Science of Science and Innovation Policy

The Science of Science & Innovation Policy (SciSIP) program supports research designed to advance the scientific basis of science and innovation policy. The program funds research to develop models, analytical tools, data and metrics that can be applied in the science policy decision making process and concern the use and allocation of scarce scientific resources. For example, research proposals may develop behavioral and analytical conceptualizations, frameworks or models that have applications across the broad array of science and innovation policy challenges. Proposals also may develop methodologies to analyze science, technology and innovation data, and to usefully convey that information to a variety of audiences. Proposals that create and improve science, engineering and innovation data, including the design of new metrics and indicators, particularly proposals that demonstrate the viability of collecting and analyzing data on knowledge generation and innovation in organizations, are encouraged.

The SciSIP program welcomes individual or multi-investigator research projects, doctoral dissertation research improvement grants, experimental research, and data collection and dissemination. The SciSIP program also places a high priority on interdisciplinary research and on broadening participation. It encourages proposals from junior faculty, women, and underrepresented minorities, Research Undergraduate Institutions (RUI), and EPSCoR states.

Additional Types of Proposals

RAPIDs and EAGERs

SciSIP supports small grants that are time-critical and small grants that are high-risk and of a potentially transformative nature. See Chapter II.E.1 and Chapter II.E.2 of the NSF Proposal and Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 17-1) (https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=papp) for guidance on submitting Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID) and EArly-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) proposals.

Research Advanced by Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering (RAISE)

SciSIP supports interdisciplinary projects whose scientific advances lie in great part outside the scope of a single program or discipline, such that substantial funding support from more than one program or discipline is necessary. See Chapter II.E.3 of the NSF Proposal and Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 17-1) (https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=papp) for guidance on submitting a RAISE proposal.

Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI)

SciSIP supports collaboration between academic research institutions and industry. See Chapter II.E.4 of the NSF Proposal and Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 17-1) (https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=papp) for guidance on submitting a GOALI proposal.

Conferences

SciSIP funds conferences and interdisciplinary research activities that strengthen understanding and dissemination of the research topic among the social and behavioral sciences, policy community and the larger scientific community. See Chapter II.E.7 of the NSF Proposal and Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 17-1) (https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=papp) for guidance on submitting Conference proposals.

Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIGs)

The Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants funding opportunity is designed to improve the quality of dissertation research. DDRIG awards provide funds for items not normally available through the student's university such as enabling doctoral students to undertake significant data-gathering projects and to conduct field research in settings away from their campus. DDRIGs do not provide cost-of-living or other stipends or tuition. Outstanding DDRIG proposals specify how the knowledge to be created advances science and innovation policy. For program specific guidelines on the Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants (DDRIGs) in SciSIP, please review the SciSIP DDRIG solicitation which may be accessed via the SciSIP DDRIG web site.