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Physical Anthropology Program

photo - human skullThe Physical Anthropology Program supports basic research in areas related to human evolution and contemporary human biological variation. Research areas supported by the program include, but are not limited to, human genetic variation, human adaptation, human osteology and bone biology, human and nonhuman primate paleontology, functional anatomy, and primate socioecology. Grants supported in these areas are united by an underlying evolutionary framework, and often a consideration of adaptation as a central theoretical theme. Many proposals also have a biocultural orientation. The program frequently serves as a bridge within NSF between the social and behavioral sciences and the natural and physical sciences, and proposals are commonly jointly reviewed and funded with other programs.

*All senior research proposals submitted through Fastlane should use "PD 98-1392 Physical Anthropology" when selecting a program announcement / solicitation number. This program description is listed near the bottom of the scroll-down list in Fastlane. Dissertation proposals should reference NSF 01-113 - Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants.

 

Target Dates and Deadlines
Target dates are just that - targets, not deadlines. Often, there is a significant degree of flex in these dates, the amount being largely determined by the specific date of the next panel meeting. If you need additional time prior to submission to the physical anthropology program feel free to contact the program officer. If a proposal is for a cross-cutting competition, or may be eligible for co-review with another program, extensions may not be allowable; again feel free to contact the program officer.

NSF encourages submitters to provide the program officer with the names (and contact information) of potential reviewers. FastLane provides for submission of this information. You are encouraged to send this information by email directly to the Program Officer too.

July 1 Fall Cycle SENIOR RESEARCH
The panel meets in October-November, with decisions made soon after.
December 1 Spring Cycle SENIOR RESEARCH
The panel meets in April-May, with decisions made soon after.
After consultation
and invitation of
program director
HIGH RISK RESEARCH IN ANTHROPOLOGY
No target date.
Deadlines

February 9,
August 16

DISSERTATION IMPROVEMENT GRANTS
 
Points of Contact

Program Director: Mark L. Weiss, email: mweiss@nsf.gov
Program Assistant:Terri Smith, tssmith@nsf.gov.

  Mail Address
Grant/Award Information and Administration
Information specific to this program

Grant application information for dissertation improvement proposals: Physical Anthropology Info
Physical Anthropology Program Awards Search

General Information

Information for all BCS Programs

  Information for researchers collecting genetic resources outside the U.S. can be found at http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/or/25962.htm

Program Information
Communications Address
National Science Foundation
Physical Anthropology Program
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 995
Arlington, VA 22230
Phone: (703) 292-7321
FAX: (703) 292-9068

Program Budget:
In Fiscal Year 2003 a total of approximately $5 million was spent. This included new awards made after Fall and Spring panels, dissertation awards, infrastructure and HOMINID awards as well as yearly increments to continuing awards funded in earlier years. The base budget for the program itself was approximately $3 million.

Funding Criteria and Success Rates:
All programs within the National Science Foundation consider two review criteria: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. You must address each in separate paragraphs within you Project Summary. Proposals that do not comply will be returned without review.

In a normal panel cycle the program receives approximately 40-50 proposals spread across the sub-fields. The panel of experts reviews each proposal in light of the two criteria, as well as the reviews of each. Usually each proposal has been commented upon by 3-5 experts, in addition to the panelists. Each proposal is then categorized on a scale from "Must Fund" to "Decline."

Many PIs strategize about their budget, for instance hoping that a small budget may increase chances for funding. The recommendations for awards are made based upon scientific merit and the broader impacts of the research, not the budget. A meritorious proposal will not be summarily declined because of a large budget. At the very least there will be discussion about providing support within the realities of the program's resources. In constructing your budget, you should make a reasonable request. If a recommendation to fund is made, negotiations will follow if necessary.

Over the past several years, approximately 25% of the senior awards received at least some degree of funding. The smallest awards have been under $10,000 and the largest in excess of $125,000/year for 3-5 years. In addition, some physical anthropologists have received very large awards through applications to other cross-directorate programs. NSF maintains a database of abstracts of all awards at which you can perform a fielded search (use Physical Anthropology in the NSF Program field). One of the best ways to construct a successful proposal is to read several that were funded. One way to obtain these might be to contact PIs that were funded and request a copy of theirs.

A word on co-funding. Given the basic nature of our discipline, coupled with the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of research activities, many proposals could benefit from co-review with other programs in the foundation. Some PIs fear that a co-review increases the chances for declination. In practice the culture of the Foundation is such that it enhances the likelihood of funding. If two programs view a proposal as meritorious it decreases the cost to each. If one does not recommend funding the proposal, it generally does not negatively impact the considerations of the other. If you think that your research might be reviewed by more than one program, contact the program officer of physical anthropology to discuss the matter. Often co-review is sought even in the absence of PI involvement, but discussion may be desirable.

Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Proposals:

Doctoral students at U.S. universities can submit requests for support of their research through the Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant program.

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Related Funding Opportunities

The NSF provides numerous resources for funding of targeted questions and goals. Potential PIs should review the NSF home page often for new programs. Potential opportunities include:

  Human Origins

High Risk Research in Anthropology

  Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program
  ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers
  NSF 00-144: Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI)
 

Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program (REU)

Proposal and Submission Guidelines
Guidelines specific to this program

Proposal format: Dissertation Research

General Guidelines
Guidelines for all BCS Programs
Physical Anthropology Advisory Panel
  Anthropological and Geographic Sciences Cluster Advisory Panelists
 
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The Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences
Suite 995, National Science Foundation,
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230 USA
Tel: 703-292-8740
Last Updated 08.09.04
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