U.S. National Science Foundation
Archaeology Program Senior Research Awards
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Dec 1, 2026 · 55 days left
- Award size
- Not specified — see notice
- Total available
- $6M · about 30 awards
- Cost share / match ?
- Not required · Work out your budget and match
- Who can apply
- Other (see eligibility)
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
Before you apply: federal grants require an active SAM.gov registration (Unique Entity ID) and a Grants.gov account. Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Grant-ready checklist
How this fits you
- Available in Tennessee (nationwide program)
- No cost share required
- Tennessee recipients since 2023: 24
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
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Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/d3dfbffd-183a-4fd1-89b5-141d4ff5d80c · Printed from grantme.click/grants/c7d9fb9f-25c0-4c6c-a804-2e802d97ff69
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About this grant
The Archaeology Program supports anthropologically relevant archaeological research to increase understanding of past behaviors. This means that the value of the proposed research can be justified within an anthropological context. It is the responsibility of the investigator to explain convincingly why the focus of their research is significant and has the potential to contribute to anthropological knowledge. The program sets no priorities by either geographic region or time period. It also has no priorities in regard to theoretical orientation or question. While the program, in order to encourage innovative research, neither limits nor defines specific categories of research, most proposals either request funds for field research or the analysis of archaeological material through multiple approaches.
Eligibility (from the notice)
*Who May Serve as PI:
PIs and co-PIs must be researchers who have a Ph.D. or equivalent education and experience, sufficient to allow them to carry out independent basic research. PIs of senior research proposals are encouraged to include undergraduate and graduate students in their research projects, but not as PI/co-PI or other senior/key personnel.
Your schedule, working back from the deadline
- Oct7
Check that your SAM.gov registration is active (or start it now)
Grants.gov: allow up to 10 business days for SAM registration, weeks or months if information isn't verified. It must be renewed every year. Grants.gov - Nov10
Ask partners for letters of support or commitment
Suggested: partners need time to write and sign letters. - Nov24
Finish a complete draft for a final review
University grant offices require final versions about 5 business days before the sponsor deadline. Emory Office of Sponsored Programs - Nov29
Submit
Grants.gov: submit at least 24–48 hours before the deadline: uploads fail, systems slow down, errors need fixing. Grants.gov blog - Dec1
Deadline
From the funder.
Save this grant to put these dates in your tracker and private calendar.
Who in Tennessee has won this program
24 awards to Tennessee recipients in 3 counties since federal FY2023. Largest shown:
| Recipient | Where | Amount | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $2.8M | 2022 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $2M | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $925K | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $673K | 2021 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $627K | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $557K | 2019 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $508K | 2021 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $475K | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $450K | 2022 |
| University Of Memphis | Memphis, Shelby County | $450K | 2021 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $446K | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $415K | 2023 |
Source: USAspending.gov. Past awards show who this program funds; they don't guarantee future awards.
About the program (47.075)
Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences — (SBE)
How applications are judged
Not Applicable.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.