Developmental Sciences | 24 544

NSF Developmental Sciences (DS) Program (24-544) - FAQs

What is the NSF Developmental Sciences (DS) program?

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Developmental Sciences (DS) program (Funding Opportunity 24-544; CFDA 47.075) supports basic research that explains how human development works across the full lifespan. The program emphasizes core developmental processes that shape perception, thinking, language learning, social interaction, emotion regulation, and motor development, and how these processes support real-world functioning in society.

What kinds of research topics does DS fund?

DS is broadly interested in fundamental research on perceptual, cognitive, social, emotional, language, and motor development. It also supports research on how these domains connect to one another (for example, how memory and emotion jointly shape learning, or how perception and motor development work together in early exploration).

What is the main theme or “unifying idea” DS looks for in proposals?

A central unifying theme is mechanism. DS-funded projects are expected to deepen scientific understanding of how developmental change happens, why it differs across individuals or contexts, and how multiple developmental systems interact over time.

Does the DS program cover the full human lifespan?

Yes. DS supports studies spanning infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and aging.

Can DS proposals include non-human animal research?

Yes. DS allows research using non-human animals when that approach is appropriate for answering developmental questions.

What kinds of influences or contexts can be included in DS research?

DS supports research on drivers and conditions of developmental change, including influences from family, peers, schooling, neighborhoods and communities, culture, and media. Biological and physical influences are also within scope, including genetics and epigenetics.

Are interdisciplinary or multi-method proposals encouraged?

Yes. Strong proposals often integrate across levels of analysis (for example, behavioral measures paired with social-context measures or neural data), across time scales (short-term learning mechanisms and long-term developmental trajectories), and across methods (experiments, observational work, computational modeling, psychophysiology, and other approaches).

Are longitudinal studies encouraged?

Yes. Multidisciplinary, multi-method, and especially longitudinal designs are explicitly encouraged.

Does DS support development of new methods, models, or theories?

Yes. Projects that develop new methods, models, or theories for studying development are encouraged.

Is DS a clinical or health-outcomes funding program?

No. DS is not a clinical or health-outcomes program. It funds fundamental developmental science rather than clinical trials or research where the primary emphasis is on health interventions or health endpoints.

What does DS mean by “basic research” in this context?

Based on the program description, DS prioritizes innovative, potentially transformative research that advances fundamental understanding of developmental mechanisms (how and why development changes over time and across contexts), rather than work primarily designed to test interventions or measure health outcomes.

How should applicants think about innovation and impact?

Applicants are expected to propose innovative, potentially transformative basic research that advances scientific understanding of developmental processes and mechanisms.

What is the typical award size and duration for DS research grants?

A common DS award is about three years long, with total costs (direct plus indirect) typically between $100,000 and $200,000 per year.

Are budgets strictly capped?

Funding levels are described as flexible, but NSF signals a typical range and enforces it in practice. Budgets substantially above the typical $100,000 to $200,000 per year range may be returned without review.

What should we do if our project is unusually expensive?

If your work is unusually expensive, proceed cautiously. The program suggests consulting DS examples in the NSF awards database and indicates that budgets well above the typical range may be returned without review.

Should applicants build the science around a target dollar amount?

No. Applicants are expected to build a budget that matches the scientific plan, rather than designing the science around a predetermined funding target.

Does DS fund workshops or conferences?

DS may consider workshops and small conferences on a case-by-case basis, typically around $35,000 total cost.

Can anyone submit a conference proposal to DS?

No. Conference proposals can only be submitted after an invitation from DS Program Directors.

How can applicants check whether their idea is a good fit for DS?

NSF strongly encourages prospective applicants to review prior DS awards to calibrate fit and scope. It can also be helpful to email a brief (no more than one page) project summary to a DS Program Director before writing a full proposal to get feedback on program alignment.

How long should a pre-submission project summary be if emailing a Program Director?

The program suggests a brief summary of no more than one page.

Is mentoring or informal review recommended for newer investigators?

Yes. The solicitation encourages newer investigators to seek mentoring and informal pre-submission review from senior colleagues and to use professional conference resources that explain federal funding expectations.

Who is eligible to submit proposals to DS?

Eligibility is broad and includes U.S.-based institutions of higher education (two- and four-year, including community colleges), U.S.-based for-profit organizations (including small businesses) with strong R&D or educational capabilities, and U.S. non-profit, non-academic organizations such as museums, research labs, and professional societies. State and local governments are eligible, as are federally recognized Tribal Nations.

Can foreign organizations apply?

Yes, foreign organizations may submit. However, for collaborative projects involving U.S. and foreign partners, NSF support is limited to the U.S. portion.

Can other federal agencies or FFRDCs apply?

Other federal agencies and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) may apply, but they are directed to contact the program before preparing a proposal.

What if a U.S. institution plans to route funds to an international branch campus?

If a U.S. institution proposes to route funds to an international branch campus (including via subawards or consultants), the proposal must explain why work at that branch campus is beneficial and why it cannot be done at the U.S. campus.

What are the PI/co-PI qualification expectations?

Principal Investigators and co-PIs must have a Ph.D. or equivalent training and experience sufficient for independent basic research.

Can undergraduate or graduate students be listed as PI or co-PI?

No. While the program encourages involving undergraduate and graduate students in the research, students should not be listed as PI/co-PI or as senior/key personnel.

Does DS encourage broadening participation in STEM?

Yes. DS explicitly welcomes proposals that broaden participation across the full spectrum of STEM talent and institutions, including historically underrepresented or underserved groups, Minority Serving Institutions, Primarily Undergraduate Institutions, two-year colleges, and major research universities.

Are proposals from EPSCoR jurisdictions encouraged?

Yes. Proposals from EPSCoR jurisdictions are especially encouraged.

What was the listed closing date for this funding opportunity?

The listed original closing date for this opportunity was July 30, 2024.

How can someone volunteer to be a peer reviewer for DS?

DS is interested in recruiting new peer reviewers. Potential reviewers generally should hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in psychology or a related field and have clear expertise relevant to developmental science. Interested individuals can volunteer through an expression-of-interest form.