The Human-Environment and Geographical Sciences Program - Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Awards (HEGS-DDRI) aims to support doctoral students conducting research that enhances fundamental geographical knowledge, theory, and methodologies. The program emphasizes research that investigates the spatial distribution of human activities and environmental processes across various scales. HEGS supports projects that integrate quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods in innovative ways, provided they contribute to theory-testing and/or theory-expanding outcomes in geographical science. The program prioritizes research that demonstrates generalizability beyond individual case studies and explicitly engages with human dimensions relevant to societal contexts.

HEGS focuses on advancing theoretical frameworks and methodologies within geographical sciences rather than applied research or purely descriptive studies. Proposals must articulate their contribution to advancing geographical theory and demonstrate potential broader impacts on society. Projects are expected to align with NSF’s mission of supporting basic scientific research and fostering broader societal benefits, such as improved education, public engagement with science, and societal resilience to environmental changes.

The program anticipates funding approximately 10 to 15 awards annually, with a total funding amount between $250,000 and $375,000, pending budget availability. Individual doctoral dissertation awards are limited to $20,000 in direct costs, excluding indirect costs, which are subject to the awardee’s federally negotiated indirect cost rate. Allowable expenses include research-related costs, travel for fieldwork, and dissemination of findings but exclude student stipends, tuition, or faculty advisor travel.

Eligible applicants must be doctoral students enrolled in accredited U.S. institutions of higher education, with proposals submitted by their academic advisor or another faculty member serving as the Principal Investigator (PI). The doctoral student must be listed as a co-PI. Students are allowed to submit a HEGS-DDRI proposal twice during their doctoral program. There are no restrictions on the number of proposals an advisor can submit across their career.

Proposals must be prepared and submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov following the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). A signed statement from the PI affirming the student’s readiness to begin the proposed research and confirming the advisor’s review of the proposal is mandatory. Proposals must also include a data management plan, detailed budget justification, and adherence to IRB or IACUC approvals if applicable.

Evaluation criteria include NSF's standard merit review principles: Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts, with additional emphasis on the project's long-term significance and likelihood of success. Successful proposals will clearly outline theoretical contributions, research methods, anticipated broader impacts, and feasibility. Proposals are reviewed by ad hoc reviewers and/or panels, with funding recommendations made based on review outcomes and NSF priorities.

For more information or inquiries, applicants can contact program officers Jeremy Koster, Tom Evans, or May Yuan via the provided contact details.