NSF 23-618: Decision, Risk and Management Sciences – Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants

Research Focus

The Decision, Risk and Management Sciences Program (DRMS) funds doctoral dissertation research that advances understanding of decision-making by individuals, groups, organizations, and society. Research must be grounded in social and behavioral science theory and methods, address fundamental scientific or societal issues, and demonstrate generalizability. The program prioritizes five core areas: judgment and decision making; decision analysis and decision aids; risk analysis, perception and communication; societal and public-policy decision making; and management science and organizational design. Purely theoretical or algorithmic proposals are ineligible; research must involve empirical work or application grounded in theory.

At-a-Glance

• Who can apply: U.S. Ph.D.-granting institutions (accredited, with campus in U.S.). PI must be the doctoral student's dissertation advisor; co-PI must be the doctoral student.
• Funding & project length: Up to $30,000 total (direct + indirect costs); maximum 12 months duration.
• Award mechanism: Standard Grant; 20–30 awards anticipated per fiscal year.
• Key dates: Full proposals due January 18, 2024 and August 19, 2024 (then annually on those dates).
• Best fit for: Doctoral researchers in social/behavioral sciences studying decision processes, risk communication, organizational behavior, or policy analysis using empirical methods.

Additional Notes

Pre-submission contact with program directors (Claudia Gonzalez-Vallejo or Robert E. O'Connor) is strongly encouraged. Curated data must be deposited in a publicly accessible repository within 2 years of final data collection. No cost-sharing is permitted. Advisors may submit multiple DDRIG proposals without limitation.