Science of Science: Discovery, Communication and Impact
NSF funds research on the science of science—how scientific discovery, communication, impact, and policy value work—for eligible applicants through standard, collaborative, conference, and related cross-directorate proposals.
⚑ NSF SBE-oriented program; broader impacts and open data management plan emphasized · Encourages convergent/interdisciplinary proposals and early-career/broadening-participation applicants · Includes conference grants and a special Biomedical Research Enterprise topic (SoS:BIO)
This is an adjacent fit: it’s a social-science-of-science / research-policy program that could work for rigorous institutional or workforce studies, but it is not one of IPPRA’s core hazard, energy, or warning-communication lines. Deven Carlson is the closest possible fit only if the project centers on scientific workforce policy, research institutions, or evidence-use in policy rather than education per se.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-07-07
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 70 strong | technical depth: substantial; funds basic research |
| IPPRA | 65 good | peripheral portfolio topic: public_health; signature methods: surveys longitudinal, policy analysis; social/behavioral work is central; funds basic research; capped at 65 (limited social-science role) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 10 none | deep-tech content; no commercialization signal |
Description
The Science of Science:Discovery, Communication and Impact (SoS:DCI) program is designed to advance theory and knowledge about increasing the public value of scientific activity. Science of Science draws from multiple disciplinary and field perspectives to advance theory and research about scientific discovery, communication and impact. SoS:DCI welcomes proposals applying rigorous empirical research methods to advance theory and knowledge on:
The social and structural mechanisms of scientific discovery.
Theories, frameworks, models and data that improve our understanding of scientific communication and outcomes.
The societal benefits of scientific activity and how science advances evidence-based policy making and the creation of public value.
The SoS:DCI program, which expands upon the formerScience of Science and Innovation Policy (SciSIP)program, funds research that builds theoretical and empirical understanding of the social science of science. SoS:DCI welcomes proposals to conduct research at the individual, organizational and institutional levels or from micro, meso and macro scales and complex system levels. SoS:DCI encourages multiple disciplinary perspectives, interdisciplinary research and diverse methodological approaches in the pursuit of new knowledge to advance the science of science and evidence-based policy making. With these goals in mind, proposals should:
Draw from and advance theory, knowledge and frameworks on the science of science.
Develop models, data, indicators and associated analytical tools that constitute and enable transformative advances rather than incremental change.
Provide credible rigorous assessments of the proposed project’s impact and social and policy implications.
Include robust data management plans with the goal of advancing open science and increasing public access to usable, valid and reliable scientific materials.
Of particular interest are proposals with the potential to strengthen America’s global leadership in science and increase national competitiveness across a broad range of domains. These include proposals that analyze strategies for strengthening and expanding the scientific workforce, as well as ways to cultivate high-impact discovery across sectors.The program strongly encourages convergent research and collaboration.
In addition to intellectual merit, the program strongly encourages potential PIs to carefully consider the broader impacts of their work. The broader impacts criterion encompasses the potential to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired policy outcomes.The Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate has released additional guidance on broader impacts for SBE proposals .
The SoS:DCI program places a high priority on broadening participation in the sciences. It encourages proposals from early-career researchers and from researchers who represent groups and regions that have historically participated at disproportionately low rates in science, mathematics, and engineering.
SoS:DCI supports the following types of proposals:
Standard Research Grants and Grants for Collaborative Research
A Science of Science Approach to Analyzing and Innovating the Biomedical Research Enterprise (SoS:BIO)
Conference Grants
SoS:DCI also participates in certain specialized funding opportunities through NSF’s cross-cutting and cross-directorate activities .
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.