Human Networks and Data Science

Summary

AI-generated

NSF 23-568: Human Networks and Data Science (HNDS)

Research Focus

The Human Networks and Data Science program supports research applying data science and network analysis methods to understand human behavior across social, behavioral, and economic (SBE) sciences. The program targets two complementary needs: (1) developing large-scale, user-friendly data resources and analytic techniques that enable data-intensive SBE research previously impossible at scale, and (2) advancing disciplinary theory by applying network science and data-intensive methods to explain individual and group behavior. Research leverages diverse data sources—from designed experiments and field observations to digital traces, administrative records, and Internet of Things measurements—across multiple spatio-temporal scales. The program emphasizes work that generates novel understandings of human networks and behavior with potential for significant societal benefits in health, prosperity, and security.

At a Glance

Who can apply: Institutions eligible under NSF guidelines; unaffiliated individuals ineligible. No PI/co-PI restrictions except one HNDS-I proposal per person per year.
Funding & duration: $8 million total annually; approximately 4 large infrastructure awards and 5–20 core research awards. Project scope should match requested funding.
Award mechanism: Standard Grant
Key dates: HNDS-R (core research) deadlines: July 13, 2023 and January 11, 2024 (second Thursday in July and January, annually thereafter). HNDS-I (infrastructure) deadlines: August 3, 2023 and February 1, 2024 (first Thursday in August and February, annually thereafter).
Best fit for: SBE researchers (sociology, economics, political science, psychology, etc.) using network analysis, computational methods, or large-scale data to model human behavior; infrastructure teams building databases or analytical tools for cross-disciplinary SBE research.

Key Facts

Deadline

Wed, March 4, 2026

Posted

Sat, May 20, 2023

Award Range

$10,000 – $1,200,000

Expected Awards

47.075

Grants.gov

Agency

Research Areas

NSF

Social, Behavioral & Economic SciencesSBE

No gotchas detected. Always read the full FOA/NOFO.

Synopsis

The Human Networks and Data Science program (HNDS) supports research that enhances understanding of human behavior by leveraging data and network science research across a broad range of topics. HNDS research will identify ways in which dynamic, distributed, or heterogeneous data can provide novel answers to fundamental questions about individual or group behavior. HNDS is especially interested in proposals that provide data-rich insights about human networks to support improved health, prosperity, and security.HNDS has two tracks:(1) Human Networks and Data Science – Infrastructure (HNDS-I). Infrastructure proposals will address the development of data resources and relevant analytic techniques that support fundamental Social, Behavioral and Economic (SBE) research. Successful infrastructure proposals will construct, within the financial resources provided by the award, databases or relevant analytic techniques and produce a finished product that will enable previously impossible data-intensive research in the social sciences. The databases or techniques should have significant impacts, either across multiple fields or within broad disciplinary areas, by making possible new types of data-intensive research in the SBE sciences.(2) Human Networks and Data Science – Core Research (HNDS-R). Core research proposals will advance theory in a core SBE discipline by the application of data and network science methods. This includes the leveraging of large data sets with diverse spatio-temporal scales of measurement and linked qualitative and quantitative approaches, as well as multi-scale, multi-level network data and techniques of network analysis. Supported projects are expected to yield results that will enhance, expand, and transform theory and methods, and that generate novel understandings of human behavior – particularly understandings that can lead to significant societal benefits or opportunities. HNDS-R encourages core research proposals that make innovative use of NSF-supported data networks, databases, centers and other forms of scientific infrastructure including those developed by HNDS-I (formerly RIDIR) projects.

Source: Simpler.grants.gov