National Science Foundation (NSF)
NSF supports conferences in special areas of science and engineering that bring experts together to discuss recent research or education findings or to expose other researchers or students to new research and education techniques. Most Core Programs at NSF accept conference proposals at any time, but PIs must contact the cognizant program officer to discuss their plans before submitting a proposal. NSF conference proposals should generally be submitted at least one year in advance of the planned conference date. PIs should refer to the relevant program announcement or RFA for further details, as well as the conference proposal section in the current PAPPG.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH supports conference proposals through the R13 Conference Grant mechanism. Most Institutes and Centers (ICs) participate in the Parent R13 Program Announcement, which accepts proposals three times per year, in April, August, and December. Most ICs require prior approval from a program manager before accepting conference proposals. PIs should refer to the website of their IC for instructions and program manager contact information, as this process varies by IC.
Department of Energy (DOE)
The DOE Office of Science (SC) accepts proposals for conferences on a continuous basis via the current year’s standing FOA, the “Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program”. PIs should contact the program officer associated with the program area that most closely aligns with topic of the planned conference.
Department of Defense (DOD)
The Air Force and Army both have programs to provide support for conferences relevant to the agency’s topics of interest. PIs should first familiarize themselves with the Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) of each agency (“Research Interests of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research” and “DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory Broad Agency Announcement for Foundational Research”) to identify potential programs and corresponding program managers.
The Army Conference and Symposia Grant Award Program is described in its BAA, along with application instructions. Instructions for applying to the Air Force Defense Research Sciences Conference and Workshop Support Program are described in a separate Air Force Conference BAA. For both agencies, proposals should be submitted at least 6 months before the intended conference date, after discussing with the cognizant program officer.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) supports conferences via its Topical Workshops, Symposiums, and Conferences (TWSC) in Space and Earth Sciences and Technology Program. After identifying a relevant program and corresponding program officer within SMD, potential proposers are required to send an Inquiry Email and receive a response from an SMD Program Officer, TWSC point of contact, or Division Director, confirming the relevancy and likelihood of availability of funds, before submitting a conference proposal. Further instructions for applying can be found in the current TWSC Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Refer to NASA’s Funding for Events website for the most recent information.