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Law and Social Science Program
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Supports scientific research on law and lawlike systems of rules.

The Law and Social Science Program at the National Science Foundation supports social scientific studies of law and law-like systems of rules, institutions, processes, and behaviors. These can include, but are not limited to, research designed to enhance the scientific understanding of the impact of law; human behavior and interactions as these relate to law; the dynamics of legal decision making; and the nature, sources, and consequences of variations and changes in legal institutions. The primary consideration is that the research shows promise of advancing a scientific understanding of law and legal process. Within this framework, the Program has an "open window" for diverse theoretical perspectives, methods and contexts for study. For example, research on social control, crime causation, violence, victimization, legal and social change, patterns of discretion, procedural justice, compliance and deterrence, and regulatory enforcement are among the many areas that have recently received program support. In addition to standard proposals, planning grant proposals, travel support requests to lay the foundation for research, and proposals for improving doctoral dissertation research are welcome.

The Law and Social Science Program continues to solicit proposals that take account of the growing interdependence and interconnections of the world. Although NSF no longer has a separate Global Perspectives competition, it encourages globally-oriented research. Thus proposals are welcome that advance fundamental knowledge about legal interactions, processes, relations, and diffusions that extend beyond any single nation as well as about how local and national legal institutions, systems, and cultures affect or are affected by transnational or international phenomena. Thus, proposals may locate the research within a single nation or between or across legal systems or regimes.

The review process for the Law and Social Science Program is approximately six months. It includes appraisal of proposals by ad hoc reviewers selected for their expertise from throughout the social scientific community and by an advisory panel that meets twice a year. The target dates for the submission of proposals are January 15 for proposals to be funded as early as July and August 15 for proposals to be funded in or after January. See below for application guidelines. Note particularly the opportunity to submit proposals electronically via Fastlane.


Target Dates
January 15 All Proposals
August 15 All Proposals
Points of Contact
Program Director: Dr. Christopher J. Zorn, email: czorn@nsf.gov, Webpage at Emory: http://www.emory.edu/POLS/zorn/

Program Assistant:
Karen Duke, email: kduke@nsf.gov

Program Technology Specialist
Michelle Jenkins, email: cjenkins@nsf.gov
Grant/Award Information and Administration
Information specific to this program
   

Law and Social Science Mid-Career Training Fellowships
Grants for Improving Doctoral Dissertation Research
Law and Social Science Program Awards
Law and Social Science Advisory Panel
Law and Social Science Program Directors
Law and Social Science Research Experiences for Graduates
(REG) Supplements

 

General Information
Information for all SES Programs

Program Information
Communications Address
National Science Foundation
Law and Social Science Program
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 995
Arlington, VA 22230
Phone: (703) 292-8762
FAX: (703) 292-9068

If you have any comments or suggestions, please send email to Christopher J. Zorn: czorn@nsf.gov

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Related Funding Opportunities
Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program
Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities

NSF 94-147: Research Planning Grants and Career Advancement Awards for Minority Scientists and Engineers

NSF 02-121: ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers

NSF 00-144: Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI)

NSF 02-136: Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program (REU)

 
Proposal and Submission Guidelines
Guidelines specific to this program
Law Research Proposal Checklist
General Guidelines
Guidelines for all SES Programs
Funded Sites
  Curiae: Digitizing U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs
  National Consortium on Violence Research
  National Gallery of the Spoken Word
  State Supreme Court
Related Links
American Anthropological Association
American Law and Economics Association
American Political Science Association
American Psychological Association
  American Psychological Society
American Psychology Law Society
American Society of Criminology
American Sociological Association

Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR)

Law and Society Association
Public Choice Society
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The Division of Social and Economic Sciences
Suite 995, National Science Foundation,
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230 USA
Tel: 703-292-8760
Last Updated 08.23.04
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