Decision, Risk and Management Sciences
Can you apply?
This grant is for academic researchers studying decision-making, risk analysis, and management science. Eligible applicants include faculty at research institutions, graduate students (for DDRIGs), and researchers affiliated with universities or research centers. Projects must be grounded in social and behavioral science theories and have generalizable findings. Research can be disciplinary, interdisciplinary, or involve conferences in judgment and decision making, decision analysis, risk perception, public policy decisions, or organizational design.
The program also supports RAPID grants for time-sensitive disaster research and EAGER grants for high-risk exploratory work. Note: Purely algorithmic management science proposals should be submitted to the Operations Engineering program instead.
This grant is for academic researchers studying decision-making, risk analysis, and management science. Eligible applicants include faculty at research institutions, graduate students (for DDRIGs), and researchers affiliated with universities or research centers. Projects must be grounded in social and behavioral science theories and have generalizable findings. Research can be disciplinary, interdisciplinary, or involve conferences in judgment and decision making, decision analysis, risk perception, public policy decisions, or organizational design.
The program also supports RAPID grants for time-sensitive disaster research and EAGER grants for high-risk exploratory work. Note: Purely algorithmic management science proposals should be submitted to the Operations Engineering program instead.
Program description
The Decision, Risk and Management Sciences Program (DRMS) supports scientific research directed at increasing understanding and effectiveness of decision making by individuals, groups, organizations and society. DRMS supports research with solid foundations in theories and methods of the social and behavioral sciences. This social and behavioral science research should advance knowledge, address fundamental scientific and societal issues and have strong broader impacts. DRMS funds disciplinary and interdisciplinary research, doctoral dissertation research improvement grants (DDRIGs) and conferences in the following areas: judgment and decision making; decision analysis and decision aids; risk analysis, perception and communication; societal and public-policy decision making; management science and organizational design. The program supports the use of the RAPID funding mechanism for research that involves ephemeral data, typically tied to disasters or other unanticipated events. Much less frequently, the program also supports highly unusual, proof-of-concept, high-risk projects that are potentially transformational (Early Concept Grants for Exploratory Research – EAGER). For detailed information concerning RAPID and EAGER grants, please review Chapter II.E of theNSF PAPPG. All research must be grounded in theory and generalizable. Purely algorithmic management-science proposals should be submitted to theOperations Engineering (OE)Program rather than to DRMS.
Decision, Risk and Management Sciences offers Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIGs) to improve the quality of dissertation research.For detailed guidelines on preparing a DDRIG proposal, consult the separateDRMS-DDRIG solicitation.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- Graduate Student
- Private University
- Public University
- Researcher (independent)
- TCU (Tribal Colleges)
Details
This grant is for academic researchers studying decision-making, risk analysis, and management science. Eligible applicants include faculty at research institutions, graduate students (for DDRIGs), and researchers affiliated with universities or research centers. Projects must be grounded in social and behavioral science theories and have generalizable findings. Research can be disciplinary, interdisciplinary, or involve conferences in judgment and decision making, decision analysis, risk perception, public policy decisions, or organizational design.
The program also supports RAPID grants for time-sensitive disaster research and EAGER grants for high-risk exploratory work. Note: Purely algorithmic management science proposals should be submitted to the Operations Engineering program instead.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NSF Grant Proposal Form (PAPPG Chapter II)
- Project Narrative with research objectives and methodology
- Budget and budget justification
- Biographical sketches of key personnel
- Current and pending support information
- Facilities and resources documentation
- For DDRIGs: advisor letter and dissertation research plan
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
-
$8,043,354
-
$7,998,747
-
$5,500,000
-
$5,237,549
-
$5,200,000
-
$5,047,151
Top States by Funding
- MI 8 awards $92.7M
- DC 6 awards $20.0M
- AZ 7 awards $19.6M
- NY 8 awards $15.4M
- IL 3 awards $15.1M
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 program?
Faculty researchers, graduate students (via DDRIGs), and researchers at accredited institutions can apply. Your institution must have an NSF-approved grants office to submit applications.
What types of research does DRMS fund?
The program funds studies on judgment and decision making, decision aids, risk analysis, public policy decisions, and organizational design. Research must be grounded in social and behavioral science theory.
Can I apply if my research is purely algorithmic management science?
No. Submit algorithmic or purely computational projects to the Operations Engineering (OE) program instead.
What are RAPID and EAGER grants in this program?
RAPID funding supports time-sensitive research tied to disasters or unanticipated events. EAGER funds high-risk, proof-of-concept projects with transformational potential. Both are less common than standard research grants.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. NSF does not require matching funds for this program. However, your institution may have its own internal cost-share policies.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Ground your research in established theories from psychology, behavioral economics, or organizational science. Purely empirical work without theoretical foundation is unlikely to be competitive.
- Clearly articulate broader impacts beyond academic contributions. Show how your work addresses societal challenges or improves decision-making for organizations and communities.
- For RAPID grants, contact the program officer immediately when you have time-sensitive data. These grants require expedited review and tight deadlines.
- Avoid submitting purely algorithmic or computational management science proposals here. Confirm your project fits DRMS rather than Operations Engineering or another program.
- Include a detailed research plan with measurable objectives. NSF reviewers expect clear methodology, timeline, and explanation of how findings will generalize beyond your specific context.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting algorithmic or purely computational management science research to DRMS instead of the Operations Engineering program. Proposing research without solid theoretical grounding in social or behavioral science. Failing to articulate clear broader impacts and societal relevance beyond academic contribution.
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