The U.S. National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories. NSF was established in 1950 by Congress to promote the progress of science, advance the national health, prosperity and welfare, and secure the national defense.
The Science of Science: Discovery, Communication, and Impact (SOS:DCI) program focuses on increasing the public value of scientific activity by understanding the scientific research enterprise. It aims to support basic research that can significantly increase the rate of socially beneficial discovery, improve outcomes in science communication, and expand the societal benefits of scientific activity. This includes developing advanced data, models, indicators, and analytical tools; identifying and mitigating ethical challenges; providing credible impact metrics and rigorous assessments; and ensuring robust data management and reliability of scientific materials. Additionally, the Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIGs) aim to enhance the quality of dissertation research, supporting significant data-gathering projects and field research for doctoral students.