Archaeology Program Senior Research Awards

The National Science Foundation's Archaeology Program Senior Research Awards (Arch-SR) initiative aims to support anthropologically relevant archaeological research that enhances understanding of past human behaviors. Operated under the NSF’s Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences, specifically within the Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, this program is part of a broader strategy to foster theoretical advances in anthropology while encouraging methodological innovation. The program imposes no preferences regarding geographic region, time period, or theoretical orientation, allowing applicants wide latitude in designing their proposals. This program provides funding for faculty-level investigators conducting basic archaeological research, including both fieldwork and analysis of archaeological materials. Projects are expected to justify their significance in anthropological terms. Proposals can involve a single researcher or collaborative teams, including co-PIs, postdocs, and international collaborators. Although undergraduates and graduate students may be included in the project’s activities, they cannot serve as PIs, co-PIs, or senior/key personnel. Applicants may also request supplemental support for Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) at $6,000 per student (maximum of two students per year), aimed at fostering independent research under the PI’s guidance. The anticipated funding for this program ranges between $5 million and $6 million annually, supporting approximately 20 to 30 awards. Typical awards range from $200,000 to $350,000 in total costs over a two-to-three-year project duration. Awards may be made as standard or continuing grants depending on project scope and budget. Matching or cost sharing is not required, and indirect costs are not capped. Proposals must adhere to the NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), which outlines full submission instructions for both Research.gov and Grants.gov platforms. Submissions must be complete, following NSF’s formatting and documentation requirements. Submissions are accepted twice annually: July 1 and December 1, recurring every year. All proposals must include a data management and sharing plan, with a commitment to share data (barring ethical constraints) within two years of final data collection. Ethics and broader societal impacts are considered vital; projects should address the environmental, social, and academic implications of the work. Proposals must also detail international collaborations, where applicable, and must list all required permits and authorizations related to fieldwork or data acquisition. Projects involving human subjects must follow IRB guidelines and be disclosed appropriately. Applications are evaluated based on NSF’s standard review criteria: intellectual merit and broader impacts. These criteria emphasize not only scientific innovation and methodological rigor but also relevance to societal challenges, inclusivity, and the training of the next generation of scientists. Researchers are encouraged to consult with NSF program officers—especially if uncertain whether their project aligns with program priorities—by submitting a one-page summary for pre-submission feedback. For further inquiries, applicants may contact John E. Yellen, Program Director ([email protected]), or Don Rimon, Business Operations Analyst ([email protected]).

Highlight broader impacts and ethical considerations; address anthropological significance clearly in the project description.