Law & Social Sciences

The Law & Social Sciences Program considers proposals that address social scientific studies of law and law-like systems of rules. The Program is inherently interdisciplinary and multi-methodological. Successful proposals describe research that advances scientific theory and understanding of the connections between law or legal processes and human behavior. Social scientific studies of law often approach law as dynamic, made in multiple arenas, with the participation of multiple actors. Fields of study include many disciplines, and often address problems including though not limited to: Crime, Violence and Punishment Economic Issues Governance Legal Decision Making Legal Mobilization and Conceptions of Justice Litigation and the Legal Profession LSS provides the following modes of support: Standard Research Grants and Grants for Collaborative Research Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Fellowships Workshop and Conference Awards LSS also participates in a number of specialized funding opportunities through NSF’s crosscutting and cross-directorate activities, including, for example: Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Research at Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) Grants for Rapid Response Research (RAPID) Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) For information about these and other programs, please visit the Cross-cutting and NSF-wide Active Funding Opportunities homepage.