The National Science Foundation’s Archaeology Program supports Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (Arch-DDRIG) to advance anthropologically relevant archaeological research. The program focuses on research that contributes to anthropological knowledge, without preference for geographic region, time period, or theoretical orientation. Proposals must justify the significance of the research in an anthropological context. The program primarily funds field research, analysis of archaeological materials, and the development of analytical techniques valuable to archaeological inquiry. The responsibility for proposal authorship lies with the doctoral student, although proposals must be submitted by their advisor, who serves as the Principal Investigator (PI), while the student is listed as the Co-Principal Investigator (co-PI).

The Arch-DDRIG program provides funding for research expenses that are not typically covered by the student’s academic institution. Eligible expenses include fieldwork travel, equipment, material supplies, archaeological analysis, and data preservation costs. However, the grant does not cover stipends or salaries for the student or advisor, tuition, textbook costs, or travel for the advisor. Proposals must include a detailed budget justification and align with NSF guidelines. The maximum allowable direct cost for an Arch-DDRIG proposal is $25,000, with indirect costs added according to the awardee institution’s federally negotiated indirect cost rate. The program anticipates awarding 30 to 40 grants annually, with a total funding budget of approximately $800,000, subject to availability.

Eligible applicants include doctoral-degree-granting institutions in the United States acting on behalf of their faculty members and graduate students. The graduate student must be enrolled in a U.S.-based institution but is not required to be a U.S. citizen. There are no restrictions on the number of proposals an institution or advisor can submit. Proposals may also be submitted to other funding organizations, provided they are listed in the "Current and Pending Support" section of the NSF application.

Proposals must be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov and must follow the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) guidelines. Submissions must include a 10-page project description, an additional five pages for figures, and a comprehensive Data Management Plan outlining strategies for archiving and sharing research data. Proposals involving international collaboration or requiring research permits must provide appropriate documentation. Letters of collaboration may also be included, following NSF-approved language templates.

Applications are evaluated based on the NSF's merit review criteria, which include Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. Intellectual Merit assesses the research's potential to advance knowledge, while Broader Impacts evaluate societal benefits, including promoting STEM participation among underrepresented groups, enhancing public scientific literacy, and contributing to infrastructure for research and education. Reviewers will also assess the qualifications of the research team, the soundness of the research plan, and the availability of necessary resources.

The program accepts proposals on a rolling basis, with no fixed deadlines. Award notifications are typically issued within six months of submission. Standard NSF reporting requirements apply, including annual and final project reports submitted through Research.gov. Researchers seeking additional guidance are encouraged to contact program officers John E. Yellen or Don Rimon via phone or email. Further program-specific details, including examples of previously funded projects and resources on data management, can be found on the NSF Archaeology Program’s website.