Request for Information (RFI): Input on Revised Definition of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research at NIH

NIH’s Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) intended to gather broad public input on a revised definition of behavioral and social sciences research (BSSR). The definition, originally developed in 1996 and updated periodically since then, is available on the OBSSR website: https://obssr.od.nih.gov/about/bssr-definition. The field has evolved significantly during the last two decades, and a more extensive update of the BSSR definition is needed to improve OBSSR’s and NIH’s ability to assess and monitor BSSR funding. 

The OBSSR invites input from behavioral and social science researchers in academia and industry, health care professionals, patient advocates and advocacy organizations, scientific or professional organizations, federal agencies, and other interested members of the public.

The RFI is available at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-19-032.html.  

To ensure consideration, input must be submitted at https://obssr.ideascale.com by February 22, 2019. IdeaScale will also allow users to view and comment on others’ input.  

Please direct all inquiries to:

Farheen Akbar, MPH

OBSSR

Telephone: 301-496-9165

Email: OBSSRNews@mail.nih.gov