Cognitive Neuroscience (CogNeuro)

PD 24-1699

The Cognitive Neuroscience (CogNeuro) Program seeks to fund proposals that can advance our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying human cognition and behavior. Funded proposals typically advance theories in cognitive neuroscience by relating precise and rich quantifications of physiology, cognition and behavior with each other (Intellectual Merit). Funded proposals also typically strengthen the field through, for example, outreach, mentoring the next generation of diverse cognitive neuroscientists and/or increasing awareness and utilization of the research the field produces (Broader Impacts).

Intellectual Merit
In general, successful proposals provide a theoretical motivation for a series of experiments and analyses that test the differential predictions of that theory; they go beyond quantifying physiology associated with cognition and behavior. Research topics considered for funding include but are not limited to: action, perception, imagery, recognition, categorization, learning and memory, working memory, attention, language, problem solving, decision-making and social reasoning. Commensurate with the inherently multidisciplinary nature of the field and the limitations of any single technique, a wide variety of physiological methods are considered, including but not limited to: neuroimaging (e.g., fMRI, EEG, MEG), non-invasive stimulation (e.g. TMS, tES), lesion analysis, intracranial recording, optogenetics, genetics, optical imaging, computational modeling and pharmacological interventions in both human and non-human primates and other animal models. The program is particularly interested in proposals that achieve or enable convergence across multiple techniques.

Critically, proposals will be returned without review if they are focused on: (1) either behavior or physiology and lack a specific link between them, (2) understanding clinical populations or 3) non-human animals without a clear benefit to our understanding of humans.

Broader Impacts
In general, successful proposals seek to make impacts beyond traditional academic routes, such as having the PIs publish research or teach undergraduate courses. Strong broader impacts can be quite varied but will typically involve specific efforts strengthening the field and/or increasing its visibility by leveraging the characteristics of the institution, department and/or researcher. Consider the following non-exhaustive examples:

1. STEM education and outreach, particularly in underserved communities.
2. Directly involving undergraduates and high-school students in research.
3. Making tools and applications available, discoverable, and easily useable by, the general public.
4. Science journalism or communication.

These efforts often relate to the proposed research, but suitable broader impacts with less direct connections to the specific research may also be proposed. PIs are encouraged to include these efforts in their proposal budgets if warranted. Refer to the Dear Colleague Letter: A Broader Impacts Framework for Proposals Submitted to NSF's Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Directorate for more information.

Various

Please contact the program director.

January 15 2024 - February 1, 2024

Elizabeth F. Chua Program Director	echua@nsf.gov	(703) 292-5187	SBE/BCS
Dwight Kravitz Program Director	dkravitz@nsf.gov	(703) 292-4502	SBE/BCS