Economics

The Economics Program from the National Science Foundation (NSF) is a federally funded initiative administered through the Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE), specifically under the Division of Social and Economic Sciences (SES). The NSF is a key U.S. government agency supporting fundamental research across science and engineering disciplines. The Economics Program plays a critical role in advancing economic science by funding theoretical and empirical studies that deepen the understanding of the U.S. and global economic systems. The program's mission includes strengthening the analytical methods and tools available to economists and fostering research that explores economic behaviors, institutions, and processes. This program supports a wide array of research in economics, encompassing fields such as econometrics, economic history, environmental and public economics, finance, industrial organization, labor economics, macroeconomics, mathematical economics, and international trade. It funds individual and collaborative projects, experimental and field studies, data collection and dissemination efforts, and investments in research infrastructure including computer equipment and instrumentation. A core value of the program is encouraging interdisciplinary research that connects economics with other social sciences, mathematics, and statistics. There is also an explicit focus on broadening participation, with a preference for proposals that bring in underrepresented groups and regions in STEM and economics-related research. The NSF Economics Program also provides funding through the Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIG) mechanism. These grants are intended to enhance the quality and scope of doctoral dissertation research in economics. The DDRIGs do not support tuition, stipends, or general living expenses but do fund critical research expenses that may not be covered by the student’s institution, such as fieldwork and major data-gathering efforts. DDRIG applications must be submitted by a faculty advisor on behalf of the doctoral student, and proposals must clearly articulate the anticipated scientific contributions of the research. Applicants must submit their proposals following the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), which outlines formatting, submission protocols, and eligibility compliance. Submissions may be made through either Research.gov or Grants.gov. There is currently no fixed deadline for proposals, and they are accepted on a rolling basis. However, applicants are responsible for ensuring their proposal meets all formatting and content requirements regardless of submission timing. While no pre-application steps are required, proposers of DDRIGs are encouraged to consult a program officer before submission. Proposals are evaluated based on their potential to advance scientific knowledge in economics, the soundness of the research design, the qualifications of the research team, and the project’s broader impacts, such as training students or enhancing public understanding of economics. The program also funds conferences and symposia that promote cross-disciplinary dialogue and new methodological developments in economic research. The program is currently active but waiting for a new formal solicitation publication (PD 23-1320). Though no explicit recurring cycle is specified, past patterns and the rolling nature of submissions imply continual availability. Contact details for the program include Program Directors Nancy A. Lutz ([email protected], 703-292-7280) and Nihal Bayraktar ([email protected], 703-292-5074), based within the SBE/SES division at NSF headquarters in Alexandria, VA.