Sociology

The Sociology Program at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) provides funding for basic research that enhances our understanding of human social life, behavior, institutions, and societal structures. Administered through the Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE), and more specifically the Division of Social and Economic Sciences (SBE/SES), the program invites proposals for empirically grounded, theoretically driven projects that advance the discipline of sociology. NSF, a federal agency supporting fundamental research and education in all non-medical fields of science and engineering, has long been instrumental in promoting research excellence and innovation across various social science domains. This funding opportunity supports a wide range of sociological inquiry, including but not limited to, population dynamics, organizational behavior, labor force participation, social movements, stratification, family structures, and the sociology of science and technology. The program welcomes both original data collection efforts and secondary data analysis, leveraging quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods approaches. A special emphasis is placed on methodological innovation—projects that improve data collection or analysis techniques while remaining grounded in sociological theory are strongly encouraged. Applicants must select PD 98-1331 on the proposal cover sheet to submit under this program. All proposals must comply with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) or the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide, depending on the submission platform used. Proposals are assessed based on two foundational NSF criteria: intellectual merit and broader impacts. To secure funding, projects must demonstrate theoretical grounding, empirical relevance, methodological appropriateness, and potential to advance sociological understanding. NSF does not list specific allowable or restricted budget items for this opportunity within the general program description, although standard federal grant budgeting norms and NSF-specific financial assistance rules—especially those updated as of October 1, 2024—apply. While the program does not specify cost sharing or matching requirements, adherence to NSF’s financial guidelines is required. Furthermore, NSF’s commitment to diversity is reflected in its priority to broaden participation across underrepresented groups, geographic regions, and institutions in science and engineering fields. There is no specific submission deadline currently posted for PD 98-1331; the program is awaiting a new publication cycle. However, given the recurring nature of the solicitation, applicants are advised to monitor the program page for updates. Contacts for the Sociology Program include Program Directors Joseph Whitmeyer ([email protected]), Antwan Jones ([email protected]), and Mamadi Corra ([email protected]), all of whom are affiliated with the SBE/SES division. Past funding events have included virtual office hours, most recently on November 12, 2024 and June 26, 2024, offering valuable engagement opportunities for prospective applicants. In addition to this core opportunity, sociology researchers may also explore NSF’s crosscutting and cross-directorate funding programs, such as the CAREER Program, Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), and Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU). NSF is also committed to public access to funded research and requires data sharing unless privacy or security concerns dictate otherwise. With its broad support for foundational and innovative sociological research, the NSF Sociology Program remains a key pillar in advancing the field.

The program prioritizes theoretically grounded, empirically validated research with strong methodological fit.