Director’s Spotlight
This year marks the 30th anniversary of OBSSR at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Established by Congress in 1993 and opening its doors in 1995, OBSSR was created to identify, coordinate, and advance behavioral and social sciences research (BSSR) across NIH. The office’s formation underscored the essential role of BSSR in improving public health and shaping the way we approach scientific discovery.
While NIH’s research enterprise has traditionally focused on the biological and physiological aspects of health, BSSR addresses the behavioral and social determinants that also shape health outcomes. Achieving NIH’s mission of enhancing health requires an integrated approach—one that combines biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences—to develop more effective, comprehensive solutions.
Read More of Dr. Simoni’s Thoughts on OBSSR’s Impact.
Upcoming Events
Director’s Webinar with Dr. Michael Platt
Spring 2025
News
PATH Study Data Files from Wave 7
The National Institute on Drug Abuse and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products have released the Wave 7 Public-Use File from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. These Wave 7 files contain questionnaire data collected between January 2022 and April 2023. Questions about the collection, content, weighting, documentation, or structure of PATH Study data may be submitted to PATHDataUserQuestions@Westat.com.
Listen Up! Podcast: The Rigor and Heart of the Matter: Transforming Health Through Community-Based Participatory Research
The season 2 finale of Listen Up!, a professional development podcast for health communication professionals—including those working at the federal, state, and local levels—and public health students is now available. In this episode, Dr. Betsy Mitchell of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention engages with Dr. Tabia Akintobi, LaShawn Hoffman, and Dr. Rhonda Holliday from Morehouse School of Medicine to explore the vital role of community engagement in public health.
Recently Published Funding Opportunities
Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Small Research Grant (R03 Clinical Trial Optional)
Open Date (Earliest Submission Date): January 17, 2025
Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Open Date (Earliest Submission Date): January 20, 2025
Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
Open Date (Earliest Submission Date): January 20, 2025
Short Courses on Innovative Methodologies and Approaches in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R25 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)
Open Date (Earliest Submission Date): February 10, 2025
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Understanding and Addressing Weight Stigma, Bias, and Discrimination to Promote Health Equity
First Available Due Date: February 12, 2025
Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Open Date (Earliest Submission Date): September 21, 2025
Intervention Research to Improve Native American Health (R34 Clinical Trial Optional)
Open Date (Earliest Submission Date): September 21, 2025
View All Funding Opportunities
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