Research Infrastructure in the Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Research Infrastructure in the Social and Behavioral Sciences (RISBS) program, administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), supports the development of innovative computational tools and data resources that advance basic research in the social and behavioral sciences. As part of NSF’s broader mission to promote the progress of science and support national welfare, this initiative underscores the importance of robust infrastructure to enable transformative discoveries in understanding human behavior, societal dynamics, and related economic and health outcomes. RISBS is particularly focused on enabling research rather than directly funding primary research activities themselves. Projects funded under this program are expected to facilitate research by others—typically through the creation of scalable, shareable data sets, platforms, or tools that empower social scientists to conduct more efficient or novel investigations. For instance, eligible projects may involve efforts to collect or aggregate data that results in a new resource for an entire field or the development of platforms that allow broader research communities to conduct or manage data collection. The program notably does not support the principal investigators’ research unless it is directly tied to the creation of infrastructure. One of the program’s cornerstones is its direct support for three foundational longitudinal studies that have significantly shaped social science research in the United States. These include the American National Election Study (ANES), which provides essential data on voting behavior and public opinion; the General Social Survey (GSS), a widely cited source on American social trends; and the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), which examines economic, social, and health factors in U.S. families over decades. Each of these studies has contributed substantially to understanding how American society evolves and functions and continues to be a vital resource for researchers across multiple disciplines. RISBS operates under a flexible proposal submission model for general infrastructure projects, accepting applications on a rolling basis. However, for the core longitudinal surveys (ANES, GSS, PSID), the program issues separate solicitations with their own deadlines and criteria. Proposals to the general RISBS program can be submitted directly or redirected from other NSF Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE) programs in line with applicable submission guidelines. Researchers are encouraged to collaborate across disciplinary lines and are advised to reach out to relevant program officers for guidance prior to submission. Submissions must adhere to the guidelines outlined in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). While there are no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent, prospective applicants are advised to contact RISBS program officers to ensure alignment with program goals and avoid duplicative proposals. The program emphasizes innovation and encourages the development of infrastructure that has the potential for broad, long-term utility in the social and behavioral research communities. Applications are accepted continuously, with no defined deadline, and the total program funding is estimated at $16 million. Individual awards may range from $400,000 to $2,000,000, with an anticipated total of approximately five awards. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. For technical assistance or difficulties with the Grants.gov platform, applicants may contact NSF Grants.gov Support at [email protected]. Additional resources and detailed guidance are available on the NSF’s official website and via the specific solicitation page for this funding opportunity.