Archaeology Program Senior Research Awards

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences and specifically the Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, administers the Archaeology Program Senior Research Awards (Arch-SR) to support anthropologically grounded archaeological research that advances knowledge about past human behavior. The NSF, an independent U.S. federal agency founded in 1950, promotes scientific progress across disciplines by funding research and education. The Archaeology Program is one of several anthropological science programs at NSF, working alongside Biological Anthropology and Cultural Anthropology to improve understanding of human cultural and biological variation. The Senior Research Awards are intended for scholars who hold a Ph.D. or possess equivalent research experience. The primary purpose of the Arch-SR program is to fund basic research in archaeology that contributes to anthropological knowledge. There are no geographical or theoretical constraints placed on research topics; instead, the merit of a proposal rests on its anthropological relevance. Applicants are expected to convincingly articulate the significance of their work within the field of anthropology. Most funded proposals involve either field research or the analysis of archaeological materials using diverse analytical methods. The program supports collaboration across disciplines and encourages the integration of undergraduate and graduate students into research projects, although students cannot be listed as principal investigators or key personnel. The NSF expects awardees to comply with data management and sharing protocols. Data generated by funded research must be made publicly accessible, barring ethical constraints, within two years after final data collection. Proposals must include a detailed Data Management and Sharing Plan outlining how data will be collected, processed, and preserved. Researchers must also ensure that all necessary permits and permissions for fieldwork, especially in international contexts, are obtained and referenced in their proposals. The program encourages collaborations with foreign scientists where relevant and supports proposals that include ethical considerations and community engagement. Proposals may be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov following the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). The program does not require letters of intent or preliminary proposals. Submissions are reviewed based on NSF’s two merit criteria: intellectual merit and broader impacts. The program particularly values projects with transformative potential, societal relevance, and inclusive participation in STEM. Proposals may also be co-reviewed with other NSF programs when appropriate. There are no limits on the number of proposals that can be submitted by an individual or organization. Funding for the Arch-SR program is estimated at $5,000,000 to $6,000,000, with approximately 20 to 30 awards issued annually. While there is no official cap on funding requests, typical awards range from $200,000 to $350,000, inclusive of indirect costs, and last two to three years. No voluntary committed cost sharing is allowed. The program does not impose specific indirect cost limitations. Research expenses must align directly with project aims and broader impact activities. The program has two recurring submission deadlines annually: July 1 and December 1. These deadlines are now fixed, with the December date having recently moved from the 20th to the 1st. If a proposal is resubmitted, it must include a statement addressing how reviewer feedback from previous submissions has been integrated. PIs are also encouraged to contact program officers—John E. Yellen (jyellen@nsf.gov, 703-292-8759) and Don Rimon (drimon@nsf.gov, 703-292-2960)—if unsure about the fit of their research within the Archaeology Program. Annual and final project reports must detail progress toward project goals, broader impacts, and data dissemination efforts, including persistent links to public repositories such as Open Context or tDAR.

The solicitation advises including a revised response paragraph if resubmitting, submitting early, and confirming proper data management and ethical protocols. PIs are also encouraged to consult program officers with a one-page summary before submitting.