Accountable Institutions and Behavior (AIB)
🏛 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers studying how institutions shape behavior and accountability mechanisms. Universities, colleges, and research institutions are eligible to apply. Funding supports basic research in social sciences related to institutional behavior and accountability. Principal investigators typically need doctoral degrees in relevant disciplines like economics, political science, psychology, or sociology.
Applicants must have institutional support and proper compliance infrastructure. International collaborations are allowed but U.S. institutions must lead the project. This program supports fundamental research, not applied projects or commercialization efforts.
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Program description
The Accountable Institutions and Behavior (AIB) Program supports basicscientific research that advances knowledge and understanding of issues broadly related to attitudes, behavior, and institutions connected to public policy and the provision of public services.Research proposals are expected to be theoretically motivated, conceptually precise, methodologically rigorous, and empirically oriented. Substantive areas include (but are not limited to) the study of individual and group decision-making, political institutions (appointed or elected), attitude and preference formation and expression, electoral processes and voting, public administration, and public policy. This work can focus on a single case or can be done in a comparative context, either over time or cross-sectionally.The Program does not fund applied research.The Program also supports research experiences for undergraduate students and infrastructural activities, including methodological innovations. In addition, we encourage you to examine the websites for the National Science Foundation’s Law and Science(LS), Security and Preparedness (SAP) and Research Infrastructure in the Social and Behavioral Sciences (RISBS) programs.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NSF Form 1207 (Proposal Cover Sheet)
- Project Narrative (15 pages max typically)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (2 pages each)
- Supporting Documents (letters, data management plan)
- Institutional Commitment Letter
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.075 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$38,357,018
-
$18,499,999
-
$13,999,656
-
$10,999,998
-
$8,993,747
-
$8,043,354
-
$5,237,549
-
$5,200,000
-
$5,047,151
-
$4,500,000
Top States by Funding
- MI 9 awards $94.1M
- DC 6 awards $20.7M
- MA 7 awards $18.5M
- NY 9 awards $17.0M
- CA 8 awards $14.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.075). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $292,390,000 | |
| 2025 | $219,410,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $92,200,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this NSF grant?
Universities, colleges, research institutions, and FFRDCs with appropriate research capabilities. Individuals must have a doctoral degree or equivalent research experience.
What types of projects does this fund?
Basic research examining institutions and their effects on human behavior. Studies on accountability mechanisms, organizational structures, and institutional design are welcome.
What is the typical funding range?
NSF typically awards $150,000 to $500,000 for three-year projects in this area. Actual amounts vary by proposal scope and review panel recommendations.
How competitive is this grant?
NSF programs are highly competitive with success rates around 20-25%. Strong preliminary data and clear research methods are essential.
When do proposals need to be submitted?
Rolling deadline means proposals are reviewed periodically throughout the year. Check NSF.gov for specific target review dates.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Use NSF's merit review criteria: intellectual merit and broader impacts. Clearly address both in your narrative and budget justification.
- Include preliminary data or pilot studies to strengthen your competitive position. Publishers rarely fund purely theoretical proposals.
- Build strong letters of support from your institution and relevant collaborators. Administrative commitment matters for NSF.
- Focus on novel methodological approaches or underexplored questions about institutions. NSF values original research questions.
- Budget overhead realistically and follow NSF Uniform Guidance rules precisely. Budget errors cause rejections.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposers often submit overly broad research questions lacking clear hypotheses. Weak broader impacts sections that don't connect research outcomes to society.
Insufficient detail on methodology or unrealistic timelines for proposed work. Poor alignment with NSF priorities and merit review criteria.
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