The National Science Foundation (NSF) Economics Program supports research that enhances the understanding of the U.S. economy and its institutions as part of the broader global economic system. The program funds both empirical and theoretical economic research and promotes rigorous methodologies for studying economic behavior. Areas of interest include econometrics, economic history, environmental economics, finance, industrial organization, international economics, labor economics, macroeconomics, mathematical economics, and public finance. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary research and seeks to strengthen connections between economics and other social and behavioral sciences, as well as mathematics and statistics.

This program provides funding for various types of research activities, including individual or multi-investigator projects, doctoral dissertation improvement awards, conferences, symposia, experimental research, data collection and dissemination, and specialized research instrumentation such as computing equipment. It prioritizes initiatives that encourage broad participation and particularly welcomes proposals from junior faculty, women, underrepresented minorities, research undergraduate institutions, and states participating in the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).

One key aspect of this funding opportunity is the Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIG) program. These grants are intended to improve the quality of dissertation research by providing funds for data collection, field research, and other expenses that are not typically covered by university funding. DDRIG proposals must be submitted by a faculty advisor on behalf of the doctoral student, and funding does not cover stipends, tuition, or cost-of-living expenses. Successful DDRIG proposals clearly outline how the research will advance economic science.

Eligibility for funding is open to various academic and research institutions. The program encourages collaboration across disciplines and supports proposals that align with other NSF initiatives. Proposals for DDRIGs should follow the guidelines outlined in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), and applicants are encouraged to consult with program officers before submission.

The application process requires adherence to specific submission procedures based on the chosen platform. Full proposals can be submitted via Research.gov following NSF's standard proposal preparation guidelines or through Grants.gov, where the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide applies. The program has target dates for submission, with the next deadlines on August 18, 2025, and January 20, 2026, followed by annual deadlines in August and January.

For further information, prospective applicants can reach out to program officers at NSF for guidance and clarification on submission requirements. Additional funding opportunities related to multidisciplinary activities within the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE) Directorate are also available.