Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR)

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Mission Statement

The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) is to enhance the impact of health-related BSSR:

  • Identifying gaps and opportunities for BSSR
  • Integrating BSSR within the larger NIH research enterprise
  • Developing and coordinating BSSR initiatives with the NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs)
  • Communicating significant BSSR findings within NIH and beyond

Interest Areas

General Topics

Because behavioral and social sciences research (BSSR) provides valuable insights into human behavior—including how individuals and groups think, feel, behave, and interact—findings from BSSR can inform interventions and public health strategies to directly affect health outcomes. OBSSR interest areas include but are not limited to: 

  • Integrating and coordinating BSSR research across NIH
  • Building a cumulative BSSR knowledge base
  • Enhancing and connecting basic and applied BSSR
  • Refining BSSR measurement
  • Promoting novel experimental designs in the BSSR space
  • Advancing data analytics relevant to BSSR
  • Encouraging rigorous and innovative implementation and dissemination research methods
  • Promoting research that advances health for all

Highlighted Topics

Title Lead ICO Participating ICOs Posted Date Expiration Date

Funding Opportunities and Notices

Search for OBSSR’s funding opportunities and notices

Additional Information by Funding Category

Administrative Supplements
In addition to our Administrative Supplements overview, consider the following OBSSR-specific information.
Administrative Supplement Interest Areas:

OBSSR will consider co-funding administrative supplements if the supplement request is consistent with current NIH guidance; the ICO administering the parent award agrees to accept it for consideration; and the supplement is relevant to the OBSSR mission. 

See Also

Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR)

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