Incorporating Human Behavior in Epidemiological Models

The Incorporating Human Behavior in Epidemiological Models (IHBEM) program, sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH/NIDA), seeks to advance mathematical epidemiological models by integrating research on social and behavioral processes. The program aims to enhance the accuracy and usefulness of models in predicting public health outcomes during crises like pandemics, where human behavior and social structures play a critical role. The program encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing on expertise from the mathematical, social, behavioral, and economic sciences to address gaps observed in current epidemiological models. The IHBEM program focuses on improving models by incorporating factors such as behavioral changes over time, sensitivity analysis, and the influence of environmental, social, and political factors. The program also emphasizes the importance of modeling population heterogeneity and the impact of public health and social policies. In addition, projects may explore data needs for richer epidemiological models, ensuring that the models reflect realistic and dynamic human behavior. The goal is to support more effective public health interventions and minimize unintended outcomes. This program offers awards ranging from $4 million to $5.5 million annually, with individual project budgets capped at $1 million for a duration of three to four years. NSF and NIH expect to fund approximately 10 to 15 awards each year, depending on the availability of funds and the quality of proposals. Selected projects may be funded either by NSF or NIH, and those awarded by NIH will need to undergo reformatting to comply with NIH requirements. NIDA has a particular interest in projects addressing drug use and related health crises, such as opioid overdoses and the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and HCV. Eligible applicants are U.S. institutions of higher education, including both two- and four-year institutions. Each researcher can participate as a principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on only one proposal. No letters of intent are required, and there are no restrictions on the number of proposals an institution can submit. However, voluntary cost-sharing is prohibited. Proposals must be submitted through either Research.gov or Grants.gov, adhering to the guidelines of each system. The proposals will be evaluated based on the NSF merit review criteria, focusing on intellectual merit and broader impacts. Specific to this program, reviewers will also assess the integration of social and behavioral processes into the models, the interdisciplinary balance of the research team, and the management plan’s effectiveness. Successful proposals must include clear dissemination strategies and provide training opportunities for students and postdoctoral researchers, with an emphasis on broadening participation from underrepresented groups. The submission window for full proposals is from February 1 to February 14 each year. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the relevant NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and NIH guidelines to ensure compliance. Queries about the program or submission process can be directed to the designated program officers at NSF or NIH.