Dear Colleagues,

At NSF we frequently use terms like "interdisciplinary," "transdisciplinary" and "convergent" when referring to certain research programs and initiatives. While perhaps overused, these terms nonetheless signify the increasingly urgent challenge for scientists and engineers to combine our diverse expertise across traditional disciplinary boundaries.

This great need is made apparent every day by the many difficult problems and tragedies facing so many in the U.S. Accordingly, a large portion of NSF’s budget is devoted to supporting ambitious cross-cutting work exploring areas that can yield big payoffs for society, our environment and the future.

Recent examples include NSF’s launch of the new Regional Innovation Engines, our partnership with the Social Science Research Council on public health guidance and a partnership with the Department of Energy on clean energy and decarbonization. The success of these opportunities relies in no small part on the participation and leadership of social, behavioral and economic scientists. Many more cross-cutting opportunities seeking your experience and skills can be found on our website.

We encourage you to think big and to think together. Every challenge we face is an opportunity to advance our understanding of humanity and to leverage those breakthroughs to empower people, enhance our safety and well-being, and to build the future we want to live in.

Kellina Craig-Henderson
Acting NSF Assistant Director, SBE

Antoinette WinklerPrins
Acting NSF Deputy Assistant Director, SBE

📰 News from our awardees

Both nature and nurture contribute to how socioeconomic status shapes the architecture of the brain

A research team has analyzed a massive dataset to reveal more about the mechanisms through which the environment, genetics and socioeconomic status impact brain development and function.

After ‘mama,’ children’s first words include ‘this’ and ‘that’

A new study found that across languages and cultures, words that help direct caregivers' attention are likely to be among the first that children learn and use frequently.

Social connections influence brain structure of rhesus macaques

The number of grooming partners an individual animal had predicted the size of brain areas associated with social decision-making and empathy.

Can you catch a deepfake?

Linguistics and information technology researchers receive NSF award to help people identify audio deepfakes.

Opinions, findings or recommendations of NSF awardees or their institutions do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

📢 Announcements and funding opportunities

Impact of public health guidance is focus of new NSF partnership with Social Science Research Council

NSF and SSRC invite research proposals that can reveal the complex factors that contribute to effective public health guidance and provide rigorous evidence that will be useful for decision-makers seeking to improve and protect the health of their communities.

NSF launches Regional Innovation Engines Program

Social, behavioral and economic scientists are invited to participate in the program which seeks to catalyze science and technology development across the U.S. 

NSF seeks proposals using computational models to study human cognition, perception and communication

Multidisciplinary research proposals to explore computational models of human cognition, perception, development and communication can be submitted to several existing programs.

NSF and DOE announce partnership for science and engineering research

Topics for research collaboration could include bioenergy, building and water treatment technologies, renewable energy technologies, as well as the social, behavioral and economic aspects of new technologies and energy-related policies.

NSF recognizes 3 scientists with the Alan T. Waterman Award

Daniel Larremore, Jessica Tierney and Lara Thompson were awarded the nation's highest honor for early-career scientists and engineers.

📊 NCSES reports and data

U.S. R&D Increased by $62 Billion in 2019 to $667 Billion; Estimate for 2020 Indicates a Further Rise to $708 Billion

Analysis explores the levels of expenditures by the principal U.S. R&D performers and their sources.

Science and Technology: Public Perceptions, Awareness and Information Sources

New report on public attitudes published in the National Science Board's 2022 Science and Engineering Indicators.

Labor Force Transitions of U.S.-Trained Doctoral Scientists and Engineers: Findings from a New Longitudinal Panel

Introduces a new resource for analysis of change dynamics among this doctoral workforce.

Research and Development: U.S. Trends and International Comparisons

New R&D report published in the National Science Board's 2022 Science and Engineering Indicators.

📅 Upcoming events

June 21

Q&A about the NSF Regional Innovation Engines Program
Join the program staff to learn about this new funding opportunity to ignite innovation ecosystems. Bring your questions!

July 13 and 15

Mid-scale Research Infrastructure project execution plan development workshop
This workshop will prepare social and behavioral science and education researchers for the submission of a mid-scale research infrastructure proposal. The workshop focuses specifically on development of the project execution plan.

July 13

Funding opportunity webinar: Cultural Anthropology Program
Join us to learn about opportunities for students and researchers available through NSF's Cultural Anthropology Program.

July 14

Get to know the Science and Engineering Indicators
Save the date for this webinar hosted by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. Details to be announced.

July 27-28

NSF Convergence Accelerator Expo 2022
A two-day event highlighting research topics supported by NSF's Convergence Accelerator including trust and authenticity in communication systems and more.

🔬 'Science Matters' from NSF

Measuring progress (and gaps) in the US skilled technical workforce

In fall 2021, the National Science Board and the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics made an important change to how they describe and quantify the STEM workforce, expanding it to include all people who use science skills in their jobs -- not just those with a bachelor's or advanced degree. 

🎬 Video highlight

Meet Daniel Larremore, 2022 Waterman Award Winner

Supported by NSF's Science of Science Program, Larremore is one of three researchers awarded the nation's highest honor for early-career scientists and engineers. His research utilizes networks, modeling and mathematics to examine topics ranging from infectious diseases and epidemiology to the productivity and progress of the U.S. scientific workforce.