Sociology Program

The Sociology Program supports fundamental research on human social organization, including societies, institutions, groups, and demographic patterns, as well as the processes driving individual and institutional change. The program encourages theoretically focused empirical investigations that aim to enhance the understanding of fundamental social processes. Research topics of interest include organizational behavior, population dynamics, social movements, labor force participation, social stratification and mobility, family dynamics, social networks, socialization, gender, race, and the sociology of science and technology. The program supports both original data collection and secondary data analysis, utilizing a wide range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Projects that offer methodological innovations for data collection and analysis are also encouraged. Proposals must be theoretically grounded, empirically focused, and methodologically rigorous. Successful proposals will demonstrate four key components: a strong theoretical foundation, reliance on empirical observation or validation, an appropriate research design for the questions posed, and a clear potential to advance the understanding of social processes, structures, and methods. Researchers submitting proposals to the Sociology Program should use the Program Director code PD 98-1331 on the proposal cover sheet for regular research projects. The program evaluates proposals based on the National Science Foundation's two core review criteria: intellectual merit and broader impacts. Intellectual merit assesses the potential of the research to advance knowledge and contribute to the field, while broader impacts evaluate the potential societal benefits of the proposed work, including contributions to education, outreach, and public engagement. Additionally, the program emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in STEM, encouraging broad participation from underrepresented groups, institutions, and regions. Beyond regular research grants, the NSF offers several crosscutting funding opportunities relevant to sociology researchers. These include the ADVANCE program, which focuses on increasing the participation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers; the CAREER program for early-career faculty; the Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP); and the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) initiative. Other opportunities include the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, Mid-scale Research Infrastructure Programs, SBE Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (SPRF), and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. The NSF prioritizes transparency and public access to the results of funded research, including publications and data, unless privacy, security, or other vulnerabilities necessitate restrictions. Researchers are expected to adhere to NSF's data management and public access guidelines to ensure that outcomes are accessible whenever possible. While the synopsis does not specify submission deadlines or other procedural requirements, researchers are encouraged to consult the NSF’s official funding opportunities webpage or reach out to the Sociology Program Director for guidance on proposal preparation and submission. Proposals should demonstrate both intellectual contribution and potential societal impact, aligning with NSF's mission to advance science while fostering diversity and inclusion.