Behavioral Interventions Scholars

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) is soliciting applications for Behavioral Interventions Scholars grants to support dissertation research by advanced graduate students who are using approaches grounded in behavioral science or behavioral economics to examine research questions of relevance to social services programs and policies. These grants are meant to build capacity in the research field to apply a behavioral science or behavioral economics lens to issues facing families in the United States with low incomes, and to foster...

Under section 1110(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act, eligibility is open to “...States and public and other organizations and agencies for paying part of the cost of research or demonstration projects such as those...which will help improve the administration and effectiveness of programs carried on or assisted under the Social Security Act and programs related thereto...”. Eligible U.S. entities are the universities at which a graduate student scholar is enrolled. Applicants will be required to submit a letter of support from the graduate student's mentor, acting as the project's Principal Investigator, that approves the application and provides a description of how the mentor will regularly monitor the student's work. Applications that do not include this letter will be disqualified from review and funding. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible and will be disqualified from competitive review and funding under this funding opportunity. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity. Faith-based organizations may apply for this award on the same basis as any other organization, as set forth at and, subject to the protections and requirements of 45 CFR Part 87 and 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq., ACF will not, in the selection of recipients, discriminate against an organization on the basis of the organization's religious character, affiliation, or exercise.

Elizabeth Karberg Elizabeth.Karberg@acf.hhs.gov