Social Psychology

The Social Psychology Program, administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), supports empirically grounded, theoretically focused research in social psychology. Rooted in the NSF's overarching mission to promote the progress of science, this program targets investigations into the foundational social psychological mechanisms that shape human attitudes, behaviors, and experiences. Operating under the Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (SBE/BCS), the program funds research that delves into how social forces—both at the micro and macro levels—interact with cognitive, emotional, neural, and physiological processes to influence interpersonal and intrapersonal dynamics. This program invites proposals that push the boundaries of knowledge on how humans think about and relate to themselves and others. A significant emphasis is placed on work that has the potential to uncover groundbreaking insights into the social processes that drive behavior. Research proposals should be theoretical and empirical in nature, incorporating methods that are tailored to the research questions posed. These may include experiments, longitudinal analyses, computational modeling, field studies, or naturalistic observations. Projects that contribute to ongoing global challenges or propose innovative theories or methodologies are especially encouraged. Importantly, proposals centered on clinical applications or medical interventions will be returned without review, as the program is focused solely on basic, rather than clinical, research. The Social Psychology Program does not fund proposals involving non-human animals unless the research directly enhances the understanding of human social behavior. Successful proposals will demonstrate intellectual merit through rigorous empirical design and theoretical grounding, and will clearly articulate their broader societal impacts. These broader impacts may include enhancing national security, improving life quality, expanding STEM talent, or increasing public engagement with science. Proposals are expected to include a proactive dissemination plan to ensure findings are shared with diverse audiences. All applicants are expected to follow the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and adhere to NSF’s latest research security and data management standards. The program emphasizes transparency and open science; therefore, researchers are expected to share their methods, data, and findings with the broader scientific community. The Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMSP) must reflect best practices in data openness and justify any deviations from these norms. Eligible proposal types include regular research grants, CAREER proposals, Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) projects, Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER), and Rapid Response Research (RAPID) grants. The program also accepts small conference proposals for events scheduled at least one year post-submission. However, doctoral dissertation improvement awards and Mid-Career Advancement (MCA) proposals are not accepted. Interdisciplinary and convergent research approaches are welcomed, and applicants are encouraged to consider other NSF programs for potential co-review. Principal Investigators are urged to contact a program director before submitting a proposal to assess alignment with the program’s scope. This is best done by submitting a one-page summary including descriptions of intellectual merit and broader impacts, plus a reference page, ahead of time. The Social Psychology Program accepts proposals twice annually with target deadlines of January 15 and July 15, recurring each year. Interested applicants can reach program staff via the centralized email address sbe_soc_psy_pgm@nsf.gov or by scheduling an appointment. Contact prior to submission is strongly encouraged to ensure a successful application.

Proposals should be empirically grounded and theoretically focused, with a clear dissemination strategy and engagement with open science practices.