Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences

Program Objectives

To contribute to the scientific strength and welfare of the Nation through the promotion of basic research and education in the social, behavioral and economic sciences and through monitoring and understanding the resources invested in science and engineering in the United States. Supported activities include research and education in the following disciplines: Anthropological and geographic sciences; cognitive, psychological and language sciences; economics, decision risk and management sciences; sociology, political sciences; innovation and organizational change, measurement methods and statistics, law and social science and science and society. Other SBE grants build infrastructure, and develop methods, support science and technology centers, including climate change and science of learning centers, and fund research workshops, symposia, and conferences. Educational activities include awards to improve the quality of doctoral dissertations in the behavioral and social sciences; grants for graduate traineeships and postdoctoral fellowships; and grants to promote K-12 education in the SBE sciences. Support is also provided for junior faculty and mid-career development opportunities, undergraduate student research, and for research opportunities for women, minorities, and the differentially abled. The Directorate also funds science studies; studies of scientists and engineers, R&D funding and expenditures, and educational attainment in science, mathematics and engineering.