PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
To promote the progress of the social, behavioral, and economic sciences to promote the continued scientific strength and welfare of the Nation; to facilitate cooperative research activities for U.S. scientists and engineers with foreign scientists, engineers, and institutions; and to support understanding of the resources invested in science and engineering in the United States. The research supported is basic in character. The program includes support of research project grants in the following disciplines: Anthropological and geographic sciences; cognitive, psychological and language sciences; economic, decision and management sciences; social and political sciences; infrastructure, methods and science studies; studies of scientists and engineers, Federal R&D funding and expenditures, and educational attainment in science, mathematics and engineering; and international programs. Support is provided for science and technology centers and for research workshops, symposia, and conferences. In addition, awards are made to improve the quality of doctoral dissertations in the behavioral and social sciences and for dissertations requiring research outside the United States; for graduate traineeships; postdoctoral fellowships; special opportunities for junior faculty for research support; and mid- career professional development opportunities. Support is also provided for undergraduate student research, and for research opportunities for women, minorities, and disabled scientists and engineers.

 ELIGIBLE FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES:
1. EDUCATION;
- Resource Development and Support - Sciences;
2. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY;
- Research - Specialized;

 WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM:
- State;
- U.S. Territories;
- Specialized group (e.g. health professionals, students, veterans);
- Private non-profit institution/organization;

 WHO CAN APPLY:
- State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Public non-profit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- U.S. Territories and possessions (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Specialized group (e.g. health professionals, students, veterans);
- Private non-profit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Quasi-public non-profit institution/organization;