The National Science Foundation (NSF) is soliciting proposals for the Research on the Science and Technology Enterprise: Indicators, Statistics, and Methods program, managed by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES). This program supports research to improve the collection, analysis, and communication of data on the science and technology (S&T) enterprise in the United States and globally. The initiative encourages projects that enhance survey methodologies, develop new indicators, analyze S&T workforce trends, and explore innovative ways to disseminate statistical findings. The program welcomes a range of proposal types, including individual or multi-investigator research projects, doctoral dissertation improvement awards, conferences, experimental research, and data collection efforts.

The program aims to strengthen the reliability and usefulness of S&T data by advancing statistical methods, exploring alternative data sources, and improving analytical techniques. Key areas of interest include tracking trends in STEM education and workforce participation, developing measures of U.S. competitiveness in S&T, assessing the impact of research and development investments, and refining data collection methodologies. Proposals may focus on leveraging NCSES datasets or integrating them with other data sources to generate new insights into the S&T landscape.

The program anticipates awarding between 5 and 10 grants per year, with an estimated total funding amount of $1.5 million, subject to the availability of funds. Awards will be issued as either standard or continuing grants. The program encourages participation from a wide range of institutions, including two- and four-year colleges, universities, nonprofit research organizations, and federally recognized tribal nations. Doctoral dissertation research improvement grants (DDRIGs) are also available for doctoral students conducting research aligned with NCSES priorities, with dissertation advisors serving as principal investigators.

Full proposals must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov by January 21, 2025, or June 17, 2025, with subsequent deadlines on the third Tuesday of January and June each year. There are no limits on the number of proposals an organization or investigator may submit. Proposals must adhere to NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and include a Data Management and Sharing Plan if new data will be generated. DDRIG proposals have additional requirements, including a budget limit of $15,000 for research expenses but excluding stipends or salaries.

Proposals will be evaluated based on NSF’s merit review criteria, which include intellectual merit and broader impacts. Reviewers will assess the potential for advancing knowledge, improving statistical methodologies, and contributing to societal benefits such as broadening participation in STEM. Special consideration will be given to projects that align with NCSES's mission to improve data collection and analysis for S&T policymaking.

Recipients will be required to provide annual and final reports via Research.gov, and projects involving NCSES datasets must comply with data licensing and confidentiality policies. Funded researchers may also be required to present their findings to NCSES. For further information, applicants are encouraged to contact the program officer, Sharon A. Boivin, at sboivin@nsf.gov.