The Science of Science Department is offering Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants to enhance the understanding and public value of scientific activity.

*Who May Serve as PI:

DDRIG proposals must be submitted with a principal investigator (PI) and a co-principal investigator (Co-PI). The PI must be the advisor of the doctoral student or another faculty member at the U.S. IHE where the doctoral student is enrolled. The doctoral student must be the Co-PI.

The Science of Science: Discovery, Communication, and Impact (SOS:DCI) program is designed to understand the scientific research enterprise and increase the public value of scientific activity. The program pursues this goal by supporting basic research in three fundamental areas:

• How to increase the rate of socially beneficial discovery;
• How to improve science communication outcomes; and
• How to expand the societal benefits of scientific activity.

TheSOS:DCIprogram, which builds upon the formerSciSIPprogram, funds research that builds theoretical and empirical understandings of these three areas. With this goal in mind, proposals should:

• Develop data, models, indicators, and associated analytical tools that constitute and enable transformative advances rather than incremental change.
• Identify ethical challenges and mitigate potential risks to people and institutions.
• Provide credible metrics and rigorous assessments of their proposed project’s impact.
• Include robust data management plans, preregistration plans where appropriate, and related commitments that increase the usability, validity, and reliability of scientific materials.

Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIGs)

The Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants funding opportunity is designed to improve the quality of dissertation research. DDRIG awards provide funds for items not normally available through the student’s university such as enabling doctoral students to undertake significant data-gathering projects and to conduct field research in settings away from their campus. DDRIGs do not provide cost-of-living or other stipends or tuition. Outstanding DDRIG proposals specify how the knowledge to be created advances science of science.