Opportunity Information: Apply for 23 503
The Biological Anthropology Program Senior Research Awards (Funding Opportunity Number 23-503) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the National Science Foundation (CFDA 47.075) that supports basic research aimed at explaining how biological diversity arose and changed in humans, fossil humans, and our primate relatives. At its core, the program is focused on advancing scientific understanding of human and primate evolution, patterns of biological variation, and the ways biology, behavior, and culture interact across different environments and historical periods. Projects funded under this opportunity are expected to be grounded in biological anthropological and evolutionary theory and to contribute clear, theory-driven insights rather than being purely descriptive or narrowly technical.
The program emphasizes research that draws on diverse and interdisciplinary approaches, including fieldwork, laboratory analyses, and computational methods. NSF signals interest in studies that operate across multiple levels of biological organization, which can range from molecular and genetic analyses to organismal biology, population-level dynamics, and even ecosystem contexts. Another key feature is that projects may address different time scales, from short-term biological and behavioral responses to long-term evolutionary change. In addition to scientific rigor, proposals are expected to take ethical considerations seriously, particularly when research involves human participants, sensitive biological or cultural materials, or work with communities and stakeholders. The program also highlights attention to societal impacts, indicating that investigators should think through how their work affects people, institutions, and broader public understanding.
Beyond the research itself, the opportunity explicitly supports broader impacts as part of research grants. This can include outcomes that provide a direct public benefit, efforts that broaden participation in STEM, and training or outreach activities. Examples in practice often include mentoring students, developing partnerships that expand access to research opportunities, producing educational materials, engaging with local or descendant communities in ethical and mutually beneficial ways, or building resources (such as datasets or tools) that other researchers and the public can use. Importantly, these broader impact activities are expected to be evidence-based and realistically aligned with the mission and capacities of the organizations and people involved, rather than being generic add-ons.
This competition was created on October 12, 2022, with an original closing date of January 26, 2023. NSF anticipated making about 40 awards. The listing shows an award ceiling of $0, which typically means a specific maximum was not provided in the summary field and applicants would need to consult the full solicitation and NSF program guidance for typical award sizes, budget expectations, and any constraints. Eligibility is listed as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced as being in an external text field, so prospective applicants would need to verify eligibility requirements in the full notice.Apply for 23 503
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Biological Anthropology Program Senior Research Awards" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.075.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 12, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 26, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Biological Anthropology Program Senior Research Awards opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number 23-503)?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the National Science Foundation (NSF), listed under CFDA 47.075. It supports basic research in biological anthropology, with an emphasis on explaining how biological diversity arose and changed in humans, fossil humans, and our primate relatives.
What kinds of research does this program support?
The program supports basic research aimed at advancing scientific understanding of human and primate evolution, patterns of biological variation, and the interactions among biology, behavior, and culture across different environments and historical periods.
What is the central scientific focus of the program?
At its core, the program is focused on generating theory-driven insights about evolution and variation in humans and other primates, including fossil humans, rather than producing work that is only descriptive or narrowly technical.
Does NSF expect proposals to be theory-driven?
Yes. Projects funded under this opportunity are expected to be grounded in biological anthropological and evolutionary theory and to produce clear, theory-driven contributions.
Are purely descriptive studies a good fit for this opportunity?
Based on the opportunity description, the program is looking for work that contributes clear, theory-driven insights. Work described as purely descriptive (or narrowly technical without broader theoretical contribution) is not emphasized as a strong fit.
What disciplines or approaches does the program encourage?
The program emphasizes diverse and interdisciplinary approaches. Examples mentioned include fieldwork, laboratory analyses, and computational methods.
What levels of biological organization can projects address?
NSF signals interest in studies that operate across multiple levels of biological organization, ranging from molecular and genetic analyses to organismal biology, population-level dynamics, and ecosystem contexts.
Can projects focus on different time scales?
Yes. The program notes that projects may address different time scales, from short-term biological and behavioral responses to long-term evolutionary change.
Does the program support research involving humans, fossil humans, and non-human primates?
Yes. The program description explicitly references humans, fossil humans, and our primate relatives as focal areas for understanding how biological diversity arose and changed.
Are ethical considerations important for this opportunity?
Yes. Proposals are expected to take ethical considerations seriously, especially when research involves human participants, sensitive biological or cultural materials, or work with communities and stakeholders.
What does the program say about societal impacts?
The opportunity highlights attention to societal impacts, indicating that investigators should consider how their work affects people, institutions, and broader public understanding.
Are broader impacts required or supported under this opportunity?
The opportunity explicitly supports broader impacts as part of research grants. The description indicates that broader impacts are an expected component, alongside scientific merit.
What are examples of broader impacts activities mentioned for this program?
Examples include outcomes that provide direct public benefit, efforts to broaden participation in STEM, training and outreach activities, mentoring students, developing partnerships that expand access to research opportunities, producing educational materials, engaging with local or descendant communities in ethical and mutually beneficial ways, and building resources such as datasets or tools for other researchers and the public.
How should broader impacts activities be designed for this competition?
Broader impact activities are expected to be evidence-based and realistically aligned with the mission and capacities of the organizations and people involved, rather than generic add-ons.
When was this competition created and what was the original closing date?
The competition was created on October 12, 2022, and it had an original closing date of January 26, 2023.
How many awards did NSF anticipate making?
NSF anticipated making about 40 awards under this opportunity.
Is there a maximum award amount (award ceiling) stated in the listing?
The listing shows an award ceiling of $0. This typically indicates that a specific maximum was not provided in the summary field, and applicants would need to consult the full solicitation and NSF program guidance for typical award sizes, budget expectations, and any constraints.
Where should applicants look for guidance on typical award sizes and budget expectations?
Based on the description provided, applicants would need to consult the full solicitation and NSF program guidance for typical award sizes, budget expectations, and any constraints, since the summary field does not provide a specific award ceiling.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced as being in an external text field. Prospective applicants would need to verify eligibility requirements in the full notice.
Why does the listing say eligibility is "Others"?
The information provided indicates that eligibility is summarized as "Others" and that additional eligibility requirements are contained elsewhere (an external text field). This usually means the summary listing is not detailed enough to confirm eligibility without reviewing the full notice.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 47.075.
Is the program focused on applied research or basic research?
The opportunity description characterizes it as supporting basic research, with the goal of advancing scientific understanding of biological diversity, evolution, and variation in humans and other primates.
Does the program encourage interdisciplinary research designs?
Yes. The description emphasizes diverse and interdisciplinary approaches, including combining fieldwork, lab-based analyses, and computational methods where appropriate.
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