Boston University Office of Sponsored Programs

PROGRAM: Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants

OBJECTIVES: This program provides funding to doctoral students to improve the quality of their dissertation research. These grants provide funds for items not normally available through the student's university, for students to undertake significant data-gathering projects, and for students to conduct field and archival research in settings away from their campus that would not otherwise be possible. Proposals are judged on the basis of their scientific merit, including the theoretical importance of the research question and the appropriateness of the proposed data and methodology to be used in addressing the question. The following Programs are most active in support of dissertation research: Archaeology; Cognitive Neuroscience; Cultural Anthropology; Decision, Risk & Management Science; Geography and Regional Science; Law and Social Science; Economics; Linguistics; Physical Anthropology; Political Science; Science and Technology Studies; Sociology; and Societal Dimensions of Engineering, Science, and Technology.

The awards are not intended to provide the full costs of a student's doctoral dissertation research. Funds may be used for valid research expenses which include, but are not limited to, conducting field research in settings away from campus that would not otherwise be possible, data collection and sample survey costs, payments to subjects or informants, specialized research equipment, analysis and services not otherwise available, supplies, travel to archives, travel to specialized collections and facilities or field research locations, and partial living expenses for conducting necessary research away from the student's U.S. academic institution.

ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS: Proposal must be submitted through regular university channels by the dissertation advisor(s) on behalf of the graduate student who is at the point of initiating or already conducting dissertation research. The student must be enrolled at a U.S. institution, but need not be a U.S. citizen. Proposals from women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged.

DEADLINE: Please consult the relevant program's website or contact the program officer regarding proposal target dates and deadlines.

FUNDING INFORMATION: NSF anticipates providing $2.5 million to support 200-300 dissertation awards. Because of the variation in research techniques and needs across the social, behavioral, and economic sciences, individual programs vary widely in award sizes. Please consult the program's webpage or program director for specific information.

AGENCY CONTACT: A detailed list of agency contacts and the complete program guidelines may be found at: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13453&org=SBE.

REMARKS: Applications must be submitted electronically using either the NSF FastLane system or Grants.gov. Collaborative proposals or proposals including subawards must be submitted via FastLane. For more information about FastLane, or to register as a FastLane user, please contact Kathleen Foster in the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) at x3-4365 or kfoster@bu.edu. Information about Grants.gov for BU Investigators can be obtained on the OSP website at: http://www.bu.edu/osp/pdf/Grantsgovinfo.pdf. In addition, for investigators interested in submitting proposals via Grants.gov, NSF has published the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide which may be found online at: http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/docs/grantsgovguide.pdf. Investigators should contact the OSP Assistant Director assigned to their school or department as soon as possible to coordinate submission through either FastLane or Grants.gov

Complete program guidelines and application material (NSF 06-605 and 04-23) may be obtained from the web site listed above or from the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). Please distribute this notice to any faculty or staff members who might be interested in the information. For more information, please contact the OSP at X3-4365 or ospinfo@bu.edu, or visit the OSP web site at http://www.bu.edu/osp.