women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to participate fully in its programs. In accordance with Federal statutes, regulations and NSF policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under, any program or activity receiving financial assistance from NSF, although some programs may have special requirements that limit eligibility. Scientists, engineers, and educators usually initiate proposals that are officially submitted by their employing organization. Before formal submission, the proposal may be discussed with appropriate NSF program staff. Graduate students are not encouraged to submit research proposals but should arrange to serve as research assistants to faculty members. Some NSF divisions accept proposals for Doctoral Dissertation Research Grants when submitted by a faculty member on behalf of the graduate student. Categories of Proposers – The following describes the eligibility of specific categories of proposers. A program solicitation, however, may apply more restrictive eligibility criteria. 1. The following organizations are eligible to submit proposals to NSF: (a) Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs)  Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty members. IHEs located outside the U.S. fall under paragraph 2(c) below. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of U.S. IHEs If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a U.S. IHE (including through use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus and justify why the project activities cannot be Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide I-6 NSF 24-1 performed at the U.S. campus. Such information must be included in the project description. The box for “Funding of an International Branch Campus of a U.S. IHE” must be checked on the Cover Sheet if the proposal includes funding for an international branch campus of a U.S. IHE. (b) Non-profit, Non-academic Organizations  Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. (c) Tribal Nations  The term “Tribal nation” means an American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130- 5131. 2. The following organizations may be eligible to submit proposals to NSF: (a) For-profit Organizations  U.S.-based commercial organizations, including small businesses, with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education and a passion for innovation. An unsolicited proposal from a for-profit organization may be funded when the project is of special concern from a national point of view, special resources are available for the work, or the proposed project is especially meritorious. NSF is interested in supporting projects that couple industrial use-inspired challenges and research resources with those of IHEs; therefore, the Foundation especially welcomes proposals for cooperative projects involving both IHEs and industry. Specific NSF funding opportunities also may make for-profit organizations eligible for submission of proposals to the Foundation. US-based affiliates or subsidiaries of foreign organizations must contact the cognizant NSF program officer prior to preparing and submitting a proposal to NSF. (b) State and Local Governments  As programmatically necessary and as provided for in a solicitation, State and local governments may be eligible to submit proposals. (c) Foreign Organizations — NSF rarely provides direct funding support to foreign organizations. NSF will consider proposals for cooperative projects involving U.S. and foreign organizations, provided support is requested only for the U.S. portion of the collaborative effort. In cases however, where the proposer considers the foreign organization or foreign individual’s involvement to be essential to the project and proposes to provide funding through the NSF budget (via a subaward or consultant arrangement), the proposer must justify the benefit to U.S. research and education. The justification must include, at minimum: • why support from the foreign counterpart’s in-country resources is not feasible; • why the foreign organization or foreign individual can carry out the activity more effectively than a U.S. organization or U.S. individual; • what unique expertise, organizational capability, facilities, data resources, and/or access to a geographic location not generally available to U.S. investigators the foreign organization or foreign individual brings to the project; and • what significant science and engineering education, training, or research opportunities the foreign organization or foreign individual offers to the U.S. Such information must be included in any proposal to NSF, including new and renewal proposals. The information must be included in the project description section of the proposal. The box for "Funding of a Foreign Organization or Foreign Individual" must be checked on the Cover Sheet if the proposal includes funding for a foreign organization or foreign individual.
Geographic Eligibility
All
Application Opens
March 23, 2019
Application Closes
Not specified
Grantor
NSF grants.gov support
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