High-Risk Research in Biological Anthropology and Archaeology

The High-Risk Research in Biological Anthropology and Archaeology (HRRBAA) program, offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is designed to support exploratory and potentially transformative anthropological research that may otherwise be overlooked in competitive funding environments. Administered by the Directorate for Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences under the Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, the program specifically targets projects with a high degree of uncertainty in outcomes but with significant potential to contribute to the advancement of anthropology and archaeology. These projects often involve logistical or methodological challenges that make it difficult to evaluate feasibility or gather preliminary data without initial funding. HRRBAA offers small-scale awards that enable researchers to test hypotheses, assess site access, or validate methods in advance of developing a full-scale research proposal. The objective of HRRBAA is to facilitate research in biological anthropology and archaeology under conditions where traditional funding mechanisms may not suffice. Projects may involve, for example, the reconnaissance of regions where data access is unpredictable or dependent on untested methodologies. This program supports work that includes searching for primate or hominin fossils, investigating archaeological features and sites, or exploring new analytical techniques. The exploratory nature of the research supported by this program demands that proposals clearly articulate the high-risk elements involved, alongside the potential for broader scientific contributions if successful. Funding is available as standard grants with a one-year duration and a maximum total cost of $35,000 per project. Between two and five awards are expected to be made annually, subject to availability of funds. There is no requirement for cost sharing or matching, and voluntary committed cost sharing is explicitly prohibited. Awards are intended solely for preliminary research activities and may not be used to support the full implementation of research projects. This funding can serve as a foundation for larger research proposals by enabling principal investigators to collect feasibility data or conduct field assessments. Eligibility for HRRBAA follows the general NSF proposal submission guidelines. Proposers must be affiliated with eligible institutions as outlined in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), specifically Chapter I.E. Individuals unaffiliated with any institution are not eligible to apply. There are no limitations on who may serve as Principal Investigator, nor are there restrictions on the number of proposals that may be submitted per organization or individual. Interested researchers must consult with one of the listed NSF program officers—Rebecca Ferrell, John E. Yellen, or Cori J. Jacildone—prior to submission to confirm the appropriateness of the proposed project. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through Research.gov or Grants.gov. Proposals cannot be submitted via FastLane. While there are no pre-application requirements such as Letters of Intent or Preliminary Proposals, the project description must not exceed five pages of text and five pages of figures. Proposals must clearly describe the nature of the risk involved and how the proposed work will serve as a foundation for subsequent, more comprehensive research. Review is expedited relative to other NSF programs and does not require panel review, instead relying on three expert reviewers. Although the HRRBAA solicitation NSF 19-570 is currently not accepting proposals pending release of a new solicitation, the structure of the program remains in place. Once reissued, timelines and instructions will follow the most recent version of the PAPPG, currently NSF 22-1. Investigators should regularly check the program webpage for updates. When proposals are reviewed and selected for funding, applicants will be notified by NSF’s Division of Grants and Agreements. Funded investigators are expected to comply with standard NSF reporting requirements, including annual and final project reports and submission of a publicly accessible outcomes summary via Research.gov.

Consult the Program Officer prior to submission to determine eligibility; emphasize potential for high-impact research despite risk.