Archaeometry
NSF Archaeology Program funds archaeometry method development or refinement and support for service laboratories and data archives for archaeometric infrastructure.
⚑ Target date is annual, December 1. · PIs and co-PIs must have Ph.D. or equivalent and be able to carry out independent basic research. · Projects applying standard archaeometric techniques to answer specific archaeological questions should go to the Archaeology Senior Research Awards competition instead.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 80 strong | technical depth: substantial; funds data infrastructure |
| IPPRA | 55 good | peripheral portfolio topic: environment; social/behavioral work is minor; funds data/survey infrastructure |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 25 weak | prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
The Archaeology Program administers an annual Archaeometry competition with a target date of December 1. The goal is to fund projects in two main categories:
To develop or refine anthropologically relevant archaeometric techniques. Examples include the development of methods to identify specific types of organic residues on ceramics or development of field applicable analytic techniques.
To support laboratories which provide relevant services. This includes support of service laboratories which, for example, may provide dating trace element, isotopic and dendrochronological analyses. It also includes support for data archives, which function to strengthen basic archaeological infrastructure.
Projects which apply standard archaeometic techniques with the goal to answer specific archaeological questions should be submitted to the Archaeology SeniorResearch Awards competition . Proposals are evaluated by both ad hoc reviewers and a panel composed of individuals who combine both archaeological and archaeometric expertise.
Eligibility
*Who May Serve as PI:
PIs and co-PIs must be researchers who have a Ph.D. or equivalent education and experience, sufficient to allow them to carry out independent basic research. PIs are encouraged to include undergraduate and graduate students in their research projects, but not as PI/co-PI or senior personnel.
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: U.S. National Science Foundation <grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · National Science Foundation conventions SEE AN NSF EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — National Science Foundation's document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.