Archaeology Program Senior Research Awards

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences and the Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, offers the Archaeology Program Senior Research Awards (Arch-SR). This funding opportunity aims to support anthropologically relevant archaeological research that enhances our understanding of past human behaviors. By fostering scholarly exploration grounded in anthropological theory and methods, the program encourages researchers to propose projects that will contribute to the broader field of anthropological knowledge. Importantly, the program imposes no restrictions on geographic location, historical period, or theoretical orientation, allowing investigators to propose innovative work based solely on the merit and impact of their research. The Arch-SR solicitation is focused on faculty-level researchers, particularly those with a Ph.D. or equivalent qualifications who are capable of conducting independent basic research. Proposals may be submitted by individuals or collaborative teams and can involve co-PIs, postdoctoral researchers, and other personnel, including international and interdisciplinary collaborators. The inclusion of undergraduate and graduate students in research projects is encouraged, although students may not serve as PIs, co-PIs, or senior/key personnel. While proposals can request funding for fieldwork or material analysis, all submissions must demonstrate clear significance to anthropological scholarship. Funding is anticipated to range between $5 million and $6 million for approximately 20 to 30 standard or continuing grants annually. A typical award is between $200,000 and $350,000 inclusive of indirect costs, with a project duration of two to three years. Although there is no stated ceiling, these typical amounts reflect the majority of funded projects. Cost sharing or matching funds are not required, and voluntary cost-sharing is prohibited. Funds can be used for research-related expenses, broader impacts efforts, data management, and sharing activities, all of which must align with the goals and objectives of the project. Applications must be submitted through either Research.gov or Grants.gov, and researchers are encouraged to consult the relevant NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) for compliance. Full proposals are due by July 1 and December 1 each year, with these target dates recurring annually. If a proposal is resubmitted, it must include a clear explanation of how it has been revised in response to prior reviewer comments. Data generated through funded projects must be shared within two years of final collection, subject to ethical considerations, and proposals should include detailed plans for data archiving and sharing. The program also supports a range of related opportunities such as Archaeometry, Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDIG), Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), CAREER awards, and mechanisms such as RAPID and EAGER grants for time-sensitive or high-risk research. Broader impacts and ethical considerations are central to NSF’s review criteria, and proposals should address issues such as community engagement, data ethics, and societal relevance. Proposals may also be co-reviewed with related NSF programs where appropriate, enhancing interdisciplinary integration. For guidance, potential applicants are encouraged to contact the program officers listed in the solicitation: John E. Yellen ([email protected]) and Don Rimon ([email protected]). Questions about submission platforms can be directed to the Research.gov or Grants.gov help desks. Annual and final reports are required for all awards, with detailed expectations for documenting project progress, broader impacts, and compliance with data sharing requirements. The solicitation emphasizes transparency, scientific integrity, and alignment with NSF’s strategic goals of promoting the progress of science and broadening participation in STEM research.

Discuss ethical implications, community engagement, and ensure data sharing plan complies with FAIR principles; address reviewer feedback in resubmissions.